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 company’s Eco-Mode saves wear and tear on the robot by ensuring it does not run faster than necessary — ultimately saving maintenance and energy costs. Offered standard on many Wittmann robots, Eco-Mode “requires no special programming or interface with the IMM or operator/programmer,” said Jason Long, National Sales Manager for robots and automation for Wittmann USA. “All the end user has to do is tell the robot how many seconds it should get back over the IMM before the mold opens.”

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.

“The technology draws new conclusions from current parameters and, thus, becomes increasingly intelligent as it monitors performance,” said Product Manager Christian Glueck. “We limit it to a methodical determination of parameters. Therefore, the time required to use the technology is minimal, as is the price.”

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

Arburg forms flexible — and controllable — production systems by combining machines, automation, and proprietary IT solutions. The company’s Gestica control system, with its intelligent assistant functions, is integral to those systems. “All Kuka six-axis robots, for example, have been equipped with the new Gestica user interface as standard,” Faulhaber noted. “This simplifies programming, as well as the monitoring, storage, and evaluation of process data.”

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.

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

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

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

The Industry 4.0 era of manufacturing depends so heavily on data-driven precision that artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasing role in harnessing that data to enhance the performance of machines — including injection molders.

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

“AI is becoming increasingly important in mechanical engineering, not least because of the need to automate injection molding processes efficiently and flexibly despite ever smaller batch sizes and shorter product life cycles,” said Werner Faulhaber, Director of Research and Development at Arburg. “Application examples of AI include automatic programming of robotic systems, targeted malfunction remedying, and a spare parts system with ‘intelligent’ image processing. Arburg is working on making injection molding more intelligent, step by step — ensuring that the machine continuously learns, keeps itself stable, and can even optimize itself in the future.”

One application Arburg is working on is the automatic programming of its Multilift linear robotic systems. “The idea is that the operator simply enters the destination, as with a car navigation device, and the system automatically calculates the optimal route. For robotic systems, this means that the operator simply enters the desired start and end positions, and the control system takes care of the rest.”

NPE2024: BASF is using its proprietary computer-aided engineering tool Ultrasim when designing for sustainability in a broad range of industries.

Wittmann Battenfeld, which has fully embraced Industry 4.0 connectivity across its portfolio of injection molding and auxiliary machines over the past several years, employs AI with its robots to monitor cycle times and control robots’ speeds outside the molding machine.

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

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.

Arburg uses AI “to develop master models using experience and data collected over the years on process, material, and machinery,” Faulhaber continued. “The customer could then sharpen the provided master model ‘on edge’ and optimize their processes. The in-house development Gestica control system, the Arburg host computer system, and the arburgXworld customer portal give an advantage here.

High density, resistance to temperature fluctuations, ceramic feel and sound, and a glossy, smooth surface are some of the material’s characteristics, which are important for luxury brands. Sulapac Luxe is not only recyclable, but as with all Sulapac materials, it can also be made with recycled content, another feature important for many premium brands. Said Haimi, “Sulapac is a pioneer in recycled bio-based materials and our aim is to use only recycled biopolymers within the next five years.” She noted that several high-end beauty brands have already shown interest in utilizing Sulapac Luxe in combination with their existing glass fragrance bottles or jars. The material is commercially available to all manufacturers and slips seamlessly into existing injection molding production lines.

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.

Recently the company launched two new injection molding materials reportedly ideal for replacing hard plastics such as ABS and specifically developed for conventional plastics converting machinery. Sulapac Luxe, made of sustainably sourced biobased biodegradable biopolymers and wood flour, is said to be ideal for fragrance bottle caps, lids and cosmetic jars. “It’s the only material in our cosmetics portfolio with fine, non-visible wood,” notes Haimi.

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 company’s machine-learning capabilities — HiQ Flow and CMS technology — will be on display at this year’s K show on Oct. 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The speed of ROI can be as short as a few cycles with HiQ Flow, and the software can often be retrofitted to older injection molding machines equipped with a B8 machine control. A CMS Pro version will be available at a later date.

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

Another Wittmann feature, Eco-Vac conserves energy by setting a few parameters on the robot and allowing the robot to turn its vacuum circuits off and on. “The robot monitors the vacuum level of the circuit used for picking the part out of the mold. If the robot senses the vacuum has reduced to a level that it could drop the part before it is told to, the robot will turn the vacuum on until it reaches the safe level again, then shuts back off.” This feature cuts the amount of compressed air each robot uses “and could save customers hundreds of dollars a year per robot.”

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

A more flexible edition, Sulapac Luxe Flex, comes without the wood component.  This is a more ductile material with exceptionally good flow properties, and is ideal not only for caps and lids but also for compact powder boxes and other complicated designs. Sulapac Luxe Flex has a flexural strain of 10%. Both Sulapac Luxe and Luxe Flex can be used to replace ABS. “They have many similar properties, yet the Sulapac materials leave no permanent microplastics or toxic load behind during the use phase or in the end of life,”says Haimi.

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.

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.

With the expanded portfolio, Sulapac’s customers can now create packaging for various product areas, including skincare, makeup, and fragrances. Shiseido’s brand Ulé utilizes Sulapac for their lids, while a diverse group of skincare brands from Lumene to Manik package their products in Sulapac jars. The selection of materials and production techniques allows brands to choose between a matt, glossy, or natural appearance complimented by a wide range of color options.

As AI and machine learning are further leveraged to improve injection molding operations, simply gathering data is not enough to optimize processes, Faulhaber cautioned. “You also need the process expertise and domain knowledge. In the future, the evaluation of many data directly in the control unit will offer further added value.”

“One major challenge beauty brands face in replacing conventional plastics is the strict performance criteria of the chosen materials,” said Sulapac’s international sales director Colin Strobant. “With Sulapac Luxe, we have shown that conventional plastics can be easily replaced without compromising on quality. We have listened to our customers’ challenges, and the material has been through an extensive development process to ensure it stands up to the highest demands for luxury performance.”

AI in manufacturing encompasses an array of technologies that allow machines to perform with intelligence that emulates that of humans. Machine learning and natural language processing help machines approximate the human capacity to learn, make judgments, and solve problems. Data-enhanced efficiency keeps processes moving faster and more cost-effectively.

The successful launch of the BetterBarrel by Schwan Cosmetics last year, and Toly’s popular Infinity Line of powder compacts made with Sulapac further demonstrate the versatility of Sulapac’s offering. Sulapac has also developed premium quality solutions in collaboration with Chanel, including sustainable bottle caps created exclusively for the fragrance range Les Eaux DeChanel and the lid for the N° 1 de Chanel Cream.

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.

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].

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.

Besides materials for injection molding and extrusion, Sulapac’s portfolio includes solutions for thermoforming, allowing cosmetic companies to create sustainable logistic trays and point-of-sale displays, as well as for 3D printing enabling sustainable prototyping.

Wittmann co-funded such an assessment program with Austria’s Montanuniversität Leoben university, “but we found that the time needed to make it workable for production had to be questioned because in addition to the long-term investigation of the process, you also need the manpower necessary to handle it.”

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.

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

As noted by Haimi previously, “Sulapac’s business model is based on partnerships and factor in as a service concept, meaning we do not own any production facilities but partner with existing production plants. This business model enables localized manufacturing of the end-products, and as our business grows, also the material production can be taken close to the customer.”

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

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.

Finnish eco-startup company Sulapac, that first came to our attention in 2019, has been making significant strides with its biobased, biodegradable products, particularly in the luxury cosmetics packaging arena, with leading brands such as Chanel, which was one of its first investors. Sulapac was founded by two female biochemists specializing in biomaterials--Suvi Haimi and Laura Tirkkonen-Rajasalo.  Sulapac materials are made of responsibly sourced plant-based biopolymers and sustainable fillers like wood chips from industrial side-streams. The matrix resin varies between recipes and the recipe is always a unique combination of responsibly sourced biobased and biodegradable biopolymers and sustainable fillers. The biobased content in each recipe is maximized.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Based on factors like changes in material, ambient temperature, machine wear, tool wear, and other influences, “AI can determine which machine parameters need to be changed so that the product can be produced within its quality tolerances. This can take months, as errors first must occur in order to learn from them.”

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.’

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.

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

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.

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.

Thanks to the integrated arburgXworld Control FillAssist, Arburg’s Allrounder "knows" the molded part it is supposed to produce. One issue for the future is to ensure that the machine not only keeps itself stable, but also self-optimizes.

“One of Arburg's medium-term goals is to develop a system for digital twins of customized injection molding machines. This will open up completely new possibilities for simulating the cycle and making energy predictions. In addition, 3D views and installation plans of the machine — stored in the arburgXworld customer portal and in the control system — support the operator,” said Faulhaber.

Wittmann Battenfeld’s HiQ software can generally be retrofitted even to older injection molding machines equipped with a B8 machine control.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Comparing AI and machine learning, Glueck said, “AI actually requires a much higher time investment and, correspondingly, a higher financial investment. A large number of parameters must be recorded from a running process and the relevant parameters are determined on the basis of the deviations. These are compared with measurement data of the product.”

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

By harnessing the reams of data produced in modern plastics processing facilities, artificial intelligence can improve machine performance.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Sulapac Luxe, ideal for replacing hard plastics such as ABS and its more flexible edition Luxe Flex open up new opportunities.