best practices
Screw Speed Versus Recovery Time
Many molders don't take screw-rotation speed into account when developing a process for a new mold. Here's why they should.
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Compounding PLA on Twin-Screws: What Testing Reveals
Twin-screw extrusion is the preferred method for compounding PLA and other biopolymers. But processing PLA is complicated because it’s sensitive to heat and shear. It’s also prone to hydrolytic degradation if moisture is present in molten PLA. Here’s what one machine builder’s trials revealed.
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Back to Its Roots in Film Extrusion
After drydocking its film extrusion business in '99, converter goes back to its roots with upstart sister company.
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The Power of Numbers: Time to Step Up to Five Layers
Five-layer technology can provide processors with more productivity and greater flexibility to produce a wider range of products from a single line.
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The ‘Total Package’ in Thermoforming
Here's how a leading edge custom former evolved from a CAD/CAM business.
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Switch Over To Consistent Quality
A new process-control method picks up variations in melt quality and viscosity during the injection phase and equalizes them within the same shot.
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Five-Layer Line Gives Processor More Flexibility, New Opportunities
Processor bumps it up from three-layers to boost quality, flexibility and enter new markets.
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Leverage Your Cooling Power
You can predict the amount of heat you'll need to remove from parts before ejection with reasonable accuracy if you know polymer thermal properties and certain other rules of thumb.
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Extruding High-Temperature Resins
Older extrusion lines might not be suitable for processing materials up to 750 F. Here's what you need to know to get started.
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