
Category
Plastics Processes

PURGING: Turning up the heat on super-engineering resins
Expensive, high-temperature resins are almost the norm these days for some molders. But what shouldn’t be the
norm is using standard commercial purging compounds to try to remove them from your processing machines. Here’s the right way to purge super-engineering resins.
Negri Bossi partners for PPM production in Italy
The injection molding machine maker is working with Italian plastics processor Complastic Srl to help Complastic design and produce personal protective equipment for the COVID-19 crisis.
Barnes Group projects sales to drop more than 20% in Q2 for industrial units
The Bristol, Conn.-based company said first-quarter sales in its industrial businesses, which include its plastics-related units, automation, engineered components, and motion controls, fell 18 per cent to US$199.1 million.

New technique uses fluorescent dye to identify aging polymers
Researchers have developed a method to visualize variations in polymers that arise with age, allowing for the possibility detect and replace aged parts before they fail.
Engel and Austrian packaging companies team up to found “Packaging with a Future” platform
The platform is intended to improve public awareness in the meaningful use of packaging.

Uncolour your world with the right commercial purging compounds
As important as it is to put colour into plastic, it’s just as important to remove it when the time is right, since any streaking in a new production schedule can render thousands of parts worthless. CPCs were made for this.
Kautex Maschinenbau appoints new global sales manager for the packaging division
The Bonn, Germany-based blow molding equipment manufacturer has named industry veteran Michael Müller to the position.
SPE’s virtual Antec draws more than 3,300 participants
The event ran from March 30 to May 5, with attendees logging into day-long keynote presentations and technical sessions.

Fully injection molded test swabs enter human trials for COVID-19
Researchers at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University have designed the new nasopharyngeal swab, and the benefit is that it can be manufactured quickly and inexpensively at high volume.

Ohio molder Pragmatic Manufacturing partners with Wittmann to make healthcare parts
Wittmann Battenfeld worked remotely with Pragmatic to hep them produce 1 million face shields for front-line health care workers in the state, in just five weeks.

KraussMaffei produces facial visors for regional institutions in Hannover, Germany
The visors offer simple protection against COVID-19 droplet infection.
Engel and Haidlmair partner in quick response to face mask shortage
Engel has teamed up with its longtime business partner Haidlmair to improve the supply of face masks worldwide.

Chinaplas 2020 cancelled, rescheduled for April 2021 in Shenzhen
The show will now be held from April 13–16, 2021, at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
KraussMaffei re-opens in Germany after COVID-19 pause
As of April 20, work has resumed gradually “in compliance with the strictest hygiene measures,” the company said in a press release.
Wittmann, Engel restart production in Austria
Both companies are bringing production back online at facilities in Austria after having shut down due to COVID-19 fears.

Kautex produces 320-litre hydrogen liner in blow molding process
With a volume of 320 litres, the polyamide liner for hydrogen pressure vessels is an industry first, Kautex officials said.
Medical tubing makers ramp up production to meet demand for ventilators
Graham Engineering Corp. is accelerating delivery of extruders to address the in production by medical tubing manufacturers.

Wittmann Battenfeld USA cancels open house and technical symposium
The event had been scheduled to take place on September 24-25, 2020, at the company’s facility in Torrington, Conn.
UK plastics industry gets involved in fight against COVID-19
Plastics processors are supplying needed items and the British Plastics Federation has been liaising with key UK government departments.
Plastics Industry Association names three new vice presidents
The U.S.-based industry association is strengthening its organizational leadership with the announcement of three new executive appointments.