Plastics Engineering articles from October 2006

Plastics Engineering archives from October 2006

Masterbatch for WPC includes biocide.(Teknor Color introduces TEK Deck Pro as the first biocide-containing color master-batch for wood-plastic composite decks)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Teknor Color (Pawtucket, R.I.) has introduced TEK Deck Pro as the first biocide-containing color master-batch for wood-plastic composite (WPC) decks and similar applications. Combining color and UV absorber with Rohm and Haas's Vinyzene...

Shrink film with COC combines strength, soft shrink.(Sealed Air Corp. uses cyclic olefin copolymer )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... A new shrink film from Sealed Air Corp. (www.sealedair.com) that uses Topas cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) in its multilayer, coextruded fabrication, is said to exhibit soft shrink at temperatures from 150[degrees]F to 400[degrees]F with no loss...

New Lexans target electronics.(GE Plastics developes a new family of Lexan polycarbonate resins)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... GE Plastics (Pittsfield, Mass.) has developed a new family of Lexan polycarbonate (PC) resins featuring superior scratch resistance for demanding electronics applications. Providing better surface hardness than standard PC, the company says,...

New TPUs for extrusion.(Merquinsa unveiles new extrusion grades of Pearlthane thermoplastic urethanes)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... At the FIP show (9th International Plastics Industry Exhibition) held in Oyonnax, France, in June, Merquinsa (Barcelona, Spain) unveiled new extrusion grades of Pearlthane TPU (thermoplastic urethanes): * Pearlthane...

Pure-black composite wears well.(Norplex-Micarta introduces a thermoset composite, MC844G)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Norplex-Micarta (Postville, Iowa) has introduced a pure-black thermoset composite said to provide superior wear resistance. MC844G is constructed from a high-quality black-paper substrate and a black phenolic resin, suiting it for a variety of...

Silanes simplify compounding of crosslinked PE.(Dow Coming Corp. designs preblended silanes for crosslinking polyethylene)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Dow Coming (Midland, Mich.) has designed a family of preblended silanes for crosslinking polyethylene (PE) to simplify compounding for pipe or wire and cable insulation applications. These preblended silanes include peroxide, so the user need...

Clarifier for LLDPE film.(Techmer PM L.L.C. developes a masterbatch additive, PM13199 clarifier)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Techmer PM (Clinton, Tenn.) has developed a masterbatch additive that is said to cut haze by as much as 50% in LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) film packaging. PM13199 clarifier allows film extruders to gain the strength/toughness...

For high-temp applications.(Victrex USA Inc. introduces T-Series of proprietary blended products and signed a licensee agreement with PBI Performance Products)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Based in Greenville, S.C., Victrex, Inc., has introduced the T-Series of proprietary blended products based on its own PEEK polymer and Celazole polybenzimidazole (PBI) from PBI Performance Products of Charlotte, N.C. The T-Series offers...

Antistat compounds meet ATEX standards.(RTP Co. announces PermaStat Plus antistatic compounds with improved electrical properties )
October 1, 2006... RTP Company (Winona, Minn.) announces PermaStat Plus antistatic compounds with improved electrical properties vs. the company's PermaStat line. Designed to meet the strict conductive requirements set by the European Union's ATEX Directive...

Scented packaging.(Eastman Chemical Co. uses new packaging called Chocolatine)
October 1, 2006... A marketing concept launched by Eastman Chemical (Kingsport, Tenn.) uses the company's Glass Polymer specialty copolyester to deliver encapsulated fragrances in packaging for the cosmetics and personal-care markets. Called Chocolatine, the...

Compounded polyolefins for cars.(ExxonMobil Chemical Co. introduces compounded polypropylene for automotive industry, Exxpol Enhance PP and premium reactor thermoplastic polyolefins)
October 1, 2006... Houston-based ExxonMobil Chemical Company has introduced a line of compounded polypropylene (PP) for the automotive industry. Exxpol Enhance PP and premium reactor thermoplastic polyolefins (TPOs) are used for bumper fascias, step pads, and...

Composite increases sunroof safety.(DuPont Automotive Co. launches composite of polyvinyl butyral and polyethylene terephthalate, spallshield for vehicle sunroofs )
October 1, 2006... A composite of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with an additional antiscratch hard coating on the PET, Spallshield for vehicle sunroofs was launched by DuPont as a new alternative to pure organic plastic glazing or...

A growing family of metallic acrylic sheet.(Cyro Industries adds Sand Drift and Brushed Aluminum pattern to its sterling collection)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Cyro Industries, a subsidiary of Degussa based in Rockaway, N.J., has added Sand Drift and Brushed Aluminum patterns to its Sterling Collection of Acrylite acrylic sheet. By extending the collection--which includes Shards, Confetti, Radial,...

Due diligence and common sense reduce exposure to product liability.
October 1, 2006... A product-liability suit is the 800-pound gorilla every processor and OEM fears when doing business. While chances of product or component failure are statistically remote for companies utilizing good manufacturing practices and product...

Bioplastics are fruitful and multiply; plant-based and degradable polymers draw big crowds, but can they deliver?
October 1, 2006... Even casual observation reveals intense interest in biopolymers; just consider the NPE attendees in June who clustered around the booths of companies offering these materials. Or consider the International Degradable Plastics Symposium,...

Thermoforming: new advances for an old process.
October 1, 2006... One of the oldest plastics processes, thermoforming continues claiming new territory from other processes and materials, including compression-molded thermosets and injection-molded thermoplastics. The thermoforming industry is broad-based,...

Patents of interest.(Reinforced Shrink Wrap, Fuel Tanks, Liquid crystal displays get patent rights)
October 1, 2006... The patent is a legal document giving the holder a license to capitalize on his or her invention without competition for a few years. In exchange, the holder teaches us the basis of the invention. The patent is forward-looking, representing a...

Library of CAD parts.(D-M-E Co. provides latest version of CAD Part Library)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The D-M-E Co. reports that more than 75 trillion mold combinations are available through its CAD Part Library CD, version 5.0. The library enables design engineers and molders to utilize a single resource for part availability, specification,...

Flexible conveyors.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)
October 1, 2006... The DynaCon System of conveyors from Dynamic Conveyor Corp. can be reconfigured, expanded, contracted, or relocated in a matter of minutes, and accessories and options can be integrated on an as-needed basis, the company says. Constructed of...

Don't lose valuable material.(Bunting Magnetics Co., Plastic EKS Series Electrostatic Separators)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Plastic EKS Series Electrostatic Separators from Bunting Magnetics Co. can sort plastics, separate unwanted contaminants from plastics, or produce new product from valuable raw material, says the company. The separators, which rely on the...

Terminal enclosure for screw plugs.(Chromalox Inc., E4TP screw-plug terminal)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The E4TP screw-plug terminal enclosure has a "1/4 turn-twist" lid that opens into a comfortable termination connection workspace. The included O-ring gasket provides a watertight seal when the lid is reattached and secured with the self-tapping...

Control in a single package.(Watlow Electric Manufacturing Co., EZ-Zone ST integrated control loop )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The EZ-Zone ST integrated control loop from Watlow combines temperature control, power control, safety shutdown, and power disconnect in a single package. It features a PID temperature controller already connected to a high-amperage,...

Six-axis robots with a long reach.( Kuka Robotics Corp. designs KR5 Sixx robot family)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The KR5 Sixx robot family from Kuka Robotics Corp. is designed for applications requiring six-axis functionality for long-reach tasks. When combined with Kuka's PC-based control platform, the new robots are able to perform pick and place,...

Machining medical implants.(Mikron Corp., Agie Charmilles Corp., ProdMed systems)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... For the manufacture of medical implants (including dental and orthopedic devices) and medical equipment (including surgical and general instruments), the ProdMed line of machining centers offers the reliability, traceability, and accuracy that...

Modular control system.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)
October 1, 2006... RKC Instrument has introduced the SRZ DIN rail-mounted, high-density modular control system with a sample cycle time of 250 ms, providing an accuracy of 0.2%. The control method is selectable between position proportional control and cascade...

Two parts, two materials, one machine.(Ferromatik Milacron Inc., Foboha introduce twin turning-cube stack mold system, K-Tec injection molding machine)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Ferromatik Milacron and Foboha, partners in two-component/process-integration technologies, have introduced a twin turning-cube stack mold system that is intended for the manufacture of high-volume packaging and medical, personal-care,...

Increased efficiency for injection molding.(Fimmtech Inc. introduces Nautilus software )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Fimmtech's recently introduced Nautilus software guides the user through the development of an injection-molding process, based on the scientific principles underlying the key process variables, and assists in the documentation of part quality...

Right-angle beam bender.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)
October 1, 2006... Pinpoint Laser Systems has introduced the 90-Line, a right-angle beam bender that takes the reference laser beam from the Microgage 2000 and turns it precisely 90[degrees]. The 90-Line can be used to square machinery and equipment; set and...

Control system aids sprue pickers and single-axis robots.(Wittmann Inc., SA7 microprocessor control system )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Wittmann reports that its SA7 microprocessor control system was designed to heighten the performance of its line of W 702 sprue pickers and W 710 single-axis servo-driven pneumatic linear robots. Compared with traditional controllers that...

Water-temperature control.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)
October 1, 2006... The Hydrotherm II circulating-water-temperature-control system from Mokon is said to be the first to feature stainless steel as the main component for wetted surfaces. Compact and portable, and occupying approximately 2 sq ft of floor space,...

Velsicol additives network expands into Asia.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Velsicol Chemical Corp., headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., announces that it is forming a joint venture with Wuhan Youji Industries Co. Ltd. to produce and market benzoate esters and polymeric plasticizers in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China....

Ferro divests Specialty-Plastics business.(Wind Point Partners acquired Ferro Corp Specialty Plastics business )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Ferro Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio, has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Specialty Plastics business to the Chicago-based private equity investment firm Wind Point Partners. The sale is scheduled to close in third-quarter 2006. The...

Dow closes LDPE plant in Canada.(low-density polyethylene facility closed)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) has announced it is closing its LDPE (low-density polyethylene)-production facility in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, in September 2006. Closure is "unavoidable," says Dow, because of the suspension of...

Chemtura enters venture in Japan; boosts plasticizer capacity in U.S.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Based in Middlebury, Conn., Chemtura Corp. has announced an agreement with Hakuto Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan), to work jointly on polymerization inhibitors for styrene monomer-refining processes. According to Chemtura, Hakuto's Hakutol...

DSM announces construction plans.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... DSM of The Netherlands announces that it will construct two new facilities at its Chemelot site in Geleen, The Netherlands, to produce Stanyl polyamide 46 (PA 46) and Stamylan UH polyethylene. Intended to double DSM's production capacity for...

Clariant and Songwon end antioxidants deal.(Clariant International Ltd. and Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. partnership ends)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Clariant International Ltd. (Muttenz, Switzerland) and Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. (Ulsan, Korea) have said that they will terminate their cooperative agreement on antioxidants as of Jan. 31, 2008. Until that date, Clariant will continue to...

Ciba sets up help desk.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Ciba Specialty Chemicals (Basel, Switzerland) has launched a global technical help desk for customers of the company's plastics additives. Ciba's Plastics Additives Techline, to be staffed Mondays through Fridays in all regions, will answer all...

MIT's Mayes wins Carl S. Marvel award.(Anne Mayes awarded with 2007 Carl S. Marvel Creative Polymer Award )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Anne Mayes of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been named the winner of the 2007 Carl S. Marvel Creative Polymer Award. Professor Mayes is being recognized for her research efforts to harness general molecular assembly...

Research program yields SMC powder-primer solutions.(Ashland Composite Polymers has developed a powder prime-capable resin called Arotran 610)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... A General Motors study conducted to resolve a paint-finish problem plaguing the use of powder primer with sheet molding compound (SMC) for exterior automobile body panels has resulted in more than 40 formulations from participating companies....

Demand surges for chemically modified fillers/reinforcements.(Principia Partners )(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... According to a recent study from Principia Partners (Jersey City, N.J.; London, U.K.), the use of chemically modified fillers and reinforcements for plastics in North America has grown dramatically over the past decade, reaching almost 3...

New York firm applies for nanocomposites patent.(NaturalNano Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... NaturalNano, Inc. (Rochester, N.Y.), a nanotechnology and materials-science company that commercializes naturally occurring nanotubes, announces that it has filed a U.S. patent application for advances in the production of nanocomposites for...

Spinal implant device uses radiolucent PEEK.(Globus Medical Inc. designs corpectomy spacer device called XPand R which uses radiolucent polyetheretherketone polymer)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... Spinal-implant manufacturer Globus Medical, Inc. (Audubon, Pa.), has designed a corpectomy spacer device, called "XPand R," constructed from radiolucent PEEK (polyetheretherketone) polymer. "The first vertebral body replacement of its kind,"...

Bioplastics conference convenes in Brussels.
October 1, 2006... European Bioplastics (formerly IBAW) has announced that the First European Bioplastics Conference will be held November 21-22 in Brussels, Belgium. The conference will focus on progress made in the industrial and market development of...

Upcoming events.(events of plastic companies)(Calendar)
October 1, 2006... SPE CONFERENCES Nov. 2-3. SPE's Annual Madison Thermoset Molding Conference. Site: Madison, Wisconsin. Contact: Dale Brosius, Brosius Management Consulting, 8760 Dann Drive, Brighton, Michigan; phone 810-220-5770. Nov. 30. SPE's Modern...