Postprocessing

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.

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Now 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.

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economics

Boost 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.

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Postprocessing

Simco Changes Name After 75 Years

Simco-Ion, an ITW Company, is the new name of static-control equipment provider Simco Industrial, Hatfield, Pa.

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Film 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.

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Testing

K 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.

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Automation

THERMOFORMING: 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.

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Testing

INJECTION 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.

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Postprocessing

Make 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.

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Postprocessing

Hybrid 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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Process Cooling
Blending & Dosing