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.

Addressing hot-runner benefits, improvements, and everyday issues from the perspective of decades of experience with probably every brand on the market. Part 1 of 2.

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

In the same era when Wallace Carothers was conducting his experiments to synthesize polyesters and nylon at DuPont, a German chemist, Otto Bayer, was investigating another type of reaction using some of the same chemistry, but introducing a new constituent called an isocyanate to create the materials that would become polyurethane. Bayer received his doctorate in 1924 from the University of Frankfurt and entered industry with IG Farben, the German dyestuff conglomerate. Because the Bayer Corporation was one of the companies involved in the IG Farben group, it is often assumed that Otto was related to the Bayer family that founded the company. However, there is no such familial relationship.

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.

Research on boosting the molecular weight of polyurethane polymers started as early as 1941 at DuPont. This work was done by William Hanford and Donald Holmes, who received a patent on the process of making polyurethanes in 1942. Hanford and Holmes discovered the chemistry of including long-chain diols, called polyols, into the polyurethane chemistry. This increased chain length and improved control over mechanical properties. Longer chain polyols produced softer materials since these groups represented the soft segments of the structure while shorter chain polyols created harder materials. Today, polyurethanes can be produced with hardnesses that range from 55 to 60 on the Shore A scale up to 75 on the Shore D scale. Initially, the polyols were based on polyester chemistry.

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.

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.

Multicat utility vessel Jenny D is about to begin River Thames maintenance dredging scheme on behalf of the Port of London Authority (PLA).

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.

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.

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

According to PLA, the dredging will take place on the ebb tide only, with expected completion around 12th February 2024.

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

Even a cursory investigation into polyurethanes shows that the material family has unparalleled versatility, not only in terms of the forms the material can take but in the different ways in which it can be processed. This arises directly from the unique chemistry of this material family, which will be the topic of our next installment.

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

The majority of the polymers that today we rely on for outstanding performance — such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone and PPS — were introduced in the period between 1965 and 1985. Here’s how they entered your toolbox of engineering of materials.

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.

This material family has unparalleled versatility, not only in terms of the forms the material can take, but in the different ways in which it can be processed.

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.

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

About the Author: Michael Sepe is an independent materials and processing consultant based in Sedona, Ariz., with clients throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He has more than 45 years of experience in the plastics industry and assists clients with material selection, designing for manufacturability, process optimization, troubleshooting and failure analysis. Contact: (928) 203-0408 • mike@thematerialanalyst.com

By 1962, materials exploiting a wide variety of these chemistries were being produced that could be molded into standalone products. These could be thermoplastic or thermosetting depending upon the chemistry of the constituents. A singular benefit of these materials was outstanding abrasion resistance combined with a high degree of ductility. The crosslinked systems tended to outperform the thermoplastic variety, with better wear resistance and lower compression set.

It was also discovered that polyurethanes made excellent adhesives and sealants as well as coatings for materials like hardwood floors. For all of these purposes, products could be fabricated without being too concerned about molecular weight. For fibers, and especially for molded elastomeric parts, the considerations of molecular weight became more important. While Bayer is credited with the discovery of polyurethane chemistry, his materials were based largely on aliphatic reactants and would be properly classified as polyureas.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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 year later, Heinrich Reinke, a member of Bayer’s team, developed an alternate route to polyurethane synthesis that is more typical of the current technology. Reinke reacted butylene glycol, the same material used to make PBT polyester, with another diisocyanate. Both of these diisocyanates were aliphatic in structure and the molecular weight of the resulting materials was relatively low. But this reaction was the beginning of the creation of what is arguably the most versatile chemistry in polymers.

But it did not stop there. The foams could be rigid or soft depending upon the level of volatile gas generated during production. Over time, this was controlled better by reducing moisture levels and intentionally introducing other gases as the foaming agent. The first foams were of the soft variety, but by the mid-1950s rigid foams were commercialized and found immediate use in building and construction.

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

As is so often the case, world conflict both catalyzed development and produced immediate applications. The elastomeric character of polyurethane led to its use as a substitute for natural rubber, which was often difficult to obtain from areas of the world steeped in throes of World War II. Development continued after the war. By 1952, high-molecular-weight polyurethanes became available based on a reaction between polyester-based polyols and an aromatic diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate (TDI). By 1957, rigid foam was being produced for insulation by the French glass manufacturer Saint-Gobain.

You can better visualize the melting process by “flipping” the observation point so the barrel appears to be turning clockwise around a stationary screw.

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

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

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.

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 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

Liquid-crystal polymers debuted in the mid-1980s, but the history of the chemistry associated with this class of materials actually starts a century earlier.

The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda:  Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI

The first product of this research was polyurethane foam, and there are pictures of a smiling Bayer looking at the fruits of his efforts, a large mass of foamed material. The early foams were created by accident. Moisture reacts readily with isocyanates, forming a substance called carbamic acid, which is unstable and rapidly decomposes into an amine and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide acted as a foaming agent and therefore it is not surprising that polyurethane was first introduced commercially in the form of foams. Free carboxylic acid groups in the polyesters that were reacted with the diisocyanates also contributed to carbon dioxide production.

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.

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

These humble but essential fasteners used in injection molds are known by various names and used for a number of purposes.

The combination of abrasion resistance and good low-temperature impact also made polyurethanes ideal for wheels on items like roller skates and skateboards. These were introduced in 1973. In the late 1970s I worked with a company that made screw conveyors where a metal chain runs over the gears. The gears are typically metal and the company wanted a plastic gear.

We started with an acetal homopolymer due to its reputation for wear resistance with good lubricity. The loss of material through wear was substantial. We then molded some gears from a Shore 45D polyurethane and they exhibited no significant wear after tests that ran more than 1000 hr. It was a real education in the properties of polyurethanes.

First, Jenny D will commence plough dredging operations at Tilbury 2 CMAT, Gravesend Reach and Tilbury Grain Terminal, Northfleet Hope.

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

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.

This same era also saw the development of polyurethane foam for surfboards. Also at this time, polyether-based polyols were introduced as an alternative to polyesters. Polyethers offered improved resistance to hydrolysis while polyesters tended to have better mechanical properties. Both of these options exist today, along with polycaprolactones and even polycarbonate. The first polyether, polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG), was introduced by DuPont in 1956 and also became a key component in the chemistry of copolyester-based thermoplastic elastomers, trade-named Hytrel. In the following year, Dow and BASF developed chemistries based on PTMG reacted with methylene diisocyanate (MDI) and ethylene diamine. DuPont created a fiber from this chemistry that became known as Lycra Spandex.

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

In 1967, Bayer exhibited a complete plastic car body in Düsseldorf at the K Show. Many of the panels were produced from a new process called reaction injection molding (RIM). This technology involved injecting the liquid constituents needed to create the polyurethane polymer into the mold and polymerizing the material in the mold at the same time the part was being formed. This was more of a proof-of-concept demonstration, but by 1983 it became a commercial reality when the Pontiac Fiero was introduced with an all-plastic body made of RIM panels. The polyurethane material had a limited modulus, and later enhancements involved placing glass mats into the mold that acted as reinforcing agents to stiffen the material. This became known as structural RIM (SRIM).

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

Join 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 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.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

Join 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

By 1931 Otto found himself at the helm of the Central Research laboratory in Leverkusen, where he began investigating the chemistry of reactions involving the remarkably reactive isocyanate functional group. Over a period of several years, he succeeded in developing a reaction between hexamethylene diamine, one of the monomers used to make nylon 66, and hexamethylene diisocyanate, to form the first of a family of materials that today are collectively called polyurethanes. This technology was patented in 1937.

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.

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).

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.

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

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

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.