PTXPO Broadens Educational Opportunities

Published 02/03/2025

PTXPO Broadens Educational Opportunities

Beyond gleaning contacts and information by walking its bustling aisles, the third edition of the Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) will present attendees the opportunity to gather more than information on the latest technologies, they can also bring back knowledge.

Tony Deligio

Editor-in-Chief, Plastics Technology

Talking Technology

During the first two days of PTXPO, multiple companies will present from the Tech Talk Theater located on the show floor. On Tuesday, March 18, two presentations will address different topics relating to material handling. Up first, AEC will discuss blending processes and how to use real-time data to find and address inefficiencies. Next, size reduction equipment supplier Cumberland will provide information on how injection molders can establish an in-house recycling operation for internal scrap. Topics include properly sizing a granulator to support mechanical recycling and then optimizing that process once the granulator is installed.

On Wednesday, March 19, attendees can learn about how virtual reality (VR) can be used to transform training and education with an immersive experience for active learning and problem-solving via VR simulations of mold design and production. Kruse Analysis says this VR technology directly targets younger, digitally-native engineers. Also on Wednesday, Bales Metal Surface Solutions will tackle how plating technologies can be applied to enhance an injection mold’s preventive maintenance program. Attendees will learn how hard chrome or nickel plating can minimize friction, corrosion and abrasion, particularly for molds enduring high-temperature and high-pressure cycles.

Live Demonstrations

Shifting from the Tech Talk Theater to select exhibitor booths, PTXPO will once again feature In-Booth Demos of technology. Led by subject matter experts, these demos provide a live demonstration of new technologies being highlighted by PTXPO exhibitors. The demonstrations kick off on Tuesday, March 18, with Conair discussing how AI is being applied in resin conveying and drying via its patented Conveying with Optimizer material handling system and ResinWorks with Optimizer central drying system. Described by Conair as “cruise control” for a process, the Optimizer technology will be highlighted by Conair’s Justin Carter and Chad Stover.

Also on Tuesday, Absolute Haitian’s Sherman McGinnis will talk attendees through all the latest highlights and advances in Haitian’s new Generation 5 injection molding machines. Among those highlights are upgraded energy efficiency and intelligence, including integrated adaptive control technology, as well as OPC/UA control features enabling integration of auxiliaries and production monitoring. Finally on Tuesday, Torsten Kruse of Kruse Analysis will have a demonstration of the company’s Molding Expert Virtual Reality (VR) immersive educational tool for simulating mold design and manufacturing.

On Wednesday, March 19, Engel’s Markus Lettau will highlight a pallet/grid test part that is specially designed to showcase structural foaming capabilities and weight reduction technologies. A 310-ton, all-electric e-mac slim edition molding machine will be showcased utilizing partner Moxietec’s proprietary process.

Joseph Dobek of AHP CNC Solutions will provide a demonstration of that company’s cost-efficient, high-technology CNC machine tools. Part of the Absolute Group of Companies, AHP CNC Solutions is offering North American manufacturers a new option in metal cutting.

Also on Wednesday, Wittmann’s Jonathan Fowler will demonstrate that company’s Material Source License. Used for material verification and lot tracing, the technology is built around a barcode scanner that can be used to verify the correct material is being placed into the correct source. Moving beyond the manifold, Material Source License seeks to prevent the wrong material from being placed into the incorrect source, whether it’s a gaylord, surge bin, drying hopper, silo or other.

Wrapping up on Wednesday, is LS Mtron’s John Wiley who will demonstrate the injection molding machine supplier’s Smart Solution 4.0, including its Smart Service portal. This portal’s secure dashboard enables users to monitor machine performance, check service status and request maintenance. Conditions are tracked with four status levels, and users can use the portal to order parts, view schematics and monitor order status.

In-Depth Educational Opportunity

Starting on Monday, March 17, before the show and then running twice daily on Tuesday and Wednesday, are the all-new Discovery Workshops. These educational presentations are grouped by five different hot-button topics for injection molders, featuring subject matter experts as presenters and the opportunity for attendee engagement with panel discussions. The overarching topics for the five workshops include Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Skilled Employees; Robotic Programming and Project Selection; Managing Regrind; Molding Machine Maintenance; and Injection Molding Bioplastics.

In addition to speakers from leading injection molders and moldmakers like Plastikos, Hoffer Plastics, Westminster Tool and IPL Plastics, these workshops will be led by technical experts from top industry equipment and service suppliers, as well as academia.