Matthew Naitove Contributing Editor

K 2013 Preview: Blow Molding

Of the six machine builders who were willing to pull back the curtain even a little, five of them said they’d be showcasing all-electric presses. That remarkable fact suggests that all-electric technology, which has been a much harder sell in blow molding than in injection molding, is at last starting to find traction.

K 2013 Preview: Injection Molding

Next month’s mammoth triennial plastics show in Düsseldorf, Germany, challenges injection molding machine builders to demonstrate technological leadership in addressing the needs of the marketplace.

Higher Speeds, More Integrated Processes at K Show

“Go faster” and “integrate more functions” look to be the guiding principles of new injection molding developments to be shown by Engel Austria at K 2013 in Dusseldorf this October.

‘Reshoring’ Is Not a Myth

For this molder, 35% to 40% of current sales is new business generated in the past two to three years—and some of that is due to reshoring.

DuPont Has Big Plans for Biobased Polymers

Alternative Reshoring

Maybe it should be called re-offshoring.

New Hybrid Machine Platform Focused on Customization, Integration, Energy Savings

After five years of product development behind the scenes, Athena Automation is ready for its close-up.

Extreme Molding’s Mantra: ‘Find Your Niche and Stick to It’

For a small custom injection molder competing in today’s global market, Lynn Momrow-Zielinski has two pieces of advice: 1) Develop a business plan and stick to it. 2) Find a technical and/or market niche and stick to that, too.

Sustainable Medical Molding: For Nypro, It’s Good Business

“Why worry about sustainability?” asks Ed Cathey, controller of Nypro’s Mebane, N.C., injection molding plant.

New Machines & Processes For Macro to Micro Parts

In late April, Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH hosted around 1100 visitors at its headquarters plant in Kottingbrunn, Austria, for a comprehensive demonstration of its latest injection molding technologies.

Custom Molders Had Strong 2012

Custom injection molders’ capacity utilization jumped almost 9 percentage points from mid-year to December 2012, hitting an average of 59%, back to the high levels of 2010 and the first half of 2011.

This Blow Molder Tackles Technical Parts That Others Won’t Touch

Tom Boyd is used to incredulous looks from potential customers.