Postprocessing
Why & How to Assemble Parts While They’re Still Warm
For any molder seeking to maximize productivity and efficiency, carefully managing inventory and warehouse space is a key concern. One way to address this challenge is to assemble parts directly out of the mold, when they’re still warm.
Read MoreNow LDS Electronic Circuitry Is Colorable
Laser direct structuring (LDS) is a powerful technology for adding electrical circuit paths to plastics electronic products such as mobile phone and notebook antennas or molded interconnect devices (MIDs). But up to now, LDS-ready plastics were limited to black.
Read MoreBoost Performance, Speed, Economy with Servo-Controlled Welding
Ultrasonic welding is one of the most widely used processes for bonding polymers, valued for its speed, flexibility, and low cost.
Read MoreSimco Changes Name After 75 Years
Simco-Ion, an ITW Company, is the new name of static-control equipment provider Simco Industrial, Hatfield, Pa.
Read MoreFilm Insert Molding Adds Antennas to Cell Phones
WEB EXCLUSIVE: One of two recent developments in polycarbonate films allows cost-effective integration of antennas into cell phones via printed electronics and film insert molding (FIM), also known as in-mold decorating (IMD). Bayer MateriaScience AG in Germany (U.S. office in Pittsburgh) has applied for a patent on a method of using printed electronics on PC films, which are then back-molded into cell-phone housings.
Read MoreK 2010 Preview, Auxiliaries: Equipment of All Types Debuts This Month at K 2010
From materials drying, feeding, and blending to process heating/cooling, scrap reclaiming, testing, welding, and decorating—the K 2010 show this month in Dusseldorf, Germany, will have news in all categories of auxiliary equipment.
Read MoreTHERMOFORMING: New Roll-Fed Systems Boost Output & Flexibility
Continuous in-line packaging systems headed up the K 2010 thermoforming news as suppliers launched a range of roll-fed systems with greater capacity, more flexibility, and improved automation.
Read MoreINJECTION MOLDING: Automation and Integration At K Show
There were new presses of all stripes aplenty at K 2010, but the “wow” factor was supplied by automated work cells and integrated manu-facturing systems performing multiple operations before, during, and after molding.
Read MoreMake Polyolefins RF Weldable Without Additives
Up to now, radio-frequency (RF) welding or sealing of films, foams, and fabrics has been limited mainly to polar resins with high dielectric loss factors—particularly flexible PVC and TPU.
Read MoreHybrid Printers & Inkjets Made News at NPE
Processors looking for something new at the NPE 2009 show in Chicago found “hybrid” multi-process printers, high-quality inkjets, and other advances in printing on plastic parts.
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