Packing a big clamping force of 2,800 kN, the new machine fits in a smaller space at a width of six feet and features a safety door with recessed handles as part of a design optimized for easy installation. Access to the ejector area has been improved by widening the stroke to about 4½ feet. The machine’s mold height adjustment system allows installation heights up to 31½ inches.

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.

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 new machine “combines high precision with a streamlined design at a particularly attractive price,” noted Technical Director Guido Frohnhaus, and is ideal for less-complex products with cycle times of around 15 seconds.

In less than a decade in injection molding, US Merchants has acquired hundreds of machines spread across facilities in California, Texas, Virginia and Arizona, with even more growth coming.

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

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

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

“With PHA, you have to reteach people rheology and processing,” Pinczuk says. “They have to think differently. If you did petrochemical resins your whole life, you must rethink rheology and how you process. Let go of those habits and really understand the limitations — PHA is shear sensitive; it doesn’t like high temperatures; and it will degrade if you don’t process properly.”

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.

Currently designated as a “7” or “other” material, Beyond Plastic is hoping to prove out PHA’s end-of-life recycling and composting options, as related to regulatory standards. Where another common bioplastic, PLA, is deemed compostable under the ASTM 6400 standard, breaking down in industrial digesters that feature the right temperatures, as well as pH, oxygen and moisture levels, PHA is certified as ASTM 6691 for marine degradation. It is also compostable under all conditions, including home composting, and Beyond Plastic has molded new closures from 100% recycled PHA. Future projects include determining PHA’s viability for extrusion blow molding and thermoforming.

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

The 720E comes with the Selogica ND control system and can be customized with core pulls and heating and cooling circuits, as well as automated with all Arburg’s robotic systems — from sprue pickers to six-axis robots.

Beyond Plastic says its injection-molded PHA bottle caps are the first 100% biodegradable closure. Source: Beyond Plastic

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

Repeatability is driven by the company’s aXw Control ScrewPilot as well as optimized mold venting with two-stage mold locking. Maintenance is made easier with the same control cabinet style featured on Arburg’s hybrid machines, with the lubrication unit and optional pneumatics on the operating side.

He is also aware of the challenges posed by processing bioplastics, noting that in the early days, the industry didn’t do itself any favors by often positioning bioplastics as drop-in replacements for traditional resins. “In the past, companies made PHA compounds and sold them as having similar properties to PP,” Pinczuk says. When processors attempted to run these bioresins using the same machine settings they’d apply for commodity polyolefins, the result was, as Pinczuk puts it, “a fiasco.”

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.

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

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

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

Likely applications for the machine include dimensionally stable e-mobility housings, thick-wall closures for household goods, and precision medical and construction components.

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.

Ultrasonic gauge technology has evolved to simplify measurement of very thin layers in plastic containers. Today’s gauges with high-frequency capabilities and specialized software can make multilayer container measurement quick and easy for ordinary users.

"Extending our portfolio of electric machines helps customers to meet current challenges, such as increasing price pressure combined with rising costs for labor, energy, and materials, shorter product life cycles, and ever-faster product changeovers," said Gerhard Böhm, managing director of sales and aftersales.

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.

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.

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 prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

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

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.

Many of PHA’s strengths are also potential challenges to its processing and end-use application. Pinczuk notes that the material can be as soft as an amorphous rubber or as hard as a crystalline acrylic, depending on formulation and its temperature profile in processing. In its development work, Beyond Plastic began with a single-cavity closure tool as it sought to identify PHA’s shrink ratio. It molded caps, compensated for shrink and then formulated a new compound based on its findings, which it then tested in production.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Uniloy is revising its machinery lines across the board and strengthening after-sales services in tooling maintenance, spare parts and tech service.

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).

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

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.

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

Beyond Plastic and partners have created a certified biodegradable PHA compound that can be injection molded into 38-mm closures in a sub 6-second cycle from a multicavity hot runner tool.

Pinczuk acknowledges that bioplastics in general and PHA in particular are not new, but he feels PHA’s properties — and his company’s research — put the material in a new position to replace fossil fuel-based plastics currently used in single-use packaging applications, like closures.

In his three years at Beyond Plastic, Pinczuk has led that company’s research efforts to commercialize PHA for packaging — largely based on the material’s end-of-life biodegradability. “We don’t want to be in the closure business,” Pinczuk says. “We’re in the business to make formulations that can go mass market, be mass produced and replace petrochemical products currently used.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Geoff Giordano is a tech journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in all facets of publishing. He has reported extensively on the gamut of plastics manufacturing technologies and issues, including 3D printing materials and methods; injection, blow, micro and rotomolding; additives, colorants and nanomodifiers; blown and cast films; packaging; thermoforming; tooling; ancillary equipment; and the circular economy. Contact him at [email protected].

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.

In this cell, the goal is to compression mold PHA caps, and then separate 5% of that production, which will be reground into flake and mixed with PET and other scrap. Next, the demonstration cell will use an infrared, 3D flake analyzer provided by Eagle Vizion, Sherbrooke, Quebec to identify and separate the PHA scrap, which will be reintroduced back to the compression molding machine. The aim here is to show that in a mixed-waste stream, PHA is readily identifiable and can be reclaimed for recycled content in new.

After proving out the viability of injection molding PHA closures, Beyond Plastic has shifted gears to using compression molding to produce the bioplastic caps. Partnering with Chinese firm Tech-Long Packaging Machinery Co. Ltd., Beyond Plastic took rush delivery of a machine, receiving the unit in three weeks. Since then, it has disassembled and reassembled portions of the system as it modifies the unit to process PHA. It is currently “dialing in” materials, according to Pinczuk, working toward a goal of creating a 24-cavity compression molding demonstration cell that can run traditional HDPE and PP, as well as PHA, all under one platform.

Here are processing guidelines aimed at both getting the PHA resin into the process without degrading it, and reducing residence time at melt temperatures.

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.

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.

At NPE, the machine will use a a 24-cavity mold from Hack to produce polypropylene razor covers weighing 1.2 grams in a cycle time of about 8.5 seconds.

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

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After three years of research including the creation and testing of 174 different compounds, Beyond Plastic LLC, Commerce, California, says it has arrived at a completely biodegradable injection-molded closure based on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), with phase two research looking at compression molding of the bioplastic caps. The PHA resin has been supplied by CJ Biomaterials Inc., a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang. Heading up the project is Fred Pinczuk, Beyond Plastic’s chief technology officer, who has more than four decades of experience in packaging, including stints at major injection molding and blowmolding machinery OEMs.

Today, the company can injection mold 38-mm closures from PHA in a 5.5-second cycle from a 16-cavity tool. Key advances that made this possible include specialized tooling, with added attention to venting, from moldmaker Dauntless Industries Inc., Covina, California; a custom screw from Robert Barr Inc., Onsted, Michigan; and a unique hot runner design from an as-yet unnamed supplier.

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.

Demand for bioresins is growing in molded goods, particularly as a sustainability play to replace fossil-fuel based materials, but these materials are not a drop-in replacement for traditional materials. Molds and hot runners need to be optimized for these materials.

Arburg is breaking its tradition of premiering new machines in Germany to give the world its first look at its new Allrounder 720E Golden Electric at NPE2024 in Orlando, FL, in May.