What You Need to Know About Blade Ejectors: Part 1
Follow these guidelines to prevent premature wear, flash and galling.
Busting Myths: How Additive Polymers Affect Builds
With advances in additive polymers, it may be time to consider moving a traditionally manufactured part to 3D printing.
#npe
The Difference Between Knit and Meld Lines--and Why It Matters
In many part designs, flow fronts will inevitably be split, but how and where they come back together is hugely important to the molded part’s finished strength.
Uniphase Doubles Size With $3 Million Expansion
The custom injection molder and moldmaker has completed a 25,000-ft2 expansion, bringing its facility in St. Charles, Ill. to 50,000-ft2.
Total Transparency at Trademark Plastics
Trademark Plastics’ latest investment won’t let it see the future, but by giving it vision inside parts, the new CT scanner represents a more transparent tomorrow for its validation work.
#planttour
KNOW HOW: EXPERT ADVICE
The Difference Between Knit and Meld Lines--and Why It Matters
In many part designs, flow fronts will inevitably be split, but how and where they come back together is hugely important to the molded part’s finished strength.
Consider the Cushion When Seeking Shot-to-Shot Consistency
Creating and maintaining a consistent cushion is a key step in achieving shot-to-shot consistency. Learn what cushion is and how it affects part quality.
Three Key Decisions for an Optimal Ejection System
When determining the best ejection option for a tool, molders must consider the ejector’s surface area, location and style.
Process Monitoring or Production Monitoring—Why Not Both?
Molders looking to both monitor an injection molding process effectively and manage production can definitely do both with tools available today, but the question is how best to tackle these twin challenges.
Improve Quality & Productivity With Advanced Screw Design
Most molders are still running with screw designs that haven’t changed much in 30 years. But they don’t need to.
The Importance of Gauging Residence-Time Distribution—Part 2
Each molecule in the molded product can have a different residence time. This variance is reflected in the Residence-Time Distribution, which you can learn how to determine below.
Novel Metal 3D-Printing Technology Optimized for Plastic Tooling
A new company called Mantle offers 3D printing equipment and materials that boast unique suitability for producing injection mold components, overcoming limitations of other printing methods.
#closeupontechnology
Ford Converts 3D Printing Scrap into New, Molded Parts
Ford has collaborated with HP to reuse spent 3D printed powders and parts turning them into injection molded vehicle parts.
Cascadia Custom Molding Acquired by Private Equity Firm
Blue Point Capital Partners portfolio company, VRC Engineered Solutions, has acquired the custom injection molder with facilities in Idaho and Washington.
All-Electric Injection Molding Machine Range Expanded
Milacron is now offering the Fanuc Roboshot Alpha-SiB, continuing Milacron’s partnership with Fanuc in the Americas and expanding on the previous Alpha-SiA series.
New Package Concept Offers Relief from PP Shortages & Soaring Prices
A new IML approach that uses a thick paper label as most of the structure of a plastic container can slash resin use drastically—especially handy when resin supplies are tight and prices are soaring.
Consider the Cushion When Seeking Shot-to-Shot Consistency
Creating and maintaining a consistent cushion is a key step in achieving shot-to-shot consistency. Learn what cushion is and how it affects part quality.
Get Better at Quoting Injection Molded Parts: Part 4 of 4
This fourth and final installment focuses on labor, packaging, secondary operations and various assorted details.
Turn on the Juice: The Benefits of Mold Electrification for Molders
Electrifying the mold reduces the chances of bad parts, supports a clean molding environment and increases control of the process with real-time feedback. Here’s help to determine whether it’s right for you.
Simulating Two-Shot Molding: How Does the First Shot Affect Overall Part Warpage?
Moldex3D simulation can integrate analysis of the first-shot temperature, pressure, and fiber orientation into warpage analysis of the second shot.
Growing Through the Pandemic
Westec Plastics is just one example of an injection molder that actually expanded in 2020 despite the business and logistical challenges of the pandemic.
Injection Molding Networking Platform Adds Mold Transfer Software
RJG says the new Mold Transfer software allows users to generate machine-specific setup sheets, recommend compatible machines and more.
#monitoring
Arburg Augments Customer Portal, Extends Digitalization
Arburg is expanding its arburgXworld customer portal and Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) connectivity to all new Allrounder injection molding machines with retrofits for older presses.
ERP Platform Keeps Molders Connected in the Pandemic
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software offers its users many tools and modules with manufacturing and plastics specific platforms like DELMIAworks touching everything from inventory and quality to bookkeeping and process and machine monitoring.
New Headquarters, Investment for Addifab
Addifab, the Danish supplier of Freeform Injection Molding (FIM) technology, raised $6.3 million in its latest investment round and moved to a new, larger headquarters near Copenhagen.