Solvay’s KetaSpire KT-857 PEEK extrusion compound eliminates adhesion and sustainability constraints of conventional PEEK or enamel insulation processes.

The MEDC is supporting the new development with the approval of a $490,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. In addition, the city of Greenville is considering the approval of a PA 198 local tax abatement in support of the project.

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

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

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.

Providing a service that’s hard to find anywhere else is a surefire way to both keep existing customers and attract new ones. Although Prospect Mold and Die Co. isn’t the only supplier of multi-shot plastic injection molds, company president Brandon Wenzlik says the ability to sample these tools in-house will help double-down on this core competency by extending the shop’s services all the way through final commissioning.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Wenzlik, CEO Bruce Wright and CFO Thomas Orr agree that, in the long run, this capability will be worth far more than their recent $2.5 million investment in an injection molding press and a 24,000-square-foot facility addition to house it. The nearly 70-year-old business in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio has been providing multi-colored lens tools to the automotive industry for more than two decades, but finding a relatively close molding partner with the capability to run these tools has proven difficult, Wenzlik says. Previously, the only option was to test tools at customers’ facilities, a task that could require multiple trips if a mold required additional tuning. Beyond that, scheduling tool trials could be difficult because of capacity constraints at customers’ presses, particularly given the recent rebound in the automotive industry.

Of course, making the most of this equipment also requires the right set of skills. Given that running multi-shot tools in-house is uncharted territory for Prospect Mold, the company hired three new employees dedicated solely to its new molding technologies division. “The new division has really diversified our portfolio, and it could possibly open doors to new business,” Wenzlik concludes.

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.

Milacron (Cincinnati, OH) has announced that DME Co. LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, will expand its Greenville, MI, manufacturing facility, investing $5 million and creating up to 70 full-time jobs. This initiative was made possible in partnership with The Right Place Inc., a non-profit economic development organization, and Montcalm Economic Alliance, in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and the City of Greenville.

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.

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

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.

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 project wasn’t just an expansion of a company in Greenville, it was the retention of a company, as well,” said Rob Spohr, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Montcalm Community College, and current Chair of the Montcalm Economic Alliance. “We won this project with collaboration, a solid business case and a collective determined effort at the state and local level, to ensure Milacron stayed in Montcalm County.”

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.

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

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 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

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).

The company chose this particular machine, an Engel duo 1650 combi, because of its similarity to the majority of injection molding presses employed by customers. Images courtesy of NE Meadow Studios.

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.

This expansion and investment follows the recent decision to close a DME facility in Youngwood, PA. Milacron plans to consolidate operations of its mold technology manufacturing and fabrication at its Greenville location. In addition to the consolidation, Milacron plans to make significant investments to expand the plant's capabilities.

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

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.

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

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.

All that said, just any injection molding press wouldn’t do. Ensuring that trials mimic actual production as closely as possible required a machine with a similar configuration to those used most often by the company’s customers. To that end, Prospect opted for an Engel duo 1650 combi machine with a two-station, continuous rotating platen and four barrels with shot capacities ranging from 33 to 110 ounces. Other features include three core pulls on the rotary side and three on the fixed side, 72-zone mold-heating control, and 12 pneumatic or hydraulic valve-gate controls. Notably, fitting the machine with an Engel Viper linear robot provides the capability to commission customers’ end-of-arm tooling along with molds.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Resin supplier Celanese turned to startup Rafinex and its Möbius software to optimize the design for an engine bracket, ultimately reducing weight by 25% while maintaining mechanical performance and function.

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.

“By consolidating our machining operations into one single U.S. location, we can target our investment funds, building a world-class facility in Greenville to support our growth plans,” said Peter Smith, Milacron DME President and General Manager. “Throughout this process, the Montcalm Economic Alliance and the MEDC have been extremely valuable resources in launching this new phase of the company.”

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

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

Study shows the plastic compounding process is being used to boost electrical properties and UV resistance while custom compounding is increasingly being used to achieve high-performance in plastic-based goods.

Eliminating these delays and back-and-forth shipments during the trial phase will alleviate plenty of headaches for Prospect Mold, Wenzlik says. However, he emphasizes that the real advantage of in-house sampling and commissioning lie in the direct benefits it provides to customers. For one, this capability speeds deliveries and facilitates faster reactions to any issues. Additionally, customers no longer have to concern themselves with scheduling precious time on their multi-shot presses for trial runs. Rather, they can rest assured that molds are commissioned and ready for production by the time they arrive. And when capacity becomes critical, Prospect Mold can help ease the burden by taking on lower-volume production runs. Wenzlik adds that these services could potentially tip the balance in Prospect Mold’s favor when courting potential new customers.

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.

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.

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.

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

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

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

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

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

In-house commissioning of multi-shot plastic injection molds is expected to pay dividends for this moldmaker—and, perhaps more importantly, for its customers.

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.

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.

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.