Know-How
MATERIALS: The Problems with Single-Point Data
Engineers who are used to working with metals are surprised that plastics cannot operate as close to their yield points as can metals. The yield point is not enough to tell you how the material reacts to stress.
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TOOLING: Venting: Where And How Deep?
After last month’s introduction to the subject, let’s get into the details on vent depths, land lengths, and the alternatives to perimeter venting.
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EXTRUSION: Cooling: The Critical Function in Extrusion
Figuring out how much cooling your process needs is complicated. But there are ways to approximate.
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INJECTION MOLDING: How to Specify an Injection Molding Machine
With the market percolating, more molders are looking at new presses. This series will discuss what you should consider before writing a check, beginning with the clamping unit.
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MATERIALS: The Problems with Single-Point Data
Properties are generally provided at a single temperature on a data sheet. But do those properties stay the same with changing temperatures? Of course not.
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TOOLING: Venting: A View From the Trenches
Venting is a prime culprit for molding problems, partly because toolmakers and process techs have different ideas of what’s needed.
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EXTRUSION: Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Run Your Extruders Dry
At least not for longer than a few minutes. The thin film that’s captured between the screw flights and barrel wall supports the screw and acts as a lubricant. Without it, galling can occur.
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INJECTION MOLDING: Scientific Molding Gone Wrong
Sometimes molders get trained in Scientific Molding only to revert to their old way of doing things as soon problems pop up.
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MATERIALS: The Trouble with Data Sheets
Data sheets are routinely relied upon, yet the data they provide is limited in scope and can lead to incorrect conclusions.
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TOOLING: Clearing Up the Mysteries Of Mold Texture
It’s a subject not widely understood by molders and it affects more than just part appearance.
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