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Presents the MoldWiz INT-34DLK, a pelletized additive from Axel Plastics Research Laboratory Inc., which reportedly improves the processing characteristics of Phillips K-Resin butadiene-styrene copolymer. Properties of the additive; Contents of the additive.

The article discusses the importance of an appropriately designed barrier melting section in a single-screw extruder to optimize extrusion rates and prevent resin degradation. Topics discussed include the design of barrier flights, the role of the metering section in controlling the extrusion rate, and the impact of improper barrier section design on product quality and output efficiency.

The article offers information on topics related to extursion. Topics mentioned include the measurement of melt temperature, the development of thermocouples, and the resin flow cavity. Also mentioned are the development of temperature controller, the importance of melt temperature in determining how quick the resin cools, and the heating equipment.

The article discusses the mitigation of degradation gels, solid polymer fragments, and highly entangled gels in polyethylene (PE) films via screw design. Topics covered include the options of designing a new screw with a Maddock-type mixer near the discharge end of the screw, and of building a new screw that has a shallower metering section and a Maddock mixer. Also noted are the common design defects on barrier melting sections, Maddock mixers and flight radii in metering channels.

Features the VEC composites molding system from Pyramid Operating Systems. Incorporation of computer monitoring and control of every facet of the molding process; Utilization of `fuzzy logic' to adjust the many variables on a real-time basis; Pyramid's provision of off-site monitoring and technical support; Storage of bulk resins on the upper deck of the VEC cell.

Introduces the finite-element simulation software for liquid composite molding by ESI North America. Improvement in the analysis of heat flows; Operation of the programs in Windows and Unix; Selling price.

The article offers ideas for plastics processing plants on how to reduce low-level background gels in polyethylene (PE) films. It offers overview of the meaning and uses of gels and the most common of its types and their respective uses in plastic molding. It also suggests the need to identify the characteristics of the gel and recognize its source to effectively troubleshoot them in PE film extrusion process.

The article features several products for use in the plastics industry, including a resin/catalyst pump from Magnum Venus Products, Blush Guard marine gel coats from Valspar Composites and new sources of wind-turbine fabrics from PPG Industries.

The article discusses ways to improve how extrusion processors run different products and resins in order to have a short and efficient changeover with minimum scrap and downtime. The importance of a new resin's easy displacement or purging of the old resin is described. Recommendations are given on determining the melt-displacement of a new resin from the melt velocity profile. Another way is described to analyze a resin's purging behavior, by looking at the amount of resident polymer at the discharge.

The article explores the heat/cool molding approach to thermally cycling the mold surface temperature within the injection molding cycle. The heat/cool molding technology significantly enhances the surface appearance of injection molded parts. SABIC Innovative Plastics started developing this technology in Japan several years ago. The effect of this technology on overall cycle time is dependent on the material being processed and on the design and construction of the tool.

Reports that Texas-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. has demonstrated the potential of the RTM process in manufacturing cost reduction for the tail of the X-35A Joint Strike Fighter. Materials used in the tail; Dimensions of the tail; Proportion of composites in the structural weight of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Presents information on mold coatings and treatments that can protect metal and plastic tools. Factors that have prompted development of a wider variety of mold coatings that can keep molds operating longer between repairs; Advantage of using hard chrome; Material which is suitable for electrical circuit-breaker molds; Specialty coatings introduced by Bales to provide a combination of release properties and high resistance to wear, heat and corrosion.

Presents information on new software for plastic composites design, processing and quality control. Institute for Plastics Processing at the University of Aachen, Germany; MSC.Software Corp.; Vistagy; Polyworx.

Focuses on several resin dryers introduced at the 2003 National Plastics Exhibition in Chicago, Illinois. Advantages of the resin dryers introduced at the show; Information on membrane dryer from Novatech; Features of the LPD-100 non-desiccant dryers from Maguire Products; Characteristics of desiccant dryers from AEC, Bry-Air Systems, Comet Automation Systems and other companies included in the show.

Reports the use of polylactic acid (PLA) as alternative to polyvinyl chloride, HIPS, polyethylene terephthalate and cellulosic. Use of PLA in candy wrap, optically enhanced film and shrink labels; Synthesis of PLA from processed corn; Requirement of less fossil fuel in making PLA.

Focuses on the extrusion techniques used in the production of medical tubing in the United States. Sophistication of tubing dies used in extrusion; Complication of maintaining concentricity; Level of complexity associated with sequential coextrusion of different durometers.

Features several processes for extrusion of plastics introduced during the National Plastics Exposition 2000 in Chicago, Illinois. Details of a process for putting wood flour into plastic; Developments in downstream cooling and handling; Advancements in foaming.

Reports on the additions of nylon, ABS, GPPS, and copolyester TPEs to the MB Series of solid silicone masterbatches from Dow Corning. Features of the silicones.

Presents information about the report from the Composites Fabricators Association (CFA) involving the effective ways to cut styrene emissions from open molds. The three processes used in the study; Recommendation from CFA about spraying techniques. INSET: Three important techniques for reducing styrene emissions..

Reports on resin and release agents featured at the 1995 annual spring conference of the Association of Rotational Molders in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rotomolding resin from Paxon Polymer Co.; Water-based, semi-permanent mold release designed for rotomolding and an additive for rotomolding powders from Chemlease International Inc.

Highlights the 1998 International Composites Exposition (ICE) in Nashville, Tennessee of the plastic industry. Proprietary technology marketed by Reichhold Chemicals, Incorporated; Features of the pultruder concept presented by David Johnson of Ebert Composites Corporation; Product developed by Composite Machines Company. INSETS: New reinforcements & fillers;New resins, additives & adhesives.

Evaluates several mold-release agents products used in plastics making. Silicone fluid concentrates from Adell Plastics Incorporated; Pura water-based external release agents from Air Products and Chemicals Incorporated; Release agents from Airtech Advanced Materials and Airtech International Incorporated.

Evaluates several lubricants and processing aids used in making plastics. Concentrates of silicone fluids from Adell Plastics Incorporated; Interstab G-8257 internal/external lubricant and Interstab G-140 fatty acid ester from Akcros Chemicals America; Vegetable and petroleum waxes, calcium and zinc sterates and silicone fluids from Akrochem Corporation.

Features mold-release agents for plastics manufacturing. Includes water-based external release agents; Mold Wiz external mold releases; Boron nitride.

Features lubricants and processing aids for plastics manufacturing. Includes proprietary concentrates of silicone fluids; Interstab G-8257 internal/external lubricant; Luwax PE and montan waxes.

Discusses the water-based and solvent-free formulations for plastic mold releases. Drawbacks in the performance of the water-based release agents; Internal mold releases as an alternative to solvent releases; Features of mold-release products; George Mann & Co.'s version of an automated mold-coating system.

Discusses the debate over the format for the next generation high-density compact discs. Impact on the plastics industry; Proposed formats for entertainment videodiscs; Construction process for a single-layer Multimedia Compact Disc (MMCD); Dual-layer versus dual-sided manufacturing; Materials and equipment required for the manufacture of higher-density CDs. INSET: New alliance in disc metalizing..

Offers advice on addressing short shots during injection molding. Possible common cause of short shots; Tips for responding to melt pressure decline; Other factors that lead to short shots.

Focuses on technological innovations in the composite manufacturing processes as of July 2004. Commercial robots by Composite Systems Inc.; Battery-powered truck to spray gel coats into a mold from Liquid Control Corp.; Vacuum bag for vacuum infusion from Aerovac Systems LTD.

The article reports that advances in fiberglass reinforcements for thermoplastics have evolved from conventional chopped strand to long-glass fibers to hybrids of long glass and carbon fibers. The key challenges are warpage reduction and ease of processing. Enter a unique family of fiberglass products with a flat rather than round cross-section that may address these issues while offering new benefits.

Reports on notable developments in the Composites '98 plastics exhibit held at San Antonio, Texas and co-sponsored by the Composites Fabricators Association and SAMPE. Includes ultraviolet-curable polyesters that reduce styrene emissions; Vinyl ester tooling resin capable of withstanding higher exotherms; Highly conformable and corrosion-resistant glass mat. INSET: New type of laminating resin.

Focuses on the January 1998's International Composites Expo in Nashville, Tennessee which centers on civil infrastructure applications. Session on braiding and fabrics for advanced reinforcement architectures; Lowering volatile organic compound emissions; Technique for faster filament winding; Process-monitoring techniques for pultrusion. INSET: Need to know more?.

Presents information on items that were introduced at the Fall Meeting of the Association of Rotational Molders in Vienna, Austria. Description of the products; Names of companies which attended the function; What the items are used for.

Discusses approaches in plastics molding. Use of the SMARTweave senior technology; Vapor-grown carbon fibers; Geopolymers; Electron-beam curing.

Highlights the advances in on-line process control and in-mold cure monitoring for RTM, topic featured at the 1995 ASM/ESD International Advanced Composites Conference and Exhibition. Program to develop new RTM control technology; Fiber-optic monitoring of cure in the mold; Areas of research on composites and thermoplastics explored in other papers at the meeting.

To be profitable, a single-screw extruder must operate at the maximum rate while discharging at a specified pressure and temperature. Measuring the rate and discharge pressure from an operating extruder [...]

The article evaluates several products for plastic injection molding including the Allrounder 920S, 720S Golden Edition and the Allrounder 520U horizontal presses and the Allrounder 275V vertical model from Arburg, Krauss-Maffei Corporation's 220-ton hydromechanical, two-platen model line of presses and an economical line of small hydraulic presses called the Extra EcQ series from Demag Plastics Group.

The article evaluates composite products, including the Nidaplast 8RI extruded polypropylene honeycomb from Nidaplast Honeycombs, the StarRov 908 fiberglass roving for pultrustion from Johns Manville Engineered Products and the NP114 prepreg of epoxy resin from Norplex-Micarta.

Features several products and equipment for open-mold spraying. LVG Low-VOC Gel-Coat system from Glas-Craft Inc.; Guardian catalyst alarm from Venus-Gusmer; Glass and resin monitor from Magnum Industries.

Evaluates several additives. Purging compound from Shuman Plastics Inc.; Bloomguard VO flame retardants from Great Lakes Chemical Corp.; MoldWiz INT-VP250 internal lubricant from Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc.; Additives offered by Techmer PM LLC.

Presents the examples of the incremental improvements in hot-runner mold components and controls. Hot-half design with three split lines from Thermal Valve Gating Incorporated; `Pin-gating' technology from Osco Incorporated; Features of each products. INSETS: Try cryogenic mold cooling with sintered mold steel.;New aluminum mold base is cut to length..

New and innovative products are constantly produced on pilot and manufacturing lines using a variety of processes, including PE blown and cast films using single-screw extruders. Many times, these films [...]

As the original melt-delivery system, cold runners still have their place in injection molding, but when demand for a plastic part--and required production--rise, the move to a hot runner can [...]

Plastics processors realize that purging is a necessary evil and that every moment of downtime translates into lost profits. This raises the obvious question of 'how to be proactive' in [...]

BIELOMATIK INC. Standard and custom hot-plate, linear vibration and laser welding systems. Control software for Laser Tec laser welding units upgraded to make weld-by-depth feasible. Fuel tank automated finishing lines. [...]

AKROCHEM CORP. Vegetable and petroleum waxes, calcium and zinc stearates, and silicone fluids. AMERICHEM INC. Specialty lubricant concentrates for most thermoplastics reportedly improve wear resistance and mold release, reduce warpage [...]

AKROCHEM CORP. Vegetable and petroleum waxes, calcium and zinc stearates, and silicone fluids. AMERICHEM INC. Specialty lubricant concentrates for most thermoplastics reportedly improve wear resistance and mold release, reduce warpage [...]

AKROCHEM CORP. Vegetable and petroleum waxes, calcium and zinc stearates, and silicone fluids. AMERICHEM INC. Specialty lubricant concentrates for most thermoplastics reportedly improve wear resistance and mold release, reduce warpage [...]

The dramatic global downshifting in automotive manufacturing hasn't put the brakes on plastics innovation, if recently announced developments are any indication. In fact, plastics' value proposition has probably never stood [...]

ADELL PLASTICS INC. Proprietary concentrates of silicone fluids for all thermoplastics reportedly improve mold release, reduce overall cycle time, reduce rejects, and improve part wear and bearing properties. Also multifunctional [...]