September 2024 Issue

September 2024

Digital Edition

Five Places Where Automation Can Help...the Front Office

Say “manufacturing automation” and thoughts immediately go to the shop floor and specialized production equipment, robotics and material handling systems. But there is another realm of possible automation — the front office.

Features

Featured articles from the September 2024 issue of Plastics Technology

editorial 6 Sep 2024

A Happy Accident

Almost 25 years ago, I stumbled into a career in the plastics industry in a most happy accident.

Biopolymers 30 Aug 2024

Making a Play With PHA

Processors with sustainability goals or mandates have a number of ways to reach their goals. Biopolymers are among them.

Extrusion Know How 10 Sep 2024

In Single Screw Extruders, Mixing Starts in the Melting Process

While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.

close up on technology 2 Sep 2024

Masterbatch Creates Cavities, Helping Film Processors Boost Sustainability, Recyclability

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

Recycling 13 Aug 2024

Optical Sorting for Color Flexibility in Recycled Plastics

Aaron Industries added optical sorting to its operation, expanding capabilities to meet the color needs of customers.

Multicomponent 11 Sep 2024

Secondary Injection Unit Provides Primary Benefits for Molder

Core Technology Molding turned to Mold-Masters E-Multi auxiliary injection unit to help it win a job and dramatically change its process.

Commodity Resins 23 Aug 2024

Prices of PE, PP, PVC Up; PS, PET Flat

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

close up on technology 13 Sep 2024

NPE2024 Materials: Spotlight on Sustainability with Performance

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

Injection Molding 11 Nov 2024

Important Factors and Approaches to Estimating Residence Time in Injection Molding

Residence time can have a dramatic impact on part quality and production efficiency but determining its value can be tricky. Use these methods and formulas to accurately measure residence time and enable it to inform everything from scheduling jobs to optimizing a process.