You also don’t want to overmold LSR onto a cold substrate, which will slow curing, Bishop cautions. In two-shot overmolding that’s not a problem—residual heat in the thermoplastic part will help cure the LSR. But if the substrate is molded separately, it may need preheating in a conveyor oven or with a hot plate.

With advocacy, communication and sustainability as three main pillars, Seaholm leads a trade association to NPE that ‘is more active today than we have ever been.’

•Demold gently. Even though LSRs have good “green strength” right out of the mold, when the mold opens, adhesion and curing may not have achieved their final state. So avoid pulling or stretching the LSR during demolding. Bishop notes that a PTFE mold coating can help with release of the LSR.

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.

•Keep it clean. “Cleanliness is critical to adhesion, so keep the substrate clean and dry,” says Bishop. That is less of an issue if the substrates are molded in a two-shot mold with the LSR, rather than molded separately and transferred from one machine to another.

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.

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

Elix Polymers’ global presence, proximity to customers and bespoke service reinforced the selection of Elix ABS H801. Throughout the development process, Minghua and Elix collaborated closely in all the steps of the project to fulfil the tough requirements of these technically demanding applications and obtain the best possible final results. As the homologation and production of these automotive parts was established in both China and the US, ELIX’ global presence was a clear advantage for a successful project cooperation. Teams from the two companies were in permanent contact, working together during the trials for process optimization.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

•Mechanical interlock helps. Even with self-bonding LSR, it’s good insurance to incorporate some form of mechanical interlock between the materials into the part design. Allowing LSR to penetrate through-holes onto the back side of the part is a good example. A rough finish on the overmolding interface area can help, but isn’t required with a good self-bonding material.

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.

“Elix ABS H801 offers very good mechanical and thermal values as well as good processability in a part which requires both high physical and high aesthetic performance. Furthermore, the easy processing and excellent paintability in both body color and deep black finished parts has definitely contributed to the selection of Elix ABS H801.”

Because all parts are manufactured with the same material, processors benefit from savings on inventory and investment. Assembling the parts using glue joints represents a further saving as there is no need to acquire sophisticated and expensive vibration welding machines and equipment. Moreover, at the vehicle’s end of life, the entire spoiler part can be treated as one single piece of ABS, without the need to selectively separate the parts.

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.

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.

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

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).

A handful of test shots were molded with Select-Hesive self-bonding material without any pretreatment. According to Schon, “Incredibly, the sample run was successful on the first shot, creating a perfect bond with no UV light treatment required—and more importantly, no rejects.” After passing additional tests, the client gave the go-ahead for a 25,000-piece initial run. Because of the time savings due to the absence of rejects, that initial run was expanded beyond the 10,000 parts initially scheduled.

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.

NPE2024: Absolute Haitian says Generation 5 of the servo-hydraulic Haitian and electric Zhafir machines lines emphasize efficiency, performance and intelligence.

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

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

Implementing a production monitoring system as the foundation of a ‘smart factory’ is about integrating people with new technology as much as it is about integrating machines and computers. Here are tips from a company that has gone through the process.

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.

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.

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

The KE2090 Select-Hesive LIMS silicone comes in 10 to 70 Shore A hardness. It bonds to PC, PBT, PPO alloys, PEEK, and polyphenylsulfone, according to Shin-Etsu’s Eric Bishop.

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.

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.

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

•Do a preliminary test. To get a good idea of how well your substrate material will bond to a particular LSR grade, it’s a good idea to send a representative part or sample plaque of the substrate material to the LSR supplier for testing.

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

Fabian Herter, industry manager for automotive, said: “A roof spoiler is one of the largest components in automotive, with a complex geometry. This aerodynamic part has to deliver an outstanding mechanical performance and it needs to have a very high aesthetic appeal, as it is considered one of the key elements that define the line style of the whole vehicle. The selection of a material that fulfils all the strict requirements of this application is therefore a crucial decision for the manufacturer.”

Both the tensile modulus (2400 MPa) and flexural modulus (2300 MPa) of Elix ABS H801 are higher than many PC/ABS grades with a greater PC content. Its impact resistance, with a Charpy notched impact strength at 23°C of 30 kJ/m2, is in the highest range of an ABS grade. High stiffness and impact are combined with a very good thermal resistance (Vicat B50 of 105°C).

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

•Watch out for additives, mold releases. Bishop advises against usin thermoplastic substrates with internal mold releases or “self-lubricating” additives, though they do not always create an adhesion problem. External mold releases are a definite no-no. And avoid any additives containing sulfur or amines, which inhibit cure of LSR. That means amine-based antistats can be a problem.

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

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.

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.

An alternative solution would have required Amerimold Tech to spend $17,000 for variable-frequency light-pumping (VFLP) equipment to UV pretreat the PC surface prior to overmolding. VFLP was tested and provided some improvement but it still failed.

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

Shenyang Minghua Mould & Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. (Minghua), a leading supplier of automotive exterior parts for premium OEMs, has selected Elix Polymers ABS H801 for spoiler and aeroblade parts for the new BMW X5, X7, and X6M cars. This follows an intensive collaboration between Minghua and Elix Polymers. Spain’s Elix is now owned by Chinese firm Sinochem International.

•Serve it up hot. “It is vital for substrate parts to be hot,” Bishop states. “The bonding of LSR to the thermoplastic is a chemical reaction. It needs a combination of time, temperature, and pressure. In general, he says, hotter is better. Typical mold temperatures for LSR are 300 to 400 F and the minimum is 250 F. The LSR has to achieve at least that internal temperature to cure adequately. Hotter is also faster—meaning shorter cure cycles.

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.

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

Last year, Amerimold Tech Inc. was facing serious cost and time overruns if it could not solve an overmolding adhesion problem. The Marlboro, N.J., custom injection molder was producing a thermal controller housing for a leading manufacturer. The chassis, front cover, and keypad were molded in polycarbonate, and then the keypad was overmolded with LSR in a second tool and press. Amerimold’s client had an existing loyalty to a particular material supplier, whose self-bonding LSR material was already specified for the project. However, the material’s adhesion to PC was insufficient without pretreatment. The client had tried having the parts overmolded in Asia. But testing of initial samples produced a 60% scrap rate due to inadequate adhesion of the self-bonding LSR to the PC keypad.

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

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

Elix ABS H801, an ABS grade modified with polycarbonate (PC) has a number of advantages that make this material ideally suited for roof spoilers. These include high stiffness, heat and impact resistance, as well as excellent paintability.

Preparing the substrate surface with chemical primers or plasma or UV treatment has been one approach to the adhesion challenge. To minimize processing steps, LSR suppliers have come out with newer “primerless” or “self-adhesive” grades that bond well on their own with thermoplastics (see accompanying case history). Even so, there are some rules to observe in order to obtain good results. Here are some key points of advice offered by Eric Bishop, North American marketing manager for Shin-Etsu Silicones of America, Inc. in Akron, Ohio (shinetsusilicones.com). Shin-Etsu supplies Select-Hesive LIMS for primerless adhesion to thermoplastics.

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

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.

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

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

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 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

Hard/soft overmolding has become a fundamental technique for injection molders in recent years, and a growing number of molders are extending that technology thermoset/thermoplastic combinations.

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.

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

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

The performance of Elix ABS H801 in glue joint assembly, together with its mechanical properties, allowed the use of the same material for both exterior painted parts such as “outer skin” and reinforcement interior parts.

The pipe and fittings manufacturer’s new 200,000-square-foot facility represents a $200 million investment and will create 150 jobs.

•Consistency counts. If you follow all the advice above, you should get good results with self-adhesive LSR regardless of whether you use two-shot molding in one machine or separate molding in two machines. But with two machines, it definitely helps to use automated (robotic) transfer from one to the other, Bishop says. That way ensures a consistent substrate temperature for overmolding and also avoids any contamination from a human operator handling parts.

Hard/soft overmolding has become a fundamental technique for injection molders in recent years, and a growing number of molders are extending that technology thermoset/thermoplastic combinations. In some applications, liquid silicone rubber (LSR) offers advantages over TPEs in its heat resistance, extreme low-temperature flexibility, chemical resistance, and inherent lubricity. While good long-term adhesion can be an issue in overmolding TPEs onto rigid thermoplastic substrates, the challenge is even greater with LSR on thermoplastics.

The Korean maker of injection molding machines featured eight machines in its nearly 14,000-square-foot booth with additional presses at Yushin and Incoe’s booths, as it targets 20% market share.

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.

Having already invested upward of $70,000 on tooling for the two-cavity LSR overmolding tool, Amerimold Tech needed to find a prompt and efficient solution to avoid incurring even more costs for pretreatment, rejects, and waste. Company president Michael Schon contacted Shin-Etsu Silicones to ship overnight a 5-gal sample pail of its KE2090-40 Select-Hesive LIMS product for a test run in the LSR mold.

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

Herter concluded: “The final result clearly demonstrates the benefits of using Elix ABS H801 to meet the stringent requirements of this automotive part, leading to technical improvements and cost savings.”

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.

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.

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.

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

Both the tensile modulus (2400 MPa) and flexural modulus (2300 MPa) of Elix ABS H801 are higher than many PC/ABS grades with a greater PC content.