first choice of everyone! - plastic molding for aircon

Plastic parts manufacturers also support fast prototyping by offering both low and high-volume production capabilities. This means that companies can produce a small number of plastic prototypes for testing or demonstration purposes, as well as larger runs for market testing or limited product launches. For example, the automotive industry often uses plastic prototypes to test the fit and function of new parts before committing to metal versions for mass production.

Sustainability is also a major trend in the industry, with growing interest in biodegradable plastics and other eco-friendly materials. As consumers and businesses alike become more environmentally conscious, manufacturers will need to adopt these materials to stay competitive.

One of the most common ways to vent a deep rib is to install an insert in the mold. The insert forms a split line adjacent to, or preferably in the middle of, the rib. Some people call this a “natural” vent, which is a vent created by the clearance between any two mold components, such as core inserts, cams, lifters and ejector pins.

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

If you look closely at the vent land in Fig. 3A, you can see that it varies in length — shortest in the middle and longer as it goes toward the outer edges. That’s a really bad design. If you want to dramatically increase the life span of corner vents, double the quantity and put them about 1/16 to ⅛ inch away from the corners, as shown in Fig. 3B. If you take into consideration that the last little bit of trapped air in a cavity is usually very compressed, extremely hot and highly saturated with corrosive volatiles, this venting layout will help defer erosion of the vents and the cavity steel.

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.

In today’s fast-paced world of product development, the need for efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes is greater than ever. One key area that has seen significant advancements in recent years is the collaboration between plastic parts manufacturers and fast prototyping services. These two industries are integral to the development of new products, from consumer electronics to automotive components and medical devices.

No matter what type of vents you use, follow the guidelines discussed in last month’s article, “Part 2: Back to Basics on Mold Venting” — especially those on grinding and polishing the vents in the same direction as the flow of air.

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.

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.

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.

When the pressure starts to rise due to either the air being compressed or the resistance of the plastic flow into the cavities, the material will start to push outward into the flash trap. If the flow front has not reached the end of the flash trap when the pressure starts to rise, the air inside the entire flash trap will compress — meaning more air volume that needs to be vented quickly. Vents for flash traps can be much deeper than material manufactures recommend— often double, sometimes triple their value. These deeper vents will now have a path of lower resistance then the other vents in the mold. Vented flash traps are just as effective in parabolic and trapezoidal runners as in full-round runners.

One rule of thumb says to vent the cold well opposite the sprue. Unless you’re concerned about the almost nonexistent possibility of getting a burn mark on the bottom of the cold well, which you might grind up and reprocess later, there is no need to add a vent there. The “slip fit” between the cold-well ejector pin and its bore is more than sufficient. What you may want to do is question the rules of thumb.

Even if you don’t have a filling or burning issue, venting freestanding projections (whether on the core side or the cavity side) is always a good idea. Air actually flows through vents in both directions. While the more common scenario is for the air to exhaust out of the cavity during injection to prevent filling and burning issues, vents also allow air to enter the cavity during mold opening and ejection. Vents thereby eliminate a vacuum condition that can cause a part or feature to stick in the cavity or on the core.

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.

A collaboration between show organizer PLASTICS, recycler CPR and size reduction experts WEIMA and Conair recovered and recycled all production scrap at NPE2024.

There is a downside to having a split line along a rib: trying to keep the vent(s) clean. Static vents on the parting line are easy to clean in the press. Static vents at the bottom of a deep rib on an insert usually require complete disassembly of the mold. That is why some people prefer to use vented ejector pins at the bottom of a rib. Ejector pins are dynamic or “moving” vents. You can clean a good portion of the pins with the mold still in the machine by advancing the ejector plate fully forward.

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.

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

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.

That was 72 years ago and it absolutely holds true today. Weld lines and meld lines are formed by converging melt streams. The most common causes of converging streams are: (1) Having two or more gates per cavity; (2) having an opening in the part that material must flow around; or (3) having varying wall thicknesses or an improper gate location, which creates a “backfill” condition.

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

There is an effective trick for getting a significantly greater amount of air out of a runner system and that is to machine a flash trap, as shown in Fig. 1. Flash traps not only help prevent parting-line damage, they are also excellent at capturing air. The molten material will flow down the center of the runner channel first, leaving most of the flash trap empty of material.

Plastic parts manufacturers play a critical role in many industries, as plastic is one of the most versatile materials used in manufacturing today. Processes like injection molding, 3D printing, and CNC machining allow manufacturers to create parts in a variety of shapes, sizes, and complexities. Injection molding, in particular, is popular for mass production, while 3D printing has become a go-to solution for smaller production runs and prototypes.

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 collaboration between plastic parts manufacturers and fast prototyping services has revolutionized the product development process. By combining the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of plastic with the speed and precision of modern prototyping technologies, companies can bring new products to market faster than ever before. As new materials and technologies continue to emerge, this partnership will remain a driving force in the evolution of manufacturing.

Many industries rely on plastic parts manufacturers, including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, consumer electronics, and packaging. The ability to quickly produce customized plastic parts has allowed these sectors to keep up with changing market demands. Additionally, advances in plastic materials, such as high-performance polymers and biodegradable plastics, have expanded the applications of plastic components, particularly in industries focused on sustainability.

Despite these challenges, the collaboration between plastic parts manufacturers and fast prototyping services presents numerous opportunities for innovation. As technologies such as AI-driven design and machine learning become more integrated into the manufacturing process, companies will be able to create highly customized parts more quickly and with greater precision.

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 evolution of prototyping technologies has dramatically reduced the time it takes to go from concept to prototype. In the past, it could take weeks or even months to produce a single prototype. Today, thanks to advances in CAD software, automation, and materials science, prototypes can be produced in a matter of hours or days, allowing companies to iterate on their designs much more rapidly.

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

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

One location that frequently has a venting problem is at the bottom of a blind rib or other types of freestanding projections, such as a solid or hollow boss. If a projection is more than 1½ times as deep as it is thick, there’s a good chance it will trap air, which can make it difficult to fill or cause the trapped air to “diesel” and leave a burn mark. That’s an important point: It is not the depth that causes the issues; it’s the ratio of the thickness to the depth. With ribs, these problems worsen when they are situated perpendicular to the flow of material.

The answer is, it won’t—at least not until the air in the entire system (runner and cavity) starts to be compressed and build up pressure. When the pressure gets high enough, that’s when the vents in the runner become the paths of least resistance. Wherever the melt flow front is located when the pressure starts to build, any vent before that position is virtually useless.

Figures 3A, B and C depict different examples of “spot” vents. Figure 3C, with a very wide spot vent, leads me to the next type of static or stationary vent, called a continuous or peripheral vent. Quite simply put, this type of vent runs completely, or almost completely, around the entire part. If it’s a round part, some people call this a ring vent. If it’s a square part, some people call this a perimeter vent. It doesn’t matter whether it is round, square or any shape imaginable. If the vent runs around the outer edge of the part, it’s a continuous vent. If there is a small gap between a stripper-plate shutoff and the core, this is also a continuous vent. The purpose of continuous vents is to maximize the airflow area, which is extremely important if the process requires a very fast fill.

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

In the 1947 book, Injection Molding of Plastics, the late Dr. Islyn Thomas summarized the need for a particular vent location better than I ever could. He said, “Vent cavities at weld lines or junction points where two or more material streams meet and fuse into a solid mass. Release of trapped air in those cases will permit intimate contact between converging streams and result in the improved strength and appearance of the molded article.”

Air volume is inversely proportional to the pressure applied to it. Just 150 psi of pressure will reduce the volume of air in a cavity by roughly a factor of 10. That’s why the most important thing to consider when trying to decide whether you need to vent a runner or not, is the ratio of the volume of air in the runner, divided by the total volume of air in the mold (runner plus all the cavities). Many molds have short runners feeding just one or two large parts. They have a small runner-air-volume ratio — usually less than 0.25. Venting any part of these runners is a waste of time.

It is for this reason that vents on mold inserts should be on the low side of the material manufacturer’s recommended depth. As the insert “breathes” during injection, the vents get slightly larger. However, you can add multiple vents — or vent the entire width of the insert at the end of fill location — to compensate for the shallower depth.

There are several methods of fast prototyping, including 3D printing (additive manufacturing), CNC machining, and laser cutting. Each of these techniques has its own strengths and is suited to different stages of product development. For example, 3D printing is ideal for producing intricate, one-off designs, while CNC machining can create more durable prototypes that are closer to final production standards.

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

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

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.

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

Most designers typically locate ejector pins in the center of a rib. That’s fine if the rib is machined in a solid. When using a mold insert, you can’t put the ejector pins in the center of the rib, because a portion of the shaft of the pin will be on the split line. Reducing the ejector pin diameter is a bad solution. Small pins have the nasty habit of galling, seizing, bending and breaking. If you offset the ejector pins, you can stay with the larger diameter. They won’t encroach on the split line, and you have a sufficient amount of steel between the pin and the insert.

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.

There is yet another rule of thumb: “Always vent at the end of fill.” That’s a good general rule, but don’t take it literally. Let’s say you have a mold making a simple edge-gated, dart-impact plaque. The standard practice is to put a vent in each of the two corners opposite the gate — the last places to fill, as shown in Fig. 3A.

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

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

Vents do not necessarily need to have a path for the air to exhaust out to the atmosphere. On dozens of occasions, I have used vents that exhausted air into a blind pocket. For example, I once had a ½-inch diameter core pin form a through-hole in a thick part. The material stream naturally flowed around the pin and converged on the opposing side. Venting the outer diameter of the core pin did a good job of exhausting the small amount of trapped air on the bottom of the part, but the top of the part still showed an occasional burn mark.

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.

Using plastic for prototypes offers several advantages. First, it is a cost-effective material, making it ideal for producing multiple iterations of a design. Second, plastic is lightweight and easy to work with, which reduces both material and labor costs. Finally, the versatility of plastic allows manufacturers to create complex shapes and intricate details that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with other materials.

Another rule of thumb says you should add a vent to the runner in a two-plate or three-plate mold. That seems to make sense, because there is often a lot of air inside a runner system, and it helps to exhaust as much of it as possible so it doesn’t go into the cavity. Yet air, like plastic, takes the path of least resistance. Why would it want to squeeze through a vent 0.0005 to 0.0020 inch deep, when it can flow freely through a gate that is 10, 20, even 50 times deeper?

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.

If you can tolerate a small boss on the underside of the part, it is best to recess the vent pin ¼ inch or more. It transforms a weak weld line into a stronger meld line, because the material continues to flow into the boss created by the recessed pin. If the boss interferes with the function of the part, you can contour the recessed pin like a “Z-Puller” for a cold well. Depending on the type of molding material, you can usually snap it off after the part is ejected.

While plastic parts manufacturers and prototyping services offer numerous benefits, they also face several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the need to balance speed with quality. While fast prototyping is designed to produce results quickly, it is important that the final product meets the required performance standards. Manufacturers must continually invest in new technologies and materials to ensure that they can deliver both speed and quality.

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.

Mold inserts are commonly used for deep ribs because it is much easier and less expensive to machine and polish a rib cut into the side of an insert than it is to EDM a blind rib and draw polish it to a fine finish with a thin stone afterward. Another advantage of incorporating a rib insert is that it eliminates the potential for the core to crack, which originates at the bottom of the rib. Ribs have a lot of surface area, and the injection pressure tries to spread the steel apart like a wishbone at Thanksgiving dinner. If the mold is overpacked, an insert will usually shift away from the core a couple of thousandths.

In multicavity molds, not only do you need to vent each cavity the exact same way, you also need to vent every runner branch the exact same way. Otherwise, it can cause an unbalanced fill and pack situation. When it’s all said and done, be sure to update the mold drawings with the final static and dynamic vent locations, widths, depths, types and more. Over time, the vents will most likely wear or collapse. You will need to replace or re-machine them to their original depths.

Looking ahead, several trends are poised to shape the future of plastic parts manufacturing and fast prototyping. One of the most significant is the rise of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, which is expected to play an increasingly important role in both prototyping and production. This technology allows manufacturers to create parts with complex geometries and minimal waste, making it ideal for both small-scale prototypes and large-scale production.

Whenever possible, try not to gate a part directly from the end of a runner. It is preferable to gate it from the side. We all know it is a good idea to have a runner overflow well at every runner turn, to capture any potential cold slug. The same logic applies to the end of the runner. You don’t want any potential cold slug to plug the gate or go directly into the cavity. You also want to vent the end of the runner to get as much air out as you can; but not too close to the gate, which reduces the amount of critical bearing surface. The gate is subject to some of the highest plastic pressures in the mold. You want to maximize the surface area around the gate to ensure a good seal and protect it from damage due to flash.

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

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.

The best method of venting this type of part (Fig. 3C) is to put a vent along the entire edge, but just shy of the corners. This results in a much greater amount of vent flow area for the compressed air to exhaust through, and still protects the corners.

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

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also expected to play a larger role in the design and manufacturing process. These technologies can help manufacturers optimize their designs for performance, cost, and manufacturability, leading to faster and more efficient production.

This vacuum condition can sometimes drive you crazy. Not only can the air pull out of the vent, often the buildup of outgasses comes with it, leaving grease marks on the underside of the part. Still, this reverse venting can enable faster mold opening, as well as reduce the amount of force required to eject the part. In extreme cases, you can feed compressed air through a vent, just as you would with an air poppet valve.

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

Plastic parts manufacturers have become key players in enabling fast prototyping by integrating their capabilities with rapid prototyping technologies. Many plastic product manufacturers now offer services that allow businesses to produce plastic prototypes using the same materials and processes that will be used in full-scale production. This allows companies to test the performance of their prototypes under real-world conditions, ensuring that any necessary changes are made before committing to large-scale manufacturing.

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.

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

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.

Plastic components manufacturers also offer a high degree of flexibility and customization, allowing businesses to create products tailored to specific needs. This includes adjusting the material properties (such as strength, flexibility, or heat resistance) to suit the end-use of the part. This versatility is particularly important in plastic prototyping, where design changes and material variations are common.

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.

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

You can use core inserts anywhere there is trapped air, such as in the case of converging melt streams. They can be square, round or any shape. Even a vent pin, whether it be stationary or dynamic, is a type of core insert when you use it specifically to let air escape. When using a vent pin, do not put the center of the pin in the center of the trapped air location. To achieve the best results, locate an edge of the vent pin at the center of the air trap. When you have two or more gates per cavity, the location of the trapped air can shift a little, due to varying process conditions. You might need to use a large vent pin or multiple vent pins to compensate for this variation.

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

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.

Five industry pros with more than 200 years of combined molding experience provide step-by-step best practices on mounting a mold in a horizontal injection molding machine.

Plastic parts manufacturers have long been the backbone of various industries, providing everything from simple components to complex, highly-engineered parts. As the demand for rapid product development has grown, so too has the need for rapid prototyping service, which allow businesses to test and refine their designs quickly and efficiently. Together, these two sectors form a symbiotic relationship that is driving innovation in countless fields.

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

Fast prototyping, also known as rapid prototyping, refers to the process of quickly fabricating a scale model or part using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) data. This process has become a cornerstone of modern product development, as it allows engineers and designers to create physical representations of their ideas in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.

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.

Ideally, the runner should be perpendicular to the gate, as shown in Fig. 2. Extend the runner past the gate by 1½ times its diameter, the typical length of a runner overflow. Now you have an overflow well to trap any debris in front of the melt flow, and you can add a vent at the end of the runner without sacrificing bearing surface near the gate.

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.

Figure 4 shows a continuous vent around most of a cavity for a simple color-chip mold. The only place where there is no vent is on either side of the gate. If you can picture how the material flows into the cavity, or if you performed a mold-flow simulation, you would realize that all four corners of the part are locations where air can get trapped, not just the two corners opposite the gate. That is why it is important to add vents in the corners on the gate end, as well as opposite the gate. Also, notice how the end of the runner has a nice wide vent off to its side, as opposed to a narrow vent at the end.

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.

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.

Some people refer to vented ejector pins as “self-cleaning.” Similar to stationary vents, they are not self-cleaning. They are self-clearing. Anyone who has wiped the sludge off vent pins while performing a routine preventive maintenance knows this all too well.

Other molds have long runners, with several secondary runner branches feeding numerous parts, such as in an eight-, 16- or 32-cavity mold. This is where the runner-air-volume ratio can be high—about 0.75 or more. Venting these types of runners can be beneficial.

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.

If you have an opening in a part, such as in the case of a picture frame, you can add vents to the center shutoff surface in order to exhaust any trapped air on the inner edges of the part. The relief channel(s) on these vents can go to a drilled through-hole in the shutoff. You can also use this vent and relief method on the faces of cams and lifters. Anywhere there is steel-on-steel contact, there is usually an opportunity to add a vent.

I drilled a 1/16-inch diameter by ⅜-inch deep hole in the face of the core pin, where it shuts off against the cavity. A vent was ground on the top of the pin, oriented in the direction of the converging material streams. The blind hole was large enough to capture the small amount of trapped air. Every time the mold opened, the compressed air inside the pin was relieved. Blind vents come in very handy when you discover a problem when sampling a new mold. When there’s nowhere to exhaust the air due to a waterline, lifter or some other obstacle, it’s nice to have a plan B.

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.

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

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

This month’s column questions several “rules of thumb” about venting and is the third part in a three-part series. Part 1 in March addressed the basics of mold venting, while Part 2 in April dove into details of vent shape, dimensions, surface finish and more.

Ejector pins at the bottom of a rib are usually a smart idea. Ribs tend to stick in the mold with a tremendous amount of holding force. Ejector pins directly under ribs are about the best method to ensure that the ribs eject under various molding conditions. So how do you decide which way to go — insert the mold to keep the cost down, or keep the core solid and use ejector pins to prolong mold operation before maintenance?

These humble but essential fasteners used in injection molds are known by various names and used for a number of purposes.

Another challenge is the growing demand for sustainable materials. As more companies prioritize environmental responsibility, plastic manufacturers are under pressure to develop eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. Fortunately, advancements in bioplastics and recyclable materials offer exciting opportunities for the future.

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).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jim Fattori is a third-generation injection molder with more than 40 years of molding experience. He is the founder of Injection Mold Consulting LLC. Contact jim@injectionmoldconsulting.com; injectionmoldconsulting.com.