best practices

Tooling Know-How

TOOLING: Venting: A View From the Trenches

Venting is a prime culprit for molding problems, partly because toolmakers and process techs have different ideas of what’s needed.

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best practices

EXTRUSION: Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Run Your Extruders Dry

At least not for longer than a few minutes. The thin film that’s captured between the screw flights and barrel wall supports the screw and acts as a lubricant. Without it, galling can occur.

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INJECTION MOLDING: Scientific Molding Gone Wrong

Sometimes molders get trained in Scientific Molding only to revert to their old way of doing things as soon problems pop up.

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MATERIALS: The Trouble with Data Sheets

Data sheets are routinely relied upon, yet the data they provide is limited in scope and can lead to incorrect conclusions.

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Five Steps Toward a Flawless Flat Film Start-Up

A poor line start-up benefits no one … except your competitors. Follow these five steps to get your film line fired up seamlessly.

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best practices

Get the Most Bang For Your Purging Buck

More processors are turning to purging compounds to clean their machines and speed up changeovers. Here are tips on how to avoid typical trouble spots when using them.

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Packaging

When Robots Make Sense For Part Packaging

Here are nine issues to take into account before automating your end-of-the-line part-packaging process.

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Molds & Tooling

TOOLING: Clearing Up the Mysteries Of Mold Texture

It’s a subject not widely understood by molders and it affects more than just part appearance.

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Extrusion

Extrusion: What’s the Best Way to Vent?

There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and they must be evaluated before making a decision.

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best practices

Materials: Analyzing Filler Content

The process is considered simple. But things aren’t always as they seem.

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Blending & Dosing