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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Can you hit the same tolerances in aluminum that you can in steel? Yes. Is it stable? Yes. Will it move? No. Can you do a revision in aluminum? Yes. Can you weld aluminum? Yes, it laser welds. But you can’t achieve a Class A surface finish in aluminum. Yes, you can. You can’t do side actions. Actually, you can. You can’t run 100,000 parts or 1 million shots. Yes, you can.

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.

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.

The deal expands the company’s footprint in the life sciences sector and its geographical reach in the eastern and western parts of North America.

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

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.

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.

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

Started in 2008, Phoenix Proto works exclusively in aluminum and always has (except for one brief lapse into tool steel). It runs many of the molds it builds in-house on its seven injection molding machines, which range in clamp force from 55 to 385 tons. Tool production resides in the front of its facility, including seven CNC machining centers, three of which are high-speed with spindles running at up to 42,000 rpm. Tool making is lights out, thanks to an automated pallet system. The bulk of the 40-person staff—28 employees—work in the tooling department, building 300 to 400 molds annually. The remaining 12 staff are occupied with molding and quality. A proposed 20,000-ft2 expansion would give Phoenix room for 15 presses and expand its CNC department.

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.

The speed factor derives partially from the relative ease with which aluminum can be machined compared with hardened steel. Spindle speeds and feed rates are higher with aluminum, which also allows cutting in some instances where steel would require EDM, eliminating the time and cost of making an electrode. For tools running harsher plastic materials, or to extend mold life, Phoenix Proto has some aluminum molds hard coated, working with Bales Metal Surface Solutions.

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.

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Pyramid manufactures precision multi-cavity plastic injection molding tools with an emphasis on the life sciences industry. Founded in 1995, Pyramid specializes in tight-tolerance, high-cavitation molds and complex multi-shot, stack, liquid silicone rubber, and proof-of-concept prototype tools.

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.

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.

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).

“I’ll take a couple briefcases of parts to show customers,” Lammon explains. “A lot of them like to touch and feel and see the parts, and they’re like, ‘Hey, that’s impressive. Did that come off of aluminum?’”

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

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 year 2018 marked four decades in aluminum production tooling for Bob Lammon, CEO of injection molder and moldmaker Phoenix Proto Technologies, Centreville, Mich. Nonetheless, the continued skepticism his company’s core competency arouses yet today is in many ways unchanged from the late 1970s. The hardened-steel tooling crowd has same queries and assumptions.

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.

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.

Part of aluminum tooling’s appeal for Phoenix Proto employees, and definitely its customers, is the enhanced pace of an aluminum tool manufacturing. “You can build an aluminum tool so much faster,” Lammon says, “and these parts that come off the tool—they look like parts that come off a hardened steel production tool.”

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

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

Tobe Packaging’s breakthrough was to create its Ecolefin PE multilayer film that could be applied with a specialized barrier coating.

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.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

In this 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.

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

Global industrial technology company SyBridge Technologies announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Pyramid Mold and Tool, further expanding its footprint in the life sciences end markets. New York–based private equity firm Crestview Partners said in the news release that it established SyBridge in 2019 and committed $200 million of equity to create a market leading value-added manufacturing solutions provider spanning across end-markets, geographies, and advanced technologies. Pyramid is SyBridge’s fifth acquisition in the last 10 months.

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.

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

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

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

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

For a brief time, Phoenix Proto produced some steel tooling, before returning to its wheelhouse in aluminum—a move that pleased employees. “When we were building in steel, and I said, ‘We’re going back to 100% aluminum,’ my employees were like, ‘Yes!,’” Lammon recalls.

Allegheny Performance Plastics turned to 1factory's cloud-based manufacturing quality control software for streamlined, paperless quality systems.

"Pyramid is a terrific company and represents a significant step in SyBridge's journey to build a leading franchise in life sciences manufacturing solutions," said Tony Nardone, CEO of SyBridge. "With this acquisition, SyBridge’s Life Sciences Business Unit now has a strong presence on both the eastern and western parts of North America to better serve our customers. Going forward, our strategy will be to continue to grow our life sciences customer base through organic growth and selective acquisitions to expand SyBridge’s capabilities and geographies."

Aluminum tooling doesn’t fit every project, but the number of applications it potentially could fit is significant. “There’s a lot of project life out there that fits 100,000 parts or less,” Lammon says. “Tons of products. Is aluminum a choice for running millions and millions of shots? No—go with hardened steel. But how many companies are out there that want 5000, 25,000, 100,000 parts? Those are prefect for aluminum.”

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

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

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

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

The acquisition expands SyBridge's capabilities to offer complex precision tooling products for the life sciences and other target industries. As a part of a larger organization, Pyramid will leverage SyBridge’s design, engineering, supply chain, and production capabilities to better serve and grow with its customers.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Coverage of single-use plastics can be both misleading and demoralizing. Here are 10 tips for changing the perception of the plastics industry at your company and in your community.

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