best practices
Melt Preparation Part 1: Melt Temperature Optimization
A homogenous melt is required for consistent part quality, but achieving it requires balancing a number of factors, including barrel usage and temperature as well as screw speed, backpressure and residence time. Learn how to prepare your melt for molding success in this two-part series.
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How to Set Barrel Zone Temps in Injection Molding
Start by picking a target melt temperature, and double-check data sheets for the resin supplier’s recommendations. Now for the rest...
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The Strain Rate Effect
The rate of loading for a plastic material is a key component of how we perceive its performance.
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How to Mount an Injection Mold
Five industry pros with more than 200 years of combined molding experience provide step-by-step best practices on mounting a mold in a horizontal injection molding machine.
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How Additive Manufacturing Can Help, not Hinder, Injection Moldability of New Designs
Four cost drivers—design for moldability, mold-base size, internal componentry, polish/custom finishing—dictate the financial and processing success of a molded part design. Learn how 3D printing can assist this process, while also understanding its potential pitfalls.
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Highlights from the Recycling Open House
At the PLASTICS Recycling Open House, leaders shared challenges and successes.
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Why (and What) You Need to Dry
Other than polyolefins, almost every other polymer exhibits some level of polarity and therefore can absorb a certain amount of moisture from the atmosphere. Here’s a look at some of these materials, and what needs to be done to dry them.
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August 2022: Most-Read Articles
Simulation, hot runner manifold leaks, calculating shot size, resin pricing and more drew reader interest this August at PTOnline.com
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What is Backpressure and How Should We Calculate It?
Does using an intensification ratio to calculate backpressure result in an accurate reflection of what’s happening in the barrel? Newer machine technologies have us revisiting an old project with fresh eyes.
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Plastics Technology’s Most Viewed Content in July 2022
Injection molding tips, resin pricing, a recycler tour and a look at reshoring’s surge were just some of the articles that had visitors clicking on Plastics Technology in July.
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