Injection Know How

Screw Bounce — What Causes It and Why You Should Care

There are a lot of theories about screw bounce in injection molding it, but what’s the actual cause? Through a series of experiments, and some good old-fashioned math, the author found out.

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Moving Beyond the Relative Viscosity Curve — Determining Optimum Plastic Flow Rates: Part 1

Should injection molders consider using a range of plastic flow rates, versus the selection of one plastic flow rate from the relative viscosity curve?

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Bulk, Solid and Melt Density: How to Calculate These Values and Why They Matter — Part 2 of 2

Understanding and calculating solid density and melt density will help molders with everything from material and machine selection to determining piece part costs.

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To Cushion or Not To Cushion: That Is the Question

Whether or not your process setup includes adding cushion depends on multiple factors, including the part being molded. Learn when and how to effectively apply cushion in your process.

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Process Monitoring or Production Monitoring — Why Not Both?

Molders looking to both monitor an injection molding process effectively and manage production can definitely do both with tools available today, but the question is how best to tackle these twin challenges.

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Bulk, Solid and Melt Density: How to Calculate These Values and Why They Matter — Part 1 of 2

How much resin is contained within a bucket, gaylord or hopper? That depends on the bulk density — a figure you need to learn how to calculate due to its impact on everything from storage and conveying to drying and molding.

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best practices

Important Factors and Approaches to Estimating Residence Time in Injection Molding

Residence time can have a dramatic impact on part quality and production efficiency but determining its value can be tricky. Use these methods and formulas to accurately measure residence time and enable it to inform everything from scheduling jobs to optimizing a process.

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A Systematic Approach to Process Development

The path to a no-baby-sitting injection molding process is paved with data and can be found by following certain steps.

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Get the Most From Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Parts

There are five specific areas that designers and manufacturers need to consider to realize the potential of these unique materials.

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best practices

Three Key Decisions for an Optimal Ejection System

When determining the best ejection option for a tool, molders must consider the ejector’s surface area, location and style.

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Process Cooling
Plastics Size Reduction