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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

Durina says, “Instantaneous mechanical shutoff of the plunger head isolates the melt pool from the screw melting chamber, which allows for discrete monitoring and control of the melt pool for improved shot control. Isolation between the melting chamber and melt pool also allow for more precise measurement of the shot volume for good/bad part discrimination using our Melt-Profiler melt-sensing technology.” He adds that this plasticating design makes the process more energy efficient, provides a first-in/first-out melt path, requires no melt decompression to seat the nonreturn valve, and thus avoids breakup of solids-bed compaction from melt decompression. Ultraprecise shot control, especially for small shots, is also claimed, in a simpler design with fewer parts than conventional two-stage units.

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.

Md Plastics has introduced a 70-ton Inject-EX machine built by EdeX in Taiwan, which incorporates a novel inline screw/plunger injection unit. Source: Md Plastics

Determining the source of streaking or contamination in your molded parts is a critical step in perfecting your purging procedures ultimately saving you time and money.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

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.

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.

Today’s manufacturing industry requires small & precision parts with high performance and reliability at a competitive cost. This 45-minute Webinar discusses a unique process that eliminates the need for complex, expensive machining when producing small, intricate steel and stainless steel components for automotive, Industrial and consumer product applications. The process is metal injection molding – also known as MIM. The presentation also examines how switching to the MIM process can result in a minimum 30% cost reduction for specific applications.

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

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.

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.

The sintered MIM components display strength characteristics comparable to machined components. The process is highly scalable, and the material options include all varieties of steels, stainless steels, titanium, nickel super alloys, tungsten alloys, tool steels.

In the MIM process, a very fine metal powder is mixed with a little plastic, and then the mix is injection molded into complex shapes utilizing a mold. The molded components go through a de-binding process, during which some of the plastic binder is removed, and then they are sintered at high temperatures. During sintering, the remainder of the plastic binder is eliminated, and the metal particles diffuse with each other to form 96-98% dense material without losing its shape integrity.

As explained by Md Plastics president Mike Durina, “The Inject-EX plasticating unit is designed to address the deficiencies of the existing 70-year-old injection molding technology.” These include inconsistent shot size due to variable closing of the nonreturn valve and inconsistent plastication due to screw retraction, which causes incoming pellets to experience a constantly changing L/D. His design remedies the first flaw by virtue of spring-loaded shutoff valves (based on Md Plastics’ Mini-Shut design) between the screw and inline plunger and at the end of the plunger. The second flaw is avoided by having the screw/plunger unit and feed hopper reciprocate together. (For full details, see PT, December 2022).

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.

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

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.

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

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).

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.

Performing fundamental maintenance inspections frequently assures press longevity and process stability. Here’s a checklist to help you stay on top of seven key systems.

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.

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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 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.

Durina says seven Inject-EX injection units have been operating for five years in the U.S. and Canada, providing confirmation of these claims. Versions of Inject-EX are available for conventional thermoplastics, LSR and recycling (with addition of a melt filter, degassing vent and starve feeder). In addition, a variant of the design can be used in large-area, pellet-fed 3D printing.

Md Plastics is now offering for sale injection machines incorporating its novel Inject-EX injection-unit design with an inline screw and plunger. Inject-EX was previewed in prototype form at the last NPE in 2018. Now it is incorporated in servohydraulic machines from EdeX in Taiwan. The first Inject-EX model available is a 70-tonner with 2.2-oz. (64.23-cc) shot capacity. It’s also outfitted with the unique Temp-Sense melt sensor for melt-density verification. Md Plastics has one of these presses at its plant in Columbiana, Ohio.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Md Plastics’ Inject-EX inline screw/plunger injection unit, shown with two outboard hydraulic cylinders that move the entire unit (with feed hopper) forward to inject. Melt feeds from the screw through a shutoff valve and a channel inside the plunger to the front of the plunger. Source: Md Plastics

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.

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

When determining the best ejection option for a tool, molders must consider the ejector’s surface area, location and style.

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.

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

NPE2024: Md Plastics is now offering for sale injection machines incorporating its novel Inject-EX injection-unit design with an inline screw and plunger.