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.

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.

“With the acquisition, Meteor will be able to offer its clients a comprehensive portfolio of rubber and plastic sealing solutions,” according to the German manufacturer.

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

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

Featured Articles   Tire & rubber machinery sector bounces back 09 June 2024   A roadmap for AI in the tire industry 07 June 2024

•  Use less energy: Use of the liquid colorant vehicle enhances melt flow, reducing screw torque, and potentially allowing for a lower melt temperature. That, in turn, can mean shorter cooling times and lower load on chiller systems. The end result is up to 16% lower total energy consumption in molding and extrusion, according to Maguire said. That’s in addition to 90% lower energy consumption by Riverdale Global in dispersing the pigment in the liquid carrier, as compared with producing a solid pellet concentrate. And, because an equivalent amount of liquid color weighs 75% less than pellet masterbatch, that means less freight expense and energy to transport the product to customers. (Liquid colors also occupy 80% less warehouse space than pellets.)

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.

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.

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.

Creative's customer base of blue-chip tier-1 suppliers for the North American automotive industry complements Meteor’s customer base of automotive OEMs, it also noted.

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.

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

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

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

Bockenem, Germany – Meteor Group has acquired US-based profiles manufacturer Creative Extruded Products, the German engineered rubber products company has announced.

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.

Add less pigment to the solid-waste or recycling streams, save energy, and reduce waste to landfill, among other advantages.

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

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).

Ampacet’s FluxQF technology features a quick-dispersion universal carrier with novel machinery that provides automated color blending in quantities down to 50 lb.

See more PT Tech Days sessions on topics in injection molding, extrusion, and auxiliary equipment, every Thursday morning and afternoon in November (except Thanksgiving) through Dec. 10. Visit here for details and register for any and all sessions in the series—it’s free. You can even register to listen to recordings of past sessions, including Green Molding on Oct. 22 with Paul Maguire’s presentation on liquid color.

For extrusion blow molders, challenges of price and availability of postconsumer recycled resins can be addressed with a variety of multilayer technologies, which also offer solutions to issues with color, processability, mechanical properties and chemical migration in PCR materials.

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.

The blown film sector now benefits from a tailored solution developed by Chem-Trend to preserve integrity of the bubble.

Meteor expects the acquisition to expand its technological capabilities and solidify its presence in North America, as the two entities “have a substantial product and customer complementarity.”

The addition will also reinforce Meteor’s “already strong” portfolio of EPDM rubber for both dense and sponge materials, the Bockenem-based group added.

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.

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

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

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.

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

•  Make less waste in processing: Maguire said that liquids cut typical color-change times in half, which translates into half as much purge waste. In fact, some users don’t purge between colors, but simply start the next liquid color to push out the previous one. This reportedly can be a major advantage for blow molders with large accumulator heads, which are accustomed to long color-change times with conventional concentrates. Maguire also noted that reduced colorant waste stems from Riverdale’s sealed “pump-in-drum” system, which means customers never need to open the drum and risk having to clean up messy spills of highly concentrated colorant.

•  Use more renewable resources: Most of Riverdale Global’s products use renewable plant-based carrier systems, rather than petroleum-based chemicals.

Some of the German group’s key OEMs customers include Daimler, BMW, VW Group, and the Stellantis Group as well as industrial clients such as Schüco.

Add up the energy savings in manufacturing liquid colorant, in transporting it to your plant, and in dispersing it in your process—plus zero waste to landfill after use—and the sustainability benefits could be substantial.

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

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.

•  Send less waste to landfill: Riverdale Global’s “Return for Refill” program enables processors to send empty containers back to one of Riverdale Global’s local satellite plants for refill at no cost except shipping. Any colorant left in the drum will be returned to the customer after refilling, so none is lost.

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

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.

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

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

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

First mold-in color weatherable grille used on the 1987 VW Golf to be celebrated at the 51st annual SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Competition & Gala.

In particular, Creative will add key know-how and technology in thermoplastic products such as PVC, ABS and polycarbonate, as well as thermoplastic rubber (TPR) and thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPVs), said Meteor.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Maguire said liquid colors reduce coloring costs by as much as 50%, provide more uniform dispersion, and enhance flow and throughput rates or cycle times. But liquid-color users see “green” in other ways, too, he stated. Here are the major advantages he cited on the environmental side of the ledger:

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.

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

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 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.

•  Use less pigment: Liquid color reportedly produces fully developed color with less pigment (often 30% less) than in pellet masterbatches. The reason is easier and better dispersion with the liquid carrier, which serves as a processing aid. What’s more, liquid colorant precoats the pellets in the feed section, starting the dispersion process even before the plastic melts, unlike the case with pellet concentrates. In addition, the enhanced accuracy of gravimetric metering of liquid color—a feature of dispensing systems produced by Riverdale’s sister company, Maguire Products—saves 10% in colorant versus volumetric metering, according to Maguire. The end result: less color ends up in the recycle stream (or solid-waste stream if not recycled), and less additional pigment is required to overcolor the reground scrap.

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

Whatever the color of your product, make it “greener” with liquid color. That was the message of a talk in a session on Green Molding as part of the PT Tech Days interactive webinar series on Oct. 22. This message was presented by Paul Maguire, CEO and president of Riverside Global, a leading supplier of liquid colors and additives.

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.

Headquartered in Tipp City, Ohio, Creative has more than 40 years of experience in custom plastics and rubber profile extrusion and injection moulding, said a 30 Nov Meteor statement.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

With 2020 sales of $180 million (€158 million), Meteor operates from locations in Germany, the US, and Romania – specialising particularly in the manufacture of elastomer seals and sealing systems for automotive and industrial markets.

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.

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

“This acquisition will enable us to serve our renowned US customer base with a broader technology focus,” explained Robert Roiger, CEO of the Meteor Group.

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.