Reducing Workers Comp Claims
Higher claim percentages often translate to higher rates for adequate insurance coverage, but insurance rates aren’t the only reason to dread workers compensation claims. For every claim filed, at least one employee is off the job for a day, week, or much longer. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2,300 cases reported in the plastics manufacturing industry (23 percent of total cases) in 2006 involved employees away from work for 31 or more days. An extended absence can mean that a highly-skilled employee has been replaced by an employee with less training, compromising output quality. Industry peers provide solutions in this article: Read More

Using Real-time Information to Drive Efficiency
In the realm of demand-driven manufacturing, where you must consistently do more with less, real-time information from the shop floor is imperative to prevent problems, drive quality, and enable the flexibility your customers require. Left unchecked, issues like downtime, poor machine performance, scrap, and overruns can quickly erode your profit. Find out how using an enterprise system that works in unison with real-time shop floor data can uncover these issues and your operation into a ‘lean’ machine: Read More

Search Engine Optimization Increases Web Traffic
New forms of Internet marketing can be used by any company to expand its market share, minimize expenses for prospecting, help build brand equity, and achieve a very high return on investment. Are you doing all you can to make your company easy to find on the web? Read More

The Latest...

IQMS Posts Double-Digit Profitability, New Customer Gains for 2008
IQMS, Paso Robles, Calif., announced that it closed 2008 with double-digit profitability and a ten percent increase in new customer accounts. Even as manufacturing markets have tightened, IQMS has accumulated revenue gains for several years, demonstrating the company’s value to manufacturing industries worldwide, including medical devices, automotive, aerospace, plastics, and consumer goods. Founded in 1989, IQMS provides ERP solutions that drive supply chain excellence and help manufacturers achieve leaner, more cost-effective operations. For more information, call (805) 227-1122 or visit www.iqms.com.

Sepro America Offers New Axxess Beam Robots
Sepro America LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa., now offers new configurations of the economical Axess Range of servo-driven beam robots to give molders up to 33 percent greater vertical reach, along with new safety and convenience features normally available only on high-end robots. The new Axess 22 has a standard vertical stroke of 1400 mm (55 inches) with 1600 mm (64 inches) available. That’s 200 mm or 8 inches of additional stroke than previously available on this size of robot. The Axess 33 has a standard vertical stroke of 1600mm, with 1800mm (70 inches) available. Telescoping arms, which are ideal for low-ceiling applications, also are available on both the Axess 22 and 33. The vertical stroke on the smaller Axess 11 remains 1000mm (38 inches)… no change from the previous Axess 10 model. Ideal for simple pick-and-place applications on smaller molding machines, the Axess Series is a line of 3-axis servo-driven Sepro robots that offers high-performance capabilities at a price below most other 3-axis servo robots. Features include, Axess “Touch” controls with simple pick and place programming capability; simultaneous motion on all three axes; multiple vacuum and pressure circuits to allow degating, selective part placement and other functions; and quick disconnects for fast changeovers. For more information, call (412-459-0450) or visit www.seproamerica.com.

Clariant Masterbatches Shows Class VI Colors for Medical Applications
Plastics processors and developers of medical and pharmaceutical products can now specify color masterbatches and compounded resins that have been specially formulated for use in medical applications. Clariant Masterbatches Division is developing a global network of sites capable of producing its medical product lines under stringent conditions. Investments in three plants – in United States, North Europe and Singapore – give customers access to a team of specialists who can help with product development and regulatory approval. Because this network is global, it is ideal for international companies that need a reliable way to transfer formulations and manage production in multiple regions. These new Clariant Masterbatches capabilities are being featured in Booth #1450 at the MD&M-West show being held in Anaheim, CA, February 10 – 12, 2009. The medical masterbatches and compounds incorporate pigments and resins that have been tested and certified compliant with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Class VI standards. The Clariant medical masterbatches can be used in both injection-molding and extrusion processes used to make medical devices, as well as pharmaceutical and medical packaging. They may be evaluated for applications involving skin contact and short-term drug, body or body-fluid contact where exposure time is less than 30 days in length. For more information, contact Laurie Reid at (401) 438-4080 or email laurie.reid@clariant.com.