Tooling innovations at NPE focused primarily on multi-cavity closure and medical applications, though there was also a substantial emphasis on large automotive and appliance parts.

Most of the emphasis is on valve gating and on doing more in less space. Other highlights include standardized mold components, some impressive feats of moldmaking creativity, and advances in mold simulation.

Sophisticated hot-runner systems can benefit from the new high-performance electric valve-gate system from Synventive Molding Solutions, Peabody, Mass.

Synventive Molding Solutions, Peabody, Mass., has come out with a line of hot-runner systems tailored for automotive lighting such as front and rear lenses.

Show goers will see an electric injection machine in nearly every press maker’s booth this year, and electric/hydraulic hybrids in several.

Synventive Molding Solutions, Peabody, Mass., has two new hot-runner products: Model 06E threaded/screw-fit nozzle and model PNC30 pneumatic bolt-on actuator for valve gates.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Several suppliers of hot-runner nozzles and controls have come out with new or enhanced products in the last few months.

A new line of hot-runner valve gates is driven by an electric stepper motor rather than hydraulics.

A slim manifold nozzle for small parts is new from Synventive Molding Solutions, Peabody, Mass.

The accepted ground rule for balancing melt flow in multi-cavity injection molds is to achieve equal flow distance from the injection point to each cavity.

Gammaflux LP, Sterling, Va., and Synventive Molding Solutions, Peabody, Mass., have reached a private-label manufacturing agreement whereby Synventive will sell Gammaflux LEC and TTC hot-runner temperature-control systems.

A molded-in-color, high-gloss, metallic-pigmented TPO wheel flare is making its commercial appearance next month with the launch of the 2008 F-250 Super Duty pick-up truck from the Ford Motor Co.

Electrically driven valve pins, a low-cost alternative to valve-gating, mold-mounted temperature controllers, and new components for fast color changes are some of a host of new components and systems unveiled at the giant NPE 2006 show in Chicago this past June. (Some brand-new introductions since the show are also included in this report.) The news includes runnerless products aimed at everything from micromolding to shot weights up to 17.4 lb.

Thermal and mechanical testers, color and appearance sensors, vision inspection devices and CMMs—the NPE had them all in more compact, economical, and easy-to-use models.

Two new types of valve-gate cylinders designed to retain maximum glass length in a molded part are new from Synventive Molding Solutions, Peabody, Mass.

This emerging market promises to be big but challenging. Polycarbonate car windows require specialized machinery, high-end processing capability, premium polymers, advanced coating technologies, and innovative mold and runner designs.

Car makers' all-out effort to cut costs is giving rise to new paint-free technologies, including an innovative 'simultaneous-shot" injection molding process that was presented at the SPE Automotive Division's latest annual Innovation Awards ceremony.

The diversity of electric machines will be on display at this year’s show, with several new all-electric versions in direct-drive and belt-driven versions.

Ultimate Control for the Toughest Molding Jobs

From complete hot halves to individual nozzles, a host of new products promise smaller gate vestiges, less maintenance, better temperature control, and lower cost.