Postprocessing
Post-processing and secondary operations are key to boosting value added functions for plastics processors. Learn new technologies and best practices for assembly, decoration, packaging, labeling, in-mold labeling, printing, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, vibration welding and more.
ESSENTIAL READING
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A Guide to Ultrasonic Welding Controls
Ultrasonic welding today is a sophisticated process that offers numerous features for precise control. Choosing from among all these options can be daunting; but this guide will help you make sense of your control features so you can approach your next welding project with the confidence of getting good results.
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How to Solve Common Ultrasonic Welding Problems
Understand and address the likely origins of welding problems to keep production on track.
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Understanding the Effects of Paint On Plastics
Paint can have significant effects on mechanical properties of plastic parts. As illustrated by this OEM’s procedure in developing new-generation outboard-motor covers, there’s no substitute for thorough testing.
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How to Select a Plastics Assembly Process
To make the proper choice, each application must be considered on its own. Each has its own particular characteristics and requirements.
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How to Keep Your Conveyor Running Smoothly
Low-profile conveyors are ubiquitous in industry, typically used in 24/7 applications in packaging, assembly, labeling, inspection, and sorting. Here's how to keep them up and running.
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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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Latest Postprocessing News And Updates
Tabletop Laser Welding System With Expanded Features
Evosys’ EvoWeld Mini is now available with a radial module and can also be equipped with a 2-micron laser.
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Transforming Laser Marking Operations With Collaborative Robotic Automation
FOBA partners with Flexxbotics and Universal Robots.
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Compact Laser Systems for Precise Plastic Marking
FOBA’s new V-Series boasts more power, increased precision and a smaller size than comparable systems.
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End-to-End Quality Management For Aseptic PET Beverage Bottling
Sidel introduces Qual-IS comprehensive quality system to merge all QC activities in PET aseptic beverage bottling, from the preform blowing to laboratory management.
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Performance Plasma Surface Treater Is Further Enhanced
Enercon’s second generation of the Blown-ion 500 Plasma Surface Treater offers an expanded operating window.
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New Concept for HDPE Paint Pails With Plasma Coating, Digital Printing
NPE2024: Delta Engineering presented integrated systems for injection molding, barrier coating and printing HDPE paint pails.
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Athena Controls Emphasizes Customization: Buy Just What You Need
At NPE, 60-year-old Athena reintroduces itself as a vendor of standard control platforms customized for maximum utility and economy.
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Plasmatreat's Technology is Transforming Manufacturing with Innovation and Sustainability
NPE2024: Advancements and forward-thinking initiatives in plastics manufacturing will be highlighted.
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Ultrasonic Welding: Tips, Techniques, and Troubleshooting
In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.
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X-Ray Vision Inside Parts Gets More Affordable for Processors
Shimadzu’s new benchtop x-ray CT scanner provides internal and external metrology and flaw detection at a fraction of the previous cost.
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A Guide to Ultrasonic Welding Controls
Ultrasonic welding today is a sophisticated process that offers numerous features for precise control. Choosing from among all these options can be daunting; but this guide will help you make sense of your control features so you can approach your next welding project with the confidence of getting good results.
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Can Plastic Recyclates be Welded Ultrasonically?
What is possible with ultrasound? Will the result with recycled plastics material actually be worse than with standard material? Do we have to adapt our technology?
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FAQ: Postprocessing
In ultrasonic welding, high-frequency vibrations are applied to the surfaces of two parts by a vibrating tool, commonly called a “horn” or “sonotrode.” Welding occurs as the result of frictional heat generated at the interface between the parts. The ultrasonic vibrations are created by a series of components—the power supply, converter, booster, and horn—that deliver mechanical vibration to the parts.
Further Reading About Ultrasonic Welding:
A Step-by-Step Guide to Ultrasonic Welding
How to Solve Common Ultrasonic Welding Problems
Can Plasma Treatment be Used in Plastics?
In plastics, the most common plasma application is improving the bonding power of chemical adhesives; this can involve bonding metal to plastic, silicone to glass, polymers to other polymers, biological content to polymeric microtiter plates, and even bonding to fluoropolymers like PTFE.
Paint can have significant effects on mechanical properties of plastic parts. First, paint solvents may attack the plastic. In fact, it is often desirable for the paint solvents to attack (etch) the plastic to a certain extent, since this improves adhesion. However, solvents can also cause surface crazing, or even environmental stress cracking. In addition, paint solvents may cause swelling, softening, or dissolution of the polymer. Once again, a certain amount of this may help to promote adhesion, but taken to an extreme, it can degrade the properties of the plastic to unacceptable levels.
Postprocessing Supplier Categories
- Labeling Equipment--In-Mold
- Clamps, Holding Devices
- UV Curing Equipment
- UV-resistant Coatings
- Machining, Drilling, Routing Equipment
- Plating Equipment for Plastics
- Labels (In-Mold, Out-of-Mold)
- In-mold Decorating Films
- Extrusion Welding
- Product & Tool Design, Analysis Software (CAD/CAM/CAE)
- Labeling Equipment--Out-of-Mold
- Adhesives for Plastics
- Flexographic, Rotogravure Equipment
- Assembly Robots and EOAT
- Vacuum Metalizing Equipment
- Ink-jet Printers
- Bending, Heat-forming Equipment
- Ultrasonic Cutters
- Decorative Coatings
- Barrier Coatings
- Cutting Tools
- Spin Welding
- Ultrasonic Welding
- Fasteners
- Spray Painting Robots and EOAT
- Dry Offset Printing Equipment
- Embossing Equipment
- Electrostatic Spray Equipment
- Sublimation Printing
- Screen-printing Equipment
- Vacuum Metalizing Materials
- Fluid-jet Cutting Systems
- Offset Lithography Equipment
- Other Paint Spray Equipment
- In-mold Coating Equipment
- Dielectric Welding
- Hot-air Welding
- Conductive Coatings
- Pad-printing Equipment
- Non-Heat-Transfer Decals
- In-mold Coatings
- Hot-stamping Presses, Other Heat-transfer Equipment
- Color Matching/Formulating Systems
- Tool Engraving, Texturing Equipment
- Plastics Engraving Equipment
- Adhesion Promoters (for Inks, Coatings)
- Heat Transfers (decals)
- Hot-stamping Foils
- Design of Experiments (DOE) Software
- Part or Sprue Removal Robots and EOAT
- Marking Equipment (including Laser Type)
- Antifog Coatings
- Electromagnetic Induction Bonding
- Laser Welding
- Linear Friction Welding
- Printing Plates, Cliches
- Abrasion Resistant Coatings
- Hot-stamp Tooling (including Silicone)
- Printing Inks
- Lasers (for Cutting, Machining, Welding)
- Staking, Inserting Equipment
- Heat Sealing/Welding
- Flame-resistant Coatings
- General Purpose Robots and EOAT