Netstal’s new PET-LINE has changed from top entry and post-mold cooling above the clamping unit to side entry and cooling alongside the press, offering compatibility to lateral removal tools and after-cooling stations.

Meanwhile, hydrogen storage tank liners require polymers with strong hydrogen barrier property to prevent from hydrogen leakage, such as Arkema's RILSAN PA11, which can be used to produce high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder liners that are resistant to low temperatures and high-pressure hydrogen blistering.

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.

Uniloy is revising its machinery lines across the board and strengthening after-sales services in tooling maintenance, spare parts and tech service.

The PET-LINE features a 5-point dual toggle lever in its fully electric clamping unit. Lock-to-lock time comes in at 1.9 seconds for the 400-ton machine, shortening cycle times and boosting output. The machine be equipped with up to four post-mold cooling stations, with interior and exterior cooling ensuring more uniform preforms.

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

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.

High-performance materials have the properties of high temperature resistance and flame retardant to support high-voltage system.

Some examples that spring to mind include the kidney-shaped front grille of the BMW iX series, which adopts ENGEL's integration processing to achieve a 3D effect; Magna’s intelligentised front grille, which uses Mezzo panels made of polycarbonate to achieve a highly translucent visual effect; and Hyundai Mobis uses advanced lenticular lens sheet film to make the lens grille lighting module look slimmer and lighter.

As the front façade of new generation of automobiles, intelligentised front grille is becoming the mainstream of the industry, and advances in injection moulding technology and new materials also play important roles.

In addition to intelligentised front grille, automakers have also injected new ideas into smart car lighting with the help of processing and material technologies.

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

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.

Follow these best practices to minimize loss of time, material and labor during color changes in molding containers from bottles to jerrycans. The authors explore what this means for each step of the process, from raw-material infeed to handling and reprocessing tails and trim.

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 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.

In lieu of a planned launch event derailed by the coronavirus pandemic, KraussMaffei has organized exclusive presentations at Netstal’s headquarters in Näfels, Switzerland and digital visits for all those customers who are unable to travel. This hybrid event will run over three months, with interested customers able to sign up for exclusive presentations in Näfels or attend online meetings where the demonstration of a running machine can take place.

Coronavirus antibody test kits for Roche will be mass produced at an annual rate of 230 million units using three Netstal machines to clean room mold cups, pipette tips and racks to hold them.

Compared with conventional fossil-based materials, there is advantage of bio-based materials to lower the cost of raw material and have been favoured by automakers in recent years. Concept cars such as KIA's EV3 and EV4 use natural fibers and mycelium to reduce carbon footprint. Polestar and Röchling are ready to launch the first bio-based thermal management cooling kettle.

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).

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

Processing technology, including integrated moulding and foaming, plays a key role in the lightweighting of NEV, such as ENGEL’s integrated moulding of front-end module of NEV, KraussMaffei’s physical foaming process, Haitian International’s micro-foaming process, etc.

When it comes to the global market, the European Union will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, and The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) has officially come into force, granting zero-tariff treatment to Chinese exports of automobiles and parts. These policies present opportunities to the automotive industry. Represented by Chery, Great Wall and BYD, Chinese automakers have enhanced their influence in their journey of exploring overseas markets.

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

Learn here how to take advantage of new lightweighting and recycle utilization opportunities in consumer packaging, thanks to a collaboration of leaders in microcellular foaming and multilayer head design.

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.

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

Many examples demonstrate that automakers, parts manufacturers and materials suppliers are collaborating across the value chain to develop a sustainable roadmap for automotive plastics.

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

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.

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

In addition, Solvay's Ajedium PEEK slot liners reduce the weight of battery pack and motor by 12 kg and 4 kg respectively. Mitsubishi Chemical has teamed up with partners to develop a full-composite casing for EV battery, reducing the number of components from five to two, ultimately achieving weight reduction in the battery casing. Wanhua Chemical's HP-RTM polyurethane battery case is also innovative and can reduce weight by 40%-50%.

For example, the charging port cover of Audi's all-electric e-tron series is made of AKRO-PLASTIC’s fiber reinforced AKROLOY PA GF 60 black (6418) polyamide; WM Motor uses PPE+PA to manufacture charging port cover, which is lightweight and safe; Röchling has introduced an automatic charging port cover made of biopolymer.

Young consumers pay more attention to NEV. Relevant research studies show that consumers under 30 years old account for up to 43% of NEV users. In addition, young consumers prefer NEVs of high aesthetic appeal.

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

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

With the rapid development of smart cars, the charging port of the car is more aesthetic, intelligentised and user-friendly, giving users a better charging experience.

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

With CATL, Sunwoda, Gotion High-tech, Greater Bay Technology, etc. launching ultra-fast charging batteries, more and more ultra-fast charging guns are using liquid-cooled fast-charging solution in the face of high-voltage, high-current, high-power transmission. That requires the charging gun and cable materials to have high thermal conductivity, strength and toughness.

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.

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

Under high voltage, the motor and battery with significantly higher operating temperature require better thermal management, which means the materials should have the properties of high temperature resistance and flame retardant.

Injection molding technologies for packaging and medical molding are on display, with an emphasis on Industry 4.0 functionality.

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

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

According to the data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China's automobile production and sales increased by 8% and 9.1% year-on-year from January to October respectively, while NEV production and sales increased by 33.9% and 37.8%, with a market share of 30.4%; and NEV exports reached 995,000 units, up 99.1% year-on-year.

A battery module of Audi’s e-tron is processed into independent injection moulded part using EMS-GRIVORY's PA66 which is flame-retardant V0 grade. Suppliers such as SABIC and Envalior have launched corresponding flame-retardant polymers to ensure the safe operation of motor and battery module. Among them, SABIC’s new extrusion grade flame-retardant polymer is also suitable for battery pack manufacturing while Envalior's thermoplastic materials meet the requirements of battery module immersed insulating coolant.

Using spray-free materials is also an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. Toyota's interior uses BASF's spray-free polyamide, and Honda has joined hands with Mitsubishi Chemical to develop spray-free colouring PMMA that can be used for car body and interior.

General Motors' 2023 Cadillac pure electric vehicle (EV) Lyriq uses PA6/12, PA66, and PP from DuPont, DOW, and LyondellBasell. Through extrusion, injection moulding, foaming and automatic assembly, the materials are processed into thermoplastic BEV pipes of the thermal management system. The multi-layer pipes not only have excellent chemical resistance, but also achieve 60% weight reduction.

Other highlights for the new PET-LINE include higher output, energy efficiency, greater ability to run recycled PET and a new control. In a release, KraussMaffei said the PET-LINE positions its Netstal brand as an alternative for molders whose production layout currently utilizes machines with lateral removal and who have a corresponding stock of injection molds, noting the new line can be paired with legacy side-entry molds and associated post-mold cooling stations. KraussMaffei also said its existing Netstal PET-LINE with top entry is still available giving its customers the option for side and top entry.

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.

So what materials would have the potential in hydrogen vehicle applications? Hydrogen storage tank, which is indispensable for hydrogen vehicle, is mostly made of carbon fiber. Toray's high-strength carbon fiber is used for high-pressure hydrogen storage cylinder for 70 MPa vehicle; Evonik's amine curing agent VESTAMIN is used for epoxy systems, and the company’s Ancamine can be used for rapid infiltration of fiber, allowing the tank to lose up to 70% of its weight.

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

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

At 2023 China International Import Expo, 15 overseas automakers put NEV under the spotlight. At the same time, Benz, Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche, etc. have launched high-end EVs priced at more than one million yuan.

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.

More automakers are enriching their product matrices to embrace the approaching all-electric vehicle era and to meet the demand for luxury mobility in the Chinese market.

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

Toyota, BASF and US Farathane have co-developed resin frames to create ISO dynamic seats for the first time, which can reduce costs by 20% and weight by 30%. Besides, FORVIA’s latest solution for seat back panels, Skin Light Panel, is made of mono- material polymer (PU) through 3D carving, reducing weight by 20%-30%. Marelli has also teamed up with Covestro to develop a new lightweight polyurethane foam that reduces the weight of the main cockpit panel by 40%.

The PET-LINE also marks the debut on the newest control technology for Netstal—aXos 9. KraussMaffei says this new control emphasizes user friendliness with a new operator panel comprised of a central touchscreen flanked by haptic keys. Navigation occurs exclusively via the touchscreen, while all axial motion is triggered via the haptic keys. The company believes operators will appreciate the advantage over pure touchscreen controlling, noting that the distinct feedback from the haptic keys simplifies “blind” operation with regard to the moving axes.

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.

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

Automakers are raising the bar of voltage system in NEV from 400 V to 800 V. According to Joule's Law, the efficiency of the motor of a vehicle increases with a high-voltage system, thus improving driving range and reducing cost of the battery.

Carbon emission reduction has become the buzzword in the automotive industry. BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Benz, Great Wall, Geely and some other automakers have announced their targets and action plans for carbon neutrality. Using low-carbon and eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastics, bio-based materials and spray-free materials, are ones of the most important measures for automakers to reduce carbon emissions.

As NEV takes great leap forward, the driving range increases at the same time, from more than 500 km to 1,200 km. For every 100 kg of weight reduction in NEV, the driving range can be increased by 10%-11%, while the costs of battery and daily wears can be reduced by 20%. Therefore, lightweighting has become a focus of innovation for major automakers and parts manufacturers because it leads to improvement of efficiency of the powertrain and optimises the driving range of the vehicle. Each automaker has its own strategy, using new materials and advanced processing technologies to "slim down" vehicles.

The BMW iX5 hydrogen fuel cell car has completed road testing in Europe; Hyundai’s NEXO has the highest sales volume in the world; Toyota’s CROWN SEDAN is equipped with three hydrogen storage tanks and has a comprehensive driving range of up to 820 km.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

The machine was optimized for processing of recycled PET (rPET), including a new screw design and two-stage injection unit. The KraussMaffei spokesperson said the new PET-LINE will feature a barrier screw optimized for running PET. The two “stages” of the injection unit, include the plasticizing unit with barrier screw and a second stage with a shooting pot where melt is transferred from the plasticizing unit and injected into the mold. Accumulators are used for the hydraulic circuit. The company says the new design makes processing of up to 100% rPET material is possible.

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

The new series launches with a machine providing clamping force of 4,000 kN (400 tons) and a 6000 injection unit with the ability to run molds with up to 128 cavities. KraussMaffei notes that more models will be released in coming years to support production of all common beverage applications. A company spokesperson told Plastics Technology that eventually the range will cover preform cavitation from 48 to 144, with some special preform designs below 48.

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.

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.

KraussMaffei HighPerformance AG’s Netstal brand has introduced the new PET-LINE of preform injection molding machines, featuring lateral removal of preforms in a design the company says is fully compatible with existing side-entry molds and after-cooling stations.

Meeting the high requirements, Dow's HTE5015-90U thermally conductive silicone rubber and potting/sealing materials can quickly dissipate heat from the charging gun tip; BASF's Elastollan thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) 1180A10WDM optimises charging cables for fast charging stations, making the cables more flexible and easy to use.

As the saying goes, automakers are looking for breakthroughs under the trend of “reverse joint venture” and “exporting technology". The materials and processing technologies that boost intelligentisation, lightweighting, and decarbonisation of NEV will also face new challenges and opportunities. Are you ready?

The Chinese automotive market has gradually regained momentum in 2023 where the performance of new energy vehicle (NEV) is particularly eye-catching. Under the trend of “reverse joint venture” and “exporting technology", what are the materials and processing technologies needed for the NEV sector to bringing a safer, more comfortable and sustainable experience?

Ultra-fast charging vehicle models are capable of completing charging in 5-10 minutes. According to Huawei MI data, it is expected that vehicle models based on high-voltage fast-charging platform will gain a market share of up to 5.8 million units by 2026, accounting for 50% of the overall sales of NEV.

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.

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.

Major chemical producers, such as Solvay and DuPont, have successively launched high-temperature nylon, PPS, PEEK, polyamide film and other materials that are suitable for high-temperature electric drive systems to help motors operate efficiently.

In addition to weight reduction of front-end and cockpit modules, the battery pack, which accounts for 20%-30% of the weight of the whole vehicle, has also been a key part for lightweighting in recent years.

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.

For example, the headlights of BYD’s YANGWANG U8 model are manufactured by Tederic NEO M27220 injection moulding machine to achieve high-precision moulding; the headlights of Li Auto’s L9 model are manufactured by large multi-colour injection moulding machines; HiPhi uses Covestro's polycarbonate solutions for the headlight and LiDAR grills of its latest luxury SUV. In addition, Wanhua Chemical's multi-colour PMMA adds colour to smart taillights without colouring and spraying, reducing carbon emissions.

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.

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

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

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

Regarding recycled plastics, BMW and Volkswagen are gradually increasing the proportion of recycled plastics in new cars; Honda and Toray are exploring the potential application of chemically recycled nylon 6 in the automotive sector; Magna has introduced mono-material, 100% recyclable material for car seat foam cushion and trim parts.

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.

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.

With Volkswagen taking a stake in XPENG Motors and Stellantis, Maserati's parent company, investing in Leapmotor, foreign automakers have reaffirmed the importance they attach to China's automotive market.

A number of automakers have affirmed that hydrogen energy is an inevitable choice for the strategic transformation of carbon neutrality. Hydrogen vehicles can be refueled in just 4-5 minutes and have a driving range of up to 500 km.