best practices

Five Cases Where Microcellular Foaming Paid Off

The MuCell process for producing microcellular injection molded parts is used and accepted globally as a technology option for providing a more dimensionally stable part through a reduction in residual stress, along with increased productivity versus solid injection molded parts.

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Multicomponent

Get Better at Multi-Material Molding

Since each multi-material application is unique, there’s no standard best method for success. Each molding solution must be tailored to meet the needs of the final product.

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‘Back to Basics’ Fuels More Innovation at Thin-Gauge Former

Shift from private to capital ownership give Tray-Pak a boost.

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best practices

Looking into Photovoltaic Film? Here Are Material & Die-Design Insights

The market for high-tech film or sheet used in solar modules represents a considerable opportunity for specialty extrusion processors looking to expand into high-end industries and capitalize on the global shift toward alternative energy.

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Drying

Mobile-Drying Project Required ‘In-the-Box’ Thinking

Portable material drying by truck is the concept behind an initiative launched last month by Poly Clean USA LLC, Charleston, S.C., with Dri-Air Industries.

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‘Wedging’ Can Cause Severe Screw Wear

In a column I wrote for the July 2011 issue, I discussed the value of conducting “forensic” examination of worn screws when they are removed for clues to design flaws.

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best practices

What to Calibrate on Your Press

There are different approaches to meeting the goal of making parts identically. At the heart of all them is the process or the machine setup sheet. My bet would be you cannot find two that are identical.

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Materials

Working with Color Concentrates

Because the consumer sees so many colored plastic articles, it is natural to assume that the process of achieving molded-in color is a simple one. Those of us in the industry know differently.

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processing tips

Making Parts Lightweight & Strong with New Technologies

One of the driving forces in technology is weight reduction.

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best practices

Central Drying Made Simple

Recent advances in technology have made the concept of drying in a central location—as opposed to right at the machine—more advantageous for certain kinds of processing operations.

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Blending & Dosing
Process Cooling
Plastics Size Reduction