Plastics Engineering articles from November 2004

Plastics Engineering archives from November 2004

PE powder coatings stick tight.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... For the protection of industrial steel structures and pipes, the Advanced Applications Division of Sterigenics International has developed Raprex 400 thermoplastic powder coatings. Said to offer excellent adhesion and coating characteristics,...

New polymers, new possibilities.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Three new polymers--ElectraFlex, Optimum, and PermaFlex--have been introduced by Rauh Polymers. ElectraFlex is a conductive thermoplastic intended for use in the electronic, electrical component, and manufacturing industries. The new...

Epoxy adhesive/encapsulant cures fast, retards flame.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Devcon's "5 Minute" Epoxy FR is a flame-retardant, fast-setting, general-purpose adhesive/encapsulant for potting aerospace inserts and other OEM applications requiring a self-extinguishing adhesive. It passes the UL94-V0 burn test and the U.S....

Aid for car-parts processing.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... MoldWiz INT-435PAD, a process aid from Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, improves color consistency and enhances throughput in the manufacture of plastic automotive parts. Designed to improve dispersion of fillers and pigments and increase...

Tough polycarbonate sheet.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Makrolon WG (window grade) sheet, an amorphous thermoplastic made from Bayer's Makrolon polycarbonate, is reportedly ideal for use in a variety of applications, ranging from containment to fabricated parts. Offered by Sheffield Plastics, the...

"Green" stabilizers for wire and cable.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Therm-Chek RC 376P and Therm-Chek RC 377P are calcium-zinc powder stabilizers designed to replace tribasic lead sulfate on a part-for-part basis in general-purpose wire and cable-jacketing applications. From the Polymer Additives Division of...

Polycarbonate for cleanrooms.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Producing silicon wafers for semiconductors is an exacting task, requiring the cleanest of environments. In cleanroom operations, where plastics are used in a variety of applications, even slight levels of contamination from outgassing can...

Prepolymers improve through-cure.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Suprasec 2344 prepolymers from Huntsman Polyurethanes reportedly provide an improved through-cure in thicker adhesive layers. They offer to adhesives and coatings formulators--particularly for the automotive, structural wood laminates, and...

TPE boasts impermeability and versatility.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... Produced in a process developed by BASF research known as "living cationic polymerization," Oppanol IBS is described as a new type of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based on styrene and isobutene; applications are said to include adhesives and...

High-visibility sheet promotes safety.(Materials)
November 1, 2004... The Photoluminescent Sheet product line from RTP Co., specifically designed for the safety and egress markets, consists of glow-in-the-dark standard products that are available in roll stock or cut to length. Product offerings include a rigid...

Nanotechnology faces scrutiny over environment and toxicity.
November 1, 2004... Nanotechnology is a fast-growing field of materials development. In plastics especially, nanocomposites, i.e., resins with 2% to 5% loadings of nanoclays or carbon nanotubes, are an important new means of upgrading physical properties. Key...

Cost-cutting composites: developments in automotive composites focus on profitability.
November 1, 2004... Fortunately, the cost pressures faced by automotive OEMs and their suppliers haven't stalled the development of new composite materials, processes, and applications. This was evident throughout the 36 presentations (some of which are summarized...

Additives Annual: stretching the envelope for new gains.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... The plastics additives industry continues turning out new products to improve the appearance, processability, and performance of polymers. Numerous developments in colorants and other aesthetic property modifiers provide more ways to...

Colorants and additives enhance wood/plastics composites.
November 1, 2004... A variety of colorants and additives have been developed to enhance the appearance and processability of wood/plastics composites and improve WPC performance. Ferro Polymer Additives Division teamed up with the company's Colorants Division to...

Horizons made to order.
November 1, 2004... More years ago than I care to admit I visited a polyolefin-polymerization plant. It was impressive. People were dwarfed by the multi-story plant. Many pipes were running into the plant on one side, and railroad cars were being loaded on the...

RRIM system: modernizing a classic look.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... Challenged to modernize the 2005 Ford GT while preserving the auto's 1960s image, Ford design and engineering teams found Bayer MaterialScience LLC's Bayflex 180 RRIM (reinforced reaction injection molding) system well suited to the task....

Airbag part withstands hard hits.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... Molded from BASF's Ultramid B3ZG6 toughened nylon, a small piece of plastic plays an important supporting role in a new side airbag system developed by TRW Automotive Corp. The 10-cm-long, 4-cm-diameter component is part of the airbag's...

Tire wheel's support ring goes the extra miles.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... Dow Polyurethanes reports that its support ring for PAX System technology debuted in the Honda Odyssey at the September 2004 Paris International Auto Show. The PAX system, Dow says, is the only "run-flat" tire made with a polyurethane support...

PET bracket: an auto industry "first".(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... The second generation 2004 Dodge Durango SUV and Dakota pickup are said to feature the first use of plastic--specifically, Rynite PET from DuPont--to reinforce noncrash body panels. The resin is used to mold a bracket located between the inner...

PPA connector resists heat of assembly process.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... A 190-pin header connector for use in an automotive underhood application is molded from an Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA) material provided by Solvay Advanced Polymers. Designed by Tyco Electronics, the connector is part of a power-control...

Thermoformed sheet for planes and trains.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... GE Advanced Materials reports that its Ultem sheet is finding use by manufacturers of airplanes and trains for demanding interior applications based on the material's compliance with flame, smoke, and toxicity regulations combined with its...

Embossed vinyl decking.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... Kroy Building Products has introduced a new embossed deck surface, which it is adopting as the new standard for its Classic Manor vinyl deck product. Structurally identical to the previous standard in all aspects except the surface finish, the...

TPEs cater to medical and food-contact applications.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... Ticona's Riteflex MT9000 series of copolyester thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are certified for use in drug-delivery systems, medical devices, pharmaceutical, and other health-care applications, and in repeat-use food-contact applications. The...

More assistance for duffers.(Products & Applications)
November 1, 2004... The new "Peek-a-Boo" golf putter from Ram, Inc. (Cisco, Texas), incorporates a light-emitting guidance system based on an RTP Company specialty compound. The material, an RTP Series 300 precolored polycarbonate compound, uses an edge glow color...

SPE's Thermoforming 2004: win manufacturing's 2004 challenge with Team Thermoforming.
November 1, 2004... "Team Thermoforming" claimed top spot among the imposing list of teams that call the city of Indianapolis home--e.g., the NBA's Pacers and the NFL's Colts--at the 14th annual Thermoforming Conference and Exhibition, sponsored by the SPE...

Threading a fine wire.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... With capabilities for automatically threading and machining with wire as small as 0.00078 inch (0.02 mm) in diameter, the UP J-2 EDM machine from Makino is said to meet the needs of the micro-miniature machining market segments that require...

Release for artistic molded parts.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... Semipermanent mold release Xtend 19MDR, from Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, is reported to significantly increase the life of RTV (room-temperature vulcanizing) silicone molds used to manufacture decorative architectural components (e.g.,...

Improved tooling for wood/polymer compounds.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... Processors of wood/polymer compounds (WPC) for applications such as decks, playground equipment, all-weather flooring, furniture, and accessory items have often encountered the difficulties of wide tolerance variations, warping, twisting,...

Robot thinks "big".(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... Able to operate at the side of extremely large injection molding machines, the Raptor 4000 Series of robots--the most recently introduced members of Automated Assemblies Corp.'s Raptor line of servo-robots--is engineered for molding...

Static charge removal.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... To remove static throughout the production of PET bottles--without air assist--Ion Industrial has developed the Virtual AC Intelligent Static Neutralizer. Using high-performance, stationary static-neutralizing bars, the system achieves its goal...

Space-saving feeder.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... The Metatech direct-drive volumetric screw feeder for metering of powders, pellets, flakes, and agglomerates, from Metalfab, Inc., features a small (16- x 14-inch) footprint. Specifically designed for operating efficiency and flexibility, the...

Fill system for sequential molding.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... In order to achieve uniform fill conditions during the molding process, it is necessary to compensate for viscosity changes that commonly occur. Large molded parts are often injected sequentially, and therefore the hot-runner nozzles are opened...

Textile insertion and handling.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... Developing an integrated system for in-mold textile insertion for automotive parts, such as A, B, and C columns and interior door panels, was a joint project of molding-machine manufacturer Demag, moldmaker "pgam" Advanced Technologies, and...

Machinery adjustments simplified.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... The Microshim, an adjustable shim for use in production plants, machine shops, utilities, and other industrial facilities where machinery must be precisely adjusted or leveled, is a compact device that is easy to use, versatile, and low cost,...

Ultrasonic welding system.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... For applications in the automotive, medical, packaging, computer, toy, and data and telecommunications industries, Stapla Ultrasonics has designed the K35-XT ultrasonic plastic welding system that combines a rigid cast alloy column for weld...

Die for producing nine-layer film.(Machinery & Processing)
November 1, 2004... A nine-layer film line is reportedly of special benefit in the manufacture of high-barrier structures, especially for food packaging. The additional layers permit use of a larger spectrum of resins, thus expanding performance. Incorporation of...

Twin-screw extruder recalls the "basics".(Machinery & Processing)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Berstorff's new ZE Basic Series twin-screw extruders embrace standardized applications, such as the manufacture of color masterbatch or the incorporation of reinforcing materials or mineral fillers. With its high degree of standardization of...

Chevron Phillips must pay $1.8m for chemical-plant explosions.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency have announced a settlement agreement with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company requiring the Woodlands, Texas-based company to pay a $1.8-million civil penalty for Clean Air Act...

Product-authentication system receives upgrade.(Industry News)(Microtrace LLC,)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Minneapolis-based Microtrace, LLC, has announced enhancements to its Microtaggant Identification Particle technology that boost its power to detect counterfeiting and unauthorized distribution of branded plastic products as well as address...

SPE is among the donors to Penn College Program.(Industry News)
November 1, 2004... A new program launched by Pennsylvania College of Technology to point high-school students toward careers in the plastics industry has received financial support from SPE and from a number of Pennsylvania companies. With these funds, the...

TPM&F Division announces ANTEC Best Paper Awards.(Industry News)
November 1, 2004... The SPE Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division's ANTEC 2004 Best Paper Awards were announced at a Dow Plastics-hosted ceremony held at the company's R&D Center in Freeport, Texas. The authors were presented with certificates and cash awards....

Eastman heralds evolution in PET manufacturing.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Eastman Chemical Company (Kingsport, Tenn.) has announced IntegRex, a "breakthrough technology" for the manufacture of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin that will help the company meet growing market demand for PET packaging. The company...

Techmer Lehvoss Compounds, LLC, and DSM Engineering Plastics (Evansville, Ind.) have announced an agreement whereby TLC will acquire a select range of DSM's specialty compounds, including the Electrafil and Plaslube product lines, effective Oct. 1, 2004.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Techmer Lehvoss Compounds, LLC, and DSM Engineering Plastics (Evansville, Ind.) have announced an agreement whereby TLC will acquire a select range of DSM's specialty compounds, including the Electrafil and Plaslube product lines, effective...

BBA Fiberweb.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., BBA Fiberweb has announced the acquisition of Tenotex S.p.A. of Terno d' Isola, Italy.

Bowles Fluidics Corp.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Columbia, Md.-based supplier of automotive washer nozzles Bowles Fluidics Corp. has announced the opening of its Asian branch office in Yokohama, Japan.

Fortron Industries, a joint venture of Ticona (Summit, N.J.) and Kureha Chemicals Industries Co., has approved a 20% capacity increase for Fortron polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) at the Wilmington, N.C. plant, slated for the second half of 2005.(Expansions)
November 1, 2004... Fortron Industries, a joint venture of Ticona (Summit, N.J.) and Kureha Chemicals Industries Co., has approved a 20% capacity increase for Fortron polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) at the Wilmington, N.C. plant, slated for the second half of 2005....

Zeus, Inc.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Orangeburg, S.C.-based provider of precision polymer extruded tubing Zeus, Inc., has expanded production capacity at its Aiken, S.C., location. The company now has 85,000 [ft.sup.2] of manufacturing space.

Polyfab Corp.(ISO/QS Certification)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The following has received ISO Certification: Polyfab Corp., Sheboygan, Wis., ISO 9001:2000.

Kortec, Inc., of Ipswich, Mass., has teamed with Uniloy Milacron (Manchester, Mich.) to offer new turnkey coinjection blow-molding systems designed specifically to produce multilayer bottles and packaging for medical/pharmaceutical applications.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Kortec, Inc., of Ipswich, Mass., has teamed with Uniloy Milacron (Manchester, Mich.) to offer new turnkey coinjection blow-molding systems designed specifically to produce multilayer bottles and packaging for medical/pharmaceutical...

Agr*TopWave LLC of Butler, Pa., and Plastic Technologies Inc. (PTI), based in Holland, Ohio, have collaborated to develop 100% real-time closed-loop control for PET container blow-molding systems.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Agr*TopWave LLC of Butler, Pa., and Plastic Technologies Inc. (PTI), based in Holland, Ohio, have collaborated to develop 100% real-time closed-loop control for PET container blow-molding systems. The companies merged Agr*TopWave's PETWall...

Bayer MaterialScience AG.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Bayer MaterialScience AG (Leverkusen, Germany) reports that work is now under way on two projects representing an investment of some $200 million to increase the company's competitiveness in China. By 2006, a production facility for the coating...

Teknor Color.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Teknor Color has built a pilot blow-molding plant at its headquarters in Rhode island aimed at providing plastic (PP, PE, PET) bottle manufacturers with a single source for color concentrates.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.(Price Changes)
November 1, 2004... Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., of Lehigh Valley, Pa., has implemented a 4% price increase, effective Nov. 1, 2004, on "all epoxy lines sold into the North American region"--which, the company says, will amount to approximately $0.05/lb to...

The Dow Chemical Company.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich., has announced price increases, effective Oct. 1, 2004, in the U.S. and Canada, as follows: for pure and polymeric MDI products sold into the flexibles, CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, and...

Dow Epoxy Products and Intermediates.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Dow Epoxy Products and Intermediates has announced epoxy resin price increases for North America, effective Oct. 1 or as contracts allow, as follows: liquid epoxy resins (D.E.R.* 300 series)--$0.10/lb; solid epoxy resins (D.E.R. 600)--$0.10/lb;...

Great Lakes Chemical Corp.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Indianapolis-based Great Lakes Chemical Corp. reports that it is increasing off-list prices for Great Lakes DE-83 (decabromodiphenyloxide) flame retardant by $0.20/kg worldwide, effective for all shipments Nov. 1, 2004, or where contracts...

Rohm and Haas.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Rohm and Haas Plastics Additives business has announced that it is raising prices in Europe (effective Oct. 1) for its Paraloid impact modifiers and processing aids, Advastab stabilizers, Advalube lubricants, and Advawax waxes to help...

Elhart, Ind.-based FlexForm Technologies LLC, a manufacturer of biocomposites used for automotive trim.(Representative)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Elhart, Ind.-based FlexForm Technologies LLC, a manufacturer of biocomposites used for automotive trim, has named Bianchi Public Relations of Troy, Mich., as its PR agency of record.

Plastic Engineering & Technical Services.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Plastic Engineering & Technical Services of Auburn Hills, Mich., announces that that this year marks the company's 20th anniversary of providing the plastics industry with equipment such as hot-runner systems, valve gate sequencers, and...

Degussa AG.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Based in Dusseldorf, Germany, Degussa AG has announced that it will offer its phenolic antioxidants under the single Ionol brand, which is registered by Degussa. The two brand names Ionox and Ralox, which had also been used until now, will be...

Plextronics.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Pittsburgh-based provider of inherently conductive polymers Plextronics announces that it has been named to the "InnovationWorld 21," a list of the top 21 companies deemed by business intelligence company InnovationWorld to be "poised for...

Duncan to retire from SPI.(SPI News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SPI President Donald K. Duncan will retire as the association's staff leader during the first quarter of 2005. Duncan joined the plastics industry trade association in February 2000. "Although we hate to see Don leave, we are grateful for all...

SPI celebrates "Fantastic" grand opening.(SPI News)(Society of the Plastics Industry)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... On October 1, 2004, SPI officially cut the ribbon on its "Fantastic Plastics Works" exhibit at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot[R] at the Walt Disney World[R] Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Joining SPI for the landmark event were representatives from a...

SPI's congressional plant tours continue in Pennsylvania.(SPI News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SPI member Edlon, a manufacturer of engineered polymers and fluoropolymer materials, recently welcomed U.S. Representative Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.-16th) for a tour of its Avondale, Pa., facility. During the tour, Edlon president Rick Merluzzi spoke...

SPI/OSHA alliance produces comprehensive training CD.(SPI News)(Society of the Plastics Industry)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SPI has compiled on CD a collection of machine-safety training materials that were distributed at no cost to attendees of Plastics USA 2004, September 28-30, 2004, in Chicago. The train-the-trainer materials were developed over the last year...

FBF plays key role in Passage of California "bag law".(SPI News)(Film & Bag Federation)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... In September, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law SB. 1749, a bill that prohibits plastic-bag manufacturers from claiming their bags are degradable, biodegradable, or compostable unless the material meets strict...

Teknor Color.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Louis R. Cappucci, a vice president of Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., has been named vice president, business manager, for Teknor Color Co.

ABB.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... ABB Inc., New Berlin, Wis., has announced Richard C. Hepperla has been named senior vice president and general manager of low-voltage drives.

Chemline.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Frank McCracken has been appointed to the position of controller & operations manager, and John Henningsen has been named brand marketing manager for Chemline Inc., St. Louis.

Rohm and Haas.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, has announced the appointment of Bruce D. Hoechner to general manager for the Consumer and Industrial Specialties business in North America, and Dr. Peter E. Holmes as global business development & strategic...

Brown Machine.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Brown Machine LLC, Beaverton, Mich., has appointed Jason Winans manager of continuous thermoforming.

Atofina.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Atofina Chemicals, Inc., Philadelphia, has expanded the role of Andre Berry as worldwide market manager, oil & gas, to include the marketing and development of Rilsan polyamide 11 resins in natural gas distribution systems. Also, Ken...

Bamberger Polymers.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Lawrence M. Ubertini has been appointed CEO for Bamberger Polymers Inc., Jericho, N.Y.

Parkinson Technologies.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Parkinson Technologies Inc., Woonsocket, R.I., has appointed Amy Creighton operations manager.

EPCO.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... EPCO Machinery LLC, Fremont, Ohio, has announced the appointment of David Will to regional sales manager covering Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois areas.

Ticona.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Ticona, Florence, Kentucky, has announced the appointment of three new directors. Michael Oberste-Wilms has been named European sales director; Gregor Bommel has taken over global responsibility for the Topas COC business line, effective...

LINPAC.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... LINPAC, Georgetown, Ky., has announced the addition of Jonathan W. Kitchen as quality assurance manager.

BYK-Gardner.(Personnel)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Jay Kunick has been hired as regional sales manager covering the Michigan and northern Indiana territories for BYK-Gardner, Columbia, Md.

Obituaries.(Personnel)(Obituary)
November 1, 2004... SPE mourns the passing of Jack G. High, member emeritus of the Chicago Section, and Larry B. Swanson of the Cleveland Section. SPE notes with sorrow of the passing of Robert C. Ringwood, a fellow of the Society and a member since 1959. He...

SPE conferences.(Upcoming Events)(Society of Plastics Engineers)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... Dec. 2. SPE's Rapid Design, Engineering and Moldmaking Conference. Site: Frankfurt, Germany. Subject: Reduce Time to Market. Contact: SPE Europe, Bistkapellei 44, BE-2180 Antwerpen, Belgium. Phone: +32 (0) 3 541 77 55, fax: +32 (0) 3 541 84 25,...

SPE seminars.(Upcoming Events)(Society of Plastics Engineers)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... Contact: SPE's Customer Relations Department, at (203) 740-5403, or e-mail seminars@4spe.org. For further information on seminars or workshops, visit www.4spe.org/conferenceseminar.htm.

SPE meetings.(Upcoming Events)(Society of Plastics Engineers)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... Dec. 3. SPE's Ontario Section. Site: Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. Subject: Christmas Gala Dinner Dance. Contact: Ron Fisk at ron.fisk@univarcanada.com, or Paul Waller at paul@plasticstouchpoint.com. Dec. 7. SPE's Quebec Section. Subject:...

Other upcoming events.(Upcoming Events)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... Dec. 8 & 9. Sheet and Flat Film Extrusion Conference, hosted by Plastics Technology magazine and Polymer Process Communications. Site: Miami, Fla. Contact: Melissa Lynch, Polymer Process Communications, at (908) 604-4213, fax: (908) 604-4214,...