Betting Big on Recycled PET
Distributor of virgin PET resins PolyQuest is also a growing manufacturer of recycled PET resins.
Heather Caliendo
Senior Editor, Plastics Technology
Materials Knowledge Pays Off at Teel Plastics
Well-equipped and well-staffed testing lab elevates competence of custom processor.
Fast, Precise Machine Helps Tubing Processor Make the Cut
Instead of turning down a job or farming out cutting to another company because of downstream bottlenecks, Eagle Elastomer can now handle all extrusion process functions in-house.
Israeli Pipe Processor Adds Potent Single-Screw Extruder
Billed as ideal for large-diam. pipes, new extruder provides processor with higher output and better quality while consuming less power.
New Mold Grease Smooths Operations for Troublesome Tool
Switching to a new synthetic grease helped an injection molder keep a difficult die running, eliminating unplanned downtime and cutting scrap.
Captive Molder Seeks Bigger Footprint in Custom Business
Pittsfield Plastics Engineering has spruced up its facility and added new technology as it seeks to expand its business beyond its proprietary line of reels and spools.
Screw-Recovery Problems Call for Special Screw Design
In injection molding, the penalty for using a general-purpose screw in an application that has special requirements often takes the form of longer cycle times. Barrier designs can help.
Film Processor Boosts Line Performance with Air-Ring Retrofit
Air-ring upgrade results in output gains up to 23% for leading film processor in Indonesia. Gauge uniformity also improved.
Jim Callari
Editorial Director, Plastics Technology
How to Properly Maintain Aluminum Injection Molds
Aluminum and steel tools have some important differences, but also one key similarity: Routine maintenance will extend the mold’s life and boost the quality of its output.
EVCO Plastics Gears Up To Mold Coronavirus Test Kits
The firm has added shifts, reassigned people and injection machines—and is buying new ones—in a crash program to mold and assemble COVID-19 test kits.
Building a Better Buffer: Conveyor Tech at the Core of Lights-Out Molding Cell
An automatic climbing wall inspired the conveying technology at the heart of a lights-out two-machine molding cell churning out fully inspected and assembled automotive oil-filter drains.
Plastic Molds for Chocolate “Molding” Formed From Aluminum Molds
Micelli Mold Co., one of a handful of chocolate mold makers globally, became one of Chinese injection molding machine maker Bole’s first U.S. customers, using its presses to mold polycarbonate chocolate molds in Long Island.
Blazing the Trail In Processing PCR for Corrugated Pipe
Just a decade ago, roughly 10% of HDPE corrugated pipes made by Advanced Drainage Systems used recycled material. That number is 65% now, and growing. Here’s how this processor became a pioneer in this field.
How Graham Packaging Counters PCR Supply/Demand Squeeze
Customers want more PCR—including food grade—than recyclers can supply. Solutions involve efforts to educate customers, employees, and the community at large. New technologies also offer hope.
Despite COVID-19, ERP Software Keeps Molder Working—Even from Home
ERP platform’s remote access, real-time operations overview, and transparency into production output and customer demand help custom molder weather coronavirus.
Tony Deligio
Senior Editor, Plastics Technology
For Medical-Parts Molder, Better Chemical Resistance Just ‘Drops In’
Switch from PC/ABS to Eastman’s Tritan MXF copolyester helps PIM meet need for greater resistance to a wider range of disinfectants with no processing tradeoffs.
Molder Gets Into World-Class Shape
Shape Corp.’s Grand Haven, Mich., facility challenges itself and its employees to run leaner, pushing productivity and efficiency to new limits.
Small, Family-Run Vermont Molder Pioneers in ‘Lights-Out’ & Industry 4.0
Going back 37 years, T&M Enterprises dared to push available technology far beyond the risk tolerance of much larger firms.
Bigger Press Opens Opportunities for Molder
Acting quickly, Pittsfield Plastics arms its plant with high-tonnage Haitian press to meet customer demand and open options for more large-part molding projects.
Innovation, Customization & Sustainability: How Flex Films Focuses on U.S. Market
Global player in BOPET film has big plans for U.S. market with innovative products developed collaboratively with customers while paying heed to environmental concerns.
Auto Interiors Leader Brings Extrusion In-House
For first time in its 35-yr history, Legendary Auto Interiors is producing its own PVC sheet for floor-mat line.
Custom Molder Helps Entrepreneurs Choose Optimal Colorants for Successful Product Launches
Blue Ring Technologies has zeroed-in on Chroma’s highly-loaded G2 colorant system for the production of high-quality parts.
Lilli Manolis Sherman
Senior Editor
Tenere Shapes Market Niche Where Metal and Plastics Meet
Joining metal and plastics to target some of today’s most dynamic industries, contract manufacturer Tenere reinvented itself—and its customer list—in 2016.
Start-Up Compounder Seeks Niche in Short Orders, Quick Turns
Peak sets its sights on high-performance industrial and medical markets.
Packaging Converter Launches Film-Extrusion Business
Polymer Film & Bag Inc. will start with three-layer capacity of more than 20 million lb/yr, with additional expansion plans already firmed up.
An Agricultural Recycling 'Revolution'
Revolution is a leading brand bringing together expertise in recycling of agricultural film and manufacturing of plastic film, bags and irrigation tubing. The focus in all areas is to create sustainable closed-loop systems and use as much post-consumer resin as possible in all products manufactured.
Follow These Steps to Purge Accumulator-Head Blow Molders
Preventive purging with a commercial product between resins or colors and during normal shutdown and startup cycles can prevent excessive loss of resin and production time.
Tension-Indicating ‘Smart’ Bolts Make Mold Mounting Safer, More Efficient
No more guessing about whether mold-mounting bolts are tightened properly, with an alternative to unreliable torque measurements.