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

Major contributing factors to the improved PE market balance were that after several years of high production rates, PE suppliers throttled back plant utilization rates to the low 70s percentile, in addition to offering lower-priced exports and spot material to bring down their high inventories.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Contract prices fell a total of about 11¢/lb in the third quarter, with more dramatic price drops in the spot market. As October approached, spot prices began to stabilize. Going into November, Greenberg put it this way: “Spot PE price were holding firm for three weeks in a row. Even as PE spot levels have seemingly found a floor, buyers continue to enjoy good availability for most grades near these yearly lows.” He did note that some more niche grades, such as injection molding LDPE, EVA, POE and rotomolding resins had been in tighter supply, and have good underlying demand if better supplies surface.

Industrial injection molding press machine for the manufacture of conditioner parts using polymers in the management of worker

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.

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

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

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

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.

PET prices in October were on the way up by 3¢/lb to 4¢/lb based on an upward blip in feedstock costs, but were expected to drop again on the order of 1-2¢/lb in November-December. This would follow a decline of about 23¢/lb between July and September, according to RTi’s Kallman.

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.

These are the views of purchasing consultants from Resin Technology, Inc. (RTi), senior analysts from Houston-based PetroChemWire (PCW), CEO Michael Greenberg of The Plastics Exchange, and Scott Newell, executive v.p. of polyolefins at distributor/compounder Spartan Polymers.

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

One way to make use of AI certainly lies in the analysis of data and automated predictions based on them. The key here would be a data platform such as Kistler’s akvisIO. It integrates production and measurement equipment such as sensors or field devices and collects their raw data. It then processes it and overall makes data from different sources comparable to each other. Machine learning algorithms can then use the data to draw larger conclusions on the performance of the overall production set-up, to predict maintenance needs and even anomalies. Our vision is that eventually, the algorithm will be able to foresee events that have never occurred before. To make that vision a reality and to also get users on board with the new way of utilising data, our large team of data scientists focus on usability and user experience in our continuous development. AkvisIO processes and analyses process data to be directly used as a basis for decision making. This eliminates the additional step of interpretation and makes the data more accessible. Of course, the user can also add their own interpretation of the data to the results based on their own experience. As the need for AI continues to develop within the industry, we’ve set up akvisIO in a modular way. Working with customers and identifying their specific needs will allow us to add features, or specific modules tailored to a particular application or user group. One area of application could be advanced process control including trends and prediction, which could make processes even more efficient and robust, especially in terms of energy and raw material consumption.

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.

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

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.

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.

Over the last ten years, measuring quality assurance throughout production has become industry standard because it provides reliable information about the quality of both process and product. Equally, digitalisation and automation of process monitoring have come a long way. Daniel Kormann, head of business development for plastics at Kistler, discusses the state of process monitoring and process control in the light of current developments such as AI and new regulations.

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

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.

For the November-December timeframe, these sources noted signs that prices were bottoming out, with flat to slightly lower pricing expected. “I think we haves some visibility of a bottom forming with a little bit of further drop,” said Newell. Barry saw potential for further price reduction in the fourth quarter, noting that demand in the global PP market was down and China was becoming a regular exporter of PP, the latest competitor for U.S. suppliers.

PVC prices in October were expected to drop another 5¢/lb following a cumulative drop of 15¢/lb in the previous three months. Moreover, similar decreases were expected for the last two months of 2022, which would bring the total decline in the second half of this year to 30¢/lb, according to Mark Kallman, RTi’s v.p. of PVC and engineering resins and PCW senior editor Donna Todd.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Polyethylene prices for October appeared to hold even and were expected to be generally flat for the last two months of the year, according to David Barry, PCW’s associate director for PE, PP, and PS; Robin Chesshier, RTi’s v.p. of PE, PS, and nylon 6 markets; and The Plastic Exchange’s Michael Greenberg.  Reporting on one longtime market watcher’s projections, Barry noted, “Don’t expect any big price swings for several months.” Meanwhile, suppliers notified customers they were postponing their increases of 5-7¢/lb from October to November, though these sources saw this move as mainly an effort to halt any further decline.

How the development of new catalysts—notably metallocenes—paved the way for the development of material grades never before possible.

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 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

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.

A halt in the pricing plunge for PE, PP, and PS appeared to be shaping up going into November, owing primarily to suppliers reducing their swollen inventories by throttling back production rates and, in the case of PE, multiplying attractive offers for exports and the domestic spot market. Still, first-quarter 2023 looks to be a buyer’s market for all five major commodity resins.

Both PCW’s Barry and RTi’s Chesshier ventured that this relative stability might well be shaken up within the first quarter, due to the substantial new capacity being brought on stream by Shell and Baystar, the new 50/50 joint venture between Borealis and Total Energies. Combined production will represent a 10% increase in annual domestic capacity. Noting that early 2023 will remain a buyer’s market, Chesshier said that suppliers will face further challenges from lower global demand. As Barry put it, “The export packaging pipeline was viewed as a likely bottleneck for producer export sales in the coming months. Prices in Asia were softening as well-stocked Chinese producers lowered offers to stimulate demand and Southeast Asian markets followed the softer trend.”

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.

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.

Both sources noted that falling PVC export prices have continued the downward pressure on domestic prices, along with increasing supplier inventories. However, Kallman reported that suppliers have exported a substantial volume of PVC and that Formosa had planned a shutdown of its Louisiana plant through November, which would perhaps result in a more balanced market. He noted that with the exception of wire and cable—the “most resilient market sector”—PVC demand is off in nearly all categories.

Secondly, education is crucial. Educational opportunities are not only helping companies to see the benefits of a digital solution for their specific use case, but also to support employees on different levels in using them. That is why we have established the Kistler Plastics Academy. Here, we support our customers’ digital journey on three levels. On the basic level, we provide training for machine operators, application engineers and mould makers on how to install sensors, how to use the ComoNeo process monitoring system and the data base. On the advanced level, process engineers and production experts learn what is really happening inside the injection mould. On the expert level, data managers and quality engineers get insights into the potential of data management and data analysis.

Within our focus industries, the circular economy and especially the use of recyclates are currently the most pressing topics. While we don’t see the latter reflected in the medical field yet due to regulations, this could change soon if we can provide a solution which reliably and automatically compensates process fluctuations. When companies start to use larger percentages of recyclates in their manufacturing processes, measuring technology becomes even more important, while it will not change as such. Melts containing recyclates have a fluctuating viscosity and as a result, parameters which indicate viscosity changes such as cavity pressure need to be constantly monitored to ensure a high product consistency. Again, AI could also come into play to detect and even predict anomalies.

While suppliers have throttled back production, these sources say there is a lot of material to be had and that heavily discounted spot deals were on the table. There was also substantial new capacity coming on stream, with ExxonMobil starting up its new plant and Heartland Polymers readying its PDH and PP units. Greenberg confirmed that some PP suppliers were offering deeply discounted railcars for higher volume orders as they aimed for better positioning in first-quarter 2023. He reported that there was good ongoing demand for packaged truckloads from processors that had drawn down their stocks and now required more material, and from others waiting for late railcars to arrive.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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 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

At the same time, he ventured that it was possible that November-December propylene monomer prices would not drop any further. He did not anticipate any further margin contraction, though he said that could play a factor in 2023 PP price negotiations behind the scenes.

During my time in the medical devices industry, I have seen several major changes. In 2010, when I started out, companies were still skeptical towards cavity pressure measurement. Those that went on to integrate the technology were mainly interested in using it for straightforward process monitoring, ignoring more sophisticated opportunities. When I joined Kistler, one major project was the creation of ComoNeo, a system which was a serious level-up to the previous solution ComoInjection. As a software designed specifically for injection moulders, ComoNeo provided a much better user experience and was quickly very successful on the market. It also attracted a lot of interest from the medical field. To meet the needs of medtech companies, we created a company-internal group to unite experts from the areas of plastics applications and advanced manufacturing. While the former bring a lot of material expertise, the latter have extensive knowledge in the monitoring of joining and assembly processes. Joining forces, the team saw the immense potential of gathering and analysing meaningful data in the medical field. This has lead to Kistler becoming the sole provider of the process navigator Stasa QC by Stasa, which enables the process monitoring system to provide efficient, automated documentation of the test plans and also to perform the corresponding process analyses. Most recently, we have also presented AkvisIO IME (Injection Moulding Edition), our inhouse process data solution to the broader public at Fakuma.

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.

Currently, there are software modules and algorithms that allow injection moulders to automatically adjust process parameters if the measurement curve deviates from a previously defined ideal curve. For instance, if the cavity pressure measured by direct, indirect or non-contact sensors is too high or too low, the system can adjust the switch-over point automatically. The Multiflow software module by Kistler balances filling multiple cavities very efficiently. It analyses fill-time differences between the cavities based on cavity pressure. It then adjusts the tip temperature of the hot runner automatically to achieve a more simultaneous filling. Using automation is becoming ever more relevant as we look at a growing shortage of skilled workers on the shop floor.

Quality management and quality assurance is essential in the medical industry as companies manufacture highly sensible products. Regulations such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in the US and Medical Device Regulations (MDR) in Europe require companies to comply with strict and ever more extensive standards. They have to keep an impeccable paper trail throughout the entire production processes, just as the saying goes: “If it hasn’t been documented, it doesn't exist.” This need for full documentation puts a lot of pressure on companies. It increases the demand for integrated process solutions that both document and optimise all relevant process parameters. The ComoNeo process monitoring system by Kistler, for instance, accurately measures the pressure in all cavities and compares the resulting curve with the nominal curve. ComoNeoPREDICT uses artificial intelligence to predict product quality based on cavity pressure and temperature curves. All things considered, I believe that there is still a lot of untapped potential for digital solutions.

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 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

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.

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

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

The latter reported that PVC prices are forecasted to be flat in January, followed by a 2¢/lb drop in February and flat again in March, for a total decrease of 32¢/lb over nine months.

While an uptick in benzene contract prices of about 40¢/gal was expected in November, these sources predicted that PS suppliers might opt to give up some margin due to high volumes of imported PS. According to PCW’s Barry, one resin distributor described the price gap between imported and domestic resin as “unsustainably large.”

Polystyrene prices in October looked to be heading down by 4¢/lb, bringing the total three-month drop in prices to 40-43¢/lb, and they could bottom out for the last two months of the year, according to both PCW’s Barry and RTi’s Chesshier. Both noted that demand was down but that suppliers had stayed on top of things by lowering production rates.

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.

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).

While algorithm-based systems are already in use, there are two areas where we can improve and promote their reception. Firstly, when it comes to convincing companies of a solution they haven’t tried yet it is important to demonstrate that automated systems for the shopfloor are easy to set up and use. We will be working more closely with our customers to learn from their experiences, to improve our products as a whole and, as a result, to enhance their user experience.

Polypropylene prices in October were on the way down by double-digits, as propylene monomer contracts were expected to settle 9¢/lb to 11¢/lb lower, along with an expected margin contraction of 4¢/lb to 5¢/lb, according to PCW’s Barry, Spartan Polymers’ Newell, and The Plastic Exchange’s Greenberg. The market was characterized as very well supplied, amid continued lackluster demand, despite suppliers throttling back plant operating rates to a low of 70%

Kallman characterized domestic demand as slower and the market as well supplied, with attractively priced exports continuing to arrive at a steady pace.

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.

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.

RTi’s Chesshier ventured that PS tabs could remain flat this month but may rise if benzene prices move up again. Meanwhile, the implied styrene cost based on a 30/70 formula of spot ethylene/benzene fell by nearly 2¢/lb to 36.2¢/lb going into November. Implied styrene costs have been hovering in the mid-30s since late August, according to Barry.

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.