NPE2018 Tooling: Molds Join the Industry 4.0 Conversation
At NPE2018, multiple companies displayed mold monitors that would allow the tool in an injection molding cell to “talk” to other equipment and remote computers.

NPE2018 Auxiliaries: A Path to Industry 4.0 Emerges
Industry 4.0 dominated the news in auxiliary equipment at the show, but many questions remain for both suppliers and processors.

NPE Wrap-Up: News in Primary Machinery, Part 1
Rounding up details from the Big Show not previously reported in all our other coverage, here’s more news in injection and blow molding, extrusion and compounding. Next month, we’ll conclude with recycling/scrap reclaim, robots, tooling, auxiliary equipment, materials and additives.

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.

‘Smart Data’: The Rise of the ‘Dashboards’
For North American plastics processors, NPE2018 offered the broadest exposure yet to the bundle of trends and technologies known as Industry 4.0 or the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT).

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Pipe, Profile, Tubing
Check out what’s new in pipe, profile and tubing extrusion.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: All-Electrics Multiply in Blow Molding
All-electric shuttles and injection-blow machines continue to proliferate.

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

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Foam Fascination
A new physical foaming process and a significant enhancement of the MuCell process attract attention at the show.

NPE2018 New Technology Focus: Single-Screw Extruders
What's new at the plastics industry's big trade show in single-screw extruders. 

Milacron Is ‘Going Big’ at NPE2018
Milacron is emphasizing large-tonnage injection presses, enhanced customer service to maximize their uptime, and speed—both speedy delivery of parts and suppies, and products that speed up production for their customers.

Plastics Hall of Fame: 10 Inspiring Stories
Last evening, at the Linda W. Chapin Theatre, the Plastics Academy inducted 10 new members into the Plastics Hall of Fame. Meet these outstanding individuals with remarkable stories. Each one teaches a lesson of hard work and creative thinking.

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.

Ira Boots: Automation and Innovation for Growth
A strong believer in automation as a driver for growth, new Plastics Hall of Fame member Ira Boots has contributed to build what Berry Global is now and to give direction to Milacron.

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.

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.

Blow Molding at NPE2018: Blow Molding Systems Run the Full Spectrum at NPE
Machines for every process—shuttle, wheel, reciprocating-screw, accumulator-head, suction-blow, injection-blow, compression blow, and one- or two-stage stretch-blow molding—will be running in Orlando. There will be a host of new models, including electric and servo-hydraulic types.