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Annual Benchmarking Survey of Injection Molders Released

Plastics Technology Top Shops Benchmarking Survey provided both unanimous responses and divided results, but pervasive throughout is the sense of an industry still grappling with the aftermath of 2020’s global pandemic.

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top shops

COVID-19’s Long Shadow

More than four years on, there are aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic that linger in their impacts to the plastics market and are made visible in our annual survey.

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polyolefins

Prices Flat-to-Down for All Volume Resins

This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

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Processing Plant Tour

Automation

Injection Molder Amplifies Automation for Optimized Production

AIM Processing has parlayed small part molding expertise and aggressive automation, even for short run production, into a highly successful custom molding business.

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Compounding

Sirmax Adapts Integrated Recycling Approach to US Supply Conditions

Integrating compounding and recycling to leverage untapped postindustrial recycling feedstocks.

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sustainability

Building a Future With Sustainable Compounds

With roots in recycling, Star Plastics produces engineering thermoplastic compounds to meet performance and environmental goals.

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Technology in Depth

SPONSORED

Delivering Increased Benefits to Greenhouse Films

Baystar's Borstar technology is helping customers deliver better, more reliable production methods to greenhouse agriculture.

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sustainability

NPE2024 Materials: Spotlight on Sustainability with Performance

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

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Masterbatch Creates Cavities, Helping Film Processors Boost Sustainability, Recyclability

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

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Glycon's DM2: The High Performance Feedscrew
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Essential Reading

Automation

What to Look for in High-Speed Automation for Pipette Production

Automation is a must-have for molders of pipettes. Make sure your supplier provides assurances of throughput and output, manpower utilization, floor space consumption and payback period.    

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sustainability

How to Optimize Color Evaluation of Recycled Plastics

The right color measurement instrument and good working methods will minimize variability in color evaluation of PCR.

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Extrusion

What to Know About Your Materials When Choosing a Feeder

Feeder performance is crucial to operating extrusion and compounding lines. And consistent, reliable feeding depends in large part on selecting a feeder compatible with the materials and additives you intend to process. Follow these tips to analyze your feeder requirements.

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best practices

Running Hot: Solutions for High-Temperature Injection Molding Cells

Here are some best practices for setting up and maintaining high-temperature injection molding processes, including sourcing and maintaining suitable water- and oil-circulating systems.

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Home In on These Six Variables to Monitor Molding

There are hundreds of variables in molding, but focusing on these six will help you make consistent parts.  

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Injection Molding: Focus on these Seven Areas to Set a Preventive Maintenance Schedule

Performing fundamental maintenance inspections frequently assures press longevity and process stability. Here’s a checklist to help you stay on top of seven key systems.

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Latest News and Products

Extrusion

Insight Polymers & Compounding Unveils New Conductive Products Line

The new conductive products line will also be produced for injection molding and extrusion.

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Automation

Lower Compressed Air Consumption, Compact Servo-Driven Rotary Axes and Easier Camera Integration

At Fakuma 2024, Wittmann automation displays show high performance and efficiency via less compressed air and energy consumption, compact integration, light-weight construction, easy operation and fast teach-in processes.

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Additives

Techmer PM Acquires OptiColor

The acquisition will bolster Techmer PM’s capabilities in the concentrates and compounds market.

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Self-Learning Control Algorithm for Temperature-Controlled Hot Runner Balancing

At Fakuma 2024, Kistler presents the new ComoNeo 7.0 process-monitoring system with the Multiflow 2.0 feature update for consistent temperature control in multicavity molds.

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Postconsumer

Coinjection Technology Showcases Recycled Material Containment

At Fakuma, an all-electric PXZ Multinject machine sandwiches a black core made of mechanically recycled PC/ABS within an outer layer made of chemically recycled ABS.

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Automotive

Braskem Selected to Negotiate Federal Funding Award to Expand UHMWPE

By driving innovation for Braskem’s ‘Utec’ UHMWPE, the project would strengthen the lithium-ion battery value chain in the U.S.

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Servo-Hydraulic Injection Molding Machine With an Electric Injection Unit Premieres

Fakuma 2024: Wittmann Battenfeld says the 2K SmartPower Combimould features a new electric injection unit option.

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New Owners for Alpha Marathon

After bankruptcy, new group purchases intellectual property and forms Alpha Marathon Film Extrusion Technologies.  

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