of NETSTAL - injection moulding solutions

TH Plastics’ line of equipment will include material feeding, dosing, blending, drying, cooling, conveying, granulating, and re-pelletising. Each system will be showcased on the stand stand so that visitors can experience, start to finish, how each component may be used to enhance the functionality of their facilities and educate on how systems can be further developed to ensure maximum efficiency and future proofing. Demonstrations and interactive displays will also be provided on the stand to highlight the remainder of TH Plastics line of equipment.

"I know I speak for my whole team when I say that we are dedicated to working with the UK government and businesses to foster sustainable solutions that resonate with their objectives."

The firm says its most popular line for thermoplastics is the XTS19 extruder, water bath and strand pelletiser. For medical plastics, Xtrutech can offer extruder lines that include the XTS11 (its smallest extruder for sampling/R&D), the XTS19 which is also appropriate for sampling/small batch testing and the XTS24 for low scale production and trial formulations. And in biopolymers, the group can offer extruder lines from the XTS19 onwards, as well as air cooled conveyors versus water baths to offer effective cooling for hygroscopic products.

The firm now has a third generation of family management, and will be celebrating 40 years in business in 2025. Benyon added: “Interplas has been an important event for CJP since our first show in 2008 when we launched the UK distribution of Dyna-Purge. Interplas offers the opportunity to meet many of our customers and engage with new businesses. We continue to expand our range of products, as well as improvements to existing product lines.”

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 group also supplies Lucofin EBA manufactured by Lucobit AV, which uses the autoclave process to produce a low gel versatile flexible polymer with enhanced polarity properties for compatibilisation. Lucofin can be used as a moulding polymer to produce flexible soft touch parts, or an additive to increase impact.

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.

For processors looking to improve their inhouse recycling capabilities, Summit Systems is also the exclusive supplier of Zerma machinery in the UK, stocking a wide range of both very large and small granulators, single shaft shredders, which are designed for efficient recycling of various materials in all shapes and sizes.

Another drying alternative making its debut at Interplas is the DryCube from Vismec. The technology combines the efficiency of the rotor wheel dryer with an integrated pneumatic conveying system, making the process more streamlined, adaptable, and user-friendly.

Extrusion machinery group Xtrutech (hall 4, stand H19) will bring the XTS19 from its XTS line of machines. Said to be the group’s most popular laboratory extruder, it is versatile enough for processing thermoplastics, medical plastics, biopolymers, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. A typical line includes a choice of feeders, waterbath and strand pelletiser. The XTS range also includes a variety of different ancillaries to allow customers the freedom to create an extruder line according to their preference and processing requirements.

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

"We are seeing a growing interest among our customers in process capability, energy efficiency and digitalisation. Interplas is an excellent platform for showcasing these key topics and our new technology developments."

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).

Managing director Ryan Moore said the firm has also been on the expansion path recently: “We are excited to announce the opening of our expanded laboratory facility. This new space will allow us to offer more trials on different extruders and with a greater range of ancillaries. We can now offer in-house trials using our XTS19 line, XTS35 line and High-Speed Mixer. The facility features two floors for our extruder lines plus a conference room for digital viewing.”

Also new for this year is the launch of a new initiative from Interplas and British Plastics & Rubber magazine: Diversity in Plastics. In an industry that struggles with a paucity of skills, recruitment looms large as a concern for moulders and other processors. The promotion of a culture of diversity – of age, ability, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation – is one of the drivers that will help to start closing the skills gap. The action plan kicks off prior to Interplas opening its doors, with a survey of the industry, in an attempt to understand how the sector approaches DE&I. The intention of the survey is to establish how well the principles of DE&I have been accepted and understood across the plastics manufacturing landscape. From there, the team behind British Plastics & Rubber magazine, and InterplasInsights.com, hope to be able to establish a set of key objectives for plastic processors and other key stakeholders to adopt, either as a starting point, or in conjunction with their own, pre-existing in-house DE&I programmes. These objectives will become known as the ‘Pledge for Diversity in Plastics’, and will give employers a tangible way to demonstrate their commitment to their place of work.It’s no secret that the plastics industry in the UK has a way to go in terms of representation. However, this survey, and the wider Diversity in Plastics initiative, is not about exposing something that is already well-known. Rather, it’s a forum designed to draw out tangible, productive ideas and strategies for helping to close the skills gap, by encouraging people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds into the sector.The survey is entirely anonymous, and is not designed to disparage businesses who may be yet to adopt a fully-fledged DE&I policy. It is intended only as a means to gain an understanding of the current picture in employment.

On the plastics automation section of the stand, visitors can preview the full range of products from global suppliers such as Maguire, MB Conveyors, Movacolor, Plastic Systems, and Vismec.

Swedish compounders HEXPOL TPE AB and Polykemi AB have collaborated on a 2K sustainable development project for consumer products.

Caroline Faulkner, director, told this magazine: “The team has seen a definite shift towards reshoring of tooling in recent months. By investing in technology, we have greatly decreased fitting times and created efficiencies that benefit our customers in the reduced tooling costs we can offer them”.

Ultra Plast products are supported by many certifications, including food-contact, REACH, ISO, FDA, White Room, no heavy metal, among others, and can also be fully recycled.

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.

At the stand, the Faulkner Moulds team is offering a free budget price rapid quotation service. Visitors need simply bring project details or a sample to stand J22, and the team will provide a free, rapid quote during the show. The budget price will be calculated using advanced quotation software, developed in-house.

Luminy virgin and recycled bioplastics boast a 75% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics without compromising on quality, functionality, and versatility.”

Roberto Benzi, executive at the firm told me: “We remain surprised every time we meet companies that do not know the existence of these materials.

"We provide our plastics processing customers with efficient technologies to ensure their competitiveness. Especially during these more challenging economic times, not least due to increased energy costs, they can totally rely on us," said Colin Tirel, Managing Director of Arburg Ltd. "We are seeing a growing interest among our customers in process capability, energy efficiency and digitalisation. Interplas is an excellent platform for showcasing these key topics and our new technology developments."

The modular Allrounders in the More series are designed for multi-component injection moulding and it is claimed can be flexibly adapted to specific customer and market requirements. They offer more space for larger moulds and a usable ejector stroke, more modularity during assembly, and many optimised features for greater ease of use and simple maintenance. As standard, the machines feature a highly dynamic electric toggle-type clamping unit with energy-efficient liquid-cooled servo motors and two electric injection units. This allows all common two-component applications to be realised.

"Our strength is in our ability to integrate injection moulding machines and robots from Shibaura Machine — we are the absolute experts in this technology for the UK and Ireland."

The group also plans to discuss details of the XTS35, another versatile extruder that can serve both laboratory and production functions. The XTS35 is ideally used as a lab machine when higher free volume is necessary. It is also suited to low-scale production and offers a high throughput particularly for specialty products such as biopolymers.

Technical director Richard Benyon told me: “Our business focus has always been customer service, and it’s important for us to continue adding value for money for our customers. We, like many other businesses around the world, have managed our way through disruption caused by limited material supplies through COVID 19, and unprecedented price increases, and now while prices start to ease, the cost of energy is affecting many businesses.”

“I recognise the importance of collaboration between the private sector, governments, and industries. I know I speak for my whole team when I say that we are dedicated to working with the UK government and businesses to foster sustainable solutions that resonate with their objectives. Our expertise in developing cutting-edge bioplastics positions us as a reliable partner in meeting the evolving demands of both industry and the environment.”

TH Plastics, a supplier of ancillary products and solutions, with a portfolio of customers which includes some of the most high-profile and technically demanding plastic manufacturers in Britain, will return to hall 4, stand D90. As the exclusive distributor of Moretto, Rapid Granulator, Altero and Crizaf in the UK, TH Plastics supplies, installs and services ancillary equipment across the British plastics industry.

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.

The firm says it has been shown that using raw material as ‘cleaner’ generates higher costs, a less quality result, higher down-times, and higher energy costs.

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

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.

Onto the show floor proper now, and let’s begin with a look at materials. The pioneers at TotalEnergies Corbion (formed in 2016 as 50/50 joint venture of Total and PLA supplier Corbion) are showing considerable interest in the UK market and its appetite for more sustainable plastics. They’ll be bringing, to hall 4, stand E24, their line of ‘Luminy’ PLA bioplastics from annually-renewable and responsibly grown sugarcane. The product has drawn significant attention since its launch, with brand owners including IKEA, Danone and Carrefour selecting it for their products.

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

Lastly, recording and monitoring temperatures in production, and communicating via multiple protocols is in-line with the Industry 4.0 requirements.

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.

Moore continued: “Interplas provides an invaluable opportunity to network with potential customers, with the chance to demonstrate and discuss the true benefits of our machines. Interplas is a hub for new and exciting projects within the industry and gives us the opportunity to see what advances are happening amongst polymer producers, so that we can continue to innovate our designs to suit the developing needs of our customers.”

“The THE800 and THE1000 robots are newly available in Europe,” continued Smith. “The THE series is widely recognised as the price-to-performance leader in SCARA robots and is ideal for pick-and-place applications. Alongside these models are a number of six-axis robot options, many of which are compatible with the Shibaura Machine injection moulding machines for loading and unloading. At Interplas 2023, we will have a video demonstrating this robot integration.”

“We understand their point of view and we are here to show and demonstrate that you can run your colour or material change in a faster and more economical way, without plastic waste.”

In 2024, the Yorkshire toolmaker will celebrate 30 years of toolmaking excellence. Three times winner of the prestigious UK Plastics Industry Award for ‘Toolmaker of the Year’, in 2022, the group was also awarded ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ by Business for Calderdale. The award recognises manufacturers that go “above and beyond”. The judges gave the award to Faulkner Moulds for its “outstanding innovation, initiative, efficiency and customer service, and fully engaged workforce”.

Arburg (stand H4, hall 4) will be exhibiting an efficient production cell that produces Luer connectors made of PP and TPE for the pharmaceutical industry. The centrepiece is a two-component Allrounder More 1600 injection moulding machine, handled by a Yaskawa six-axis robot. Closures are capped and threads unscrewed directly in the mould. The high-end solution aims to eliminate the need for a second mould and additional assembly line. This significantly reduces the manufacturing costs.

For the visitor less concerned with industry trends, and more concerned with the latest cutting-edge technology for moulders and converters, the Introducing Stage will be a showcase for the best of the show floor, with everything from NIR absorbers for plastic, to double filtration technology being presented.Throughout the three days, attendees will get the opportunity to meet with speakers in an intimate and collaborative setting. To enhance the on-site networking, the official event app will have the ability to offer personal recommendations using an AI powered matchmaking algorithm. In addition to this will be a dedicated networking area next to the conference theatre, so discussions started during the conference can be continued at length.

It is sold with 7’’, 10'' and 12'' integrated touch panels and a Linux-based software program developed by SISE. Pivoting and detachable side panels facilitate access to power and thermocouple cards. This new generation includes functions such as four soft start modes, zone grouping, PTI function for thermocouple anomalies, ‘Moldscan’ for hot runner system real-time diagnosis, as well as real-time material leak detection. The system is multilingual (up to 12 languages available) with unlimited backup of mould programs.

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

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

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

But with customer expectations and specifications getting higher and higher, non-conformities like impurities, black-spots, shadows, or stripes are generally unacceptable, particularly when solutions like purging compounds are on the market.

Combinations using mechanically recycled ABS with bio-circular attributed TPE were also tested, resulting in a 57% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to the fully fossil-based equivalents. The TPE has bio-circular attributed content via the mass balance principle from 2nd generation feedstocks.

New for Interplas, is the Movacolor offline dosing unit; an expansion to the gravimetric dosing unit, this off-line dosing option is mainly aimed at the medical cleanroom market. Mounted away from the process, it allows for precision and eliminates the high-risk tasks of working on top of injection moulding machines or extruders, resulting in reduced vibration influence on the dosing process.

First quarter was ending up with upward pricing, primarily due to higher feedstock costs and not supply/demand fundamentals.

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.

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 terms of hot runner temperature control, SISE will also present its new MV3 generation which will be capable of regulating up to 336 zones. It has been deployed in early 2020 on six platforms (XXS, XS, S, M, M, L and XL) with four available power cards (2.5 A, 15A, 15A, 20A and 30A) to adapt the offer to various industries such as packaging, automobile, cosmetics, medical and electrical engineering.

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

TM Robotics says Interplas presents an excellent opportunity to introduce this offering to the market and meet with potential customers in the plastic parts manufacturing sector. From stand H41, the TM Robotics team will be available to discuss the full range of technologies from Shibaura Machine, including injection moulding machines, industrial robots and integrated solutions that use both technologies.

TM Robotics has long been a prominent distributor in industrial robotics and automation and has been supplying Shibaura Machine robots to the market for over two decades. At Interplas 2023, TM Robotics will launch its new product offering from the Japanese manufacturer — the full all-electric injection moulding machine range, plus service and maintenance.

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

HEXPOL TPE and Polykemi have collaborated on material combinations for multicomponent injection molding based on the resins’ properties and sustainability qualities. The companies’ goals included demonstrating the possibilities in reducing the product carbon footprint, while increasing recyclability and optimizing adhesion.

Last year, Faulkner Moulds again installed pioneering toolroom technology, with an innovative robotic production cell which is a ‘UK-first’, and very likely a ‘world-first’, adding new capabilities to its in-house mould tool manufacture. The production cell supports multi-cavity, high-production tooling.

Shibaura Machine, formerly known as Toshiba Machine, will launch its new injection moulding offering at the show. Interplas is the first UK trade fair for Shibaura Machine since UK distributor, TM Robotics, agreed an exclusive distribution partnership with the manufacturer last year. TM Robotics now handles all industrial robot and injection moulding distribution for Shibaura Machine in the UK and Ireland.

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 exhibit produces four ready-to-use Luer connectors at a time within a cycle time of around ten seconds. Injection moulding requires a delicate touch and precision: the part weight of the PP component is 0.2 grams and the soft TPE component weighs as little as 0.05 grams. The 4+4-cavity mould features Braunform's RotaricE2 technology. Four servo-electric axes from Arburg's sister company AMKmotion control the internal mould sequences for core-back, lifting the lid, capping the closures and unscrewing the Luer threads. The compact design translates to a large number of cavities in a small space, with up to 64+64-cavity versions possible in series moulds. The "aXw Control CycleAssist" assistance function generates a graphic comparison of the current times and previously defined reference values for each cycle step. Unproductive time segments can be displayed with a click. This enables the user to reduce the cycle time and makes high productivity programmable in advance.

The highlight at the trade fair stand is a two-component Allrounder More 1600 injection moulding machine with 1,600 kN clamping force and two size 100 electric injection units.

Rapid Granulator will have a host of equipment on the stand which will feature a 150 series flying blade and OneCUT slow-speed press-side granulator, a 300 Series flying blade granulator and the new GT1100 Thermoforming granulator. The 300 series has a distinctive “open-hearted” design which provides operators with a quick and simple access to the granulator cutting chamber for cleaning and maintenance. The 150 series will be a popular product with plastics manufacturers, with TH claiming it is “the world’s most popular” press-side granulator.

Another materials firm focussing on sustainable processing, is Switzerland-based Ultra System, founded 20 years ago by two entrepreneurs “with a common vision of a world without plastic waste”.

The compounders documented the cradle-to-gate Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) per kg of material. The PCF data shows that switching from a combination using fossil fuel based ABS from Polykemi, that is overmolded with a fossil fuel based TPE from HEXPOL TPE, to a recycled PP and TPE with bio-circular attributed content, can result in a 77% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The companies say this combination can also provide end-of-life and recycling compatibility advantages.

A six-axis robot from Yaskawa is integrated into the Gestica control system. Similar to the linear Multilift robotic system, it can be programmed quickly and easily directly via the machine controller. For the show, the six-axis robot removes the finished parts from the mould with a four-cavity gripper and feeds them individually to an inline camera inspection. It then deposits them separately by cavity.

In hall 4, stand D60, Fanuc UK will be showcasing its end-to-end sustainability credentials from raw material handling to final packaging.

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

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

CJP has been long established as a PVC compound specialist, with many years of experience in the design and development of PVC-based products, offering technical support and training for business that either want to process PVC or already use PVC and a have need to improve processing conditions.

The portfolio includes products in four categories that can be used in various processes. These are: high heat PLA for demanding applications, standard PLA for general purpose applications, low heat PLA typically used as seal layer, and PDLA used either as a nucleating agent or to create full stereocomplex compounds.

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

“The new offering includes the all-electric SXIII injection moulding machine series from Shibaura Machine,” explained Nigel Smith, managing director of TM Robotics. “The range of machines feature enhanced versatility and performance and streamlined design, providing significantly faster injection speeds than traditional moulding equipment. The series is available in 17 different injection capacities and dimensions and can be used for virtually any moulding application.”

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.

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

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

With a heritage of collaborating with companies in the plastics industry for more than 60 years, Stäubli Fluid Connectors is recognised as having unrivalled expertise across all areas of the sector. Stäubli provides a comprehensive range of solutions that save time at every stage in the injection moulding process, increasing productivity, efficiencies, and profitability. Businesses within sectors such as automotive, white goods, home appliances, packaging, IT, electronics, building construction and many more rely on the quality, performance, and reliability inherent in Stäubli’s product offering.

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.

Stand BB10, hall 3A, will mark the return of Interplas stalwarts Summit Systems. A brand-new stand design highlights the growth and development of the company over the last two years. The new stand design amalgamates the three company divisions – plastics automation, process cooling, and recycling.

Serving all sectors, including medical, packaging, electronics and automotive, Faulkner Moulds delivers microns-accurate tooling, and says it does so at competitive prices.

The newest expanding division of Summit Systems Group, Summit Recycling, specialises in not only the supplying of recycling equipment such as granulators and shredders from suppliers Zerma, TRIA and MO-DI-TEC, but also the trading of recycled and selling of plastics materials. The division’s recent expansion supports the recycling and waste management sectors in the UK and Irish market. Most recently, the group signed a cooperation deal with Amut, the Italian manufacturer of high-quality extrusion lines and recycling plants – keep an eye on BP&R for more news on that in coming months.

Stäubli’s can be found in hall 4, stand number H32, where the company’s experts will be on hand throughout the show to offer advice on how Stäubli products and solutions can improve and enhance plastics manufacturing processes.

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

During Interplas, temp control specialist SISE will launch its new generation of E.THERM-W90 temperature mould controllers equipped with a new 7’’ colour touch screen developed by the company. This efficient new generation provides optimised hydraulic circuits for cooling. It also provides additional protection for the interface sockets. Regulation control is adaptive depending on the type of appliance. Advanced and programmable management of alarms and failures ensures optimal operation. The customisable colour touch interface can be adapted according to the options installed. Three levels of communication are available: 0-10V, Arburg protocol and E82.1 (OPCUA). This flexible modular generation incorporates a unified colour user interface for the entire range of temperature controllers, with installable option packs. All components are accessible and replaceable for easy maintenance. Furthermore, logging and graphic display of process data, enhanced instrumentation as well as event ensure process traceability and data transmission using the open OPC-UA communication standard.

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.

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.

The water ring from Altero's re-pelletising line will also be on display. The refined pelletisation line has established a technique for economically and effectively turning plastic waste into high-quality reusable pellets, as well as a concept for sustainable recycling.

A must see is the ULTRA Vacuum Dryer from Maguire. This advanced drying technology isn't just removing moisture; it's conserving energy, with ULTRA Dryers saving on average 60 to 70% energy when compared to desiccant dryer alternatives. Other reported benefits include an increase in production time, reduced maintenance, and saving materials from possible degradation and damage. The Summit team is encouraging visitors to try a new Maguire Energy Saving Calculator, to calculate the savings made possible by the vacuum drying technology.

HEXPOL TPE and Polykemi have collaborated to determine maximum carbon reduction possibilities for overmolding PP with TPE. Photo Credit: HEXPOL TPE and Polykemi

"Interplas has been an important event for CJP since our first show in 2008 when we launched the UK distribution of Dyna-Purge. Interplas offers the opportunity to meet many of our customers and engage with new businesses."

Arburg (stand H4, hall 4) will be exhibiting an efficient production cell that produces Luer connectors made of PP and TPE for the pharmaceutical industry. The centrepiece is a two-component Allrounder More 1600 injection moulding machine, handled by a Yaskawa six-axis robot. Closures are capped and threads unscrewed directly in the mould. The high-end solution aims to eliminate the need for a second mould and additional assembly line. This significantly reduces the manufacturing costs.

A six-axis robot from Yaskawa is integrated into the Gestica control system. Similar to the linear Multilift robotic system, it can be programmed quickly and easily directly via the machine controller. For the show, the six-axis robot removes the finished parts from the mould with a four-cavity gripper and feeds them individually to an inline camera inspection. It then deposits them separately by cavity.

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.

The standard automation cell being showcased at Interplas features the Fanuc Roboshot S150iB at its heart. As well as low energy consumption, this CNC injection moulding machine offers repeatably high levels of consistency and accuracy, superior mould protection and rapid acceleration.

The Roboshot also measures this data as standard and visitors will be invited to compare the two screens, to gauge the accuracy of the Roboshot’s built-in energy meter. “We are looking forward to proving to Interplas visitors just how much energy can be saved with the Roboshot, and the resulting financial benefits that it can offer,” said Grimshaw.

The highlight at the trade fair stand is a two-component Allrounder More 1600 injection moulding machine with 1,600 kN clamping force and two size 100 electric injection units.

Frank Duijzer, business development manager at the company told told me: “Last year, the UK introduced a tax on non-recycled plastics. Luckily, TotalEnergies Corbion has championed the use of recycled PLA bioplastics for years. My colleagues have also helped many companies develop closed-loop systems. Beyond compliance,

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

Due to partnerships with Moretto, Rapid Granulator, Altero Machinery and Crizaf, TH is able to offer a “closed-loop” recycling system. Green initiatives are a major part of the overarching sustainability goals for many companies, and TH Plastics encourages visitors to bring with them problems for discussion to test TH Plastics engineering know-how in their manufacturing facilities.

But regulatory changes can be conflicting, as Duijzer points out: “This year, the new ban on many forms of single-use plastics, including biobased and compostable plastics, highlights the complexities of regulatory frameworks. While I applaud the intention to reduce single-use plastics, I am concerned that it includes bioplastics as I believe they are valid alternatives for the applications banned. In Italy, biobased and compostable single-use items are allowed and have proved to limit the amount of unsorted waste produced because these items can be recycled together with food waste instead of being sent for incineration or, worse, to landfill.

In addition to the supply of the all-electric series, TM Robotics can also obtain parts and perform maintenance for hydraulic Shibaura Machine equipment — and legacy Toshiba Machine-branded moulding equipment that is still in operation in the field.

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.

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.

Moore added: “XTS extruders are not only efficient to run, with productive outputs, but they also focus on reducing maintenance times and simplifying cleaning. For example, our extruders have a clamshell barrel which can easily be opened and closed so the screws and shafts can be removed, cleaned, or replaced easily. The barrel features insert liners which again are simpler to maintain and more cost effective to replace when needed. All XTS screw elements are individually segmented to improve the speed and efficiency of replacements.”

“Our strength is in our ability to integrate injection moulding machines and robots from Shibaura Machine — we are the absolute experts in this technology for the UK and Ireland,” continued Smith. “We encourage those interested in automated solutions for injection moulding to arrange a meeting with our experts at Interplas. The team has impressive knowledge of Shibaura Machine technologies, and we have recently expanded the team with two new injection moulding experts to further support this sales area.”

One of the many firms displaying the best of British engineering will be Faulkner Moulds, in hall 4, stand J22. At the stand will be senior members of Faulkner Moulds’ team, including lead toolmakers, designers and project managers, hoping to meet with brand owners and product designers to discuss new and existing projects.

Here are processing guidelines aimed at both getting the PHA resin into the process without degrading it, and reducing residence time at melt temperatures.

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

Moving over into the process cooling section of the stand, visitors can view the range of process cooling and temperature control equipment from Frigel. The highlight here is the Microgel Syncro, the latest model, which reportedly offers an increase in production efficiency of up to 60%. Summit says it has proven ROI stats which it can share with visitors to the stand.

With 60% of manufacturers reporting that out of control energy bills are now threatening their business, being sustainable is no longer just a ‘nice to have’ but a business imperative. The demonstration cell at Interplas will be linked to a clamp meter which will measure in real time the amount of power the unit is drawing from the grid and display it live for visitors to see, as well as the value of that power in pounds and pence.

Interplas follows a significant new robot launch for TM Robotics. The organisation launched its THE SCARA series for the European market at the Automatica trade fair held in Germany in June 2023. The launch saw TM Robotics introduce two new larger robots to the existing series.

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.

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.

Headquartered in Martigny, the firm produces a line of purging compounds, known as Ultra Plast. The compounds have been designed to work well on the latest generation of polymers and masterbatch, to provide fast colour or material change, fast re-starting after a shut down and regular maintenance.

Managing director Duncan Faulkner, said: “We are very excited for this year’s show, as we have so much to share with the visitors. At Faulkner Moulds, we never stand still. With each passing show, we further develop our service offering. Our pioneering approach to technological investment and skills development means we among the best in our field. We would love to meet potential customers to discuss how we can harness our expertise to meet their toolmaking needs”.

“Another myth to debunk is that the purging compound is an additional cost. Ultra Shas shown (and proved) that this is not true. On the contrary, purging professionally reduces production costs. And we will be more than happy to do this calculation together with you in our stand during Interplas 2023”.

To better illustrate the benefits, the firm will run daily practical demonstrations, purging an extrusion blow moulding machine with Ultra Plast.

The firm has gone from strength-to-strength, with mixing plants strategically located all over the world (USA, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, Russia, Thailand), and you’ll find them in hall 4, stand G94 at the show.

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

CJP Sales, a technical stockist of plastic raw materials offering an off-the-shelf service for general polymer grades as well as bespoke stock orders for call off, will once again return to the show.

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.

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.

The UK supplier of the Dyna-Purge purging compound, the group is always keen to stress that manufacturers don’t need to lose costly materials, energy and production time. Dyna-Purge L has now been introduced to add improved flow when used for injection moulding hot runners with stack tools and fine gates. The high-flow, highly-stable purge has also proved effective for blown film, blow moulding and sheet extrusion process applications with its high nonabrasive, non-chemical scrubbing action suitable for all materials within a 138c–329c range, FDA compliant, non-toxic and simple to use straight from the box.

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.

Of particular interest to visitors to the Stäubli Fluid Connectors stand will be the latest in magnetic mould clamping technology – QMC123, the result of the recent strategic partnership between Stäubli and Mag Autoblok – Tecnomagnete. The combined expertise of the two companies has taken the capabilities of magnetic clamping technology to a new level, with enhancements and improvements across a number of key areas. Also on show will be examples from the company’s comprehensive range of Automatic Robotic Tool Changers and End-Of-Arm-Tooling (EOAT).

Also at the stand, the team will showcase examples of recent projects, including award-winners and world-firsts. Faulkner Moulds specialises in multi-cavity high production tooling with fast cycle times and can manufacture complex tooling such as twin-shot, overmould and unscrewing mechanisms. The Yorkshire-based toolmaker also provides services for tool repairs, modifications or servicing.

Peter Coltman and Jakub Urbanek joined the TM Robotics team as injection moulding machine service manager and technical support, last year. Having worked exclusively with Shibaura Machine’s injection moulding equipment since 2018, the engineers can provide expert consultation and advice on any injection moulding query.

Lucofin concentrate BA (Butyl Acrylate) content allows producers of film to extrude blends where EBA is added at a lower rate that EVA or other plastomers by increasing the mechanical properties, down gauging the film and increasing line production line speed and pressure, especially in stretch hood applications. CJP’s team will work with processors to formulated blends that will show increased production and cost savings.

The firm is hoping to use Interplas to de-bunk myths around plastic, against a backdrop of negative media attention. Ultra System also hopes to clarify some misconceptions around purging compounds themselves.

“The team will provide a free, rapid quote during the show. The budget price will be calculated using advanced quotation software, developed in-house.”

Taking place across halls 3A and 4 this week, with over 500 exhibitors on the floor, this year’s show reflects a vastly different industry to that of COVID-era Interplas 2021. On a local level, the plastics packaging tax, soaring energy costs, and reshoring/offshoring again have all presented challenges – but also opportunities – for stakeholders across the supply chain. On a global level, the war in Ukraine, oil and gas prices, and talk of a global plastics treaty have also sent ripples through the sector.With these factors in mind, the team at Interplas have spent the last two years working with the UK plastics industry to deliver an event that will start new discussions and inject contemporary innovation and learning. That learning will begin on the new Interplas Insights conference stage, which combines short, snappy sessions with longer, interactive panel sessions. This fresh new format promises a dynamic lineup, with over 40 sessions and 70-plus speakers scheduled to present.Themes for the sessions include: ‘Designing in Plastics: Materials of the Future’, ‘The Future of UK Plastics’, ‘A Road to Net Zero and A Circular Economy ’,‘Digitalisation for Sustainable Manufacturing’, ‘Diversity in Plastics’ and ‘Research and Development in Plastics’.

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

The exhibit produces four ready-to-use Luer connectors at a time within a cycle time of around ten seconds. Injection moulding requires a delicate touch and precision: the part weight of the PP component is 0.2 grams and the soft TPE component weighs as little as 0.05 grams. The 4+4-cavity mould features Braunform's RotaricE2 technology. Four servo-electric axes from Arburg's sister company AMKmotion control the internal mould sequences for core-back, lifting the lid, capping the closures and unscrewing the Luer threads. The compact design translates to a large number of cavities in a small space, with up to 64+64-cavity versions possible in series moulds. The "aXw Control CycleAssist" assistance function generates a graphic comparison of the current times and previously defined reference values for each cycle step. Unproductive time segments can be displayed with a click. This enables the user to reduce the cycle time and makes high productivity programmable in advance.

The group will feature a live on-stand automated manufacturing cell, comprising a Fanuc all-electric Roboshot injection moulding machine, a Fanuc LR-10iA 6-axis robot arm and ancillary equipment provided by Fanuc’s on-stand partner Hi-Tech Automation, the fully automated system will also display live data showing the amount of energy being used, as well as the cost to run the cell, to highlight the efficiency gains offered by the Roboshot. “As the Fanuc Roboshot is all electric, it uses 50-70% less energy than hydraulic machines, and 10-15% less energy than other all-electric machines,” said Martin Grimshaw, Roboshot Sales Manager for Fanuc UK. “In fact, it has been proven to be one of the lowest energy consumptions worldwide and one of the lowest total costs of ownership on the market.”

After the newly announced partnership earlier in the year, the stand will also feature Crizaf conveyors showing their automated handling capabilities with a range of conveyors, box shifters and counting devices to help customers maximise production efficiencies.

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.

The modular Allrounders in the More series are designed for multi-component injection moulding and it is claimed can be flexibly adapted to specific customer and market requirements. They offer more space for larger moulds and a usable ejector stroke, more modularity during assembly, and many optimised features for greater ease of use and simple maintenance. As standard, the machines feature a highly dynamic electric toggle-type clamping unit with energy-efficient liquid-cooled servo motors and two electric injection units. This allows all common two-component applications to be realised.

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

Benzi added: “The use of raw materials as “a cleaner” implies a bigger quantity of material and longer machine downtime (even hours sometimes), for achieving a non-optimal result; it’s like washing your hands without soap; a lot of water, a lot of effort, a lot of time, bad result.

One of the products that will be featured is the new DGM Mini Blender from Moretto. Launched at K Fair 2022, this blender is aimed at machines under 30kgh, encompassing high levels of accurate dosing for up to four materials and reducing waste from production inconsistency and material wastage.

With its focus on the recycling and waste management sectors, Summit has become experienced in challenges like maintaining in-house granulation quantity, leveraging recycled content in finished products, and ensuring high-quality final materials. With its line of Zerma granulators and shredders, the group says it can enhance productivity, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

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.

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

The Stäubli Fluid Connectors stand at this year’s exhibition will feature a range of different products and technologies including energy connection, process automation, robotic tool changers, end-of-arm-tooling, quick mould change solutions and mould temperature control.

"We provide our plastics processing customers with efficient technologies to ensure their competitiveness. Especially during these more challenging economic times, not least due to increased energy costs, they can totally rely on us," said Colin Tirel, Managing Director of Arburg Ltd. "We are seeing a growing interest among our customers in process capability, energy efficiency and digitalisation. Interplas is an excellent platform for showcasing these key topics and our new technology developments."

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.

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.

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.