A 360-degree look at resin conveying systems: types, operation, economics, design, installation, components and controls.
This Knowledge Center provides an overview of resin moisture and the drying process, including information on the best drying practices for your manufacturing facility. pet blow moulding process
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.
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.
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.
First quarter was ending up with upward pricing, primarily due to higher feedstock costs and not supply/demand fundamentals.
Despite earlier anticipated rollover in prices for most of the volume commodity resins, prices were generally on the way up for all going into the third month of first quarter.
While price initiatives for PE and PVC were underway, resin prices had rollover potential for first two months of 2024, perhaps with the exception of PET.
Flat-to-downward trajectory for at least this month.
A mixed bag, though prices likely to be down if not flat for all this month.
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 many fundamental differences between thermosets and thermoplastics, from the way raw materials are furnished to the molder and the process in which parts are molded.
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.
Polymer Resources responds to sustainability push by upgrading plant with grinding and shredding equipment to take on both postindustrial and postconsumer reclaim.
First quarter was ending up with upward pricing, primarily due to higher feedstock costs and not supply/demand fundamentals.
An integral supplier in the effort to fast-track COVID-19 vaccine deployment, Retractable Technologies turned to Arburg and its PressurePilot technology to help deliver more than 500 million syringes during the pandemic.
Megatrends such as sustainability are the driving force behind a slew of new product introductions at the May show. Catch up on what’s in store on the show floor right here.
With frequent purging, you can minimize serious contamination issues and get both better results and higher profits.
Realtime Robotics seeks to get more robots involved in manufacturing by addressing the biggest current barrier: programming costs.
Offerings range from recycled, biobased, biodegradable and monomaterial structures that enhance recyclability to additives that are more efficient, sustainable and safer to use.
Understand the differences between distributive and dispersive mixing, and how you can promote one or the other in your screw design.
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
Paulson has four in-booth stations demonstrating its various training solutions.
Member of PLASTICS for more than 40 years served on several committees and boards since 2005, including a stint as chairman.
NPE2024: Medical, inmold labeling, core-back molding and Industry 4.0 technologies on display at Shibaura’s booth.
Plastics processors are finding applications for 3D printing around the plant and across the supply chain. Here are 8 examples to look for at NPE 2024.
Shibaura says its S-Concept represents an AI technology capable of making real-time process adjustments.
NPE2024: Athena introduces expanded hot-runner controller with up to 120 zones, plus updated panel-mount “universal” temperature/process control.
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.
In this webinar, Cold Jet will discuss some of the ways processors use dry ice such as in-machine mold cleaning at operating temperatures, de-flashing or de-burring parts, improving OEE scores, extending mold life, cleaning parts before painting, post-processing 3D printed parts, lowering GHG emissions, and monitoring and reporting the process. Agenda: Cold Jet Overview & Dry Ice 101 Understanding the Process and Fine-Tuning Techniques Case Studies: Applications in Plastics Monitoring the Process Exploring the Importance of Dry Ice Cleaning in an ESG Era
Discover possible applications in large format printing including layup tools, transport modules, film fixation devices, design components and enclosures. These are used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, architecture and many others. Agenda: Possible applications in large format printing: layup tools, transport modules, film fixing devices, design components and enclosures. Process reliability and component quality in component production Pros and cons of the technology Sneak peek into current development projects—What will the large format printing of tomorrow look like?
Cooling time is typically the longest step of the molding process. How can you make it more productive? Learn how cooling time can be turned into production time by running two molding processes simultaneously on a single molding machine. For longer cycles, this can mean twice the productivity. In this webinar, you'll learn more about the Shuttle Mold System and how to calculate its potential productivity impacts for your application. Agenda: Learn how the Shuttle Mold System can deliver value to your business See the recent technical updates made to the system Calculate the potential impact on productivity
Turnaround time can be as low as 24 hours, although two or three days might be more typical. Rapid prototyping like this is especially useful to quickly identify critical end-use part geometries that will work in the molding process. Key components include material choice, 3D printing technology selected, use of adaptable mold bases for the mold inserts and implementation of appropriate injection molding process conditions. This presentation will review work conducted toward the assessment of a high-stiffness, high-temperature-resistant ceramic modified urethane acrylate for injection molding inserts. Agenda: Guide for 3D-printed injection mold inserts Optimization of digital light processing (DLP) printing Compatibility with various thermoplastics Real-world application success stories
Tony will address common challenges encountered at each stage and provide invaluable insights to effectively navigate these obstacles. Agenda: Bridging the gap between color and appearance: learn how to achieve harmony between the intended color and the final appearance of your plastic products. Importance of using a data-driven color management model: color measurement technology provides valuable insights and analytics that enable plastic manufacturers to optimize color formulations, troubleshoot color inconsistencies, enhance operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement in their production processes. Choosing the right toolset: gain insights into selecting the most suitable technology and processes tailored to your workflow and specific needs.
Innovative closures at the forefront of this trend have fostered a tooling evolution that enables cost-effective manufacturing of lightweight designs. Find out more about why global beverage brands are switching closures, specific design best practices and the significant merits of a mono-material package solution. Join this webinar to find out how these production changes can enable you to reach your sustainability goals and drive business growth. Agenda: The trend toward lightweight beverage closure designs The advantages of lightweight and tethered closures Why beverage brands are implementing tethered solutions even in the absence of mandates Tooling design best practices to mold today’s ultra-lightweight closure designs The merits of a mono material package solution
Every three years, leaders from almost every major industry gather at NPE to advance their businesses through innovations in plastics. The largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE offers six technology zones, keynote speakers, workshops and opportunities to build partnerships.
The 3D Printing Workshop @ NPE2024 – The Plastics Show, is an immersive, half-day workshop focused on the emerging possibilities for part production via 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Presented by Additive Manufacturing Media, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology, the 3D Printing Workshop will build upon a successful model first introduced at IMTS 2014. Attendees will benefit from a program focused on practical applications of 3D technologies related to plastics processing. This event will conclude with a 3D Printing Industry Reception sponsored by Additive Manufacturing Media.
The Society Plastics Engineers (SPE) Extrusion Division and the SPE Eastern New England Section will co-host the Screw Design Conference-Topcon on June 19-20, 2024 @ UMass Lowell in Lowell, MA. This highly technical program will focus upon screw design principles for single and twin screw extruders with wide ranging topics relating to screw designs for feeding, melting, mixing, venting and pumping plastics products and parts. Areas of focus will include screw designs for melt temperature and gel management, gel minimization, bioplastics, recycled materials and foaming. In addition to the technical sessions, a tour of the UMass Lowel Plastics Processing Laboratories will be integrated into Day 2 of the event. This program is not just for screw designers, but to help anyone responsible for any type of extrusion operation to evaluate existing extrusion equipment; and also to prepare for future projects. Price to attend: Less than $1000! Registrations will be accepted in early 2024. Call for papers – To be considered to give a presentation, please submit a talk title and abstract on or before December 15 to: Technical Chair: Eldridge M. Mount III, e-mail emmount@msn.com Corporate sponsorships - A limited # of corporate sponsorships (15) are available on a 1st come basis. Included is a 6’ tabletop display (must fit on table), denotation in all promotional activities, and 1 no charge registration. To become a sponsor contact: Charlie Martin, Leistritz Extrusion, e-mail cmartin@leistritz-extrusion.com, cell 973-650 3137 General information: A reception on Day 1 and a tabletop display area will allow the attendees to meet and discuss state-of-the-art screw technologies with industry experts. The SPE Extrusion Division will issue a “Screw Design Certificate” to all participants who have attended the program. Students are encouraged to attend and will receive a discounted rate. For additional information contact: Program Chair: Karen Xiao, Macro Engineering, KXiao@macroeng.com
Debuting in 2010, the Parts Cleaning Conference is the leading and most trusted manufacturing and industrial parts cleaning forum focused solely on delivering quality technical information in the specialized field of machined parts cleansing. Providing guidance and training to understand the recognized sets of standards for industrial cleaning, every year the Conference showcases industry experts who present educational sessions on the latest and most pressing topics affecting manufacturing facilities today. Discover all that the 2022 Parts Cleaning Conference has to offer!
Presented by Additive Manufacturing Media, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology, the 3D Printing Workshop at IMTS 2024 is a chance for job shops to learn the emerging possibilities for part production via 3D printing and additive manufacturing. First introduced at IMTS 2014, this workshop has helped hundreds of manufacturing professionals expand their additive capabilities.
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).
Maker of one-stage ISBM machines will show off new sizes and styles of handled and stackable PET containers, including novel interlocking products.
FIG. 1 Cypet one-stage ISBM machines are based on a horizontal injection machine base. Images: Cypet Technologies
At the upcoming NPE2024 show in Orlando, Florida, Cypet Technologies of Cyprus will display PET containers made on its one-stage injection stretch-blow molding (ISBM) machines, including several new applications with unusual and even unique shapes. As reported in a February 2022 Close-Up article, Cypet builds machines for PET bottles, jars, jerrycans, drums and pressure vessels. Its equipment can mold containers from 20 ml up to 120 L or more, but it tends to specialize in systems for larger containers. In 2022, Cypet announced its largest machine yet, capable of making 1,000 L intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) from PET. It is now building its first commercial machine for molding these large cubes, expected to begin prototype production in June.
FIG 2 Cypet tooling system molds the preforms horizontally, after which they rotate to a vertical position for extraction by a robot, which places them in the stretch-blowing cavities.
As previously described, Cypet’s one-stage ISBM machines are based on an injection molding machine frame (Figure 1), to which special tooling and automation have been added. Preform injection and container stretch-blowing cavities are contained in the same mold. The preforms are molded horizontally, then the cavities rotate to a vertical position, where a robot extracts the preforms and places them in the blowing cavities located above injection cavities (Figure 2). Among recent modifications of the system is a means of rotating the preform before blowing to orient the injection-molded handles in a particular position. Business development leader Michalis Sideris says Cypet now has three machines installed in the U.S. (one started up in February) and two in Mexico.
FIG 3 Cypet now can mold four PET 5-gallon returnable water bottles in four cavities using one extruder — said to be a first. Photo Credit: Cypet Technologies
According to Sideris, Cypet produced several “firsts” in 2023. One was its first machine producing 5-gallon returnable water bottles with a new version of an integrated ring handle (injection molded with the neck finish) in four cavities (Figure 3). Sideris says this is the first one-stage ISBM machine capable of such a large PET product in four cavities. Other ISBM systems can handle at most two cavities and require two extruders. Cypet’s system uses one extruder. The water bottle (18.9 L) has a 55-mm neck diameter and weighs 600 to 720 g. It can accommodate up to 50% rPET.
FIG 4 Novel PET agricultural application uses an unstretched base with a pointed extension that interlocks with the neck of an identical part and also enables the assembly to be driven into the soil to support plant growth. Photo Credit: Cypet Technologies
A second new achievement is a novel PET product developed for an agricultural application in Mexico. The finished product is a 424-mm long tube, 40 mm wide with a 40.5-mm neck (Figure 4). Internal volume is only 0.3 L; weight is 62 g. The most unusual feature is a pointed tip in the unstretched base, which enables it to be driven into the soil to serve as a support for plants to grow up around it. Tight tolerances are required in the injection molded base so that it interlocks with the neck of an identical part. In use, five of these parts will be connected end to end, enabling the combined structure to extend 2 meters above the ground. It’s molded in 16 cavities.
FIG 5 New from Cypet are 60L stackable PET industrial containers with twin integral handles, entering a market where 20 L was the typical size. Photo Credit: Cypet Technologies
Also new in 2023 was Cypet’s first 60-L stackable industrial container with twin integral handles (Figure 5). Up to now, 20 L has been a more typical size in the market for such a container, Sideris says. This container has a 137-mm neck and weighs 1,250 g. It’s stackable two-high.
Other new developments last year were not so much new to the industry as the first time they had been made on Cypet’s machines:
• A PET jar with a blown neck, made by molding a dome above the neck and then removing it with a spin trimmer. Stretch-blowing the neck reportedly saves considerable weight compared with an injection molded neck. This product can use up to 100% rPET.
• Cypet’s first 20-L stackable container with four-high stackability, aimed at edible oil and chemicals. Before, Cypet had made such containers for stacking three high. The new version has thicker walls and comes in model with or without a recess for a funnel. It’s molded in four cavities.
• Cypet’s first family of PET jars with a deep groove grip, available in sizes from 1.3 L to 2.2 L (Figure 6).
FIG 6 Cypet offers machines and tooling for its first series of PET jars with deep groove grips, from 1.3 L to 2.2 L.
Other than polyolefins, almost every other polymer exhibits some level of polarity and therefore can absorb a certain amount of moisture from the atmosphere. Here’s a look at some of these materials, and what needs to be done to dry them.
Temporary upward blips don't indicate any sustained movement in the near term.
Revalyu Resources will expand to the US with 225,000 lb/day capacity facility.
Major price correction looms for PP, and lower prices are projected for PE, PS, PVC and PET.
Cypet introduces a one-stage ISBM system to provide a clear alternative to HDPE bulk containers.
CYPET’s blow-molded keg addresses safety and cost issues of steel kegs.
Extruder screws and barrels will wear over time. If you are seeing a reduction in specific rate and higher discharge temperatures, wear is the likely culprit.
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