Combat the skilled labor shortage using this comprehensive resource to train your own plastics processing experts.
Deep dive into the basics of blending versus dosing, controls, maintenance, process integration and more. powder spray line
This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.
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 month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.
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.
By most measures, pricing for the five commodity resins appeared to be holding firm going into the third quarter.
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.
While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
There are five specific areas that designers and manufacturers need to consider to realize the potential of these unique materials.
Four months of consecutive contraction overall.
In many cases, decreasing the discharge temperature will improve product quality and perhaps even boost rate. Here are ways to do it.
Currier Plastics had a major stake in small hotel amenity bottles until state legislators banned them. Here’s how Currier adapted to that challenge.
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.
AIM Processing has parlayed small part molding expertise and aggressive automation, even for short run production, into a highly successful custom molding business.
Approaches to mass balance can dramatically impact calculations of recycled content.
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.
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.
Mayhew Basque Plastics implemented lower speed granulators to deal with challenging materials.
Topping five other entries in voting by fellow molders, the Ultradent team talks about their Hot Shots sweep.
Serendipitous Learning Opportunities at PTXPO Underscore the Value of Being Present.
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.
Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.
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.
Shibaura discusses the upcoming Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) March 28-30
Südpack’s Multifol Extreme film is well suited for greasy, protein-rich and frozen foods
Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.
Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.
When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.
As self-imposed and government-issued sustainability mandates approach, injection molders reimagine their operations.
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.
Get your clicking finger in shape and sign up for all that we have in store for you in 2023.
Molding 2023 to take place Aug. 29-30 in Minnesota; Extrusion 2023 slated for Oct. 10-12 in Indiana.
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.
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.
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).
Uniloy is revising its machinery lines across the board and strengthening after-sales services in tooling maintenance, spare parts and tech service.
At NPE2024, Uniloy Inc. presented an energetic array of programs to enhance all its machinery lines and service categories. To put this large handful of initiatives into a coherent perspective, Plastics Technology interviewed Uniloy CEO Gary W. Riley Sr. and Timothy Tomlin, vice president of Sales – Key Accounts. In explaining the company’s direction, Riley, who became CEO in June 2022 (and was on Uniloy’s board prior to that), says he learned from experience in his family’s injection molding business that the way to “help customers become better and more profitable” is to help them improve “uptime, throughput and quality.”
Another element of the picture is Uniloy’s expanded market focus. Riley says dairy is still a critical market for the company — which has supplied 90% of the milk bottle machines in the U.S. — but medical, pharmaceutical and beverages such as iced tea are growth areas for its machine sales. Industrial containers also beckon, such as gallon bottles for windshield wiper fluid.
And Uniloy is putting new emphasis on Asia, which Riley sees as a big opportunity: “Cold chains are developing rapidly there now for dairy and citrus juices,” he notes. In addition, Uniloy sold a seven-layer shuttle machine for retortable protein drinks to a molder in Vietnam.
Reflecting a business built largely on parts and service, Uniloy gave top billing at the show to its efforts in these areas. A prime example is the new asset management program, Mold Maintenance R&R (Repair and Refurbish). Started last year with selected customers, and now being rolled out to a larger audience, this program is aimed at customers that have several hundred cavities of the same bottle. “It’s not for a molder of 20 different bottles,” Riley notes.
Customers send Uniloy tooling for scheduled maintenance; some of those molds are stored at Uniloy for quick shipment when needed. “This way, customers can get refurbished tooling in 72 hours instead of the usual six to eight weeks,” Riley says. “We usually ship even before the customer pulls the old tooling. Also, there’s a fixed charge for the service, eliminating delays for quoting each job.”
In addition, Uniloy has expanded its service staff almost tenfold over the last two years, through both new hires and certifying independent contractors who received training at Uniloy University.
Uniloy’s first all-electric injection blow model UIB-85E is an 85-tonner aimed at medical and other “clean” applications. It’s the first of a new three-machine line due out next year, replacing 13 older hydraulic models. Photo: Uniloy
The company has also invested millions of dollars in its newly named Uniloy Genuine Parts business, increasing both the quantities on hand and boosting the range of part numbers by 30%. In this third quarter, Uniloy will launch an online parts catalog and store, aimed initially at the company’s reciprocating-screw machines, though it will be expanded later to injection blow and shuttle extrusion machines.
Tomlin is enthusiastic about Uniloy’s new interactive electronic owner’s manual, available first for the UR 100 reciprocating screw model. In its initial version, a small tablet located at the machine is loaded with schematics, bills of materials and safety videos. Later on, Tomlin says, it will be available online and part numbers for the machine will link to Uniloy’s online catalog. “This will compensate for limited technical help in today’s factories,” Tomlin explains. “It will enable customers to ID parts quickly and get help with troubleshooting. This will set us apart from the competition.”
At NPE, Uniloy announced another upgrade to its service capabilities by purchasing the moldmaking and tech service business of FGH Systems, which has been Uniloy’s longtime partner for shuttle machine sales, molds and service. This move adds FGH’s shuttle mold design and manufacturing assets to Uniloy’s moldmaking facilities in Fremont, Ohio, and Tecumseh, Michigan. (The Fremont facility was formerly Century Die Co., bought by Uniloy in 2022.) Also, three Uniloy shuttle lab machines (all-electric and multilayer coex) are moving from FGH to Uniloy’s Tecumseh tech center, adding to its reciprocating screw and injection blow lab machines.
“We’re making a big push on our shuttle machines, which are better known in Europe,” Riley says. The company’s emphasis is on all-electrics, which are said to be 30% more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic machines. These currently range up to 27 tons; a 10-tonner was introduced at K 2022. Uniloy is also introducing to the U.S. its own three-layer, spiral-mandrel coextrusion head for encapsulating recycled resin. It has been used for a while in Italy, where it was developed, and is very attractively priced, Riley notes. For coextrusion of four to seven layers, Uniloy uses heads from W. Müller.
As part of its new Asian focus, Uniloy announced last year a new plant for its joint venture in India, which will launch a line of hydraulic shuttles for low-cost markets.
Meanwhile, Uniloy is now shipping its first all-electric injection blow machine (85 tons), the first of a new line that will include 130-ton and 180-ton models. Planned for the third quarter of next year, these three models will replace 13 previous hydraulic models from 80 to 199 tons. Aimed at medical, pharma and personal health care, the new all-electrics are said to be 40% more energy efficient and are capable of co-injection with Uniloy’s multilayer technology introduced at K 2022. One application is three-layer polycarbonate/nylon/polycarbonate barrier bottles for blood cultures.
New 10-cavity UR 100 reciprocating screw machine is a servohydraulic unit that boosts output without increasing energy consumption versus older six- or eight-cavity models.
One development that Riley considers “really exciting” is new additions to Uniloy’s reciprocating screw line. The former lineup of four models from UR 70 to UR 110 (numbered according to the screw diameter in mm) has been trimmed to two models — UR 90 and UR 100. What’s more, these two are now more energy-efficient servohydraulic designs, and newer versions in development will be even closer to all-electrics in energy consumption, Riley says.
Uniloy is especially proud of a new 10-cavity version of the UR 100 — up from eight cavities previously — which is said to offer 24-40% higher throughput while using 20-35% less energy per bottle. Compared with many older six-cavity machines, the new UR 100 is said to use the same or less energy overall. And a 10-cavity machine is equivalent to 1.5 six-cavity units while occupying far less floor space. Aimed at round and dairy gallons, the new machine has an electric-driven extruder and servohydraulic clamp and head.
To round out the range of Uniloy blow molding technologies, another program at Uniloy’s Italian branch is developing hybrid accumulator-head models (20, 120, 170 and 290 tons) with electric clamps and servohydraulics for other functions.
To implement these all-electric and servohydraulic developments, Uniloy has formed a strategic partnership with Baumüller, a German producer of servo motors, drives and controls (U.S. office at Baumueller-Nuermont Corp., Norcross, Georgia). Besides energy efficiency, Uniloy will harness Baumüller technologies to achieve seamless integration with Industry 4.0 standards.
When evaluating ERP solutions, consider the power of interactive production scheduling to effectively plan and allocate primary and secondary equipment, materials and resources on the overall production capacity of the business and conclude that this is a key area that cannot be overlooked. __PRESENT
Once viewed by injection and blow molders as a necessary evil, machine vision technology today can continuously monitor and improve production while reducing costs.
For extrusion blow molders, challenges of price and availability of postconsumer recycled resins can be addressed with a variety of multilayer technologies, which also offer solutions to issues with color, processability, mechanical properties and chemical migration in PCR materials.
It’s all about sustainability and the circular economy, and it will be on display in Orlando across all the major processes. But there will be plenty to see in automation, AI and machine learning as well.
Moretto offers plastics processors and micromolders for a broad suite of auxiliary solutions targeted specifically for precision processing.
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.
A collaboration between show organizer PLASTICS, recycler CPR and size reduction experts WEIMA and Conair recovered and recycled all production scrap at NPE2024.
mold furnace 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