Permanent and Durable Decoration with IMD
Manufacturers and retailers of nearly every type of product know the value of the decoration placed on that product. The right product decoration can lead to increased sales and a competitive advantage by standing out from other items on the shelves. Product decoration also can increase the value of the manufacturer’s brand by prominently displaying company logos and brand names. What’s more, distinctive product decoration can lead to a high level of customer satisfaction because, simply put, the products look really good! While the value of product decoration is widely recognized, an imperative question that manufacturers need to answer is, “What’s the best solution for decorating my product?” The answer to this question often hinges on one important factor - the product’s durability. Read More

The Relationship Between Mold Design and Productivity
The importance of mold design on the productivity of a tool is often overlooked in the design of a mold. Several areas in the mold design exist where the molder must work with the mold builder in order to optimize the productivity of the mold. A good standard for mold productivity is saleable parts out of the press per hour. Cycle time and part quality are the critical aspects of saleable parts per hour. The areas of design found to be most important for increased productivity are the sprue bushing, runners and gates, hot manifold, venting, cooling, and ejection. While each of these items is specific to the mold being built, good design for each can contribute to improved part quality and optimum cycle time. Read More

Investing in Energy-Saving Improvements
As more corporations respond to an anemic world economy by putting capital improvement programs on a starvation diet, the age-old question asked in every cyclical downturn surfaces anew – “Is cutting capital improvements now the right decision?” In some industries, it is. In others, like the plastics industry, it isn’t. Right now, there is a strong case for making 2009 an optimal year for plastics producers to invest in energy-saving improvements. The reasons? One is the certainty that the investment will cut a major operating expense – the cost of energy – immediately and long-term. And, cutting operating cost is one sure way to offset slowing sales. Second, the pay-back period for energy-saving initiatives is typically very short. In fact, many are cash-flow positive in the first month. Third, today’s business landscape is flush with federal-, state-, municipal-, and utility-sponsored incentive programs that make it even better for your bottom line to invest in energy-saving improvements now. Read more. 

The Latest...

Infinity CleanRoom Solutions
Infinity CleanRoom Solutions, Mt. Vernon, Ind., a wholly owned subsidiary of the IMA Group, has completed its 11,500 sq. ft. building to house a 2,000 sq. ft. ISO 7 (class 10,000) clean room and has started injection molding trials on several medical components. Infinity CleanRoom Solutions is TS 13485 registered and has two 110 presses equipped with Staubli robots in its clean room, with additional space for three more presses in the first room. The IMA Group also runs infinity Molding and Assembly on its Mt Vernon, Ind. campus. The company runs 40 machines from 35 to 610 tons servicing the automotive, industrial, medical, electronics, and transportation markets. For more information, call (812) 831-5106 or visit www.infinitycleanroom.com or IMA Group www.infinity-mai.com.

Shin-Etsu Offers Liquid Injection Molding System Material
Shin-Etsu Silicones of America (U.S. subsidiary of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Japan), Akron, Ohio, recently reintroduced the SHIN-ETSU SIFEL® 3000 Series− a new-class of perfluoropolyether based LIMS™ (Liquid Injection Molding System) material in liquid form that offers outstanding high-temperature and low-temperature stability with a chemical resistance superior to typical flouroelastomers and fluorosilicones. The SIFEL 3000 brand series is a unique, flowable liquid form fluoroelastomer that is highly versatile and keeps its elasticity even at -50ºC (-58F); which is much lower than conventional fluororubbers (Viton type rubber). The physical properties of the SIFEL liquid elastomer series are not destroyed by amines that are formulated in engine oil, etc. Additionally, products molded from SIFEL have excellent chemical resistance to a wide variety of substances including: fuels, synthetic oils, amine oil additives, and hydrocarbon polar solvents. Currently, SIFEL products have been successfully applied in the automotive, petroleum, fuel cell, and office equipment industries. For more information, call (513) 232-8917 or email ebishop@shinetsusilicones.com

Energy Calculation Software from ENGEL Analyzes Consumption
ENGEL North America, Ontario, Canada, has developed a new energy calculation software program which allows operators to view and analyze real-time energy consumption under different machine set-up parameters. The integrated energy calculator allows for the most efficient machine cycle while maintaining peak performance. Available on all new ENGEL machines equipped with CC200 A02 controllers (both hydraulic and all-electric models), molders only need to enter the shot weight into the set-up screen and the machine will automatically calculate the energy required to process the part based on the individual settings such as clamp motion, injection, cooling, parts ejection, etc. Energy values are calculated based on oil pressure and volume on hydraulic machines, and motor speeds and torque on all-electric machines. Once the machine provides three representative cycles, the measured values are compared to an extensive database, and the energy consumption calculation is provided in an intuitive and easily-understandable graphic display. For more information, visit www.engelglobal.com/na.