Manufacturing Buy - plastic molded products

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.

“China reported remarkably weak trade numbers for November, underscoring its lingering difficulties with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a slump in consumption of consumer goods hitting the US, the EU, and some rich markets in Asia,” wrote Trade Data Monitor in a 6 December article.

“While the virus outbreak has disrupted production in some parts of the country, we think most of the weakness is due to a drop in demand, especially from overseas,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard and Zichun Huang, China economists at Capital Economics, in the same SCMP article.

The worst-case outcome is Scenario 3 where the impact of zero-COVID continues, and the global economy gets weaker. Consumption falls by 4% to 16.1m tonnes.

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.

As companies seek to minimize their exposure to succession risks — and supply chain risks — ease of use can be a selling point. Software development and simplification has reduced the time and training needed for adoption.

If they are frightened of catching the virus, they are going to stay at home. “It’s like zero-COVID Version 2, a lot of people are self-isolating,” said a friend in Shanghai last week.

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.

But if consumer confidence doesn’t recover, no amounts of new government stimulus or adjustments to regulations to favour privately-owned businesses are going to make any big difference.

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

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

So, watch like a hawk the consumer spending numbers along with the chemicals and polymers pricing spreads data. Sorry to be maniacal about this, but I cannot stress enough the value of comparing the differences between chemicals prices and feedstock costs.

Plastics processors are finding applications for 3D printing around the plant and across the supply chain. Here are 8 examples to look for at NPE2024.

Demographic differences could be a further problem. Rural China has an older population because of the mass migration of younger people to the coastal cities in search of jobs. Older people are obviously more vulnerable to Omicron.

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

Additive manufacturing holds promise for injection molding as metal 3D printing equipment can reduce build times and produce geometries that would be difficult or impossible to implement in a machining process. We spoke with Ted Sorom, co-founder and CEO of Mantle, and Scott Kraemer, application engineer at Xact Metal, about the possibilities presented by the emergence of the additive technologies now at toolmakers’ disposal.

November exports fell 8.7% year-on-year to $296.1bn, the worst performance since February 2020, added the trade data analysis service.

Spreads, or differentials, between prices and feedstock costs have never been as low as they have been in 2022 since we started our price assessments. There are no exceptions across the dozens of chemicals and polymers I’ve looked at.

Scenario 1 for next year assumes that China successfully transitions from its zero-COVID policies. Consumer confidence comes roaring back. Demand grows by 4% year-on-year to a market of 17.6m tonnes.

We must therefore treat with caution predictions that China’s economy will return to normal in Q2 next year. Analysts at Macquarie Capital, quoted in this 15 December South China Morning Post (SCMP) article, are among those putting this view forward.

3D printing a core and cavity on machine from Gefertec, followed by machining, allowed for a complete mold tool to be produced in three days.

“The Chinese government is shifting back to growth mode, as a rapid deterioration in economic conditions prompts alarmed officials to turn more of their focus to development after years of criticising cadres who gave priority to growth at the expense of social stability and fiscal prudence,” wrote the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in a 15 December article.

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.

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.

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

If the rate is lower as you move westwards, further away from the richer coast, this may expose the rural population to greater risks.

“Moldmakers are creatures of habit. For us to go out and drop $500,000 to $800,000 on a technology we don’t fully understand and then try to figure out how to do it and make a profit is a big challenge,” Kraemer says. Today, equipment suppliers are offering customers solutions at price points closer to the range of what a CNC machine might cost.

“We continue to hear about labor shortages and our ability to automate toolmaking so that your toolmaker is spending 10 hours instead of 100 — or even in some scenarios no hours — people really value that,” says Paul DiLaura, chief commercial officer at Mantle.

The bigger the decline in China’s HDPE net imports, the greater the importance for the big exporters of selling in the other big net import markets. See the final chart below which estimates the size of these non-China net import markets in 2023.

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

And what of the end of the “government put option”? The put option was that Beijing would never allow land and house prices to fall. The decline in house prices has slowed, but it seems very unlikely that investments in speculative real estate, so important for polyolefins demand, will be allowed to return to 2009-2021 levels.

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.

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

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.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been supporting ICIS clients by compiling the data from my blog – along with other ICIS data points – to provide presentations on my outlook for global polyolefins in 2023. I’ve presented to four of the big global polyolefin producers.

Chemicals and polymers are the building blocks or raw materials for all the manufacturing and service chains. If spreads are weak, it means demand downstream must be weak.

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

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.

Last month’s 16-point support package for the real-estate sector is one example of this policy pivot, as is re-examination of the regulatory clampdown on the technology and education sectors.

Support your strategic planning with expert insight on the wider trends impacting markets, from the circular economy and the energy transition to global macroeconomics and chemical overcapacity in China.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

What you can see above for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) injection grade applies to many other grades and types of polymers, and to liquid and gaseous chemicals.

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

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

Xact metal is also aiming to appeal to the corrosion averse, recently adding Corrax tool steel to its offerings through its partnership with Uddeholm. Corrax is described as similar in corrosion resistance to a 300 series SS but the mechanical properties of 400 series.

These barriers have been ameliorated in recent years by changes in the overall marketplace and technological advances. Suppliers of additive equipment, additively manufactured tooling and services are anticipating an inflection point in adoption. “A lot is happening all at once, like a perfect storm,” says Scott Kraemer, application engineer at Xact Metal.

Because of longstanding concerns over the quality of data coming out of China, making a call based on numbers is very difficult. This leaves us with conjecture.

Buy, plan and negotiate more effectively with 18-month price forecasts and analytics. Monitor cost pressures and identify early signs of production shifts.

The above chart, following on from my earlier charts on linear-low density PE (LLDPE) and polypropylene (PP), provides a wide range of scenarios for China’s demand for all grades of HDPE in 2023.

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

China has an estimated average of 4.3 intensive care unit (ICU) beds per 1000,000 people across this vast country. This average compares with 34.7 ICU beds per 100,000 people in the US.

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.

China’s industrial output last month rose by just 2.2% on annualised basis, the slowest increase since May this year. A Reuters poll of economists had predicted a 3.6% increase.

Historically, barriers have limited the scope of the impact of advances in additive technologies in toolmaking. The cost of equipment has been high, discouraging would-be customers from taking a risk by purchasing something that may be novel to them. A limited selection of materials could be a discouragement. There is a cost associated with training when changing technologies, particularly when the learning curve is sharp.

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

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.

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

Mantle is displaying 3d printed tooling alongside transparent models to show cooling channel design. Source: Matt Stonecash

The starting point is this year where the annualised January-October data suggest a 1% decline in in full-year 2022 demand over 2021.

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

3D printing may be the most recognizable additive technology, but it may not be suited for every application. For example, most printers have a build chamber, capping the size of components that can be printed. “Imagine an application for a car bumper. To print it, it would take ages and the costs would be huge. So other technologies more suitable, in this respect,” says Mario Ivankovic, market reach director of HTS Group. HTS group manufactures molding components using technologies that include direct energy deposition, diffusion bonding, and 3D printing.

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.

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

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.

“One such move would allow ride-hailing company Didi Global Inc.’s mobile apps to be restored to domestic app stores, according to people familiar with the issue,” added the WSJ.

A theme visible across many additive applications is an expansion of the available materials compatible with 3D printing processes, as suppliers and service providers look to meet their customers where they are on material needs and preferences.

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.

Each successive product generation brings more capability at lower costs. This can be a significant factor in the adoption of a new technology.

At NPE 2024, attendees are getting a look at what advances in additive manufacturing (AM) can do for plastics processors. Products and services are intended to lower the bar to entry by addressing some of the common causes for trepidation in would-be adopters of additive technologies, casting them more as temporary pains than endemic shortcomings.

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

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 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.

All the above merely, however, represents conjecture laid upon more conjecture from some of the discussions I had last week with polyolefin market participants.

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.

People who entered the workforce when manufacturing was at its peak are increasingly leaving it, and naturally there is concern at the loss of their finely honed skills in an area like toolmaking.

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.

Exports are worth some 20% of China’s GDP. While inflation may have peaked in the US, the impact of high interest rates on consumer spending seems likely to be at its most severe in 2023. EU inflation is higher than in the US because of the impact of the Russian invasion on food and energy costs.

The promises of moving beyond traditional methods of making injection mold tooling have been well established. AM technologies can remove design constraints, opening up design geometries that would be difficult or impossible to create by other means. These include conformal cooling channels that can reduce cycle time and enable better heat management to reduce warpage.

But predicting with any certainty something as nebulous as a recovery in Chinese consumer confidence is quite simply impossible. If you also include all the variables relating to the global economy, the only sensible approach for estimating 2023 chemicals demand is a wide range of scenarios.

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.

Mantle recently announced the qualification of 420 stainless steel paste with its P200 printer. This should be of interest for molders who operate in conditions that accelerate corrosion, especially for those whose molding operation can benefit from the use of conformal cooling channels.

Given the diversity of needs in injection molding, it’s unlikely that one product or even one technology will fit all. Scott Kraemer says, “If you look at CNC machining and wire EDM machines, EDM didn’t replace CNC. It’s another tool in your toolbox, to get the job done.”

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.

But then there is population density to consider, obviously higher in the big cities, with infections increasing during the winter months as people huddle indoors out of the cold. The colder the temperatures during this winter, the greater the danger of the disease spreading as people spend more time indoors.

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.

“Cleaning cooling channels is part of the maintenance and upkeep that people do with their molds. There is a concern that a steel will rust over time and make it harder to clean or that you have to clean more frequently. With stainless steel, you don’t have that problem,” DiLaura says.

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.

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.

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

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

This tells us that there will have been no full recovery until spreads return to their long-term historic averages. In the case of HDPE injection grade, the 1990-2021 average annual spread was $495/tonne compared with just $211/tonne so far this year.

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).

Scenario 2 assumes that high infection rates and a lack of healthcare resources keep consumer confidence depressed but that the global economy recovers, supporting China’s exports. Growth is minus 2%, leaving demand at 6.6m tonnes.

Even in the event of China adequately vaccinating enough over-60 and over-80-year-olds by the time Q2 comes around (vaccination rates among the elderly are said to be too low), preventing the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, we also need to consider the strength of China’s exports.

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

If consumers distrust the official numbers for fatalities and infections, they are not going to start dipping into savings rates that have shot up this year.

As usual, also see the slide below. The slide on net imports factors in these same three scenarios for demand in 2023 and two different operating rates for local HDPE plants.

In the 25 years I’ve been analysing chemicals markets, I’ve never known a period of greater uncertainty. This requires constant data re-crunching, mountains of background reading and thinking (in my case, lots of long walks with my dogs) and numerous conversations with markets.

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WITH HEALTHCARE RESOURCES reportedly thinner on the ground in China’s poorer rural areas, the rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths could end up being higher in the countryside than in the big towns and cities.