Plastics Engineering articles from July 2008

Plastics Engineering archives from July 2008

Notice of proposed bylaws amendments.(From SPE)
July 1, 2008... Dear SPE Member: The bylaws of the Society of Plastics Engineers require that all proposed bylaw amendments undergo a three-step approval process: a vote of Council to recommend the proposed amendments for consideration; if the vote...

Engineering resins for rotomolding: underused materials could support rotational molding's future growth.(NORTH AMERICA)
July 1, 2008... For the business of rotational molding, future growth may depend on using alternative resins for new applications. Polyethylene in its various forms has by far been the resin family of choice for roto-molding, but higher-value resins present...

Processing polyurethanes: the innovations continue.(EUROPE)
July 1, 2008... Polyurethanes are unrivalled in their versatility. At the heart of the technology is the simple reaction between an isocyanate (NCO) group and a hydroxyl (OH). But so many different chemical structures can be attached to these groups, so many...

Bill O'Connell: SPE president.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... William JJ O'Connell founded Broconn, Inc., in 1995 and serves as its president. With Broconn, a hands-on consulting firm working with clients to optimize plastics formulation and processing opportunities, he has developed resin formulations;...

ANTEC[TM] 2008 wrap up: Milwaukee hosts successful conference and plastics trade show.(NORTH AMERICA)(Cover story)(Conference notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The plastics industry turned out in strength for ANTEC[TM] 2008, the 66th Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers, May 4-8, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. The SPE Conference was co-located...

Awards presented at ANTEC[TM] banquet.(ANTEC[TM] 2008 WRAP UP)(awards)
July 1, 2008... Distinguished SPE members were honored for their achievements at the SPE Celebrates!" banquet on May 4. Gail Bristol, Managing Director of The SPE Foundation, was awarded the President's Cup for her exemplary service to the Society. She has...

Correction.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2008... On page 23 of the June 2008 issue of Plastics Engineering, the telephone number listed for Gram Technology was incorrect. The correct number is +1 888-811-4726. Plastics Engineering regrets the error.

Medical, plastics seek growth from manufacturing and research: Latin America offers benefits to medical OEMs in two critical areas: production economy and materials research. The region compares favorably to low-cost manufacturing centers around the world, and is developing world-class capabilities in polymer formulation and device design.(LATIN AMERICA)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Governments in the region view medical plastics as an economic asset. Many offer tax incentives, worker-training assistance, and other programs to promote manufacturing, and cluster sites for production of components...

Nylon degradation: problems and opportunities: it is probably not an exaggeration to say that the development and commercialisation of linear, thermoplastic polyamides were due in large part to the farsightedness of one company and the brilliance of one man.(EUROPE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When, in 1928, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. recruited the academic chemist Wallace H. Carothers from Harvard University to head a research department, it was an unusual move. That an established chemicals company...

2008 SPE "Wonders of Plastics" International Essay Contest winner.(Society of Plastics Engineers )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Ryan Baez, who will be starting his senior year at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA, is the winner of the 2008 SPE "Wonders of Plastics" International Essay Contest. Ryan says he has always been fascinated with his...

The plastic driving machine.
July 1, 2008... There is a passion between teenagers and cars. When my father turned 16 he purchased a royal blue 1967 Chevelle SS. His prized driving machine was a metal masterpiece with magnum wheels, an altered exhaust system, and dice hanging from the...

2008 plastics industry salary survey: raises were scant, but job satisfaction is high.(Survey)
July 1, 2008... SPE partnered with Gros Executive Recruiters on the company's annual salary survey, which provides data on salary trends and hiring affecting employees in the plastics industry. Over 3200 plastics-industry professionals participated in the...

McCormick West to be "Technology Central" at NPE2009.(NORTH AMERICA)
July 1, 2008... SPE will play a pivotal role in the creation of a giant repository of polymer technology at NPE2009 by co-locating ANTEC[TM] 2009 with the show. In presenting the world's largest plastics technical conference during the NPE (National Plastics...

Industry patents.
July 1, 2008... The patent is a legal document giving the holder a license to capitalize on the invention without competition for a few years. In exchange, the holder teaches the basis of the invention. The patent is forward-looking, representing a technical...

In memoriam: H.A. Wilfred Lynch, 1918-2008.(In memoriam)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The Society mourns the passing of Wilfred (Tito) Lynch, one of the founding members of SPE's Quebec Section. A chemical engineer and an inventor, Mr. Lynch was a pioneer in the development of silicone for medical applications. In 1969 he opened...

SPE news roundup: Keny Braney's monthly look at SPE's activities in Europe.(EUROPE)(Society of Plastics Engineers)
July 1, 2008... ANTEC[TM] Meeting SPE presented a number of awards at May's Council meeting held during ANTEC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. For the first time, two Europe Divisions--Additives and Colour Europe (ACE) and the European Thermoforming Division...

Industry events.(EUROPE)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... SEPTEMBER 3-5, European Medical Polymers Conference Site: Belfast, Ireland Website: www.speeurope.org 7-11, MoDeSt Site: Liege, Belgium Website: www.modest2008.be 16-18, Recycling & Waste Management ...

Industry events.(NORTH AMERICA)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... SPE CONFERENCES Sept. 3-5. SPE's European Conference on Medical Polymers. Site: PPRC--Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Contact: SPE Europe, +1 32-3-541-77-55; Website: spe.Europe@skynet.be. Sept....