British Plastics & Rubber articles from June 2005

British Plastics & Rubber archives from June 2005

GE rekindles its love affair with the motor car.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... TIME was when GE Plastics was, like all materials companies, having a love affair with the motor car. And never being a company to do things by halves, it seemed to plight its troth harder than others. At the end of the '70s, early '80s we had...

Higher performance SMA for automotive interiors.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... Two grades have been added to Nova LJ Chemicals' Dylark 500XT series of styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers aimed at automotive instrument panels and interior applications. The new 510XT and 520XT grades have higher impact properties than other...

TPE-S is used for car window seals.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... TEFABLOC thermoplastic elastomers from Tessenderlo Group compounder CTS have become the first of their type to be used on a French car for window seals. The Tefabloc materials are TPE-S types, being compounds based on polypropylene and Kraton G...

Specialty TPEs target plasticised PVC.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... The ReMoTE acronym naming AEI Compounds' new range of thermoplastic elastomer compounds stands for reaction modified thermoplastic elastomer. The materials were developed in cooperation with DuPont Dow Elastomers, using patented in-process...

New TPEs designed to replace silicones and PVC.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... A NEW range of thermoplastic elastomers from GLS International can replace silicone compounds and PVC in applications requiring water clarity and heat resistance. These properties are important for infant care products, kitchenware, toys,...

Long-fibre glass-reinforced PEEK from RTP.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... PERFORMANCE compound specialist RTP Company has added Victrex PEEK polyetheretherketone grades to its Long Fiber product line. These RTP 2200 Series PEEK Long Fiber compounds have significantly improved impact strength compared to conventional...

Optical waveguide material is easier to process.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... AN EPOXY material for use in flexible optical waveguides has been developed by Nitto Denko in Japan. The photosensitive epoxy is highly transparent in the near-infrared range, and flexible, so that optical circuits can be created by patterning...

New technology creates unique perfluoroelastomer.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... A NEW grade of Tecnoflon perfluoroelastomer has been created by Solvay Solexis through its innovative 'branching and pseudoliving' polymerisation technology. This is a Solvay Solexis proprietary technology that allows the preparation of...

Low viscosity HNBR processes more quickly.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... A NEW low viscosity HNBR has been introduced by Lanxess. Compared to regular HNBR elastomer grades, the low Mooney viscosity of the new Therban AT gives better mixing at lower temperatures and so reduces overall cost. Lanxess says that in...

Makrolon shows the bigger picture.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... A large-screen display technology using Bayer's Makrolon polycarbonate has been developed by a British company, which anticipates selling 30,000[m.sup.2] of displays per year by 2010. The ITrans system from Cambridge-based Screen Technology...

Ticona COCs for optical applications.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... TICONA has introduced two grades of Topas cyclic olefin copolymer for injection moulded lenses and other optical components. COCs are amorphous engineering plastics offering strength, stiffness, heat resistance and dimensional stability...

The LabCD system from the Tecan Group is a CD-sized disc moulded in Topas that performs 48 drug screening assays simultaneously.
June 1, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The LabCD system from the Tecan Group is a CD-sized disc moulded in Topas that performs 48 drug screening assays simultaneously. It works by simply spinning the disc at controlled speeds. Tecan's material...

High performance PP makes its mark in frozen foods.(PACKAGING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... A NEW high performance polypropylene from Basell Polyolefins Europe is aimed at food packaging and consumer applications. Clyrell EC140R achieves what the company believes to be a unique combination of clarity, high gloss, stiffness, impact...

High melt strength PP makes soft foams.(ENGINEERING MATERIALS)
June 1, 2005... Borealis has developed a high melt strength polypropylene specifically for soft foams. The company describes its Daploy WB260HMS as a breakthrough in this field. It has been designed to capitalise on the excellent temperature resistance,...

The black art of compounding.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... For anyone not trained in polymer science or technology, compounding technology and formulation design can appear to be a black art. However, this becomes a lot clearer with a little understanding of the basic scientific principles at work....

AZO upgrades Hydro Polymers' S-PVC plant.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... FURTHER improvements have been made to Hydro Polymers' PVC compounding plant at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham by AZO through its UK agent Ingredient Handing Solutions. Lines 13 and 14 manufacture rigid and cellular foam PVC dry blends used...

Dugdale invests further in PVC compound development.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... The machine has been optimised to suit the production of trial batches of special grades of PVC and will support growing demand for the company's rapid turn round colour-matched compounds. Dugdale has a base of hundreds of grades of rigid...

Melt pump returns filter pressure value for QC.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... A melt pump suitable for QC testing of compounds has been introduced by Davis-Standard. The KXE FPV provides a filter pressure value (FPV) to quantify the level of resin dispersibility and assist compounders in maintaining product consistency....

Feeder line completed at Colortronic.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... COLORTRONIC has completed its range of feeders for compounding and chemical applications. The new lab line range is the smallest feeder available in both single and twin screw configurations and for throughputs down to as little as 15-20 g...

Bolt-on barrel extension increases residence time.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... A NEW version of the Prism Eurolab XL laboratory compounding extruder has been introduced by Thermo Electron. It is now possible to buy the standard 25:1 L/D 16 mm compounder, and, at a later date, to convert to a 40:1 version by bolting-on a...

Improving the accuracy of rubber mixing.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... THE increasing costs of petrochemical-based ingredients highlights the importance of accurate weighing of all components of a compound. Chronos Richardson has added stand-alone weighing equipment for the rubber mixing room to ensure the...

Process additives improve pigment dispersion.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... STRUKTOL of the USA has developed a series of plastics process additives based on its long history of producing process additives for the rubber industry. Struktol's additives are designed to aid blending and dispersion as well as...

Ti[O.sub.2] targeted at masterbatch producers.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... A NEW titanium dioxide pigment for masterbatch production has been introduced into Europe by Millennium Chemicals after three years of development. Tiona 125 combines improved dispersion, low volatiles for easier processing at today's...

Easier processing with CPE impact modifiers.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... THE NEW Tyrin 7000 and 2500 chlorinated polyethylene impact modifiers for PVC from DuPont Dow Elastomers are intended to improve extrusion processing while maintaining end-use impact performance. Both products are said to offer wider processing...

Chopped strand tailored for use in PBT.(COMPOUNDING)
June 1, 2005... Johns Manville has introduced ThermoFlow 718, a densified chopped strand specially developed for polybutylene terephthalate products where it provides very good mechanical performance and heat ageing characteristics and superior bonding with...

Plenty of life in the blow moulding dog yet.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... IT'S not all doom and gloom in the blow moulding business despite the collapse of Hamilton Machinery Sales (see panel), and recent months have seen some significant investments in new machines and tooling for bottle production. *...

More plastic bottles are being recycled.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... THE return of plastic bottles for recycling has doubled in Britain over the past two years according to research funded by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) and carried out by Recoup (RECycling Of Used Plastics). The UK Plastic...

Anti-stat doesn't cake in the summer.
June 1, 2005... HAVING difficulty moulding anti-static materials in the summer? Plastic Technology Service may have the answer. Lauric diethanol amide is a common anti-stat in bottle blowing but can be hard to use in the summer months as it can cake together...

Milliken invests in lab machine for stretch blown clarified PP bottles.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... TO further its aim of pushing polypropylene into the injection stretch blow moulding business Milliken Chemical has installed a Sidel Series 2 SBO4 machine at its research and development center in Spartanburg, USA. Milliken's interest is...

Double station operation saves more in 3D moulding.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... A FIFTH horizontal 3D blow moulding machine has been installed by Italian auto parts manufacturer Cornaglia to make two different parts in a single cycle. The two parts, both air ducts for Fiat, have different parison lengths and shot...

Deformable die rings optimise material distribution.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... DEFORMABLE blow moulding die rings are now being produced by BMC Controls to optimise material distribution in the production of industrial containers, drums and automotive mouldings. A major application is in the production of UN approved...

Standard bottles in CD catalogue.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... To make it easier for packer/fillers to launch or revamp a product Riverside Plastics has produced a CD-ROM version of its standard bottle catalogue. Over the years the company has built a wide range of standard bottle designs, which it says...

Bottle granulators on show.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... BLOW moulders are being invited to Motan's Abingdon headquarters at the end of this month to see demonstrations of the Tria BM35-30 and BM50-30 granulators designed specifically for blow moulding reclamation and recently added to the range of...

Cheap and Chinese but still Kautex.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... THE Chinese-built Kautex KCC10D double station machine is now available in Europe with European specification, CE certified and with full European support for spare parts and service. It is built by Kautex subsidiary Shunde Kautex Plastics...

Big machine focus at Davis-Standard.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... A NEW design of blow moulding machine from Davis-Standard is intended to meet increasing demands to mould large components, and is the first of a planned product expansion into larger machines with capabilities in excess of 400 tonnes of...

New Sidel stretch blow machines cut costs at higher output.(BLOW MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... THE latest generation of stretch blow machine from Sidel, the SBO Universal range, is said to have cut bottle blowing costs and improved productivity. The machines have new preform/bottle handling mechanics and a new 40mm pitch oven which...

Needle valve resists filled materials for a long life.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... German toolmaker Otto Manner is claiming a five million life without wear for its new hot runner needle valve, and is recommending its use for parts such as cartridges for inkjet printers. These must be dimensionally precise, with accurate...

New vertical machines have time saving safety gates.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... A RANGE of six vertical C-frame machines from 27 to 250 tonnes with stationary, shuttle or rotary tables for insert moulding has been introduced by Cincinnati Milacron. Known as the Magna V, they have injection capacities from 20 g to 1.5 kg....

Seventh Sandretto aids growth in plating.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... PLATING specialist Borough of Leigh on Sea has started making larger chrome plated mouldings and has installed a 230 tonnes Sandretto injection machine--its seventh Sandretto--which is initially making parts for Aqualisa showers. Borough...

Mini hot runner is for micro parts.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... NEW from Hasco is a mini hot runner system intended for direct injection of small and micro parts with a total shot weight not greater than 20 g. The new H7000/system is naturally balanced, with a minimum cluster spacing of only 8 mm. The...

Belmar triples its turnover in nine months.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... INSTALLATION of two new Sandretto Nove S machines and a Micro model at the beginning of this year has helped Hockley-based Belmar Plastics triple its turnover in the past nine months. Ancillary equipment including conveyors, hopper loaders and...

Heavy duty handling.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... GRAVITY discharge of mouldings can become a little perturbing as the weight increases. UPM's product handling division had to redesign its standard belt conveyor to produce a heavy duty version when it needed to handle PVC mouldings used in...

Robots are cheaper to run and longer lasting.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... MOTOMAN has replaced its UP series six axis robots with the new HP series. These are slimmer and have greater reach, positional accuracy and higher payload capacity. Lighter design has improved power consumption by 15 per cent and mean time...

Fastest in class.(INJECTION MOULDING)
June 1, 2005... CYCLE times shorter than 0.3 second can be achieved by the new Toshiba TH450 SCARA robot from TM Robotics leading to the claim that it is the fastest SCARA robot in its class. Arm length is 450 mm and payload 5 kg, with repeatability [+ or -]...

One robot does the work of two for Envopak.(AUTOMATION)
June 1, 2005... WHILE six axis robotics are increasingly being used in injection moulding shops, using one robot to service two independent moulding machines is still rather unusual. But this is how security product specialist ITW Envopak has improved...

Bending over backwards for a longer reach.(AUTOMATION)
June 1, 2005... THE ABB IRB 1600 six axis robot for use with injection moulding machines from 100 to 250 tonnes can reach to 700mm below its base. Described as 'backwards bending and steam washable', it has optional IP67 classification and is available in four...

Temperature control redesign cuts clean room tooling problem for Tech Group.(TEMPERATURE CONTROL)
June 1, 2005... A TOOL maintenance headache at the Tech Group in Ireland has been solved with a new temperature control system from FT Refrigeration. Tech Group has installed two class 100,000 clean rooms in which it runs twin-shot injection moulding machines,...

Tricool gets aggressive.(TEMPERATURE CONTROL)
June 1, 2005... A RANGE of 'aggressively priced' temperature controllers has been developed by Tricool from its Combi series. The new C6 series offers the same specification, but has been re-engineered to use more modem manufacturing techniques to lower its...

New exposure system handles bigger plastic plates.(FINISHING)
June 1, 2005... A NEW UV exposure system for pad and flexo polymer cliche production from Teca-Print has extended the plate size to 1 m long. Existing kits handle plates of 350 x 220 mm (BG25/30) and 250 x 600 mm (BG35/50). The BG35/100 increases the plate...

Simplified thread inserts speed up installation.(FINISHING)
June 1, 2005... INSTALLATION times have been halved by new Quicksert Hex thread inserts, an addition to the Amtec range from Bollhoff Fastenings. A hexagonal internal bore allows a plain drive pin to replace a conventional mating thread mandrel. The drive...

Two component adhesives for rapid assembly.(FINISHING)
June 1, 2005... SIKAFAST 3000 Series flexible two component adhesives are said to be suitable for most bonding, appliance and equipment assembly operations. They can be applied by hand or robot and cure quickly for use in place of welding, riveting and other...

Double disc increases the return from hard-to-reclaim material.(RECLAMATION & RECYCLING)
June 1, 2005... NEW business opportunities are foreseen through the use of Erema's double disc reclamation technology, thirty machines having been supplied since October last year. The double disc technology makes it possible to recycle materials with up to 15...

Brazil leads in plasma recycling of aseptic cartons.(FINISHING)
June 1, 2005... ALCOA Aluminio has joined Tetra Pak, paper manufacturer Klabin and engineering specialist TSL Ambiental to inaugurate the world's first carton packaging recycling facility located in Piracicaba, Brazil. The plant makes use of groundbreaking...

Need more storage? Make the silos bigger.(MATERIALS HANDLING)
June 1, 2005... CLOSE cooperation between Braby and Amcor Flexibles, Bristol-based medical packaging film manufacturer, enabled 18 silos to be enlarged in capacity and reinstalled within six weeks with no interruption in production. Amcor needed to add...

CNC laser welding saves costly mould remakes.(TOOLING)
June 1, 2005... A new CNC laser welding service from Pro-Moulds (Midlands) is proving itself as a cost-effective alternative to the replacement of damaged mould parts such as cores and die faces. The company identified a need to offer a repair service for die...

FASTOOL software automates toolroom scheduling.(TOOLING)
June 1, 2005... PARTICIPANTS in the FASTOOL project are getting first use of the Tooling Scheduling software that was developed in the course of the project. For each job the program automatically determines and schedules the best and most efficient use of...

Powerful features added to GPC/SEC software.(TESTING & INSPECTION)
June 1, 2005... VISCOTEK has released v4.0 of OmniSEC, its GPC/SEC (gel permeation chromatography/size exclusion chromatography) software package for multiple detection analysis of polymers and proteins. The new release includes enhancements to operational...

GPC/SEC training from Polymer Laboratories.(TESTING & INSPECTION)
June 1, 2005... Polymer Laboratories is running training courses on the theory and practice of GPC/SEC for characterising organic and water soluble polymers by the determination of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The Foundation Training...

Nikon lowers entry cost of video measurement.(TESTING & INSPECTION)
June 1, 2005... THE latest video measuring system from Nikon has been designed to lower the entry level cost and bring video measurement within what the company describes as everyone's reach. Although offering the same high accuracy as its larger stable mates,...

Simple test for latex rubber stability.(TESTING & INSPECTION)
June 1, 2005... SECOMAK's latest latex testing machine determines the mechanical stability of concentrated natural and synthetic latex rubber under high speed mechanical stirring or mechanical shear. The machine runs at a speed of 14,000 RPM but at a low...

Mastering the mould quotation: mould estimating is a nightmare. You can invest a lot of time in getting it right, only to lose the job. Or you can cut down the care in your estimate, only to lose money if you do get the job. Clive Maier reviews a tool that speeds up quotations without losing accuracy--and goes further by estimating part cost as well.(SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2005... RECENTLY in this column, and not for the first time, I argued for the mould as the single most important influence on quality and profit. Excellence in the mould more than pays for itself in productivity and pass rates, not to mention the...

Manufacturing management.(SOFTWARE DIRECTORY)(Directory)
June 1, 2005... EnterpriseIQ Plasticsgrid UK (0161 980 0900). E-mail: info@plasticsgrid.com Web site: www.plasticsgrid.com The #1 ERP system for the plastics industry. Developed by IQMS (www.iqms.com), EnterpriseIQ is the most powerful, fully...

Moldflow integrates its manufacturing solutions.(SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2005... MOLDFLOW has announced two developments that integrate its manufacturing solutions more completely into the manufacturing environment. The first is extended device-level Ethernet support which is available immediately on its complete line of...

Production control software made easy to adopt and use.(SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2005... BRITISH company Trakking has developed new production control software aimed at small to medium sized manufacturers and designed for ease of use and adoption. The company believes that the user friendliness of this package enables it to...

Centre Europeen des Silicones.(What's New on the Web)
June 1, 2005... CES, the Centre Europeen des Silicones, has launched two new websites on the benefits, science and technology of silicones. CES is a non profit-making trade organisation representing all major producers of silicones in Europe, and is a sector...

Junkk.(What's New on the Web)
June 1, 2005... Junkk is about reuse and recycling. Founder Peter Martin says, 'Junkk.com is an environmental dating agency, bringing together people and organisations with reuse and recycling ideas and people who want solutions that waste products can offer....

Rotex.(What's New on the Web)
June 1, 2005... Rotex, a worldwide supplier of equipment for screening and separation, feeding and conveying, and particle size analysis, has completely rebuilt its website. The new version is easier to navigate, includes comprehensive information about...

Lloyd Instruments.(What's New on the Web)
June 1, 2005... The new website covers testing and analysing equipment under the Lloyd Instruments and Davenport brands. The site provides extensive product information, a resource centre with application notes, technical information, specifications,...

Joint venture to develop light emitting plastics.(UPDATE)
June 1, 2005... PLASTIC LED developer Cambridge Display Technology is to become further involved with Sumitomo Chemicals of Japan, which also makes light emitting plastics. Sumitomo has been a CDT licensee and has invested in the company since 2001. Now the...

Training opportunities are expanded.(UPDATE)
June 1, 2005... A NEW polymer industries training body has been established in the East Midlands and has deployed equipment at three colleges. Polymer Sector Developments has been established with 1.5 m [pounds sterling] of funding from the East Midlands...

Training centre PTL has met the criteria to be approved by the Learning and Skills Council as a Centre of Vocational Excellence.(UPDATE)
June 1, 2005... Training centre PTL has met the criteria to be approved by the Learning and Skills Council as a Centre of Vocational Excellence. The focus on meeting the criteria led to the development of a range of new courses with a significant emphasis on...

Ancillary supplier of the year.(PMMDA UPDATE)
June 1, 2005... CHESTERFIELD-based Colortronic UK was established in 1974 and has grown somewhat since then. As one of the leading suppliers of ancillary equipment in the UK market it has not forgotten its roots and at the company's thirtieth birthday...

Support for Apprentice of the Year Award.(PMMDA UPDATE)
June 1, 2005... AS PART of its commitment to support training and development within the plastics industry, PMMDA has given 1,000 [pounds sterling] prize money to the winner of the Apprentice of the Year at this year's Industry Awards. This step was aimed at...

Prime machinery supplier of the year.(PMMDA UPDATE)
June 1, 2005... PRECISION, speed and efficiency are the hallmarks of the Netstal range of injection moulding equipment which, in many ways, reflect the traditional strengths of its Swiss home. In the UK the company's success owes much to the input of its...

More fluoroelastomer to meet rising demand.(MATERIALS MARKETPLACE)
June 1, 2005... A 50 per cent increase is planned by Asahi Glass in production of its Atlas fluoroelastomer, which is used mainly for covering materials for electric cables and automotive parts. The expansion is in response to forecast global growth in...

Sumitomo to make more Asian acrylic.(MATERIALS MARKETPLACE)
June 1, 2005... SUMITOMO Chemical is increasing its capacity in Asia for MMA and PMMA by building two plants in Singapore. An MMA monomer plant, the company's third in Singapore, will have an annual capacity of 90,000 tonnes while the company's second PMMA...

Lanxess increases Nd-PBR capacity and plans new Chinese engineering plastics compounding line.(MATERIALS MARKETPLACE)
June 1, 2005... LANXESS has completed the first step of a multi-stage expansion of its capacity for neodymium polybutadiene rubber--Nd-PBR. Plants in Port Jereme, France, and Orange, USA, have been modified to enable production of multiple grades including...

BP and Nova formalise European styrenics merger.(MATERIALS MARKETPLACE)
June 1, 2005... THE merger between the European styrenics businesses of BP and Nova Chemicals has now been formalised. The joint venture will be named Nova Innovene--Innovene to reflect the new name for BP's olefins and derivatives business. Martin Pugh,...

Buyers' guide.(Directory)
June 1, 2005... MATERIALS ADHESIVES Honle UV (UK) Ltd Middlemore Lane, Aldridge, West Midlands WS9 8AN Tel: 01922 457397 Fax: 01922 457398 CONDUCTIVE PLASTICS AND COATINGS TBA Electro Conductive Products PO Box 56,...