Tooling: How to Properly Size Gates, Runners and Sprues; Part 5 of 5 - short run/Tooling: How to Properly Size Gates, Runners and Sprues; Part 5 of 5

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Tooling: How to Properly Size Gates, Runners and Sprues; Part 5 of 5 - short run

Author：gly Date: 2024-09-30

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.

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.

A Neutrex lab supervisor at the controls of one of the company’s injection machines where he runs Purgex purging compound trials.

Going forward, Arburg’s goal is to calculate “a scientifically sound, holistic lifecycle assessment for injection molding machines.” Arburg says such an effort is underway at the Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy (IKK) at

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Any features that enable simultaneous, dynamic and fast movements and shorten cycle times have a positive effect on the carbon footprint during use. Photo Credit: Arburg

Although no two CPCs are the same, CPC suppliers are united when they articulate the demonstrated superiority of using CPCs over in-house methods. Still, processor skepticism persists due to long-established habits of not purging on a regular basis and/or not following the purging procedures recommended by the CPC manufacturer. This can lead to problems that include material build-up on screws and dies and in hot-runner systems (including valve gates and manifolds), and in cleaning accumulator heads on blow molding machines.

“Artistic” ways of removing such build-up have been tried in the field, such as dropping into the feed throat some scraps of wood pallets, crushed walnut shells, or hand soap. Aside from potential damage to the machine, these are time-consuming methods since removal of the nozzle or die is still required. They also do nothing to clean internal components, such as the check ring, and can give off a strong odor (potentially hazardous or even carcinogenic).

To illustrate this, Arburg explains that a hybrid Allrounder 570 H with a clamping force of 204 metric tons (m.t.) and a net weight of approximately 18,000 lb has raw material-related emissions of around 15,190 kg of CO2 during its manufacture. At the other end of the scale, a 61 m.t. Allrounder 370 weighing 7275 lb generates a CO2 equivalent of around 6040 kg.

Using that figure, the electricity-related CO2 equivalent for the Allrounder 370 H is actually only 490 kg versus 1160 kg, while for the Allrounder 570 the emissions amount to 1240 instead of 2670 kg CO2.

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

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

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.

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

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.

How much CPC to use can make a difference, as adding “more” can be “less” in terms of desired results. For example, using more than the recommended amount of CPC will increase both the purge time and the purge cost. The CPC supplier that tests its products thoroughly and trains processors in proper purging methodology will have a positive impact on the bottom line of its customers.

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

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 such cases and others, it is incumbent on the CPC supplier to make clear which of its CPC grades to use, how to use it according to instructions, and what to look for if adjustments are needed.

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.

A Boston recycler invested in a turnkey shredding, granulation and elutriation system to expand its plastics reclaim business.

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

Unlike the corporate carbon footprint (CCF), which is calculated for an entire company on an annual basis, PCFs include the quantities of greenhouse gases emitted and removed over the entire service life of a product.

It’s all about sustainability and the circular economy, and it will be on display in Orlando across all the major processes. But there will be plenty to see in automation, AI and machine learning as well.

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

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.

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

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

In the first step, Arburg looks at the “cradle to gate” carbon footprint of its machines—that is the amount of carbon emitted in the manufacture of the press. This extends through raw material extraction and the manufacturing phase. All told, this portion of the machine’s existence only accounts for 5% of its CO2 emissions. On a cradle-to-grave basis, which weighs a machine’s entire life, most of the PCF is generated during the use phase at the customer’s factory. The remaining remnant is associated with emissions made during the machine’s distribution and disposal.

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.

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.

Arburg has utilized the ISO TS 1467:2018 standard, which determines the greenhouse gas emissions of a product, to help its customers calculate the product carbon footprint (PCF) of its injection molding machines.

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

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.

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.

Baystar's Borstar technology is helping customers deliver better, more reliable production methods to greenhouse agriculture.

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

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.

A lot simpler to understand and calculate than a carbon footprint, this ‘footprint’ measures your energy use per kg of plastic processed.

However, Arburg notes that two aspects of how and where it makes its machines change the calculation. Vertically integrated, Arburg manufactures around 60% of its Allrounder components itself, with this production occurring exclusively at its central location in Lossburg, Germany. That facility utilizes carbon-neutral renewable energies such as solar, wind and geothermal energy, as well as combined heat and power. Beyond that, since 2016, electricity purchased regionally has come entirely from sustainabile sources. This means that the emissions factor for Arburg’s electricity mix is actually only 0.17 instead of 0.366—53% lower than the German average.

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.

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

If the raw material and electricity-related emissions are added, the total CO2 equivalent for a “cradle to gate” analysis is 6530 kg for the Allrounder 370 H and 16,430 kg for the Allrounder 570 H. So what does that actually mean? By comparison, Arburg says each person in Germany generates an average carbon footprint of around 12,000 kg/yr, depending on personal consumption, mobility, housing and nutrition.

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

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

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

Although these different material groups differ significantly in terms of the CO2 emissions generated during their production, Arburg says a weighted mean value can be determined along the lines of the distribution. This so-called emissions factor is around 1.83 [kg CO2 equivalent per kg product] for an Allrounder. The CO2 equivalent for the complete injection molding machine thus corresponds to the emissions factor multiplied by the press’ weight.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Market-research studies conducted by manufacturers of CPCs during the past decade reveal that processors have mixed feelings about using CPCs. Although about three-quarters of companies surveyed use CPCs, only one-third of these companies purge exclusively with CPCs. The other two-thirds prefer to use a CPC for difficult color changes with commodity resins, or for high-temperature engineering resins or scheduled maintenance. When they dedicate specific machines to one part and one resin, they may prefer to rely on in-house resins, regrind, or their own creative solutions.

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.

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).

Ultimately, the parts the machines are molding also have an impact on the press’s PCF. In general, Arburg notes that the specific energy requirements for the production of technical molded parts in smaller quantities is significantly greater than for the production of fast cycling packaging items.

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

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 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.

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

When cleaning a hot-runner system, it is also critical to be guided by methodology and knowledge of the application. CPC suppliers need to advise processors on which of their grades are safe for hot runners and the proper purging procedure to be used. This entails preparation during the purge, such as adjusting the shot size, opening the gates, running the CPC, rinsing out the purging compound, and readjusting the settings. Factors such as the resin being processed, operating pressure, size of the mold, and number of gates can affect purging time and performance. Processors working with CPC suppliers will learn purging tips for the particular CPC. Recording test results is recommended.

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

• Offer a tested and proven scientific compound that purges more effectively than resin, regrind, or home remedies; • Provide the information necessary to ensure that the processor selects the right CPC grade for his application(s); and, • Train the processor to recognize that a technical approach to purging is more effective than random use of a CPC.

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.

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.

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.

For example, Neutrex, which has been manufacturing the Purgex brand of CPC since 1992, has a technical laboratory with injection molding machines and extruders to conduct a wide range of tests. In a self-published report, the company compared the use of five different resins (PP, HDPE, PS, ABS, and nylon) to Purgex for changing from black to natural or yellow. On average, using the CPC decreased downtime by 75%, lowered the scrap rate by 90%, and required 94% less material to purge.

He knows his machine. He knows the materials. He knows the processing temperature. His own recipe of polystyrene mixed with a common household product is based on his years of experience and first-hand knowledge of his process and equipment. It’s more of an art than following the scientific method suggested by manufacturers of commercial purging compounds (CPCs). But when every piece of scrap represents a “lost sale,” and purging with a resin or using a CPC incorrectly can result in 40 to 200 lb of costly scrap on every changeover, shouldn’t the responsible processor trade art for science?

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.

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

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CPC MANUFACTURER To counter skepticism regarding CPCs, decades-old home-remedy purging habits, and purging challenges encountered in the field, the responsible CPC manufacturer should:

HOW TO DO IT BETTER Instead of employing crude methods, the processor should either use a CPC as directed by the manufacturer, or stop the machine and take it apart to manually remove the build-up. Manual cleaning will take considerable time away from production, whereas using a quality CPC on a consistent basis between material changes will reduce or eliminate build-up on barrels, screws, dies, and hot-runner systems, thereby increasing machine utilization and reducing downtime.

David Denzel is district manager, technical sales for Purgex purging compounds manufactured by Neutrex, Inc., Houston. He has over 30 years of experience in injection molding management and processes. Contact: david.denzel@purgexmail.com; (800) 803-6242; purgexonline.com.

Leibniz University in Hanover. There, Professor Hans-Josef Endres is working on in collaboration with Arburg, among others.

Using the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which organizes emissions into three areas—Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3—Arburg says its machines are considered Scope 3 assets. These assets include indirect emissions from upstream and downstream business processes.

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.

Yet the CPC supplier also has a responsibility to inform processors that its product cannot simply be applied like a laundry detergent or without following purging procedures designed for that particular product or process. Methodology is critical to optimizing purging performance—whether it be the utilization of recommended temperature settings, soak time (if required), the amount of CPC to use, etc.

Arburg calculates that electricity related CO2 emissions during production generate an emissions factor of 0.366 [kg CO2 equivalent per kWh] for the standard German electricity mix in the year 2020. On that basis, the electricity requirement is 2900 kWh for the Allrounder 370 H, with a CO2 equivalent of around 1,160 kg, while for the Allrounder 570 H, the electricity requirement would be 7295 kWh with emissions around 2670 kg CO2.

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.

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

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

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.

Yet how can processors make an intelligent decision about the use of CPCs, when there is no standard? Not only are there mechanical, chemical, and chemical-mechanical hybrid types of purging compounds, but each CPC manufacturer has its own proprietary composition, different from the others. Most of these suppliers also offer different grades of their product, and results in the field can vary with every new purging challenge.

Meanwhile, extrusion is not the main application for CPCs, as extruders often process the same material and color for extended runs, but there is often still a need for purging. Using the correct grade for extrusion purges is critical because a CPC with fillers can have stiffening properties, causing the CPC to be more difficult to remove.

All-electric machines generate up to around 50% less CO2 than hydraulically driven ones, depending on the equipment and material throughput.

Extensive lab testing of purging with five different resins compared with a CPC shows that purging compounds on average reduced downtime by 75% and scrap rates by 90

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.

For example, screw slippage occurs when the screw has difficulty picking up material from the feed throat, which causes increased cycle time and other molding issues. It can be caused by changing from a high-temperature material, such as nylon and ABS, to a lower temperature material like TPO or PP. If the temperature is lowered too soon during the purging process, the previous material will not be removed completely, resulting in build-up on the screw.

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

Most impactful to the calculation is whether the machine utilizes an electric, hydraulic or hybrid drive. Going further, the calculation is also impacted by whether one or two-circuit pump technology or hydraulic accumulators are used, as well as other options like servo-electric dosing or ejection. Arburg notes that any features that enable simultaneous, dynamic and fast movements and shorten cycle times have a positive effect on the carbon footprint during use. The same applies to the screw diameter and installed power, so that the greater the shot weight and the smaller the power consumption, the better.

Hands-on training helps processors establish a scientific methodology to obtain the best purging results. Scientific molding expert John Bozzelli (left) offered purging seminars to visitors at the Purgex booth during NPE2015.

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.

As the European Union’s Green Deal takes effect and companies strive toward climate neutral production by 2050, knowing the product carbon footpring (PCF) of the entire supply chain will become increasingly important for European businesses. Arburg notes that in Germany the laws go even further, enforcing a 65% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 with carbon neutrality by 2045.

Although injection molding is the primary application for purging, it is also necessary to purge blow molding and extrusion equipment. Cleaning accumulators on blow molding machines typically requires the use of a CPC volume of two or three times the accumulator capacity. Since the CPC must be removed by the next processing resin, material compatibility between the CPC and the resin must be understood—first by the CPC supplier.

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

Similarly, CPC manufacturers tout advantages of their products over in-house methods: faster purging, more thorough cleaning (including hot runners and build-up on screws), and a contribution to meeting “green goals” through reduced waste, as well as lean manufacturing and Six Sigma protocols.

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.

Applying scientific methodology to purging techniques is safer and more beneficial than operating ‘on-the-fly’ or using home-made remedies.

CPC suppliers need to test their products extensively and inform processors of best purging practices. Pictured in Neutrex lab are (l-r) Daniel Blackburn, lab supervisor; David Denzel, district manager, technical sales; and Purgex trainers Darrell McGuire and Brian McGuirk.

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.

For its purposes, Arburg records CO2 in four process steps it undertakes when building a press: painting or coating; mechanical machining and processing; electrical production; and assembly.

The experienced processor at his favorite machine needs to be reassured that his chosen purging compound grade is not just engineered, but is also prescribed by the manufacturer for his specific application, based on thorough laboratory and field testing. With this knowledge, combined with training easily accessible from his purging-compound supplier, using CPCs will no longer seem complicated. He will be convinced that applying scientific principles of purging methodology will yield proven results in less time and with less expensive scrap than his previous “artful” on-the-fly decisions. Now, picture the CPC-trained, confident processor at his favorite injection machine, thrilled that he is back up and running the next part with a properly purged machine.

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

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.

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

Picture an injection molding processor at his favorite machine. The run of PE components is done for the week. Next comes a large part requiring a mold change and a switch to PP. “Might as well purge, too,” he thinks. He gets a couple of buckets of PS and starts purging the machine. After inspecting the first scrap parts and realizing the machine is still not clean, he reaches for a box of laundry detergent and pours in what he feels is “just the right amount” to mix with the PS and complete the purge.

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

When you drill down to the level of an individual screw, the complete parts list of an injection molding machine could consist of 11,000 indivdual items. To help it better manage that figure, Arburg categorizes all its raw materials into eight distinct materials groups. On this basis, an Allrounder consists of more than 55% plastic-coated cast iron, and another 35% of steel and sheet metal, whether they’re hot-treated, painted, plastic-coated or untreated. Plastic components, drives and electronic components account for only about 7% of the total weight.

Remembering that fully 95% of an injection molding machine’s PCF is attributed to its operation, Arburg says a key parameter to assess that is the specific energy requirement [kWh per kg], which is calculated from power consumption per material throughput. As a rule of thumb, the shorter the cycle time and higher the shot weight, the smaller the specific energy requirement and better the CO2 equivalent.

“As a machine manufacturer, Arburg is actively and comprehensively involved in carbon accounting in order to provide reliable and comparable indicators and meet the ambitious climate targets,” the company stated in release, noting it earned an “above-average” B grade in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

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

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

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

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

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.