In order to increase productivity and improve quality, it is becoming increasingly common to integrate processing operations that were previously carried out independently on separate workstations into a combined machine set. One example of this is the injection moulding of metal parts into injection moulded products, where an injection moulding system capable of tracking the speed of metal punching has been integrated into the system. Another example is welding inside the mould, which offers a beneficial solution for the production of moulded hollow bodies and for joining parts of different colours.
Two-component injection moulding has many variants, and before introducing it, it is worth considering which variant is best suited to the goal to be achieved and whether it is the most appropriate technology. One of the most important properties of injection moulding is the good adhesion between the two plastics. A German research team has been looking into the secrets of this.
Injection moulded products are increasingly coated with coatings, graphics and other decorative elements on the surface of the moulded product by means of one or more plastic films, often laminated, printed and/or varnished, often moulded to a geometry that follows the shape of the finished product, and on which the plastic is injection moulded after the mould is closed. This process, which can be more productively, economically and qualitatively improved compared to post-painting, varnishing, printing, etc., and which results in more aesthetic and robust products, is increasingly used in the automotive and consumer electronics industries, as well as in other product groups.
The versatility of the laser beam has received little attention from plastics processors. The following article, which includes application examples as well as a description of machining processes, is intended to help.
The emergence of high-temperature copolyesters is revolutionising the market for large open-air thermoformed products. It can be processed without pre-drying and with shorter cycle times than polycarbonate, which previously dominated this field.
In the thermoforming of plastic products, the close interaction between energy efficiency and productivity can significantly reduce production costs. These factors can be influenced by various methods, by changing the design of the processing machine and the processing parameters.
There have been many publications on PLA in the last few years. We have learned that it is a biopolymer, that it is produced from renewable sources and that it is biodegradable. It seems that this polymer is slowly 'catching on' and is becoming a normal raw material for plastics processing plants. But it turns out that there is still a lot we don't know about this plastic. A German research team has been investigating how it should be dried and how quickly it absorbs moisture. And additive manufacturers now offer products specifically for PLA.
The price of standard plastics temporarily strengthened in July 2011 and then fell by around 10% until December 2011, after which it increased by an average of around 12.3-26.7% until April 2012. In May, the trend reversed sharply, with prices for polyolefins falling by -18.4 and -22.3%, PVC by -10.4% and polystyrene by -5.8% until July. In August, plastics prices increased by between 3.6% and 11.9% (Table 1, Figure 1).
Among the engineering plastics with a semi-crystalline structure, the prediction of the long-term behaviour of poly(butylene terephthalate) and polyamides is important for both electrical and automotive sub-applications.
PP is still the most versatile plastic, and more and more variations are appearing on the market. This also applies to base polymers and compaunds. We present some of these new developments.
Testing plays an important role not only in product validation, but also in the development process. In both cases, it is important to keep the testing time as short as possible without compromising the usefulness of the results.
To produce a good quality product, it is necessary that the dye is easily dispersible during processing and is incorporated into the plastic mixture with a homogeneous distribution. In order to regulate the requirements and test methods for the use of colourants in the manufacture of plastic products, European and international bio-communities are developing well thought-out uniform standards.
Although the NPE exhibitions in North America are primarily aimed at the huge US market, the innovations presented there are also being shown in Europe at almost the same time. In the following article we present the latest innovations from leading additive manufacturers.
The plastics industry is continuously developing reduced gas permeability (gas barrier) packaging materials, which are mainly required by the food industry. Measuring gas permeability, obviously especially for gas barrier films, is a time-consuming task, which also hinders ongoing developments. German researchers have developed a rapid measurement method that measures the permeability of helium with a small molecular weight instead of oxygen or another gas to be determined, from which the permeability of a given gas can be calculated by correlation.
The largest plastics fair in North America is the NPE, held this year in Florida from 1-5 April. We've sampled some of the events and products from what has become an international event and a "show" in addition to an exhibition.
Light, strong and beautiful - these are the qualities the car industry expects from plastics. Car parts made from them should be lightweight to increase the energy efficiency of the engine, and without lightweight components, the electric car would never have been born. The plastics industry is doing all it can to help. A German study has also assessed how the link between car production and plastics could develop by 2030.
Overview of major expansions and ownership changes in the global plastics industry in 2011
PVC pipes are widely used in drinking water and waste water drainage. Even today, there are still objections to PVC, which justify the plastics industry organisations to demonstrate the advantages of PVC over other materials, including the size of its "eco-gas footprint".
