processing tips
Sharper Dies Make for Smoother Extrusions
Dies that have a radius at the exit will result in poorer surface finish.
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Clamp Tonnage: More Is Better...Right?
Determining the correct tonnage provides a foundation that must be rock-solid to avoid flash and damage. But applying excessive force can create problems with the part, mold, and machine.
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Cycle Time: Science vs. Rules of Thumb, Part 1
What temperature must the polymer reach so the part can be ejected from the mold? Here, more than for any other variable, ‘rules of thumb’ unfortunately prevail.
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Block Cavities and Keep Molding
It goes against conventional wisdom, but molding with blocked cavities can be done while maintaining quality with the help of appropriate in-cavity sensors and process-control software.
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How to Duplicate a Process From Press to Press
To adopt the right approach you must distinguish between machine and plastic parameters.
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The Need for Generalists: Part 4
Solving problems generally requires distinguishing good samples from bad ones. But that can become clumsy when one person runs the test while another analyzes the data.
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Optimize Feeding to Get More Money in Twin-Screw Compounding
Follow these practical examples to improve the feeding efficiency and productivity of your process.
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Use Molding Simulation To Avoid Surface-Finish Defects
It’s not just for successful mold filling and cooling. Simulation can help predict and overcome cosmetic defects in molded parts.
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How to Pick, Remove, and Replace a Nozzle Tip
This small component can cause big problems. Here’s my procedure for picking and replacing yours.
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The Need for Generalists: Part 3
In failure analysis, there is a tendency to gravitate to a few common test protocols. But this approach can result in a mismatch of techniques to the problem.
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