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.

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

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For SABIC’s tests, mold heating and cooling were regulated with an alternating temperature-control system from Germany’s Single Temperiertechnik. It switches from super-heated water at up to 400 F to cold water.

Eden Manufacturing was founded on a vision of vertical integration, adding advanced injection molding capabilities to a base of precision moldmaking and more recently bringing Swiss-type machining capabilities in-house.

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.

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.

Currier Plastics had a major stake in small hotel amenity bottles until state legislators banned them. Here’s how Currier adapted to that challenge.

Besides reducing the amount of steel mass that must alternate from hot to cold, consideration should be given to the use of metals such as beryllium-copper or other highly conductive alloys to reduce the time required to heat and cool the mold surfaces. Also, placing water lines close to the molding surfaces will help speed up response time. Many times, however, the part geometry will not allow this. Conformal cooling, where the pattern of water lines mirrors the part surface geometry, is an approach that is well suited to this process.

Plastics Technology Top Shops Benchmarking Survey provided both unanimous responses and divided results, but pervasive throughout is the sense of an industry still grappling with the aftermath of 2020’s global pandemic.

What are the basic building blocks of plastics and how do they affect the processing of that material and its potential applications in the real world? Meet the repeat unit.

With materials such as polycarbonate and blends like PC/ABS and PC/PBT, the heat/cool process is being used successfully to minimize surface-appearance issues in applications such as TV bezels, light-guide plates, car audio components, and notebook PC covers.

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.

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.

AIM Processing has parlayed small part molding expertise and aggressive automation, even for short run production, into a highly successful custom molding business.

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.

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).

Heat/cool technology can significantly enhance the aesthetics of injection molded parts. The improvement is more dramatic for parts made of amorphous resins such as PC and blends like PC/ABS and PC/PBT. When the mold surface temperature exceeds the Tg of an amorphous resin, the material does not form a skin during the injection phase and the polymer is free to move. As a result, it is not “frozen” when it touches the mold surface, unlike conventional molding. This allows for improved surface replication of the tool surface and higher gloss.

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.

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.

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

This 1-day technical conference and exhibition showcases innovative developments in materials, processing and equipment for the additive manufacturing industry. This conference is specifically designed to inform, update and educate plastic processors about implementing new additive manufacturing technologies. Hear technical presentations on the newest advances in additive manufacturing related to: design, materials development, processing equipment and enabling technologies, new applications and more. See exhibits from engineering plastic suppliers, compounders, molders, design and engineering firms and machinery suppliers. Experts will show you how to apply the latest technologies to your next project or program. The conference includes a full day of technical presentations, plenary and keynote presentations on business trends; breakfast, lunch and breaks; exhibits of advanced technologies and an evening networking reception.   Note: Additive Manufacturing Media executive editor Stephanie Hendrixson will moderate the Supporting AM Adoption in Northeast Ohio panel at 11:20 a.m.

A collaboration between show organizer PLASTICS, recycler CPR and size reduction experts WEIMA and Conair recovered and recycled all production scrap at NPE2024.

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

In the injection molding process, tool temperature is an important factor in achieving high-quality parts. It is generally believed that higher tool temperature often results in better surface quality. Heat/cool molding technology is an approach to thermally cycling the mold surface temperature within the injection molding cycle. This requires heating the mold surface above the material’s glass-transition temperature (Tg) prior to injection, and then rapidly cooling the tool to solidify the molded part prior to ejection.

Conventional injection molding machinery can be used for heat/cool processing. However, a special auxiliary system is required for rapidly heating and cooling the mold surface. Both superheated water and steam are being used today. Some systems require an external boiler to generate steam, while others generate steam within the control unit itself. In the Pacific region, SABIC uses steam at its development centers. At the Polymer Processing Development Center (PPDC) in Pittsfield, Mass., the company is using a superheated water system from Germany’s Single Temperiertechnik (sold here by KraussMaffei) that can deliver water at 200 C (400 F).

Several different technologies are used to achieve conformal cooling, such as laser sintering and direct metal deposition. For a test mold, SABIC worked with Fast4M Tooling, which developed a laminate toolmaking process called Fast-Form. This technology builds the tool from a stack of thin sheets of steel, individually laser-cut and bonded with copper. This method easily incorporates conformal and “flood” cooling channels, as well as extensive venting, at low cost.

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.

In many cases, decreasing the discharge temperature will improve product quality and perhaps even boost rate. Here are ways to do it.

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.

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.

An overview on the use of chemical foaming agents (CFAs) to successfully foam single and multilayered rotational molding parts, this webinar will illustrate the multiple benefits rotational molders can achieve, including reducing resin consumption, decreasing part weight, enhancing wall thickness and improving structural rigidity. Agenda: Charging the mold Dosing ratios Venting Optimal decomposition temperatures, cycle times and drop times for drop box applications Cooling considerations

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.

For filled materials, a thin layer of polymer on the outside surface encapsulates the filler, thereby increasing gloss and reducing surface roughness. Studies have shown gloss improvement of 50% to 90%. With glass-filled materials, an improvement of 70% in Rmax—a measure of surface roughness—has been achieved. The improvement was greater than 20% for unfilled materials.

There are five specific areas that designers and manufacturers need to consider to realize the potential of these unique materials.

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

The effect of heat/cool technology on overall cycle time depends on the material being processed and, more importantly, on the design and construction of the tool. The time required to heat and cool the tool is a function of the steel’s mass, so it is best to minimize the amount of steel to be thermally cycled. Cavities and cores should be inserted rather than cut into the mold plates to help minimize mass. To reduce heat loss and improve efficiency, these inserts should be insulated from the cavity and core retainer plates using air gaps and insulation material whenever possible.

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.

Molded-in stress can cause unwanted warpage and, in some cases, a shorter part lifetime. On a conventionally molded test part, the molded-in stresses were high. Applying a solvent that is a known stress-cracking agent—carbon tetrachloride—caused cracks in the part. Parts molded with heat/cool had lower molded-in stress and applying the solvent did not result in cracks. Heat/cool molding can thus potentially eliminate the need to anneal parts before use.

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

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

Schematic of a water- temperature controller that can both heat and cool an injection mold within a single cycle. (Source: Single Temperiertechnik)

Heat/cool injection molding has a positive influence on the depth and visibility of weld lines. One test mold was used to mold three different materials using heat/cool and conventional molding techniques. Using the conventional method, weld-line depths on the surface ranged from 6 to 13 microns. On the heat/cool molded parts, the weld lines were completely invisible and no depth could be measured. This significant improvement has eliminated painting operations on some applications.

Heat/cool technique (right) provides better surface appearance by eliminating flow marks and silver streaks in auto center consoles made of PC/ABS.

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

At the outset of the molding cycle, steam or superheated water is circulated in the tool to heat the mold surfaces to a temperature 10° to 30° C above the Tg of the resin. Once this temperature is achieved, the injection machine is given a signal to inject plastic into the cavity. After the cavity is filled and the injection phase completed, cold water is circulated in the tool to quickly solidify the plastic and cool it sufficiently for ejection. A valve station is used to switch from steam or superheated water to cold water (and vice versa). After the part has cooled, the mold opens and the part is ejected, and the system switches back to the mold-heating phase.

Moretto offers plastics processors and micromolders for a broad suite of auxiliary solutions targeted specifically for precision processing.

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

An overview of the heat/cool process shows the temperature cycle relative to the injection cycle. Injection begins at the “permission temperature.”

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.

For efficient process control, the mold must be equipped with thermocouples that are close to the molding surface to monitor temperature. The injection mold, the molding machine, and the heat/cool controller must be integrated to achieve a stable process. During the development of this process at SABIC, we built our own control unit to integrate each element.

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

The heat/cool molding process significantly improves the surface appearance of injection molded parts. It is also possible to reduce system costs by eliminating secondary operations such as primers and sanding to hide surface defects. In some cases, painting or powder coating can be eliminated altogether. Heat/cool molding also enables the use of glass-reinforced structural materials in applications where a high-gloss finish is important. Other benefits of this approach include reduction of molded-in stress, reduction or elimination of jetting and visible weld lines, and increased resin flow lengths to produce thinwall parts.

SABIC Innovative Plastics began working on this technology in Japan several years ago. The first application was an automotive roof-rack rail support bracket that was converted from metal. When an 11% glass-filled Xenoy 1760 PC/PBT resin was trialed, surface aesthetics were not acceptable due to jetting and obvious weld lines. In addition, the part surface was very rough due to the glass fibers, and it required sanding prior to painting. Heat/cool technology eliminated these surface defects and the need for sanding.

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

More than four years on, there are aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic that linger in their impacts to the plastics market and are made visible in our annual survey.

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 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.

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.

Heat/cool molding process significantly improves the surface appearance of injection molded parts like these structural test parts made of 20% glass-filled Verton PC/ABS.

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.

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.

Andy May is a project engineer at SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Polymer Processing Development Center in Pittsfield, Mass. He has worked extensively the last 20 years on processing, design, part performance, and tooling. He welcomes questions at andy.may@sabic-ip.com.

NPE2024: Absolute Haitian says Generation 5 of the servo-hydraulic Haitian and electric Zhafir machines lines emphasize efficiency, performance and intelligence.

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.

There are many benefits in part performance and appearance that can be achieved with heat/cool process technology. Although there are additional costs associated with the technology, it can be cost-effective from an overall systems standpoint, particularly if it can eliminate expensive secondary operations.

This CW Tech Days virtual event will explore the technologies, materials and strategies used by composites manufacturers working in the evolving space market. Presentations from industry experts will emphasize the use of composite materials in applications requiring the weight savings, structural benefits and ability to withstand extreme temperatures that only composites can provide.

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.

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

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 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

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

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