Injection Molding
Microcellular Molding Takes Off
New twist in foam injection molding is revolutionizing the way molders think about lightweighting parts. A microcellular foaming process, called MuCell, reverses the longstanding view that foam molding is limited to large, thick parts. Now it is possible to apply lightweighting to thin walls (0.5-mm) and small parts with critical dimensions.
Read MoreFrom NPE 2000: Hybrid, All-Electric and More In Injection Molding Machines
These two show-goers found what they needed at NPE. See what solutions the 2000 exhibitors have for your manufacturing problems. The following eight articles (and stories elsewhere in this issue) supplement prior show coverage in our May, June, and July issues. Look for still more NPE news next month.
Read MoreExtrusion News at NPE 2000
At this year’s NPE, new processes to put wood flour into plastic were virtually everywhere—several even start with undried flour.
Read MoreFrom NPE 2000: Injection Molding Preview
The abundance of injection molding news at this year’s show is staggering. There are more and bigger all-electric machines than ever, including first-time introductions by several suppliers. Electric technology is also taking new forms, such as beltless drives and “direct-pressure” clamping without a toggle. Energy-saving electro-hydraulic hybrids are also evolving.
Read MoreInjection Molder Finds Big Opportunities in Micromolded Parts
Less than a single pellet's worth of resin is all one custom injection molder needs to produce micro-sized precision parts with undercuts, ribs, hinges, or inserts. These minuscule parts must be held to tolerances of ±0.0005 in. with CpK's of 1.3 or better, which means no more than about six defects in 100,000 parts.
Read MoreNew All-Electric Machines Are Faster & Smarter
The new Roboshot i Series electric presses from Fanuc Ltd. in Japan will be introduced here at NPE 2000 by Milacron Fanuc, Batavia, Ohio.
Read MoreAll-Electric Technology Branches Out
Now that all-electric and hybrid-electric machines are really beginning to catch on, machine builders are exploring a variety of approaches to get the most out of servo-drive technology. That means molders will have to work harder to keep up with the new technologies and growing variety of machine designs. This article explores some of the latest innovations and previews others on the horizon.
Read MoreExperts Predict the Next Big Thing in Thermoforming
What changes are in store for thermoforming in this decade? We polled nine industry experts on new developments to watch out for in materials, machinery, tooling, and controls.
Read MoreProspects Brighten for PET Beer Bottles
Three hundred billion beer bottles a year worldwide is a mighty tempting target for the plastics industry. So it’s no surprise that 13 of 24 papers focused on beer packaging at the recent Nova-Pack Europe ’99 Conference, held in Germany by Schotland Business Research, Skillman, N.J.
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