processing tips
TOOLING: The Tool’s Impact On the Molding Process
Flash, venting, cooling, gating, or sticking problems? Better to fix the tool than distort your process.
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EXTRUSION: How Slow Can You Go?
Larger screws designed for high outputs will generate a variety of problems if run too slowly. Here’s why.
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INJECTION MOLDING: Processing Nylon…and Other Problems
As moisture content in this and other hygroscopic resins varies, so will your viscosity and process. Here’s how to deal with these issues
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Is Your Granulator Helping You Maximize Your Profit?
It’s easy to take a scrap granulator for granted. Many people do. But getting the most value out of your production scrap requires both a granulator design and a preventive-maintenance program that are appropriate to the way you use the granulator.
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INJECTION MOLDING: Gate Freeze Study: Danger in a Name?
The test actually determines the hold time needed to mold repeatable parts, and it should be done regardless of whether the gate freezes or not.
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Cyclic Olefin Copolymer: Alternative Resin For Medical Packaging
With Barex production winding down, processors serving the medical market are eyeing replacements. Some have already commercialized new packages with COC.
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INJECTION MOLDING: Do You Need to Profile Injection Velocity?
Look at the parts. If the answer is yes, the on-machine viscosity curve can help.
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A Film Processor’s Guide to Understanding Materials & Equipment
Process engineers need to have a fundamental understanding of three areas: the material properties, the basic design parameters of the extrusion equipment, and the process window of the equipment.
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INJECTION MOLDING: Improving Barrel-Temperature Measurement and Control
Proper thermocouple placement and contact area are crucial, as is wire maintenance. But remember that barrel temperature and melt temperature are not the same
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EXTRUSION: Managing Regrind
Reusing scrap is a necessary evil. But be aware of the negative impact scrap has on properties and extrusion efficiencies. Start by developing a regrind-usage program.
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