Features
Uncertainty Across the Board
by Mark Stephen, editorIt’s a strange time for plastics processors. Two years ago, you had the materials and not the orders; now, you have the orders but can’t always get the materials to fill them. And what the heck is going on with the U.S. and European…
Making a Mark with Liquid Colorant
by Mark Stephen, editorAny plastics processor out there who doesn’t want to gain a competitive advantage, raise your hand. Nobody, right? Well, interest in one potential advantage is on the rise: A growing number of molders are considering liquid colorants as a…
Gate Crashers
by Mark Stephen, editorFact: Valve gating has become the preferred method of gating for precision molders, offering a more stable injection process without stringing and drooling of the melt. And these are particularly interesting times for valves gates: two themes…
Four-Warned
by Mark Stephen, editorThe survey, consisting of 33 questions, was emailed in August 2012 to approximately 160 moldmakers across Canada in the Canadian Plastics database, as well as to members of the Canadian Association of Mold Makers (CAMM). We received 23…
Building (or rebuilding) A Better Materials Handling System
by Mark Stephen, editorJust like that killer double-breasted suit probably does with your wardrobe, materials represent your single largest expense as a plastics processor. You didn’t sew the suit yourself just to save a few bucks, so why scrimp on having a…
Taking a fresh look at LIQUID COLORANTS
by Canadian PlasticsAll plastics processors out there who don’t want to gain a competitive advantage, raise your hands. Nobody, right? Well, interest in one such solution is spiking right now: a growing number of processors are considering liquid colorants…
Driving into China
by Mark Stephen, editorIn a famous scene from the classic western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Paul Newman convinces Robert Redford to pull up stakes for Bolivia by telling him, “If we were in business during the California gold rush, we’d have…
LIGHTEN UP!
by Mark Stephen, editorThe war against overweight is being waged on many fronts — low-fat foods, sugar-free drinks, and gruelling P90X-style workout regimes. But what about an overweight blow molded bottle?
Plastics recycling in Canada: It’s Getting Better
by Mark Stephen, editorAt present, the post-consumer plastics industry in Canada is in a bit of a good news/bad news situation.
Copol International Ltd.
by Canadian PlasticsMost of us probably know Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island for a few specific things: the Cabot Trail, the coal industry, and maybe the Rankin Family.
Farnell Packaging Ltd.
by Canadian PlasticsIntegrated converter Farnell Packaging Ltd. isn’t just located in Dartmouth, N.S. — it developed almost literally alongside the city. Dartmouth was incorporated as a city in 1961, the same year in which the company was created by…
A Discrete Question
by Mark Stephen, editorA
A Matter of Control
by Mark Stephen, editorUnderperformance is a drag. Ever go to the movies and watch an actor clearly phoning in his lines, or to a concert and listen as the singer goes through the motions? Irritating, right? Now imagine that you’re a plastics part molder, with…
New adventures in Part Designing
by Canadian PlasticsPneumatic tube carrier makes hospital life easier WHAT: A new medical grade carrier assembly has been designed to lift the workload of hospital staff that use these carriers every day in the course of caring for patients. To be an…
The Canadian Plastics Industry Association picks a FRESH CROP of Honorees
by Canadian PlasticsPLASTICS INNOVATOR AWARD
LEADER OF THE YEAR – Paul Cohen: Film Buff
by Mark Stephen, editorFor someone who prefers to fly under the radar, Paul Cohen has a habit of making the kinds of contributions that get noticed.
Cyber attack, atom bombs and your PLC software
by Jim Anderton, Technical EditorI suppose it had to happen eventually: computer viruses have morphed from nuisances into real hazards to business data and our personal identities. For plastics processors, the silver lining
Fibre towing cables lighten up seismic research
by Canadian PlasticsUnderstanding earthquakes can take you to strange places — like the middle of the ocean, where seismic research vessels constantly deploy measuring devices, sometimes on the ends of towing cables tha…
Ultra-white alternative to black and grey data cables
by Canadian PlasticsWire manufacturers have long been trying to offer halogen-free, flame re ant cables made for high-end, direct current chargers and data cables i ny colors other than black and grey.
Renewably sourced wire jackets can take the heat
by Canadian PlasticsYou knew it was coming: renewably sourced polymers have broken into the wire and cable industry.