British Plastics & Rubber articles from February 2005

British Plastics & Rubber archives from February 2005

It's vital to know when molecules stop moving: what is [T.sub.g]. Do we know? Do we care? Nicholas Kenworthy, managing director of Bayworth Plastics & Rubber, explains why knowing the [T.sub.g] of a material is so important to design and processing.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... IT IS fundamental to thermoplastics that they exhibit melting on heating and solidifying on cooling. But they don't all do it in the same way. Generally polymers are classified as semi-crystalline or amorphous materials. For polymers that...

Karl Fischer titration automated by Metrohm ...(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... KARL Fischer titration has become a standard analytical technique for determining water content, thanks to its speed, precision and ability to encompass a very wide range of water content from parts per million to saturated. But although the...

... And by Mettler Toledo.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... METTLER Toledo has automated the gas-phase extraction in Karl Fischer titration with its Stromboli oven sample changer/DL39 system. Samples are contained in reusable vials sealed with aluminium foil and reusable rubber caps. Stromboli...

GPC system enhanced and joined by new sample system.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... POLYMER Laboratories has introduced a new version of its PL-GPC 50 gel permeation chromatography system for analysing and characterising polymers. The new system has fully integrated triple detection by refractive index, viscometer and light...

Improved software for X-ray spectrometers.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... PANalytical has upgraded the software for its MiniPal and MiniMate benchtop X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers. New features in version 3.0 include functions for recalibration, spectra comparison, extended...

Malvern upgrades Rosand and Bohlin rheometers.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... MALVERN Instruments has introduced new features for its Rosand and Bohlin rheometers. For Malvern Rosand capillary rheometers there are new low temperature control options. The units take the form of a cooling coil and fluids circulator and are...

Rheometer designed for quality assurance.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... ANTON Paar has designed a rheometer Zespecially for quality assurance work. The RheolabQC is a rotational rheometer working on the Searle principle. It combines very short motor response times with wide speed and torque ranges, and offers...

Brookfield adds texture analysis.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... BROOKFIELD Viscometers has added texture analysers to its product range. The company is producing two models, both offering determination of texture characteristics across a wide range of materials. The QTS 25 model is a compression and...

Complete QC system for plastics materials.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... The Q-SYS polymer analyser from Mettler Toledo is a quality assurance and control system for plastics materials designed for use in production areas. By measuring thermal effects, the polymer analyser can identify materials and structures,...

Dynamic testing on the production line.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... Zwick's servohydraulic testing machines are meeting the growing demand, particularly from the automotive industry, for dynamic testing. One example is in the manufacture of rubber-metal bearings. When these are tested in volume production,...

Long testers for stretchy materials.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... LLOYD Instruments has developed an extended column materials testing machine for high elongation materials and large non-standard samples. It is a variant of the company's LFPlus universal single-column tester in which the crosshead travel has...

Mechanical testing developments from Instron.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... INSTRON has unveiled a clutch of developments in the field of mechanical property testing. First up is a new range of affordable single-column testing machines. The new 3300 series has been designed for compression, tensile and flexural testing...

Auto focusing video microscope for inspection.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... THE new Hi-Eye video microscope from OGP UK is intended for visual examination and non-contact dimensional inspection of small parts. It is a self-contained unit with a motorised zoom lens that the company says is normally only found on premium...

Balances calculate SG automatically.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... Hildebrand 1993 of Germany, represented in the UK by Nortest, has introduced a new range of direct reading SG balances for non-metallic materials. Three models are available with resolutions of, 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001 g/ [cm.sup.3]. All...

Particle size technology from Malvern.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... TWO developments from Malvern Instruments are concerned with particle size. The company has produced a new generation image analysis system that characterises particle size and shape fully automatically and in a joint development with Hosokawa...

FT-IR spectrometer for quality labs.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... THERMO Electron is aiming its latest Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer at quality laboratories with handling routine analyses. The Nicolet 380 uses complete system integration, plug-and-play sampling and computer-based expertise...

NPL seeks UK project partners.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... The National Physical Laboratory is inviting the UK plastics industry to join in two new projects supported by the DTI's National Measurement System Materials Programme. The projects cover heat transfer and flow properties. The heat...

Bowers measures up.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... BOWERS Metrology, the UK agent for Trimos, has introduced a new, height gauge, and an instrument for setting measuring instruments. The Trimos Altia range of digital height gauges use an inductive measuring system, coupled with the Trimos...

Testing adds value not cost: Rapra Technology's Colin Darkings muses that the better a testing regime is, the more it is likely to cost, and the less you're likely to be aware of having it. But the less you make it cost, the more it's likely to cost in the long run.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... THE Oxford English Dictionary has some interesting things to say about testing. A test is a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance or reliability of something. Agreed. It is also a short examination of proficiency or...

Rubber pellet density measured.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... ITALIAN rubber testing instrument specialist Gibitre has developed a method for measuring the density of rubber and plastics pellets. The method represents a new application of Gibitre's Balance Check density measurement instrument. Density is...

Complex polymers and proteins characterised.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... VISCOTEK's new Tetra Detector system opens the way to in-depth characterisation of complex molecules including copolymers and PEGylated proteins. The Tetra Detector harnesses the power of refractive index, viscometry, ultraviolet and light...

Rapra provides standards and research for biocompostables.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... RAPRA Technology has set up dedicated laboratories and pilot-scale facilities to service the growing demand for testing and accreditation of biodegradable and compostable materials. This is said to be a first for the UK and includes a testing...

Leaders go head to head with colour matching software.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... SECTOR leaders GretagMacbeth and Konica Minolta have both released colour matching software. The GretagMacbeth offering is Color iMatch and Color iQC, a suite of eight applications for colour matching and quality control. The software is based...

Latest leak testers are faster and better.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... PCE Automation has taken advantage of developments in PLC and transducer technology to upgrade its range of leak testers. New capabilities include Faster testing, moving point calculation of pressure drop for a rapid response to leakers, and...

Coating thickness gauge is upgraded.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... ELCOMETER has brought out an enhanced version of its Elcometer 456 coating thickness gauge. The new model, the 4562, is available with either integral or separate probe, and in three variants--basic, standard and top. The new features...

CNC profile milling machine for test samples.(Testing & Inspection)
February 1, 2005... Ray-Ran has developed a vertical 3-axis milling machine primarily for cutting out test samples although it is also suitable for many other applications. The Ray-Ran CNC Model 1 Profile Cutter is a benchtop machine with a fixed workbed and...

Sonics patents new fabric bonding process and sets up in Britain.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... A NEW process for bonding materials to automotive door panels has been patented by Sonics & Materials in the USA. It is a vibration welding process which eliminates the need for pins, clips, glue or staples and the corresponding necessity for...

Globe lens focuses laser only where there is pressure.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... Globo welding from Leister Process Technologies is a form of laser welding in which the beam is focused at a point on the plane to be joined through a rotating glass sphere lens supported on a frictionless air bearing. The sphere serves as a...

Longer open time when bonding polyolefins.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... The new 3M Scotch-Weld DP 8010 two-part structural adhesive extends the potential of the company's 8000 series products for bonding materials such as polyethylene or polypropylene without pre-treatment. The existing DP 8005 adhesive has an open...

Spray-on chrome goes beyond lust ABS.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... A CHROME effect finish which can be applied to any plastics substrate, as distinct from only ABS, has been introduced from the USA into this country by Applied Coating Technologies. The finish is described as looking and feeling the same as...

Surface treatments for tubing and complex parts.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... PLASMA and corona treatments have been developed by Tantec for PP or hypoallergenic PVC catheter tubing to ensure that coatings and inks stick to the surface. Both methods are said to eliminate many of the disadvantages associated with other...

GRP fasteners all at sea.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... BigHead stainless steel bonding fasteners designed for GRP and other composite structures are used for hull and superstructure assemblies, internal trim and decorative panelling as well as in galleys, engine rooms and exterior deck furnishing...

Heat transfer labels last longer than adhesive labels and are cheaper than printing.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... These water cooler bottles are labelled not with conventional adhesive labels, but with heat transfer labels from Techni-Print Decorating Systems. Techni-Print says that because of the vigorous transport and harsh sterilisation processes used...

Better flame for bumper preparation.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... NEW UM venturi gas and air mixers now standard on Aerogen flame treatment systems improve the output range of the flame and increase the variety of burner sizes that can be attached to the combustion mixture generator. These systems are used to...

Overheating and maintenance reduced with hot air welders.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... IN the new Weldplast hand welders for PE and PP from Leister overheating is avoided by the special design of the cooling system, and brushless motors are fitted to reduce maintenance requirements. Extrusion rates arc between 4 and 6 kg/hr....

Printer for panel fronts.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... Complete control panel fronts for washing machines are printed by this Tosh Logica 08 multi axis pad printer supplied to Group Merloni by TampoGraphic Services. Large areas can be printed in 10 colours in one pass and 200 components printed per...

Anodising technology to boost aluminium tooling.(Finishing)
February 1, 2005... RAPRA Technology is leading a European project to develop superior aluminium tooling for thermoplastics processing. The aim is to exploit new anodising technologies that create surfaces with exceptional hardness and thermal emissivity. The...

XX-rated extruder redesigns at Leistritz.(Compounding)
February 1, 2005... BY redesigning the spline format on the drive shafts and screw elements of its twin screw compounding extruders Leistritz reckons to have increased performance by 25-35 per cent. Output of an extruder is essentially a compromise between...

Compounding equipment compounded.(Compounding)
February 1, 2005... ITALIAN compounding machinery manufacturer Comerio Ercole has taken over the rubber and PVC compounding equipment activities of Meccaniche Moderne, leaving it to concentrate on building extrusion equipment. In the UK Comerio Ercole's agent...

Waiting for the Buss.(Compounding)
February 1, 2005... The first Buss quantec compounder to arrive in the UK is due for delivery in May. The quantec 80 reciprocating single screw extruder is to be installed by Dugdale to make PVC compounds and dry blends. The company's total investment is 500,000...

EdgeCAM offers faster roughing and advanced finishing.(Tooling)
February 1, 2005... NEW features in Pathtrace's EdgeCAM software allow for faster roughing and advanced finishing. The new roughing options enable the machine tool to run at high feed rates while maintaining high quality toolpaths. This is done by adapting...

Six months return on switch to hot runners.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... PAYBACK within six months was achieved by medical device manufacturer Owen Mumford when it re-engineered cold runner tooling for Unistik disposable lancets and fitted a Husky 16 drop hot runner system. Material consumption and cycle times were...

Engel/Distrupol plan training days.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... THE Engel Moulders' Group is to join forces with Distrupol to hold a series of training days in injection moulding related subjects at Engel UK's headquarters in Warwick. These will involve a mixture of classroom time with practical work on the...

Electric verticals have optical disc quality mould parallelism.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... TWO vertical electric rotary machines for insert moulding, said to be me first of their type, have been developed by Toyo, incorporating technology used in optical disc moulding machines. The ET models are in clamping ratings of 40 and 80...

Hot runner is intended for short runs.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... THE ProtoType hot runner system has been specially designed by Synventive for short production runs up to 5,000, or with prototype tooling, and is an attractively priced alternative to more costly systems for long term use. It uses standard...

Husky makes Mustang dash.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... Two-colour instrument panels for the new Ford Mustang are being made by Visteon on a Husky Quadloc Dial 1650 two-colour machine. The Luxembourg-built machine has Polaris control and a Tracer TMB robot. The system was integrated at Husky's...

Reasons to use polycarbonate instead of polyester for film backing.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... STRONG claims for the superiority of Longhua PC film over traditional polyester for membrane switch graphics and graphic keypad overlays have been made by EFP, European distributor for the Chinese manufacturer, Mianyang Longhua Chemical Co. ...

Low cost laser for etching backlit buttons.(Injection Moulding)
February 1, 2005... FIBRE laser technology developed by Laser Photonics of Florida produces a small spot size and enables fine marking to be achieved in the production of backlit keyboard buttons. A white and a black paint layer is applied and the black is removed...

Copolyester glazing forms faster than other materials.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... KELVX copolyester has been developed for outdoor architectural glazing by Eastman Specialty Plastics to withstand the hours of intense solar heating which can take surface temperature to more than 60 degC, then dropping rapidly at night, which...

Options on slitting machines from WT.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... TWO new slitting machines have been introduced by WT Wickeltechnik (UK agent Engelmann & Buckham). The Slitmaster is a twin spindle design available in working widths up to 1,650 mm for production at up to 600 m/min. It can slit a wide...

Sun block in PC sheets.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... PALRAM PC sheets have been claimed for some years to block out 99.9 per cent of harmful solar UV-A and UV-B radiation. It's now official. The Skin Cancer Foundation has now awarded its seal of recommendation to Palsun, Suntuf and Sunlite PC...

Charge sensor shows how much static is on the web.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... THE new Meech International Model 987 charge sensor monitors residual static charge levels on a web and is suitable for use with slitters, rewinders and thermoforming machines as well m coating, laminating and gravure printing operations. ...

Static pinning systems for use at high speeds and tensions.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... ARROWQUINT now offers static electricity core pinning systems to match the high speeds and tensions of the latest rewinders. They induce a charge in the web on the rewinder either immediately before or as part of the knife. The charge has...

Infrared reflection controls heat build-up.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... New Bayer Makrolon multi UV IQ-Relax sheets reflect the infrared portion of sunlight on sunny days but let it through on cold days. Heat is reduced inside the building on sunny days but optimally admitted on cold. Compared with standard...

Carbon infrared heating saves money for Faurecia.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... FAURECIA, which makes acoustic products for vehicle interiors and luggage compartments, has significantly reduced production cycle times and eliminated maintenance costs and downtime of one of its big thermoforming machines by installing a...

Twin sheet forming combined with foamed core.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... A THERMOFORMING process in which two sheets of thermoplastic polyolefin are simultaneously formed around a core of expanded polypropylene has been developed by Novo Foam Products of the USA. A good bond is achieved over both surfaces because of...

New zippers offer more sealing flexibility.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... KEYSEAL Advance zippers for flexible packaging new from Supreme Plastics are said to improve sealing performance and production efficiency of form fill seal and bag conversion machinery and allow a wide range of products to be packed in...

Automatic slit adjustment.(Film & Sheet Conversion)
February 1, 2005... Dienes claims that its new Genious PSG-DF knife holder is the first to feature automatic slit adjustment. The material to be slit is selected on the touch control panel and the optimum adjustment is made automatically, eliminating the...

Dosing unit for electrical potting.(Reaction Processing)
February 1, 2005... A new low pressure dosing unit has been developed by Cannon for potting electrical components. It can mix and meter polyurethane or epoxy resin, using formulations with component ratios up to 10:1, high viscosity materials and very low output...

Bayer extends the scope of polyurethanes.(Reaction Processing)
February 1, 2005... NEW developments in polyurethanes from Bayer cover the spectrum from rigid thermal insulating foams to extra soft upholstery materials. Rigid polyurethane insulating foams can be exposed to extremes of temperature ranging from 150 degC and...

Aircraft composites adapt to automotive markets.(Reaction Processing)
February 1, 2005... POLYURETHANE technology specialist Hennecke believes that aviation-style sandwich structures are poised to move into automotive markets. The attraction is the very light weight and high flexural strength of polyurethane composites but the...

HNBR now flows more easily.(Engineering Materials)
February 1, 2005... NEW technology from Lanxess Deutschland has opened up the possibilities for hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) materials. Hitherto, the high viscosity of these materials has put a limit on product complexity and process efficiency. The...

Fluoroelastomer technologies compared.(Engineering Materials)
February 1, 2005... RESEARCH sponsored by Dew Corning and carried out by Rapra Technology has compared Dew Coming's Silastic fluorosilicone rubbers (FSR) with conventional fluorocarbon elastomers (FKM). The study was carried out on two grades of Silastic--LS...

Seal and gasket elastomer cures in the press.(Engineering Materials)
February 1, 2005... THE latest addition to DuPont's Vamac ethylene acrylic elastomer family cures up to 30 per cent faster than existing no-cure grades, and has better compression set and oil resistance. By curing in the moulding press or at the die, Vamac DHC...

Flame resistant polycarbonate secret is fly ash.(Engineering Materials)
February 1, 2005... FLY ASH, a power plant waste product, is the ingredient behind a big energy saving in the production of flame resistant polycarbonate. Japanese developer NEC Corporation cut manufacturing energy consumption by more than 20 percent by using...

ABS stays tough at low temperatures.(Engineering Materials)
February 1, 2005... A NEW series of ABS from Dew Chemical achieves impact resistance at low temperatures. Magnum Shield maintains its impact performance down to -30 degC for applications, such as automotive and leisure/ sporting goods. It can also be co-extruded...

Cosmetic and toiletry bottles in apothecary colours.(Packaging Materials)
February 1, 2005... Eastman Specialty Plastics has launched a range of Glass Polymer for bottles aimed at personal care and cosmetic brand owners. Glass Polymer is a polyester for thick-walled packaging that has the look and feel of glass. In addition to...

Antimicrobials process at up to 500 degC.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... POLYCHEM Alloy has developed a portfolio of antimicrobial additives and masterbatches under the brand name of PolySept which are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, moulds, mildew and MRSA. There are three variants,...

PET slip additive is clearly better.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... A NEW PET slip additive from Croda promises product and process improvements by countering the high surface friction of the material. IncroMax PET 100 reduces friction and mould release force by some 60 per cent and has no detectable effect on...

Degussa rebrands phenolic antioxidants.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... DEGUSSA is pulling all its phenolic antioxidants together under the brand name of lonol. The existing lonox and Ralox brands will be phased out. Phenolic antioxidants are used with plastics and rubbers to prevent ageing caused by oxidation...

Food-safe vegetable lasticiser for PVC.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... DANISH company Danisco has gained EU approval for its Grindsted Soft-n-Safe plasticiser in food contact materials. The plasticiser is based on castor oil, a renewable vegetable source material, and is fully biodegradable. It has no taste or...

Film stabiliser cuts dusting and high temperature processing.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... AGRICULTURAL films make high demands on polymer additives. The film is expected to survive for several years during which it may be exposed to severe climate conditions and pesticides. Nickel quencher additives have been used successfully for...

Temperature-indicating masterbatch.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... A THERMOCHROMIC masterbatch range to meet the demand for mouldings that change colour according to temperature has been introduced by VTC Silvergate. The thermochomic principle means that a plastics product can reliably indicate its own...

Intumescent flame retardant protects at lower loadings.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... REOGARD 2000 is a new intumescent halogen-free flame retardant for polypropylene and other polymers from Great Lakes Chemical Corporation intended for applications such as extruded building parts and plastic components for electrical...

Flaked glass compound co-operation is extended.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... ADDMASTER and Glassflake are extending their sales co-operation with a research and development agreement to develop new glass flake compounds. Co-operation between the two companies has already allowed Glassflake to increase the processability...

Nucleating agent speeds SF production cycles.(Additives)
February 1, 2005... Milliken's Hyperform hyper nucleating agent has cut the cycle time for moulded polypropylene structural foam table tops by 10 per cent. The saving was made at the Enschede moulding plant of Dutch garden furniture producer Hartman Groep. ...

Drier has two independent hoppers.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... Wittmann Drymax C30 material driers can now be supplied with two hoppers each with independent temperature control. Hopper sizes are 20, 30, 50 and 70 litres and two containers can be mounted on a castor frame. The drier generates a dry air...

Blender handles a range of granule sizes and densities.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... THE new Piovan MXP500 gravimetric blender can handle materials with a wide range of granule sizes and bulk densities and is intended for use with blown film, pipe and profile extrusion lines. Film thickness and width management is said to be a...

K-Tron widens materials handling capabilities.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... AN additional range of materials handling equipment is to be available from K-Tron offices in Britain, France and Germany. K-Tron is to sell the Dutch-made Dinnissen range of mixers, coaters, sifters and big bag stations to enable it to offer...

Low ceiling no problem for big bag emptying.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... FLEXICON (Europe) devised a special bulk bag handling system for a processing plant in which ceiling height and floor space were limited. The bag frame was made in two parts. The uppermost part is separated from the lower by means of a fork...

IHS absorbs ABS.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... INGREDIENT Handling Solutions, which has been UK and Ireland sales agent for AZO for two years, has absorbed its associate engineering systems company Advanced Bulk Systems. All traditional ABS engineering business will be handled through IHS...

Motan combines control modules in a single network.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... CONTROL network that oversees and integrates its groups of storage, conveying, blending and drying equipment has been introduced by Motan. Controlnet is Ethernet-based and uses established protocols such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, HTTP and e-mail...

Pump feeders dose by volume or loss in weight.(Materials Handling)
February 1, 2005... THREE new K-Tron bulk solids pump feeders can be configured as volumetric or loss in weight equipment for pelleted or granular materials. Loss in weight feeders use Smart Force Transducer weighing technology with a scale or three point...

Now hear this!(Process Control)
February 1, 2005... THE latest ProHelp EPM production and process monitoring software from Mattec Corporation includes automatic voice and e-mail alerts. The option is included in release 6.2. The voice alarm allows sound files to be played over a PA system...