Around the Web...

D-M-E wants to know what injection molders and moldmakers need where processing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is concerned. So they’ve set up an on line survey to find out.  North American demand for LSR is expected to grow by 10-12% over the next few years, with targeted applications in packaging, electronics and automotive. Processing LSR is different than running traditional molding materials, and D-M-E believes the more it can learn from molders and moldmakers on the subject, the better positioned it will be to develop products and technology for the process. Anyone who participates in the study will get access to the findings. Participants will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $250 gas card. Surveys have to be completed before August 15.

Premier Pneumatics has launched an all-new website that integrates Premier’s online presence with all the websites of the K-Tron Process Group, making it more user-friendly and easier to navigate for anyone looking for products on any of the websites within the group. A key benefit for users is that they only need to register once to access premium content or use “Smart Forms” on any K-Tron Process Group website.

PT rolling out two new conferences

Plastics Technology is holding two conferences this fall aimed at helping processors improve their operations. Practical Solutions for Processing Productivity will focus on helping all types of processors uncover the hidden savings and efficiencies that are possible by doing a better job of drying, blending, cooling and more. The two-day event, scheduled for October 28-29 in Oak Brook, Ill., will consist of technical presentations and workshops. Topics include materials handling, automation, scrap reclaim, and process cooling. Click here to view the entire program and speaker list. Navigate to this page for registration particulars.

Roughly a month later, Plastics Technology will hold the Advances in Extrusion Conference. This two-day event, slated for December 9-10 in New Orleans, will feature a first day devoted to topics of general interest to extrusion, and a second day focused on new developments in specific areas of extrusion. Full program details are available here. Registration is open now. The event features an optional third day on extrusion troubleshooting. The conference is co-hosted by Polymer Process Communications.

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Purging Pointer of the Month...

Here's the next in a series of Purging Pointers offered exclusively to subscribers of this e-newsletter by Novachem, a leading manufacturer of purging compounds: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the more difficult color-removal challenges, especially when present at high loadings. When faced with the need to remove a white material carrying a high level of this pigment, an effective pre-flush is important. Choose a clean, natural material that is stiffer (higher in viscosity) than the production material and then flush until—in your judgment—the bulk of the white color has been removed. Then finish up the job with a good purging compound.

Resin Buying Pointer of the Month…

After two months of record PP increases, we have hit a peak, resin-buying experts at RTi say. Monomer inventories have increased by roughly 130 million lb in the past three weeks, and with oil prices dropping below $130/bbl, spot prices for monomer are now trading lower by as much as .08/lb. This will prevent further price increases in August, and in fact may bring some much needed price relief. RTi’s advice: buy as needed and get some pricing benchmarks to know your getting the lowest price when you do buy.

New: Mold Care Pointer of the Month…

Here's the next in a series of Mold Care Pointers offered exclusively to subscribers of this e-newsletter by Slide Products, a leading manufacturer of mold care products and mold releases: Mold releases can be a lifesaver when parts are sticking, or a troublesome mold design is creating havoc with production. However, if the problem is isolated to only a couple of locations on the mold, just apply mold release periodically to those isolated areas and not the entire mold.

Is this the light at the end of the tunnel?

The Injection Molding Business Index declined again last month, but at a less steep rate than the month prior. This according to data compiled by Bill Wood of Mountaintop Economics. Business for molders dropped 4% last month compared to the prior month. The economist has modified his forecast and now projects business for molders will slip 2% by year’s end compared to last year’s results. But he anticipates manufacturing in general will begin to pick up steam later this year or early next.

Meantime, the Extrusion Business Index dropped 2% last month compared to 4% the month before. Wood also expects the extrusion business to drop by 2% overall this year. The good news here, relatively speaking, is that the film market held steady. Film is an early indicator of overall plastics markets, Wood reports, and the fact that it held its own last month could suggest the plastics processing market has started to level and is poised for recovery.

Getting Serious About Energy Efficiency

Once upon a time, it was hard to get plastics processors to give more than lip service to the idea of conserving energy in their plants. I think it’s safe to say that those times are gone for good. It’s still true that energy cost represents only 4% to 5% of total processing costs, but the possible savings from good energy management are in the region of 30% of current energy costs for most plastics plants—and that goes straight to the bottom line. About two-thirds of those savings can be achieved by no-cost or low-cost actions. For example, one-third of the savings can be achieved through management actions—i.e., monitoring and targeting energy usage, creating management controls, raising employee awareness, and setting appropriate policies. Another third of the savings can be achieved through maintenance actions—simple quick-fix actions such as controlling the use of utilities. The final third is achieved through capital investment in energy savings—and the average payback for such investments is around six to nine months. You can read more details on this matter here.

August Cover Story

New Frontiers in Molding Simulation

Software suppliers agree that 3D simulation of injection mold filling, packing, cooling, shrinkage, and warpage is fairly mature. Their latest releases focus on bringing new or enhanced capabilities to computer modeling of more sophisticated processes like multi-material molding, micro-molding, or rapid heat/cool cycling of molds. Software developers also seek to model a wider range of phenomena such as birefringence in optical parts, warpage in gas-assist or thermoset molding, long-glass orientation, or the stresses and deformation imposed on parts by ejector pins. New versions of simulation software also offer users new ways to optimize gating type and position, model hot- and cold-runner systems, and more. Senior Editor Mikell Knights has the full details in this comprehensive report.

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New Technology Spotlight:

• Wittmann Battenfeld revamps, expands press line
• Monster press is an energy miser
• Pipe die has internal air-cooling
• Enhanced purge compound
• World’s biggest screen changer?