processing tips
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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Keep Your Screen Changer In the Flow
The screen changer plays an essential role in generating quality extrudate. Here’s what you need to know to keep it functioning properly.
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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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Molder Cuts Post-Purge Costs and Downtime in Half
By switching to a new purging compound, IMCO now can complete a changeover in 10 min.
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Know Your Options for Foaming Sheet
Tandem extrusion of PS is still the standard technology, but new materials options and equipment technology are emerging.
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Ten Tips to Slash Cycles in PET Preform Molding
Here are some tricks of the trade to make your preform processing more productive, even if you don’t have the latest souped-up press.
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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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