Despite COVID-19, ERP Software Keeps Molder Working—Even from Home
By: Tony Deligio
ERP platform’s remote access, real-time operations overview, and transparency into production output and customer demand help custom molder weather coronavirus.
#industry4-0 #monitoring #technologyinaction
Shopping for a Barrel? Consider the Full Cost of Ownership
By: Randy Elliott, Nordson Corp.
Beyond just the “invoice price” of a barrel, processors should consider factors like the composition of the inlay, quality of the backing material, straightness, concentricity, machining imperfections and packaging/handling, to understand the true cost of owning a barrel.
#bestpractices
How to Ensure Reliable Feeder Performance When Handling PCR
By: John Winski, Coperion K-Tron
Processors are being challenged to incorporate more recycled material into their products. Yet there are both economical and technical obstacles to achieving this objective—feeding among them. The design of your feeding equipment and the advantages that it will offer to your process will be more important than ever.
Materials: Annealing Tips for Polyamide-imide, Part 7 of 7
By: Michael Sepe
PAI is a material capable of achieving levels of performance that even semi-crystalline engineering polymers like PEEK, PPS, and PPA cannot. But you have to be willing to work for that performance, and the annealing process is an essential part of this.
Novel Nozzle Tip Prevents Stringing, Saving Molds & Cycle Time
By: Matthew Naitove
New design is said to eliminate mold damage from nozzle stringing or work-arounds that slow cycles.
#closeupontechnology
Top Shops 2020: Molding More from Less
By: Tony Deligio
Plastics Technology’s 2020 Top Shops benchmarking survey reveals that the most effective molders are, not surprisingly, the most efficient, accomplishing more than their peers from a smaller manufacturing footprint.
#topshops
Extrusion: Solving Surging in Two-Stage Screws
By: Jim Frankland
This usually crops up when the two stages are not matched in output. The best solution is to install a pressure-adjusting valve at the discharge end of the extruder.
'10 Things We’re Seeing in Machine Shops Right Now'
By: Matthew Naitove
Metalworking shops and plastics plants make for interesting comparisons of their responses to the COVID-19 challenge.
#bestpractices #industry4-0
Time Still to Register For PT Tech Days
By: Jim Callari
It’s free. It’s online. It’s scheduled every Thursday through December. And you can register now to hear technology experts address a wide range of topics in plastics processing.
#scientificmolding #sustainability #industry4-0
Novel Dual-Wheel Blow Molder Allows Quick Product Changes
By: Matthew Naitove
Two wheels, one extruder, two sets of molds: all you need to change products without a mold change.
#closeupontechnology
The Buck Stops … at This One-Stop Compounder
By: Jim Callari
CRC Polymer Systems brings expertise in material selection, product formulation and processing, and a thorough understanding of part design and tooling under one roof with a series of customized materials and capabilities aimed at OEMs and molders.
#planttour
How to Know When Your Process is Ready to Make Acceptable Parts
By: John Bozzelli
Focus on six key metrics to help you determine when a process is lined out and stable enough to start production.
#bestpractices
Processing Medical Plastics? Here's How to Minimize Risk
By: Steve Duckworth, Avient
FDA now expects OEMs of healthcare products to also take responsibility for Tier 2 and 3 suppliers—making sure every supply-chain link is meeting Good Manufacturing Practices.
#Elastomers
‘Game Changing’ Flat Die Lives Up to Its Billing
By: Jim Callari
Revolutionary ‘touchless’ die and control system for cast film and coating/laminating offer speed, efficiency and operational efficiencies to processors that were previously ‘unheard of.’
#dies #closeupontechnology
Prices Up for Nearly All Major Volume Resins--For Now
By: Lilli Manolis Sherman
As the third quarter was coming to an end, prices of nearly all volume resins were higher or heading that way. But flat or even lower prices are seen ahead.
#polystyrene #pvc #pet
Plastics Processors Report Quickening Expansion
By: Michael Guckes
Expansion among both captive and custom processors is driven by expanding orders, production, and employment.
#economics