Know-How

Extruding PCR? Consider a Vented Extruder

You’ll need two-stage screws to extract volatiles that post-consumer reclaim will likely contain. Screw design can be a complex balancing act. Here’s what you need to know.

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Tracing the History of Polymeric Materials: Aliphatic Polyketone

Aliphatic polyketone is a material that gets little attention but is similar in chemistry to nylons, polyesters and acetals.    

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Cooling Geometry and the Reynolds Calculation

The original Turbulent Flow Rate Calculator worked well with a round circuit diameter, such as a drilled passage, but not as well using hydraulic diameters. Here’s how the problem was fixed.

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Molders’ Block: Dealing With Foreign Materials in a Hot-Runner System

Understanding plastic flow can help you understand how foreign materials move—or don’t move—through your hot-runner system.

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Tracing the History of Polymeric Materials: Acetal

The road from discovery in the lab to commercial viability can be long, and this was certainly the case for acetal polymers.  

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Extrusion

The Importance of Viscosity in Melting

The calculations required to determine the right melt temperature for each polymer are complicated. Knowing the power-law coefficient and the consistency index of the polymer you run might prove useful.  

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Tracing the History of Polymeric Materials: The Differences Between Nylons & Polyesters

In many respects, nylons and polyesters appear to be interchangeable. But there are interesting differences in the properties of these two families that arise from their chemical structures.  

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How to Set Up Mold Protect on Your Injection Machine

Set the start position for mold protect where anything in the mold could be subject to damage.

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Tooling

What's Controlling Your Cycle Time: Part 3

Follow these guidelines to maximize your profits.

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Medical

How to Know the True Value of Conformally Cooled Injection Molds

What’s the return on investing in a new mold with conformal cooling to boost productivity? Will it pay for itself? How soon? Here’s a case study on how to answer those questions.

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Blending & Dosing