May 2009

Survival of the Most Efficient

After preparing our latest Custom Injection Molders’ Hourly Rates Survey report, with its grim picture for custom molders, I became curious about long-term trends in molding economics. So I opened up my handwritten spreadsheets of survey data going back to 1983. I’m no CSI, but what I found were unmistakable scuff marks of a competitive struggle that has been ratcheting up in intensity for a quarter century. Learn More

Map Your Way to a Better NPE

Find exhibitors, search for products, plan your show stay and your meetings ahead of time. Learn More

Save $200 – Special Offer for PT Insiders

A MoldMaking Expo (MME) Conference Registration will give you full access to MME, NPE and Time Compression Expo. That’s more than 1,500 technology displays, 36 technical sessions and 3 tradeshows for 1 discounted price. Pre-registering will save you $150 and using the Pass Code: MME09 and Source Code: PROMO will take another $50 off. Redeem Your Discount Here

Speaking of MME, scope out the moldmaking industry’s most comprehensive technical seminar, which this year will be held at NPE. Learn More


	Survey Says...
	A recent survey of nearly 500 processors conducted by Plastics Technology and marketing group Townsend Solutions paints a more positive picture of the current economic conditions in plastics than some might suspect. The most telling sign, in our view, is that molders and OEMs are shopping for molds, a sign that projects that may have been postponed or delayed are back in play.
	Learn More

Purging
There are two basic classes of purging compounds: chemical and mechanical (sometimes referred to as physical). Chemical purging compounds actually affect the polymer molecules of the production resin, reducing its viscosity so it can be purged... Learn More

Mold Care
When working with PVC, be certain to use processing aids that are designed to complement this specialized process and will help to minimize acidic vapors...
Learn More

Buying Resin
Two of the key leading indicators for resin markets are inventory and exports. Under normal conditions exports reduce supplier inventories helping to maintain or increase prices. What does it tell you when inventories increase after an export market? Learn More

	New & Improved Snap-fit Design Calculator Version 3.0 Try the Snap-Fit Design Calculator v3.0 from BASF and get even more accurate snapfit calculations based on the unique, real-world performance characteristics of plastics.
		www.basf.com

Get in the zone…as in the NPE Zone. Get a first-hand look at new technology that will be on display at next month’s NPE09 show. You can search for articles by process or product type. We even have a roundup of notable papers to be delivered at Antec, which is co-located with NPE. Learn More

ALSO IN THE MAY ISSUE OF PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY

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