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.

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

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

A leading Spanish automotive supplier has put its third twin-sheet thermoforming line into operation for the manufacture of ducts for automobile air conditioning. The UAR 155g  machine was supplied by Illig of Germany.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Nearly all of the new additives highlighted at the big show are aimed at enhancing recyclability of commodity resins and some volume engineering resins such as nylon and PC. A few new materials, on which we had not previously reported, also surfaced at K 2022.

In the thermoforming process, XLPE sheet (thickness 3 to 4 mm) is supplied by two material roll stands and each material is heated up in the forming station to a surface temperature of up to 200 C. Subsequently the heater is rapidly removed from the forming station– in less than 3 seconds – in order to minimize cooling of the material prior to commencement of the forming process. Further, the servo drives for the upper and lower mold table are especially designed for rapid movement speeds of up to 500 mm/s, even for tools with a weight of up to 1 t per mold table.

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.

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.

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

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

Lightweight and moreover flexible automotive air ducts are molded in sophisticated 3D geometries using XLPE foam and the thermoforming process on this Illig unit.

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).

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

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

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

A further benefit provided by thermoforming with twin-sheet technology versus extrusion blow molding is that multiple parts of differing dimensions and geometries can be manufactured simultaneously by utilizing a large-area tool (the UAR 155g features a forming area of up to 1450 x 1200 mm). This capability also has implication in terms of cycle time per air duct, which is naturally shorter. On these accounts, air ducts made of foam are cost competitive when compared with rigid PP blow-molded ducts– manufacturing costs per duct are in fact comparable.

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 twin-sheet thermoforming of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) foam, two sheets heated up to processing temperature are formed into half shells in the mold, supported by vacuum, and at the same time they are welded together on the outer contour. With the system developed by Illig; the formed parts are punched directly in the mold after the end of the cooling time. The upper mold half is equipped with extendible serrated knives. The lower mold half is equipped with grooves in which the knives interlock during punching. The punched out parts are secured by “holding bridges” and removed from the forming station. Upon removal from the thermoforming machine, only the joint areas of the air ducts have to be cut – just like blow-molded rigid ducts.

DSM also notes that Akulon Fuel Lock is a “drop-in solution” offering “a second life to the monolayer blow molding machines dedicated to production of the declining diesel monolayer fuel tanks.”

With sustainability top-of-mind in the plastics industry, this was a ground-breaking show for builders of recycling equipment. It also prompted new thinking in thinwall injection molding.

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.

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.

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

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

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.

Long established in injection molding, extrusion and polyurethane reaction process machinery, 184-yr-old KraussMaffei prepares to enter the industrial additive manufacturing market.

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

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.

For more than a decade, monolayer blow molded nylon 6 has been an available alternative to coextruded or fluorinated HDPE for fuel tanks. DSM Engineering Plastics introduced Akulon Fuel Lock, a family of nylon 6 materials with higher barrier than standard PA6, allowing for thinner walls in monolayer tanks. It was offered initially for small-engine fuel tanks for lawnmowers, off-road vehicles, etc. Then, in 2018, Akulon Fuel Lock was used for the fuel tank of Renault’s Alpine A110 sports car. That was “the world’s first automotive fuel tank in polyamide,” according to DSM.

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.

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.

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

In connection with the recent K 2022 show in Düsseldorf, DSM announced what it calls another world’s first, and an extension of its partnership with Renault, in an Akulon Fuel Lock blow molded monolayer fuel tank for the 2021-model Captur E-Tech plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Its weight is much less than steel tanks and about the same as multilayer HDPE alternatives, but biobased Akulon Fuel Lock offers a simpler monomaterial solution without the complex additional features required by HDPE structures to prevent permeation and withstand the extended periods of internal pressure inherent in plug-in hybrids.

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

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.

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.

DSM’s Akulon Fuel Lock is said to be the first monolayer nylon 6 fuel tank in a plug-in hybrid vehicle, Renault’s 2021-model Captur E-Tech. (Photo: DSM Engineering Plastics)

XLPE foam ducts boast several advantages compared to blow-molded, rigid PP ducts that are commonly used at present according to Illig. For example, ducts molded using XLPE foam (density of approximately 70 to 80 kg/m³ depending on the application) are not only substantially more lightweight than ducts made of solid PP (density of 900 kg/m³); among other properties they also possesses substantially lower heat conductivity and superior acoustic dampening behavior thanks to their foamed structure.

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 way the foam’s lower heat conductivity minimizes condensation of water in the air duct after switching off the air conditioning system. High elasticity and good resilience of the ducts reportedly provide further benefits, such as ease of assembly and reduction of squeaking and rattling sounds even within a compact installation space.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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