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The use of virtual-reality programming and linear motor technology are two important trends which are promoting the development of robotic equipment for injection molding. Linear motors provide backward and forward motion to robot arms because it places magnets on the robot's axis and the electrical drives provide sequentially reverse polarity. Among the prominent robotics firms which have introduced innovative products are Automated Assemblies, Cedex, Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd and Ventax Robot Inc.

The Medical Design and Manufacturing West show in Anaheim, CA, reflected the worldwide growth in medical market, surpassing the overall economy. This implies that medical plastics product suppliers can boost markets through enhanced cost control and penetration into global markets for high-value-added products. US tubing sales is projected to increase to $1.4 by 2000 while the intravenous device market will boost through the use of multiport products.

A list of pad-transfer equipment for imprinting small plastic products is provided. These include Autoroll Machine Corp.'s Padflex 2000, which is equipped with a ceramic-sealed ink cup that can print four colors on one design and the Model 590 printer from Markem Corp. that is equipped with a software program for adjusting printing requirements. meanwhile, Printex has its PTX-125 printer with pneumatic drive cylinders and Tampoprint GmbH.

Plastics manufacturers such as Milacron Inc. and Fanuc believe that all-electric injection molding equipment are more energy efficient than their hydraulic counterparts. Unlike hydraulic injection presses, all-electric presses do not waste energy on inefficient hydraulic motion because all motion is controlled by mechanical power trains. However, one major disadvantage with all-electric injection presses is their size which is limited by the unavailability of large servo motors.

The Society of the Plastics Industry's Polyurethanes Division sponsored an exhibition in Las Vegas which showcased new and improved polyols, surfactants and blowing agents. Olive, NJ-based BASF Corp., one of the participants in the exhibit, presented neoterik, high-performance, low-monol polyether polyols, which reportedly enhance the physical properties of elastomers and sealants. On the other hand, Dow Polyurethanes of Midland, MI, introduced its non-silicone-based surfuctant, called the Vorasurf, which can deliver 50% efficiency rate higher compared to silicone products. The exhibit also features the company's experimental polyols.

Focuses on the prototyping market. Price range of small machines for prototyping; Information on the prototyping market; identification of several injection molding manufacturers; Comments from the director of product management for 3D Systems, Mervyn Rudgely.

Describes technology introductions in injection molding. Prices of the more popular on-board controllers for injection molding; Control technology of injection molding; Companies involved in the development of new technology in injection molding; Description of reduced instruction set computation (RISC) technology.

Focuses on automation capabilities offered by mold-temperature controllers. Benefits offered by integrated systems; Increased flexibility and simplicity for processors; Increase in the use of microprocessor controls; Increasing number of suppliers focusing on long-life products.

Presents information on the race between Hettinga Technologies Incorporated, Bayer Corporation and GE Plastics to commercialize film-based insert techniques for single-shot injection molding of automotive taillights. Details on the promotion being done by Hettinga; Other promotion by the companies involved; Comments from Bayer's business director for film at Bayer's Polymers Division, Peter Geise.

Presents information on various products within the plastics industry in the United States. Development of the Computrac 3000 moisture analyzer which measures water by Arizona Instrument; Information on Omnimark Instrument Corporation's Mark 2 Moisture analyzer.

Presents information on products within the plastics industry. Development of the MOLDesign system which allows users to construct molds using standard mold base and components from several major suppliers, by Cimatron Technologies; Introduction of the K2-G SmartFlow complete feeding system by K-Tron America.

Presents information on products within the plastic industry. Design of Excell II sprue pickers to fit injection molding machines by AEC/Application Automation; Information on the Optimum and Revolution line of part extraction robots; Development of the Precision ServoDrive Extruders robots by Wayne Machine and Die Company.

Presents information on products within the plastic industry. Development of a flow analysis software system by Mold-Masters Limited; Availability of hot-runner controls in standard configurations at Gammaflux; Features of controls.

Reports that custom molder Nypro Carolina is using a vented barrel and screw from Xaloy to mold business machine gears from a carbon-filled polycarbonate with polytef additive.

Presents information on the model P75 pressurized mold-cooling unit form IMS. Cost of the unit; What the features of the unit includes.

Focuses on the introduction of the Axxicon twin cavity mold suited for digital video disc, by Axxicon Molds in Georgia. Details on product; Contact information.

Discusses the development of Master-Stack, a product used for the closure molding industry, by Mold-Masters Limited. How product was made; Features of product; Contact information.

Focuses on the development of a series of mobile granulators by Herbold Zerkleinerungstechnik GmbH, which are designed to use by pipe, profile and tubing manufacturers. Features of granulators.

Presents information on products within the plastics industry. Addition of twin screw sizes to the Ze Series of extruders by Berstorff Corporation; Introduction of the Wilcomat W03-HSM equipment by Packaging Technologies and Inspection.

Focuses on the development of the DynaMet4V unit, which will deliver metallized thin coatings on three dimensional injection molded parts such as automotive headlamp housings, by Leybold Technologies Incorporated. Features and operations of unit; How unit works; Costs of the unit; Contact information.