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AMRs and Cobots Target Inspection, Palletizing and Movement of Finished Goods
The same year it marked its 70th year in business, custom injection molder Hoffer Plastics (South Elgin, Illinois) — which routinely reinvests more than 10% of its annual revenue back into new equipment — prioritized automation in that CapEx with some stunning results.
Tony Deligio
Editor-in-Chief, Plastics Technology
Materials Suppliers Team on PFAS-Free Solutions
Baerlocher PFAS-fee process aid passes muster in resin manufacturer’s testing on production-sized blown film line.
Read MoreResearch Deems Bioplastics, Wood Pulp a Sustainable, Economic Alternative for Rigid Packaging
Farrel Pomini and FPInnovations produce biodegradable compound for molding, extrusion and thermoforming applications.
Read MoreDirect Solar Heating for Rotational Molding Enables Feedback Control and Rapid Deployment
Light Manufacturing offers rotomolding factory in a box, with no utilities needed.
Read MoreOpen Automation Enables Flexibility in Chemical Recycling
Software-defined equipment control systems can be duplicated, transferred and scaled with ease.
Read MoreCustom Molder Pivots When States Squelch Thriving Single-Use Bottle Business
Currier Plastics had a major stake in small hotel amenity bottles until state legislators banned them. Here’s how Currier adapted to that challenge.
Read MoreNPE2024 Materials: Spotlight on Sustainability with Performance
Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.
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3D Printed Spine Implants Made From PEEK Now in Production
Medical device manufacturer Curiteva is producing two families of spinal implants using a proprietary process for 3D printing porous polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
Stephanie Hendrixson
Executive Editor, Additive Manufacturing
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.
Read MoreExtrusion Technology Extended to Injection, Enabling Up to 100% Regrind Usage
Twin-barrel (shot-pot) press can handle more regrind, offers other benefits to molders.
Read MoreNPE2024 Wrap-Up: Sustainability Dominates Show Floor News
Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.
Read MoreNPE 2024: Additive Manufacturing Assisting, Advancing Plastics Processing
Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.
Read MoreTight-Tolerance Molder Dips Toe in Extrusion Waters
Midwest Precision Molding brings extrusion capacity in-house to assist a customer that was having a sourcing issue with its existing overseas suppliers.
Read MoreThin-Film Sensors Integrated Directly Onto Cavity Surface
Fraunhofer IST researchers say the wear-resistant thin-film sensors are deposited onto the tool surface, enabling direct temperature and flow measurements in critical areas of a mold.
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Injection Molded Enclosures Plug into Potential Electric Vehicle Battery Applications
In partnership with material suppliers, Engel is proving out injection molded thermoplastic-based concepts for electric vehicle battery housings, utilizing production tools and dedicated machines at its large press factory in St. Valentin, Austria.
Tony Deligio
Editor-in-Chief, Plastics Technology
For Extrusion and Injection-Blow Molders, Numerous Upgrades in Machines and Services
Uniloy is revising its machinery lines across the board and strengthening after-sales services in tooling maintenance, spare parts and tech service.
Read MoreBreaking News From NPE2024
Here is a firsthand report of news in injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and recycling not previously covered.
Read MoreTechnology Aims to Smarten Up Resin Conveying
At NPE2024, Novatec moves to rewrite the rules for material conveying with patent-pending smart-pump technology.
Read MorePHA Compound Molded into “World’s First” Biodegradable Bottle Closures
Beyond Plastic and partners have created a certified biodegradable PHA compound that can be injection molded into 38-mm closures in a sub 6-second cycle from a multicavity hot runner tool.
Read More'Smart,' Moisture-Based Drying Technology Enhanced
At NPE2024, Novatec relaunches DryerGenie with a goal to putting an end to drying based on time.
Read MoreImpacts of Auto’s Switch to Sustainability
Of all the trends you can see at NPE2024, this one is BIG. Not only is the auto industry transitioning to electrification but there are concerted efforts to modify the materials used, especially polymers, for interior applications.
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New Screw Boosts Mixing, Enhances Polymer Properties
Device mixes at the ‘molecular level,’ inventor says, to boost mechanicals and in some cases make pre-drying redundant.
Jim Callari
Editorial Director, Plastics Technology
Digital Twin Creates New, Virtual Paths for Robots with Real-World Cycle-Time Impacts
Realtime Robotics seeks to get more robots involved in manufacturing by addressing the biggest current barrier: programming costs.
Read MoreNew Blown-Film Cooling Technologies Set to Debut at NPE2024
Cooling specialist Addex to roll out new auto-profiling air ring for rotating dies, and new single-plenum air ring.
Read MoreAt NPE, Cypet to Show Latest Achievements in Large PET Containers
Maker of one-stage ISBM machines will show off new sizes and styles of handled and stackable PET containers, including novel interlocking products.
Read MoreAutomotive Awards Highlight ‘Firsts,’ Emerging Technologies
Annual SPE event recognizes sustainability as a major theme.
Read MoreAt NPE2024, Follow These Megatrends in Materials and Additives
Offerings range from recycled, biobased, biodegradable and monomaterial structures that enhance recyclability to additives that are more efficient, sustainable and safer to use.
Read MoreScaling Up Sustainable Solutions for Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials
Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies Group helps industrial partners tackle the sustainability challenges presented by fiber-reinforced composite materials.
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