PT Blog

Many plastics processors depend mightily on their vacuum conveying systems, and there’s never a good time to have one down. Fortunately, self-monitoring equipment makes it much easier to achieve maximum uptime by identifying impending problems before they turn critical. Novatec’s PumpSense line of vacuums, for instance, is designed to identify issues and provide immediate advice for corrective action.

The key is using cloud-based diagnostic software to not only prevent equipment failure, but accurately predict when maintenance is needed. As a result, machines stay up running longer, without needing unnecessary time-based maintenance checks. Here’s how it works…READ MORE.

The company is a leading manufacturer of PET, PP, bio-based, and metallized films for flexible and rigid packaging, lidding, graphic, industrial, optical, and electronic applications and conducts all its manufacturing and metallizing at one location. The company is also now among the leaders in the manufacture of polyolefin foams for the automotive and flooring industries.

PBN’s Workforce Development & Productivity Award was accepted by TPA’s president and CEO Mike Brandmeier and Lisa Ahart, v.p. of corporate human resources and environmental health and safety. Toray employs 600 people at its headquarters in Rhode Island, and another 125 at its Front Royal, Va. Facility. The company also helps cultivate business leaders in the Rhode Island community and is a lead partner in the Real Jobs Rhode Island grant program. The PBN Manufacturing Awards are designed to identify and celebrate the region’s best manufacturers, large or small, focused or diversified.

“With more than 80 technical presentation and over 180 experts in the industry on hand, Sur/Fin is the place to learn, meet and discover all the latest in technology and innovations,” says Matt Akin, chairperson of the Sur/Fin Conference.

The conference gets started Monday, June 4, with a series of technical sessions in the morning, followed by a keynote address at 1 p.m. by Darrick Gula, director of North American business development for Bolta US. Gula previously worked as the global process lead for chrome plating and anodizing for General Motors, and will speak on the finishing challenges that lay ahead.

Earth Day is fast approaching, April 22, and this year’s theme hits close to home: “End Plastic Pollution.” There’s countless stories in the mainstream media about plastic waste and while those of us in the industry understand the importance of plastics in our every day lives, there’s no denying that recycling rates need to increase. None of us like litter and citizens need to take personal responsibility for the plastic pollution that each of us generates. The Earth Day Network has released an online Plastics Pollution Calculator for consumers to calculate the amount of disposable plastic they use in a year and make plans to reduce the waste.

But we need to take it one step more and be proactive in the discussion and educate consumers about the benefits of plastics but also the recyclability. So I was very excited to receive an invitation from the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) to participate in their Earth Day Twitter Chat (@PLASTICS_US) on Wednesday, April 18 at 11:00 AM EST.

Mold In Graphic Systems (MIGS; Clarkdale, Ariz.), which made its mark in permanent labeling of plastics starting in 1983 by revolutionizing how rotationally molded polyolefins could be decorated and has also made significant strides in the injection molding arena, recently launched its first ever training and certification program.

It was over 40 years ago that MIGS founder Mike Stevenson had a vision—with a different set of lenses. In his world, stickers, decals, and pad printing weren’t intended to simply be “good enough.” “Measuring up” to the status quo wasn’t part of the plan. With an obsession to create something that lived up to his vision for labeling plastic products, Stevenson set out to develop the initial Mold in Graphic, inside his family home’s garage in the late 1970s.