This part encompasses three key areas of Rogan’s growth: It’s a medical application involving two-shot molding of a LSR seal onto polycarbonate.

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.

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

To support the firm’s expanded volume in medical molding, Rogan purchased three Sodick Plustech hybrid presses of 20, 60, and 100 tons in the last two years. Rogan favors these two-stage screw/plunger injection presses for their precise shot-size repeatability, since there is no check valve to leak. These presses are used for molding small parts—even the 100-tonner, which was bought for higher cavitation of small components.

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.

Measure website performance and ensure correct website behaviors for visitors, including retention of user settings and preferences.

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

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

The LEGO Group purchased its first plastic injection molding machine in 1947 and began manufacturing Automatic Binding Bricks in 1949. These early bricks lacked the tubes of today’s modern LEGO bricks and were slotted to accommodate thin door and window elements. In the early days of LEGO plastics, sometimes these bricks were marbled out of necessity; they were made from the leftover scraps of plastic pellets, recycled molding errors, etc. Rather than destroy its marbled bricks, LEGO distributed them to retailers for sale. What were once considered factory seconds have become highly prized by collectors for their beauty. You’d be hard-pressed not to drool over Fabian’s rustic harvest below.

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.

Wittmann Battenfeld will introduce the new EcoPower B8X injection molding machine line and show direct current as an energy source for a concept machine that will power its own robot.

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.

Being the proud Norwegian that he is, Fabian found a brick to match the color of his country’s flag. The centered white and blue, flanked by red seemingly mimics the colors of the flag. Fabian photographed this image for the Norwegian Constitution Day (May 17th).

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

One of two new Wittmann Battenfeld two-shot presses installed this year at Rogan to support growth in hard/soft overmolding.

Like Beryll, Fabian draws a lot of inspiration for his photographs from nature, like this slotted green and yellow brick atop the transitioning leaves of fall. The underside is fully visible, revealing the embossed LEGO name. When these bricks were produced, you would not find the LEGO name on each of the studs. In fact, the earliest LEGO bricks didn’t have any identifiable markings at all!

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

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

“We’ve been a lot more active in product development lately,” said Ritzema. Our pipeline has increased eightfold since a year ago.” About half that growth is in medical and the other half in two-shot molding and value-added decorating and assembly. Rogan added two more two-shot presses of 110 and 300 tons earlier this year. They are Wittmann Battenfeld HM series presses with rotary platens and energy-efficient servo-driven hydraulics. Ritzema said growth in two-shot molding has been supported by development of TPEs from firms like GLS/PolyOne, Teknor Apex, and Kraiburg that bond to a wide range of engineering thermoplastics.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Boy will debut three new models in its Electric series of machines, which feature a redesigned and more compact drive and inverter technology.

Last week, we showed you more of Beryll Roehl’s wonderful LEGO test brick photographs. Today, we’re going to look at Norwegian collector Fabian Lindblad and his equally enjoyable snapshots of marbled bricks. Marbled bricks are named such after the swirls of different colored plastic they contain. Some elements are intentionally marbled for sets, while others are the result of changing over the plastic in a mold from one color to another. In the past, LEGO employees occasionally took them home to share with their children. Today, the standard procedure is to recycle them so they don’t leave the building. However, if you are really lucky, you might just find a marbling error in one of your latest sets.

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

NPE2024: Coinjection of postconsumer resin, in-mold decoration, LSR micromolding and bioplastics processing are just some of the machine displays at Milacron's booth.

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.

Track acceptance of The Brothers Brick's Privacy Policy in accordance with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) effective on May 25, 2018.

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.

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

In addition to Flickr, you can also follow Fabian’s latest acquisitions on Instagram. If you’re looking to start your own collection of marbled bricks, try connecting with other collectors on Flickr and Facebook. You can also sometimes find them on Bricklink (you’ll have to do some digging, paying attention to descriptions and images) and eBay.

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

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

Gianpetro sees an emerging market of significant volume for LSR in LED lighting diffusers. Silicone is beginning to replace acrylic due to its wide service-temperature range, suitable for outdoor applications. Arrival of optically clear LSR grades in the last couple of years is an important factor in this market opportunity, Gianpetro says. This past spring, Rogan added a cold-deck system from M.R. Mold and Engineering Corp., Brea, Calif.,  to its existing vertical Sodick LSR press. Similar to what Rogan uses in its horizontal Sodick LSR machines, this two-drop cold deck uses a M.R. Mold “universal” base that can be used with a range of heated core/cavity blocks, thereby saving customers $25,000 to $50,000 by not having to purchase a cold deck for their custom tooling.

the 78-year history of the Rogan Corp. is full of twists and turns. But one consistent theme stands out—an adventurous and inventive spirit that has put Rogan on the leading edge of a number of important trends in plastics—and even on the frontiers of space exploration.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

Driven by brand owner demands and new worldwide legislation, the entire supply chain is working toward the shift to circularity, with some evidence the circular economy has already begun.

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.

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.

FCS Group’s X-Type parallel quartet injection molding machine features four injection units aligned in parallel for a smaller footprint.

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

The Brothers Brick respects your online privacy and security. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) effective on May 25, 2018, we are providing greater transparency, and we are enabling new privacy controls so you can choose how The Brothers Brick handles your personal information.

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

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).

The Brothers Brick Privacy Policy provides details on the types of personal information (or user data) we collect, how we process and store that data, and how you can request removal of your user data.

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.

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.

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

When the leaves fell as crimson gold, Fabian hit the bricks again and took a picture. ‘Tis the season, after all! The modern orange and red LEGO brick looks right at home atop its leafy host, seemingly in the process of camouflaging itself.

The Brothers Brick relies on a variety of online advertising partners and technology platforms to fund operation of the world's most popular LEGO hobbyist website. These cookies enable our advertising partners to display relevant advertising to you.

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.

LSR GROWTH IN LED LIGHTING BECKONS Another growth area is liquid silicone rubber (LSR), in which Rogan has seen “a huge increase in activity,” according to Ritzema. About half that activity is in hard-soft overmolding, such as an automotive underhood part of 40% glass-filled nylon with a silicone seal. Another example is the medical part pictured here, of polycarbonate with an overmolded seal of bondable LSR. Two-shot molding eliminated the costs of post-mold assembly and improperly seated gaskets. Although the bondable LSR is more expensive than standard LSR, overall cost savings are estimated at over $80,000.

One of the oldest plastics processing firms in the nation, Rogan Corp. of Northbrook, Ill., recently celebrated its 80th anniversary. The family-owned custom injection molding firm has grown to a $10-20 million business employing 65 in a 45,000-ft2 plant with 42 presses, where it serves medical, electronics, military, aerospace, and other markets. Two years ago, Plastics Technology profiled Rogan in an On-Site report (see link top right). A few weeks ago, we spoke with Jim Ritzema, director of operations, and Bruce Gianpetro, v.p. of sales and marketing, to catch up on the company’s recent growth and where it’s headed.

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.

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

As it turns out, Fabian has some test bricks too, and marbled ones at that! The positioning on the flower reminds me of Beryll’s work and, judging by her comments on Flickr, she really enjoyed this photo. To learn more about LEGO test bricks, be sure to check out our informative, in-depth interview with Beryll Roehl.

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.

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 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.

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

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

CHANGE IS COMING With so much new product development activity, Rogan is making increasing use of additive manufacturing or “rapid prototyping” technologies. It uses outside service bureaus at present but Ritzema is confident that “we will get our own 3D printer in 2015. Everyone knows that this technology will change manufacturing. The only question is, How?”

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

‘HIDDEN COSTS’ OF CHINESE MOLDS Ritzema and Gianpetro say that “reshoring” of jobs coming back from Asia is a continuing trend as more and more domestic OEMs recognize “the hidden costs of working overseas.” Nonetheless, Gianpetro says that low tooling prices in China are a primary factor driving molding business overseas. That’s despite the “hidden costs” of such tooling: “They wear out faster. We see Chinese molds that last only three years instead of 10 years if domestically built. After those three years, the ‘cheap’ Chinese mold actually ends up costing more than one built here.” The main force pushing tool purchases to China is customer insistence on low upfront price. “But it’s not a happy ending,” says Gianpetro.

Fabian has an eye for patterns in his marbled bricks. After acquiring a 2×4 milky white plate with blue streak, he noticed that this anomaly was pointed and angular. An idea clicked, and he gathered several white and trans-dark blue 1×1 slopes. These were then arranged to form a clever mosaic that completed the plate’s pattern. The finished product is eye-catching and almost reminiscent of a snow-covered mountain.

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

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.