News Highlights from NPE2018
Developments in Industry 4.0, multi-layer preform molding, automation, LSR processing, and PP were among the major newsbreakers at May’s show. And one film processor finalized purchases of 13 new lines.

Major New Injection Molding Group Emerges
In seven months, Westfall Technik has made six acquisitions in injection molding, prototyping, and moldmaking.

More Automation = More Capable Robots
More complex automation tasks require use of six-axis robots, often in combination with linear robots, as well as use of machine vision, SCARA robots, and collaborative types.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Dazzlingly High-Speed Packaging Production
Several machine suppliers are injection molding caps and thin-wall cups in as fast as 2-sec cycles.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: LSR in the Spotlight
LSR remains a popular topic, visible at numerous molding demos at the show.

Whoa, That Was Neat
NPE2018 is brimming with exciting new developments. So we asked—What's the coolest thing you've seen on the show floor?

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Micromolding is Big
Micromolding is a growing force in medical, electronics and micromechanical parts.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Do It in the Mold
In-mold labeling and decorating are applied to packaging and automotive parts at numerous booths throughout the show.

At the Arburg Exhibit, ‘Seeing Is Believing’
Arburg is showing the breadth of its products, its expertise as a solutions provider, and the depth of its local support for U.S. customers.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Healthy Interest in Medical
Medical molding is a big presence at NPE.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: The ‘4.0’ Revolution
Injection and blow molding and robot suppliers are making Industry 4.0 the most prevalent theme of the show.

Freeformer System Offers Flexibility in Prototyping
Arburg says that its Freeformer customers can qualify their own materials using the APF process and optimize process parameters to the application at hand.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Multicomponent Injection and Blow Molding Demos
Multicolor and multimaterial molding includes composites, LSR, and even barrier preforms and bottles at this show.

Additive Manufacturing at NPE2018: Lots of Prototyping…and Some Manufacturing Too
As a growing industry, there will be lots of ‘firsts’ at NPE, including a new zone and workshop.

Injection Molding at NPE2018: A Showplace for the ‘Smart Factory’
In Orlando, you’ll glimpse the future, and it’s automated and interconnected. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways for plants of all sizes to get in on these trends.

NPE Is U.S. Debut for Campetella Robotic Center
A major Italian supplier of linear and SCARA robots specializes in IML.

Two-Color LSR Molding Fine-Tuned with Flow Simulation
“Virtual Molding” simulation can model all aspects of LSR molding, even with two colors.