In the future, medical professionals will use digital customiser apps to create bespoke components to spec, locally, and on demand.

For efficiency reasons or complex geometries, a hybrid approach is sometimes deployed. 3D metal printing can be used to develop organic internal lattice structures for lightweight components to be in-tolerance post-finished using CNC.

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.

Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.

Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.

Industry 4.0 is in full gear, and more and more companies are making the step toward digital manufacturing. CNC machines are chipping away material at blazing speeds with enhanced artificial intelligence and accuracy, ensuring that the product meets the intent of the design engineer.

For the November-December timeframe, these sources noted signs that prices were bottoming out, with flat to slightly lower pricing expected. “I think we haves some visibility of a bottom forming with a little bit of further drop,” said Newell. Barry saw potential for further price reduction in the fourth quarter, noting that demand in the global PP market was down and China was becoming a regular exporter of PP, the latest competitor for U.S. suppliers.

Devices like the Apple Watch thank their supreme finish to combining aluminium extrusion with precision milling and laser equipment in a process that leaves no edge and surface burrs, even inside the device.

Medical devices have to meet strict standards for durability, safety, biocompatibility, and sterilisation, and key mechanical requirements for flexibility, lubricity, buckling resistance, and torque transfer.

Sustainability continues to dominate new additives technology, but upping performance is also evident. Most of the new additives have been targeted to commodity resins and particularly polyolefins.

Both PCW’s Barry and RTi’s Chesshier ventured that this relative stability might well be shaken up within the first quarter, due to the substantial new capacity being brought on stream by Shell and Baystar, the new 50/50 joint venture between Borealis and Total Energies. Combined production will represent a 10% increase in annual domestic capacity. Noting that early 2023 will remain a buyer’s market, Chesshier said that suppliers will face further challenges from lower global demand. As Barry put it, “The export packaging pipeline was viewed as a likely bottleneck for producer export sales in the coming months. Prices in Asia were softening as well-stocked Chinese producers lowered offers to stimulate demand and Southeast Asian markets followed the softer trend.”

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

Nylon can be used as well but has a small processing window, while polycarbonate and PET require delicate temperature control. For high-strength applications, consider a glass fibre-filled ABS.

Digitally-driven, AI-enhanced control software provides optimal dimensional accuracy to allow for intricate design features.

Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

Unlike conventional manufacturing, precision machining produces parts with submicron accuracy. For medical applications, this brings the crucial benefits of miniaturisation, personalised fit, and high performance. Ralph Zoontjens, product designer who specialises in 3D printing, shares his insight on how precision machining is impacting medical device manufacturing.

In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

With precision technology, the product casing, internal architecture, electronics integration, and cabling solutions for your biometric tracker or digital X-ray are optimised. For wearables like heart monitor implants or pacemakers, their minimally invasive form factor with ultra-thin walled micro moulded enclosure is game-changing both in terms of comfort and aesthetic sensibility.

Professionals like surgeons and dentists benefit from having access to precision manufacturing. To their preference, they can now develop custom tools such as cutters, biopsy needles, implant holders, forceps, nebulisers, and blade handles, or outfit the robotic assistant with custom grippers.

In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

These are the views of purchasing consultants from Resin Technology, Inc. (RTi), senior analysts from Houston-based PetroChemWire (PCW), CEO Michael Greenberg of The Plastics Exchange, and Scott Newell, executive v.p. of polyolefins at distributor/compounder Spartan Polymers.

Join Wittmann for an engaging webinar on the transformative impact of manufacturing execution systems (MES) in the plastic injection molding industry. Discover how MES enhances production efficiency, quality control and real-time monitoring while also reducing downtime. It will explore the integration of MES with existing systems, emphasizing compliance and traceability for automotive and medical sectors. Learn about the latest advancements in IoT and AI technologies and how they drive innovation and continuous improvement in MES. Agenda: Overview of MES benefits What is MES? Definition, role and brief history Historical perspective and evolution Longevity and analytics Connectivity: importance, standards and integration Advantages of MES: efficiency, real-time data, traceability and cost savings Emerging technologies: IoT and AI in MES

Join KraussMaffei for an insightful webinar designed for industry professionals, engineers and anyone interested in the manufacturing processes of PVC pipes. This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technology behind the production of high-quality PVC pipes: from raw material preparation to final product testing. Agenda: Introduction to PVC extrusion: overview of the basic principles of PVC pipe extrusion — including the process of melting and shaping PVC resin into pipe forms Equipment and machinery: detailed explanation of the key equipment involved — such as extruders, dies and cooling systems — and their roles in the extrusion process Process parameters: insight into the critical process parameters like temperature, pressure and cooling rates that influence the quality and consistency of the final PVC pipes Energy efficiency: examination of ways to save material and energy use when extruding PVC pipe products

While an uptick in benzene contract prices of about 40¢/gal was expected in November, these sources predicted that PS suppliers might opt to give up some margin due to high volumes of imported PS. According to PCW’s Barry, one resin distributor described the price gap between imported and domestic resin as “unsustainably large.”

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

While suppliers have throttled back production, these sources say there is a lot of material to be had and that heavily discounted spot deals were on the table. There was also substantial new capacity coming on stream, with ExxonMobil starting up its new plant and Heartland Polymers readying its PDH and PP units. Greenberg confirmed that some PP suppliers were offering deeply discounted railcars for higher volume orders as they aimed for better positioning in first-quarter 2023. He reported that there was good ongoing demand for packaged truckloads from processors that had drawn down their stocks and now required more material, and from others waiting for late railcars to arrive.

The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda:  Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI

The instruments it makes also enable robot-assisted surgery like heart valve surgeries. And we witness great growth for tiny parts like septums, sensors, microelectronics, microneedles, stents, and micro-machined screws. Needless to say, this requires great specialisation on the part of the supplier.

PVC prices in October were expected to drop another 5¢/lb following a cumulative drop of 15¢/lb in the previous three months. Moreover, similar decreases were expected for the last two months of 2022, which would bring the total decline in the second half of this year to 30¢/lb, according to Mark Kallman, RTi’s v.p. of PVC and engineering resins and PCW senior editor Donna Todd.

Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

A halt in the pricing plunge for PE, PP, and PS appeared to be shaping up going into November, owing primarily to suppliers reducing their swollen inventories by throttling back production rates and, in the case of PE, multiplying attractive offers for exports and the domestic spot market. Still, first-quarter 2023 looks to be a buyer’s market for all five major commodity resins.

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

Plastics processors are finding applications for 3D printing around the plant and across the supply chain. Here are 8 examples to look for at NPE2024.

It’s capable of making long-lasting parts that can be carried on or inside the body for a good part of a lifetime. Solutions that were hitherto impossible can now enable new forms of microsurgery, such as on embryonic infants, blood vessels, or the brain.

Both sources noted that falling PVC export prices have continued the downward pressure on domestic prices, along with increasing supplier inventories. However, Kallman reported that suppliers have exported a substantial volume of PVC and that Formosa had planned a shutdown of its Louisiana plant through November, which would perhaps result in a more balanced market. He noted that with the exception of wire and cable—the “most resilient market sector”—PVC demand is off in nearly all categories.

Polyethylene prices for October appeared to hold even and were expected to be generally flat for the last two months of the year, according to David Barry, PCW’s associate director for PE, PP, and PS; Robin Chesshier, RTi’s v.p. of PE, PS, and nylon 6 markets; and The Plastic Exchange’s Michael Greenberg.  Reporting on one longtime market watcher’s projections, Barry noted, “Don’t expect any big price swings for several months.” Meanwhile, suppliers notified customers they were postponing their increases of 5-7¢/lb from October to November, though these sources saw this move as mainly an effort to halt any further decline.

The following replacements are typically milled using multi-axis CNC machines out of titanium or cobalt-chrome with some polyethylene, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyether ether ketone plastic components:

Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.

Precision machining creates the perfect fit for critical applications like prostheses and orthoses. Thanks to these technologies, people do not simply feel supported, but more abled.

Coverage of single-use plastics can be both misleading and demoralizing. Here are 10 tips for changing the perception of the plastics industry at your company and in your community.

The latter reported that PVC prices are forecasted to be flat in January, followed by a 2¢/lb drop in February and flat again in March, for a total decrease of 32¢/lb over nine months.

Say “manufacturing automation” and thoughts immediately go to the shop floor and specialized production equipment, robotics and material handling systems. But there is another realm of possible automation — the front office.

Polypropylene prices in October were on the way down by double-digits, as propylene monomer contracts were expected to settle 9¢/lb to 11¢/lb lower, along with an expected margin contraction of 4¢/lb to 5¢/lb, according to PCW’s Barry, Spartan Polymers’ Newell, and The Plastic Exchange’s Greenberg. The market was characterized as very well supplied, amid continued lackluster demand, despite suppliers throttling back plant operating rates to a low of 70%

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

At the same time, he ventured that it was possible that November-December propylene monomer prices would not drop any further. He did not anticipate any further margin contraction, though he said that could play a factor in 2023 PP price negotiations behind the scenes.

Major contributing factors to the improved PE market balance were that after several years of high production rates, PE suppliers throttled back plant utilization rates to the low 70s percentile, in addition to offering lower-priced exports and spot material to bring down their high inventories.

Kallman characterized domestic demand as slower and the market as well supplied, with attractively priced exports continuing to arrive at a steady pace.

One benefit over other processes is the myriad of biocompatible materials it allows. Because of high spindle speeds, this requires very specific control parameters for each material. For example, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyoxymethylene are best for thin-wall sections.

Polystyrene prices in October looked to be heading down by 4¢/lb, bringing the total three-month drop in prices to 40-43¢/lb, and they could bottom out for the last two months of the year, according to both PCW’s Barry and RTi’s Chesshier. Both noted that demand was down but that suppliers had stayed on top of things by lowering production rates.

This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

This is a considerable achievement, since deviations are often visible across parts of the same batch, causing high scrap rates and failures to meet performance requirements.

Contract prices fell a total of about 11¢/lb in the third quarter, with more dramatic price drops in the spot market. As October approached, spot prices began to stabilize. Going into November, Greenberg put it this way: “Spot PE price were holding firm for three weeks in a row. Even as PE spot levels have seemingly found a floor, buyers continue to enjoy good availability for most grades near these yearly lows.” He did note that some more niche grades, such as injection molding LDPE, EVA, POE and rotomolding resins had been in tighter supply, and have good underlying demand if better supplies surface.

With precision machining, the struggle for geometric dimensioning and tolerancing is over, since parts will be consistent with the 3D model to the micron.

Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

Core Technology Molding turned to Mold-Masters E-Multi auxiliary injection unit to help it win a job and dramatically change its process.

Besides functional benefits, there are social acceptability factors as well — bringing hip hearing aids, canes and crutches, thin-wall machined biometric rings, and other wearable medical devices to the fashion-savvy.

Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.

While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.

How the development of new catalysts—notably metallocenes—paved the way for the development of material grades never before possible.

Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.

When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

Plastics Technology’s Tech Days is back! Every Tuesday in October, a series of five online presentations will be given by industry supplier around the following topics:  Injection Molding — New Technologies, Efficiencies Film Extrusion — New Technologies, Efficiencies Upstream/Downstream Operations Injection Molding — Sustainability Extrusion — Compounding Coming out of NPE2024, PT identified a variety of topics, technologies and trends that are driving and shaping the evolution of plastic products manufacturing — from recycling/recyclability and energy optimization to AI-based process control and automation implementation. PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.

Stepping from traditional to precision manufacturing feels like turning a wheelbarrow into a race car. Electrical drive, oil-free equipment prevents contaminants as well as particle and fastener-free joining with laser welding and overmoulding.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

For silicone parts like membranes, valves, and seals, micro moulding allows for parts just a few millimetres in size while retaining full detail as required for specific structural zones. And with optical liquid silicone rubber (LSR), glass-like transparency can be achieved.

While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.

Medical-grade metal components like guidewires, screws, implants, and brackets are made of titanium, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, as well as Kovar, Invar, and Inconel alloys. Nitinol, a smart material with shape-memory behaviour, is an upcoming option for its kink and fatigue resistance.

Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

Plastics Technology covers technical and business Information for Plastics Processors in Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding, Plastic Additives, Compounding, Plastic Materials, and Resin Pricing. About Us

Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions

Cutting-edge precision machining is the way to go in almost all cases, allowing full control and a vast range of materials, with the perk of enabling ultra-personalised products.

Successfully starting or restarting an injection molding machine is less about ticking boxes on a rote checklist and more about individually assessing each processing scenario and its unique variables.

This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

Baystar's Borstar technology is helping customers deliver better, more reliable production methods to greenhouse agriculture.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

RTi’s Chesshier ventured that PS tabs could remain flat this month but may rise if benzene prices move up again. Meanwhile, the implied styrene cost based on a 30/70 formula of spot ethylene/benzene fell by nearly 2¢/lb to 36.2¢/lb going into November. Implied styrene costs have been hovering in the mid-30s since late August, according to Barry.

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

Processors with sustainability goals or mandates have a number of ways to reach their goals. Biopolymers are among them.

Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

Computer numerical control (CNC) does not hold onto heat-affected zones or other mechanical flaws of 3D printing, which is more suitable for prototypes and preoperative planning models. By milling the material as-is, it retains its homogeneous mechanical properties for meeting higher quality standards.

Based on body scans, these complex solutions can be machined to be exactly attuned to the patient’s biomechanics. This stands in stark contrast to traditionally hand-made components. With a precision-machined product, there is no more human error, no patient dissatisfaction, no second operation.

PET prices in October were on the way up by 3¢/lb to 4¢/lb based on an upward blip in feedstock costs, but were expected to drop again on the order of 1-2¢/lb in November-December. This would follow a decline of about 23¢/lb between July and September, according to RTi’s Kallman.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

In a time where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the food and beverage packaging industry is required to be at the forefront of this innovation. By adopting circular packaging processes and solutions, producers can meet regulatory requirements while also satisfying consumer demand and enhancing brand reputation. Join Husky to learn more about the broader implications of the circular economy — as well as how leading brands are leveraging this opportunity to reduce costs, increase design flexibility and boost product differentiation. Agenda: The cost and operational benefits of embracing circularity Key materials in circular packaging — including rPET and emerging bioplastics How to design a circular food and beverage package Strategies for selecting sustainable closures to future-proof packaging solutions Optimization and streamlining of production processes for enhanced efficiency How Husky Technologies can enable your sustainable success