Know-How

best practices 15 Apr 2023

The Effects of Stress on Polymers

Previously we have discussed the effects of temperature and time on the long-term behavior of polymers. Now let's take a look at stress.

Injection Know How 13 Apr 2023

How Backpressure Optimization Affects Melt Preparation

Backpressure is often the least understood of the settings in an injection molding process, even though it can play a significant role in the final quality of the part. Let’s start with understanding what backpressure is and then learn how to optimize it for a given mold.

Materials Know How 28 Mar 2023

Tracing the History of Polymeric Materials, Part 27: Liquid-Crystal Polymers

Liquid-crystal polymers debuted in the mid-1980s, but the history of the chemistry associated with this class of materials actually starts a century earlier.

screws 14 Mar 2023

How Screw Design Can Boost Output of Single-Screw Extruders

Optimizing screw design for a lower discharge temperature has been shown to significantly increase output rate.

Know-How 7 Mar 2023

21 Tips to Slash Energy Costs in Molding

This checklist can provide injection molders a good starting point on the path to reduced energy consumption and can generate some money savings on that journey.

Molds & Tooling 4 Mar 2023

The Impact of Hydraulics on Tool Design, Practical Uses -- Part 2 of 2

Here are more tips on using hydraulically actuated devices on your tools.

best practices 1 Mar 2023

How to Configure Your Twin-Screw Barrel Layout

In twin-screw compounding, most engineers recognize the benefits of being able to configure screw elements. Here’s what you need to know about sequencing barrel sections.

Engineering Resins 28 Feb 2023

Tracing the History of Polymeric Materials, Part 26: High-Performance Thermoplastics

The majority of the polymers that today we rely on for outstanding performance — such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone and PPS — were introduced in the period between 1965 and 1985. Here’s how they entered your toolbox of engineering of materials.