Equipped with a wrist movement to turn and flip parts, 20/20’s robots trim gates, deflash parts, and complete as many secondary tasks as possible. The larger presses even use two robots on a single beam.

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.

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).

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.

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.

ICOMold is an ISO 9001:2008 registered rapid injection mold and part service provider. They have worldwide sales and service offices in Ohio, and manufacturing facilities in China. The Ohioans prepare, launch and track your projects. Their build capabilities include CNC milling machines, wire and probe EDM machines and so forth.ICOMold can make parts up to 48 in. long (plastic injection molding) or nearly any size (CNC). Services provided include overmolding, insert molding, ultrasonic welding, transfers of 2D objects onto 3D objects and silk screening. They can also make your custom functional prototypes, reverse engineer parts and create 3D models from 2D prints or sketches. Parts are quality checked for dimensions and appearance, and results are documented in a QC report.Various materials and colors are available, and ICOMold can work with you if you need specialty resins and colors. Typical turnaround time appears to range from 5 days for most CNC prototypes and short runs, and from 2 to 5 weeks for plastic injection molds, depending your specific requests, part complexity, shipping and other variables. Of note here is that ICOMold is developing a mold frame sharing system so that you can select a compatible premade mold frame. This should reduce costs and shorten lead times.The ICOMold website has a decent amount of help so that you can make informed decisions about what they have to offer. For example, under its Resources tab, you’ll find links to details on materials, finishes and colors ICOMold has to work with. If you hit the materials link, you get information beyond type and characteristics, such as the supplier. You can also download the specs.Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

In structural foam, as in any area of plastics, keeping abreast of the latest technology is a key to competitiveness. For 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics Ltd. in Holiday City, Ohio, that has meant using independent multi-nozzle injection control and robotic parts handling. “It is surprising, but the majority of structural-foam molders today still do not have these latest advantages, so they are falling behind,” says 20/20 president Ron Ernsberger.

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.

Today, he notes, “Electronic closed-loop multi-nozzle control allows us to run the nozzles wide open with no restrictions in the melt channel. We can open the nozzles at the same time and close them at different times, controlling the fill volume. The ability to control the shot size and speed when you open and close the nozzles, and the ability to sequence those changes—this is all new to the machinery,” says Ernsberger. “I can shoot through all nozzles at once, or just a pair of them, or do it individually.” He says this is particularly helpful for injecting two materials or colors into different molds on the platen.

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.

ICOMold can make parts up to 48 in. long (plastic injection molding) or nearly any size (CNC). Services provided include overmolding, insert molding, ultrasonic welding, transfers of 2D objects onto 3D objects and silk screening. They can also make your custom functional prototypes, reverse engineer parts and create 3D models from 2D prints or sketches. Parts are quality checked for dimensions and appearance, and results are documented in a QC report.Various materials and colors are available, and ICOMold can work with you if you need specialty resins and colors. Typical turnaround time appears to range from 5 days for most CNC prototypes and short runs, and from 2 to 5 weeks for plastic injection molds, depending your specific requests, part complexity, shipping and other variables. Of note here is that ICOMold is developing a mold frame sharing system so that you can select a compatible premade mold frame. This should reduce costs and shorten lead times.The ICOMold website has a decent amount of help so that you can make informed decisions about what they have to offer. For example, under its Resources tab, you’ll find links to details on materials, finishes and colors ICOMold has to work with. If you hit the materials link, you get information beyond type and characteristics, such as the supplier. You can also download the specs.Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

“Molders would typically limit the number of molds or cavities on a platen or the speed of the press due to shot-to-shot variations,” adds Erns-berger. “You could lose up to 20% of your cavitation and take a 20% to 30% hit on cycle time just to prevent scrap. But mold filling could still vary, making part weights range widely.”

What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

Driven by brand owner demands and new worldwide legislation, the entire supply chain is working toward the shift to circularity, with some evidence the circular economy has already begun.

Just a few years ago, molders controlled material flow to a nozzle by restricting its diameter with a mechanical adjustment. This balanced filling of larger and smaller molds on the platen. But this approach could mean extended downtime for nozzle adjustments when molds were changed.

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.

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.

Various materials and colors are available, and ICOMold can work with you if you need specialty resins and colors. Typical turnaround time appears to range from 5 days for most CNC prototypes and short runs, and from 2 to 5 weeks for plastic injection molds, depending your specific requests, part complexity, shipping and other variables. Of note here is that ICOMold is developing a mold frame sharing system so that you can select a compatible premade mold frame. This should reduce costs and shorten lead times.The ICOMold website has a decent amount of help so that you can make informed decisions about what they have to offer. For example, under its Resources tab, you’ll find links to details on materials, finishes and colors ICOMold has to work with. If you hit the materials link, you get information beyond type and characteristics, such as the supplier. You can also download the specs.Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

One of my colleagues turned me on to an outfit near Toledo called ICOMold. I’ve been poking around their website and fiddling with their software. Interesting. So who are these guys and what do they offer you? Let’s start with an intro.ICOMold is an ISO 9001:2008 registered rapid injection mold and part service provider. They have worldwide sales and service offices in Ohio, and manufacturing facilities in China. The Ohioans prepare, launch and track your projects. Their build capabilities include CNC milling machines, wire and probe EDM machines and so forth.ICOMold can make parts up to 48 in. long (plastic injection molding) or nearly any size (CNC). Services provided include overmolding, insert molding, ultrasonic welding, transfers of 2D objects onto 3D objects and silk screening. They can also make your custom functional prototypes, reverse engineer parts and create 3D models from 2D prints or sketches. Parts are quality checked for dimensions and appearance, and results are documented in a QC report.Various materials and colors are available, and ICOMold can work with you if you need specialty resins and colors. Typical turnaround time appears to range from 5 days for most CNC prototypes and short runs, and from 2 to 5 weeks for plastic injection molds, depending your specific requests, part complexity, shipping and other variables. Of note here is that ICOMold is developing a mold frame sharing system so that you can select a compatible premade mold frame. This should reduce costs and shorten lead times.The ICOMold website has a decent amount of help so that you can make informed decisions about what they have to offer. For example, under its Resources tab, you’ll find links to details on materials, finishes and colors ICOMold has to work with. If you hit the materials link, you get information beyond type and characteristics, such as the supplier. You can also download the specs.Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.

Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.

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

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

Automation is another trend that’s fairly new to structural foam. 20/20 recently added 4-axis, beam-mounted servo robots from Ranger Automation Systems, Shrewsbury, Mass., to each of its foam machines. “The parts are so big, and there so many per shot, that it is cumbersome to handle them manually,” notes Ernsberger. “Automation saves on wear and tear on our people and it maintains cycle time because the machine does not wait for an operator to open or close a gate. This also means lower scrap rates.”

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

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

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

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

“We sell machine time, so getting as many projects on a platen and running with little scrap is key,” says Ernsberger. Tighter nozzle control lets 20/20 run structural foam in 32, 48, and even 64 cavities without flash or short shots. Such high cavitation is a new frontier for structural foam and is made possible by improved control of the filling process, according to Ed Hunerberg, director of structural foam at Uniloy Milacron.

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.

One of automation’s key promises is repeatability: the same movement to the same location, time and time again. But to achieve that, all elements involved — robot, machine, EOAT, mold — must be in and stay in alignment.

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.

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

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.

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

It’s all about sustainability and the circular economy, and it will be on display in Orlando across all the major processes. But there will be plenty to see in automation, AI and machine learning as well.

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.

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

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.

The ICOMold website has a decent amount of help so that you can make informed decisions about what they have to offer. For example, under its Resources tab, you’ll find links to details on materials, finishes and colors ICOMold has to work with. If you hit the materials link, you get information beyond type and characteristics, such as the supplier. You can also download the specs.Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.

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

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

All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.

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

Various materials and colors are available, and ICOMold can work with you if you need specialty resins and colors. Typical turnaround time appears to range from 5 days for most CNC prototypes and short runs, and from 2 to 5 weeks for plastic injection molds, depending your specific requests, part complexity, shipping and other variables. Of note here is that ICOMold is developing a mold frame sharing system so that you can select a compatible premade mold frame. This should reduce costs and shorten lead times.The ICOMold website has a decent amount of help so that you can make informed decisions about what they have to offer. For example, under its Resources tab, you’ll find links to details on materials, finishes and colors ICOMold has to work with. If you hit the materials link, you get information beyond type and characteristics, such as the supplier. You can also download the specs.Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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

20/20 also can program nozzles to open at specific times in order to move a weld-line position. “You can move material where you need it to lower part weight and save on cycle time,” Ernsberger adds. Better injection-velocity control ensures more consistent part weight, which results in 3% to 5% material savings, he says. “With the latest controls we are able to take tools we have run in the past and produce the parts in 30% less time and with higher quality.”

How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.

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

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.

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.

Similarly, the Learning Center tab offers links to more details. These include design guidelines and a basic primer on the injection molding process, equipment and tooling designs. It also offers a glossary of terms, images of parts ICOMold has made, testimonials and a knowledge base that has all sorts of things like additional data on plastic injection mold processes, articles on injection molding, policy statements and so on.All sounds good. But what I found slick is their injection mold quote software called ICOQuote. You can download version 1.0 of this Windows software (registration required) directly from the company’s website. The download, unpacking and updating was fast.What makes ICOQuote interesting is that it’s an interactive injection mold quote generator that you run from the privacy of your desktop. As you enter in your project details, ICOQuote generates a quote that includes tooling and shipping costs on the fly. That means three things. One, you can easily investigate different material or finish options and what they’re going to cost you. Two, you end up with an RFQ (request for quote) that should be pretty darn close to your final price, making budgeting easy. Three, you can compare and contrast this quote to your previous experience and with other providers under consideration.How ICOQuote works is that you upload a STEP file of your part. There’s a built-in 3D viewer that enables you to verify it’s the right one. The software attaches a thumbnail image of your part to a proposal form, then draws out details like size and weight. You select your material, finish, color, sample and shipping quantities and tooling life. If you have a few parts to get pricing on, you can group them together into a family.Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

His firm’s 90,000-sq-ft plant houses five structural-foam presses from Uniloy Milacron, Tecumseh, Mich. They range from three 500-tonners to a 1000-ton machine and a 1500-ton behemoth said to be the largest in the country. It can run up to 5000 lb/hr, and the whole plant can consume 300,000 lb/day. “We have the highest structural-foam tonnage and capacity of any custom molder,” claims Ernsberger. Foam makes up more than 80% of the firm’s $25 million sales. The rest is structural-web molding and standard injection molding (on four presses of 375 to 726 tons).

The ‘DryerGenie’ marries drying technology and input moisture measurement with a goal to putting an end to drying based on time.

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

Hunerberg says multi-nozzle control has been available for at least five years, but molders are just now realizing its benefits. “We control part weights to hundredths of a pound, rather than tenths, and shot repeatability is just as tight, which helps maintain uniform part density.”

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

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.

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

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

Terms and conditions are spelled out, and there’s a button to email your quote to ICOMold where an engineer in Ohio will review it and confirm everything. You can save your quote in PDF or Excel format. (According to my contact, older versions of Excel file may have problems with the XLS file it creates.) The confirmed quote can then be used to initiate the deal with ICOMold if you decide to go ahead. In short, this is pretty neat.Today’s Check it Out link takes you to the ICOMold website so that you can check them out for yourself. Download the software from the link on the top right of the ICOMold home page then give it a try. ICOQuote seems a helpful tool that should only become more useful over time.Thanks, Pal. – LockwoodAnthony J. LockwoodEditor at Large, Desktop EngineeringGo here to learn more about ICOMold and ICOQuote.

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.