Plastics Engineering articles from September 2008

Plastics Engineering archives from September 2008

September PE: automotive plastics.(From SPE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Also in this issue--Blown Film: advances deliver higher throughputs, improved quality, and reduced energy consumption; Killer Plastics: antimicrobial additives reduce the threat from dangerous microbes; Robotics. a...

Robots reach for their full potential: molders can do more with these versatile device. For years, three-axis linear or Cartesian robots have served molders well for tending injection-molding machines. Still, a question remains: are molders getting optimum returns from their investments in robotic automation?(NORTH AMERICA)
September 1, 2008... To run injection-molding workcells at peak performance, robots are becoming as necessary as the mold, temperature controller, vacuum loader, and other key components, says David Preusse, president of Wittmann, Inc. (Torrington, Connecticut,...

Blowing hot and cold: advances in blown-film technology: the blown-film industry has seen rapid advances in machine technology resulting in significant improvements in quality and increased outputs. One area in particular that is making an impact is film-cooling: several new techniques are helping to accelerate throughput rates.(EUROPE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A modern blown-film line is a joy to behold: the shimmering gossamer-thin bubble issuing from a rank of thundering extruders, disappearing in a web of collapsing cages, haul-offs, and winders, to re-emerge in reels...

Automotive plastics: weight savings become more vital as fuel costs soar.(NORTH AMERICA)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The U.S. automotive industry's slump continues unabated, because of high raw-material costs and a weakened U.S. economy. The plastics segment of the automotive-parts industry has been severely affected by slowing...

Killer plastics: antimicrobial additives for polymers.(EUROPE)
September 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The term "microbe" is used as a general description for any bacteria, fungus, mould, or mildew. In one form or another, these microscopic organisms have adapted to their environments and thrive even in the harshest...

NPE2009: International Plastics Design Competition at NPE2009 will showcase innovations in components and finished products.(NORTH AMERICA)
September 1, 2008... Achievements of Processors, Designers, Toolmakers, and OEMs From Many Countries Will Reflect Show-Wide Focus on Cutting-Edge Technologies and Sustainability The first International Plastics Design Competition (IPDC) will provide an...

High-speed imaging systems find growing use in plastics: high-speed digital imaging cameras are gaining greater use in plastics manufacturing and related operations, as companies capitalize on their ability to identify and analyze flaws in microsecond increments, so product design, equipment setup, and even mold machining problems can be corrected.(NORTH AMERICA)
September 1, 2008... Developments in imaging technology and hardware are making the cameras more practical. New models are easy to run. Many are portable or readily integrated with online operations, and can be bundled with analysis software--2D and 3D...

For members only: Tech Focus.
September 1, 2008... Tech Focus, our technical e-newsletter, is another benefit of SPE membership that helps keep you up-to-date on the newest technologies, and the latest news, events, and best practices in plastics today. Tech Focus is distributed monthly via...

Industry patents: 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 horizon.
September 1, 2008... Radiofrequency Labels U.S. Patent 7,370,808 (May 13, 2008), "Method and System for Manufacturing Radio Frequency Identification Tag Antennas," David Easton (Symbol Technologies, Inc., Holtsville, New York USA.) Radiofrequency...

Europe member surcharge dropped.(EUROPE: SPE NEWS ROUNDUP)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... At SPE Europe's summer Board meeting in Brussels, it was decided to remove the surcharge that had been added to SPE Europe membership. Europe has been the only SPE region to incur a surcharge. The monies were put toward SPE Europe's operational...

EUROTEC conference.(EUROPE: SPE NEWS ROUNDUP)
September 1, 2008... The other major discussion at the Board meeting was the EUROTEC[TM] Conference to be held on 29 September to 3 October 2009. Because of financial constraints imposed by contractors at the original venue in Barcelona, Spain, it was decided to...

SPE Italy.(EUROPE: SPE NEWS ROUNDUP)(Society of plastics engineering)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I had the pleasure of attending SPE Italy's annual general meeting in Padova, and was pleased to see that the Section is thriving. A number of new activities have been planned this year and next, including a conference on recycling. The Section...

Industry events.(EUROPE)(Calendar)
September 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 Site:...

Thermo 2008 FORMING: Minneapolis, MN.
September 1, 2008... Thermo 2008 FORMING Minneapolis, MN COMPANY NAME BOOTH # AET / Advanced Extruder Technologies 426 Advanced Plastics Consultants LLC 215 Advanced Ventures in...

Industry events.(NORTH AMERICA)(Calendar)
September 1, 2008... SPE CONFERENCES Sept. 3-5. SPE's European Conference on Medical Polymers. Site: Polymer Processing Research Centre--Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Contact: SPE Europe, +1 32-3-541-77-55;...