British Plastics & Rubber this month's contents

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PREVIOUS ISSUE SUMMARIES - FEBRUARY 2004

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TESTING & INSPECTION

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Why we need to know the rheological behaviour of polymer melts and how we measure it.
Dr Robert Marsh of Bohlin Instruments stresses the importance of rheology to the processing of polymers, and describes the two principal means of measuring rheological properties.

Quick change filter improves pigment dispersion test.
A new kind of pressure filter test head has been developed by Dr Collin of Germany for the detection of particles, agglomerates and fish eyes in plastic melts.

Laser extensometer needs no measuring marks.
An improved method of measuring specimen deformation by laser has been introduced by Zwick/Roell for the contact-free measurement of specimen deformation under quasi-static load application in tensile, compression and cyclic tests. It is said to improve on alternative speckle-laser methods for extension measurement, which may have a limited measuring range and speed of resolution, by recording only the data that is actually required for the extension measurement. An evaluation unit selects two reference speckles from the entire uni-dimensional speckle image and calculates the displacement of those two reference speckles. Specimen marking is no longer required, which eliminates measurement uncertainties associated with attaching the marks to the test specimen surface.

PTS defines its own procedures to find the best parameters for two-component moulding.
Multi-component moulding is advancing in leaps and bounds, but the assessment of how well the materials bond to one another is not. There is as yet no international standard for determining bonding strength between hard and soft components, so raw material manufacturers have developed their own individual testing methods. PTS (Plastic Technologie Service) of Germany has produced a booklet describing its own testing methods.

3D vision system is profitable alternative to 2D projection.
Virtually instant pay-back is the claim made for the Starlite non-contact measuring system from OGP UK which has been bought by a Derbyshire rubber mouldings company, and at less than £15,000 is said to bring many features of high-end vision systems at a price that is competitive with optical comparators and profile projectors.

ColorMatrix sets down a marker for AA testing standard.
Iin lieu of a standard test for the acetaldehyde (AA) level in PET ColorMatrix has developed its own method.

ENGINEERING MATERIALS

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Thermoplastic elastomer has superior heat ageing.
A new thermoplastic elastomer ether-ester (TEEE) block copolymer from DSM Engineering Plastics is said to have a much better heat ageing characteristic than competitive materials. It is intended for automotive airducts where the improved performance can be translated either into thinner and lighter products or greater durability.

New stabilisers for medical-grade vinyls.
Teknor Apex has developed new flexible vinyl compounds that are less prone to discolour or degrade under heat than conventional medical-grade PVCs.

Bio-source plastic has electronic product potential.
An engineering bioplastic based on polylactic acid which overcomes the low flame resistance of similar materials has been developed in Japan by NEC Corporation.

PACKAGING MATERIALS

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Polymer mimics glass.
Eastman Specialty Plastics has introduced its Glass Polymer, an Eastar copolyester, as an alternative to glass for packaging cosmetics.

FINISHING

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Laser welding - it doesn't have to be black.
Welding components together by laser requires that one component should absorb laser energy, which normally involves loading it with carbon black. Two technologies have been developed which use a laser absorbing interface, enabling both parts of the component to be coloured other than black.

Hot air replaces flame deflashing to improve safety.
Hot air welding equipment from Welwyn Tool Co is being used instead of naked flames to remove flash from BMW Mini bumpers at Decoma International. The switch from flame guns has reduced the company's insurance premiums and the need to buy bottled gas, and has also improved quality.

Vertical layout simplifies in-mould labelling.
Boy has developed a machine system for in-mould decorating based on its 35 VV vertical injection moulding machine. By using a vertical machine, the peripheral equipment can be mounted on the machine bed behind the clamping unit, keeping the system compact and making the components easy to reach.

Nylon can be plated and powder coated.
A high performance nylon from Ems Chemie has been developed to be both platable and powder coatable.

ADDITIVES

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Flame retardants for glass-reinforced thermoplastics.
The Pigments & Additives division of Clariant has produced two new flame retardants specifically for glass fibre reinforced thermoplastics. Both are based on metal phosphinates and are free of halogens.

Flaked glass compounds to be made by AddMaster.
Compounds based on the flaked glass products made by Glassflake of Leeds are to be made by AddMaster (UK). Glass flakes used as fillers in plastics add isotropic properties, dimensional stability, barrier properties and fire retardancy.

New carbon black for pressure pipes.
Cabot Corporation has developed an improved carbon black for pressure pipe applications with better performance in particle size, compound moisture absorption, microscopic dispersion, dispersability and chemical impurity.

REACTION PROCESSING

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K-M adds RIM, casting and panel equipment.
An entry level RIM machine, a general purpose casting machine, and a combined mixing head and spray nozzle for panel manufacture have been introduced by Krauss-Maffei

MATERIALS HANDLING

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Silos let maturing EPS breathe.
Nearly 2,500 m³ of permeable silo storage has been installed at Vencel Resil in East Yorkshire, to hold virgin EPS as it matures at the post expansion stage.

FILM & SHEET CONVERSION

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Profibus simplifies new slitter construction.
A new 3 metre wide slitting machine from Ash Converting incorporates Profibus communication to local drives; individual on-board AC digital drives with built in PLC control for each arm, together with innovations such as dual arms which can run with one motor, reducing the tension range for thin gauge products.

Line scanner keeps track of thin film temperatures.
Land Instruments International has developed a high speed infrared line scanner system to measure temperatures during the conversion of thin plastics sheet to overcome the difficulties caused by its high transparency over much of the IR spectrum.

FILM & SHEET PRODUCTION

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Toggle system takes the friction out of die lip adjustment.
The new Toggle FastGap system developed by Extrusion Dies Industries is intended to eliminate downtime involved in adjusting dies for changes in product thickness. The single point adjustment mechanism in the standard FastGap system removes the necessity to reset flexible lip bolts or install an alternative lower lip with each change in product thickness, but processors must still shut down lines periodically to disassemble, clean and lubricate the FastGap mechanism.

TOOLING

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Free seminars on toolmaking initiatives.
Two seminars planned by the Gauge and Toolmakers' Association present the practical outcome of the emould@work project and the results of the recent Tooling and Experiential Design Initiative (TEDI).

INJECTION MOULDING

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3D modelling predicts flow of gas and plastic.
Simulation of plastic and gas flows in gas assisted moulding conventionally uses 2D mid-plane approximations. But there have been limitations on the simulation of gas flows in thick tubular products, and a corresponding need for accurate 3D simulation. Now gas assisted moulding specialist Cinpres Gas Injection has allied with the University of Wales in Swansea to develop 3D flow analysis software for this purpose.

Demag consolidates its brand and plugs gaps in Eastern Europe.
The Demag Plastics Group, which was set up in November 2002 with the merger of Demag Ergotech of Germany and Van Dorn Demag of the USA, has dropped the use of the Ergotech and Van Dorn names on its machines and in company titles, to present an even more united market presence by branding its machines simply Demag. At the same time, the company has started to assemble machines in Russia, and its UK subsidiary is contemplating operations in Poland, while taking on representation for Gosewehr robots.

SOFTWARE

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After Omnexus.
Clive Maier looks back at the rise and fall of Omnexus, and draws out some pointers for the future of e-business in the plastics sector.

Moldflow takes over American MSI.
Moldflow Corporation has further strengthened its move into manufacturing solutions with the acquisition of American MSI, which makes hot runner control systems.

OTHER DOWNLOADABLE SECTIONS AND REGULAR FEATURES

	Buyers' Guide (1,111 KB)
	Update, Environmental Issues, Agency Update, Materials Marketplace, Company Report, Literature Update, Classified Advertising (393 KB)

FACTFINDER CONTACTS FOR THIS MONTH'S ISSUE



101 AddMaster (UK) Ltd
        Business Innovation Centre,
        Staffordshire Technology Park,
        Beaconside, Stafford
        ST18 0AR
        01785 225656
        E-mail: info@addmaster.co.uk
        Web site: www.addmaster.co.uk

103 Brookfield Viscometers Ltd
        1 Whitehall Estate,
        Flex Meadow, Pinnacles West,
        Harlow, Essex
        CM19 5TJ
        01279 451774
        E-mail: sales@brookfield.co.uk
        Web site: www.brookfieldengineering.com

104 EuroPac Metrology
        Unit 8, Crewe Hall EnterprisePark,
        Weston Road,
        Crewe
        CW1 6UA
        01270 216000
        E-mail: sales@europacmetrology.co.uk
        Web site: www.europacmetrology.co.uk

105 Bohlin Instruments Ltd
        Unit 6, Corinium Centre,
        Cirencester,
        Gloucs
        GL7 1YJ
        01285 644407
        E-mail: sales@bohlin.co.uk
        Web site: www.bohlin.com

106 Tinius Olsen Ltd
        6 Perrywood Business Park,
        Honeycrock Lane, Redhill,
        Surrey
        RH11 5DZ
        01737 765001
        E-mail: sales@TiniusOlsen.co.uk
        Web site: www.TiniusOlsen.com

107 Q-Panel Lab Products
        Express Trading Estate,
        Stone Hill Road,
        Farnworth, Bolton
        BL4 9TP
        01204 861616
        E-mail: info@q-panel.co.uk
        Web site: www.q-panel.com

108 The Testometric Co Ltd
        Unit 1 Lincoln Business Park,
        Lincoln Close, Rochdale,
        Lancs
        OL11 1NR
        01706 654039
        E-mail: info@testometric.co.uk
        Web site: www.testometric.co.uk

109 Engelmann & Buckham Ltd
        Buckham House,
        Lenten Street, Alton,
        Hampshire
        GU34 1HH
        01420 82421
        E-mail: eb@buckham.co.uk
        Web site: www.buckham.co.uk

110 Engelmann & Buckham Ltd
        Buckham House,
        Lenten Street, Alton,
        Hampshire
        GU34 1HH
        01420 82421
        E-mail: eb@buckham.co.uk
        Web site: www.buckham.co.uk

111 Hampden Test Equipment
        SATRA House,
        Rockingham Road,
        Kettering
        NN16 9JH
        01536 518563
        E-mail: hampden-test@satra.co.uk
        Web site: www.hampden-test.com

112 Plastic Technology Service Ltd
        Flamstone Street,
        Bishopstone,
        Salisbury
        SP5 4BZ
        01722 781088
        E-mail: info@ptsuk.com
        Web site: www.ptsuk.com

113 OGP UK Ltd
        DISC House,
        Station Road Industrial Estate,
        Hatton, Derbyshire
        DE65 5DU
        01283 520127
        E-mail: sales@ogpuk.com
        Web site: www.ogpuk.com

114 Vision Engineering Ltd
        Monument House,
        Monument Way West,
        Woking, Surrey
        GU21 5EN
        01483 248300
        E-mail: generalinfo@visioneng.com
        Web site: www.visioneng.com

115 Kaye-Dee Marking Solutions Ltd
        Stamford Street,
        Newhall Road Trading Estate,
        Sheffield
        S9 2TX
        0114 256 0222
        E-mail: info@kayedee.co.uk
        Web site: www.kayedee.co.uk

116 Nederman UK
        PO Box 503, 91 Walton Summit,
        Bamber Bridge,
        Preston, Lancashire
        PR5 8AF
        01772 332142
        E-mail: info@nederman.co.uk
        Web site: www.nederman.com

117 Huntsman Advanced Materials
        Duxford,
        Cambridge
        CB2 4QA
        01223 493000
        Web site: www.araldite.com

118 Versaperm Ltd
        B940-H41 Popjak Road,
        Sittingbourne Research Centre,
        Sittingbourne, Kent
        ME9 8PS
        01795 430490
        E-mail: BPR@versaperm.com
        Web site: www.versaperm.com

119 Bowers Metrology Ltd
        Unit 15 Bordon Trading Estate,
        Bordon,
        Hampshire
        GU35 9HH
        08708 509050
        E-mail: sales@bowers.co.uk
        Web site: www.bowers.co.uk

120 Thermo Prism
        Emerald Way,
        Stone Business Park,
        Stone, Staffordshire
        ST15 0SR
        01785 813648
        E-mail: prism@twinscrew.com
        Web site: www.thermo.com/prism

121 ColorMatrix Europe Ltd
        Unit 7 - 15 Unity Grove,
        Knowsley Business Park,
        Knowsley, Merseyside
        L34 9GT
        0151 548 3100
        E-mail: sales@colormatrix.co.uk
        Web site: www.colormatrix.co.uk

122 Jenton International Ltd
        9/10 Ardglen Industrial Estate,
        Evingar Road,
        Whitchurch, Hants
        RG28 7BB
        01256 892194
        E-mail: rlittle@jenton.co.uk
        Web site: www.jenton.co.uk

123 Cygnus Instruments Ltd
        Cygnus House,
        30 Prince of Wales Road,
        Dorchester, Dorset
        DT1 1PW
        01305 265533
        E-mail: sales@cygnus-instruments.com
        Web site: www.cygnus-instruments.com

124 Metrohm UK Ltd
        Metrohm House, Unit 2,
        Top Angel,
        Buckingham Industrial Park
        MK18 1TH
        01280 824824
        E-mail: enquiry@metrohm.co.uk
        Web site: www.metrohm.co.uk

125 Tantec UK Ltd
        Grovewood House, Kettlestring Lane,
        Clifton Moor Industrial Estate,
        York
        YO30 4XF
        020 8695 1888
        E-mail: mail@tantec.com
        Web site: www.tantec.com

126 Zwick Testing Machines Ltd
        Southern Avenue,
        Leominster,
        Herefordshire
        HR6 0QH
        01568 615201
        E-mail: sales.info@zwick.co.uk
        Web site: www.zwick.co.uk

127 Mecmesin Limited
        Newton House,
        Spring Copse Business Park,
        Stane St, Slinfold, West Sussex
        RH13 0SZ
        01403 799979
        E-mail: info@mecmesin.com
        Web site: www.mecmesin.com

128 Velox UK  Ltd
        Hamilton House, Broadfields,
        Bicester Road,
        Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
        HP19 3BU
        01296 318220
        E-mail: somers@velox.com
        Web site: www.proditec.com

130 Atlas Converting
        Wolseley Road,
        Kempston,
        Bedford
        MK42 7XT
        01234 852553
        E-mail: sales.atlas@valmet.com
        Web site: www.bobstgroup.com

131 Ashe Converting Equipment
        Bluesten Road,
        Ransomes Industrial Park,
        Ipswich
        IP3 9RR
        01473 710912
        E-mail: sales@ashe.co.uk
        Web site: www.ashe.co.uk

132 Emerson & Renwick Ltd
        Peel Bank Works,
        Church, Accrington,
        Lancashire
        BB5 4EF
        01254 872727
        E-mail: sales@eanr.com
        Web site: www.eandr.com

133 Performance Plastics Ltd
        3 Brock House,
        Grigg Lane,
        Brockenhurst, Hampshire
        SO42 7RE
        01590 622666
        E-mail: info@performance-plastics.co.uk

135 Apollo Adhesives
        Sandy Way,
        Amington Industrial Estate,
        Tamworth
        B77 4DS
        01827 54281
        E-mail: enquiries@apolloadhesives.com
        Web site: www.apolloadhesives.com

137 Staubli Unimation Ltd
        Stafford Park 17,
        Telford,
        Shropshire
        TF3 3DG
        01952 292148
        E-mail: connectors.uk@staubli.com
        Web site: www.staubli.com

138 TQC Ltd
        Hooton Street,
        Carlton Road,
        Nottingham
        NG3 2NJ
        0115 950 3561
        E-mail: sales@tqc.co.uk
        Web site: www.tqc.co.uk

139 Lloyd Instruments Ltd
        Forum House,
        12 Barnes Wallis Road,
        Segensworth East, Fareham
        PO15 5TT
        01489 486399
        E-mail: general@lloyd-instruments.co.uk
        Web site: www.lloyd-instruments.co.uk

140 Rofin-Baasel UK Ltd
        Rofin House,
        3 Brunel Close,
        Daventry
        NN11 5RB
        0870 990 1020
        E-mail: sales@rofin-baasel.co.uk
        Web site: www.rofin.com

141 Tampoprint UK Ltd
        11 Ivanhoe Road,
        Hogwood Lane Industrial Estate,
        Finchampstead, Berks
        RG40 4QQ
        0118 973 0500
        E-mail: sales@tampoprint.co.uk
        Web site: www.tampoprint.co.uk

142 Welwyn Tool Co Ltd
        4 South Mundells,
        Welwyn Garden City,
        Herts
        AL7 1EH
        01707 331111
        E-mail: tools@welwyntool.co.uk
        Web site: www.welwyntool.co.uk

143 Branson Ultrasonics
        686 Stirling Road,
        Slough Trading Estate,
        Slough
        SL1 4ST
        01753 486980
        E-mail: weldingsales.branson@virgin.net
        Web site: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

144 Cinpres Gas Injection Ltd
        Prosperity Court, Prosperity Way,
        Midpoint 18,
        Middlewitch, Cheshire
        CW10 0GD
        01606 839800
        E-mail: sales@gasinjection.com
        Web site: www.gasinjection.com

145 Distrupol Ltd
        119 Guildford Street,
        Chertsey,
        Surrey
        KT16 9AL
        08705 538538
        E-mail: info@distrupol.com
        Web site: www.distrupol.com

146 Boy Ltd
        60 - 72 Tanners Drive,
        Blakelands North,
        Milton Keynes
        MK14 5BP
        01908 513300
        E-mail: boy@spaceminster.co.uk
        Web site: www.spaceminster.co.uk

147 Krauss Maffei UK Ltd
        Europa Boulevard,
        Gemini Business Park,
        Warrington
        WA5 7TR
        01925 644100
        E-mail: info@kraussmaffei.co.uk
        Web site: www.kraussmaffei.co.uk/

149 Krauss Maffei UK Ltd
        Europa Boulevard,
        Gemini Business Park,
        Warrington
        WA5 7TR
        01925 644100
        E-mail: info@kraussmaffei.co.uk
        Web site: www.kraussmaffei.co.uk/

150 Krauss Maffei UK Ltd
        Europa Boulevard,
        Gemini Business Park,
        Warrington
        WA5 7TR
        01925 644100
        E-mail: info@kraussmaffei.co.uk
        Web site: www.kraussmaffei.co.uk/

151 Mold-Masters (UK) Ltd
        Unit 2220 The Crescent,
        Solihull Parkway,
        Birmingham Business Park,
        B37 7YE
        0121 779 7001
        Web site: www.en.moldmasters.com

152 Jet Press Ltd
        Nunn Close,
        Huthwaite,
        Nottinghamshire
        NG17 2HW
        01623 551800
        E-mail: sales@jetpress.com
        Web site: www.jetpress.com

153 Brookfield Viscometers Ltd
        1 Whitehall Estate,
        Flex Meadow, Pinnacles West,
        Harlow, Essex
        CM19 5TJ
        01279 451774
        E-mail: sales@brookfield.co.uk
        Web site: www.brookfieldengineering.com

154 Inseto (UK) Ltd
        Unit 25, Focus 303,
        Focus Way,
        Andover, Hampshire
        SP10 5NY
        01264 334505
        E-mail: enquiries@inseto.co.uk
        Web site: www.inseto.co.uk

155 Inseto (UK) Ltd
        Unit 25, Focus 303,
        Focus Way,
        Andover, Hampshire
        SP10 5NY
        01264 334505
        E-mail: enquiries@inseto.co.uk
        Web site: www.inseto.co.uk

156 Fraser Anti-Static Techniques Ltd
        1 Station Road Industrial Estate,
        Bampton,
        Devon
        EX16 9NG
        01398 331114
        E-mail: sales@fraser-antistatic.co.uk
        Web site: www.fraser-antistatic.co.uk

158 Land Instruments International Ltd
        Infrared Temperature Measurement,
        Dronfield,
        Derbyshire
        S18 1DJ
        01246 417691
        E-mail: infrared.sales@landinst.com
        Web site: www.landinst.com

159 Flat Dies UK Ltd
        7 Vicarage Lane,
        Little Eaton,
        Derby
        DE21 5EA
        01332 833153
        E-mail: flatdiesuk@btclick.com
        Web site: www.extrusiondies.com

162 Priamus System Technologies AG
        Bahnhofstrasse 36
        CH-8201 Schaffhausen,
        Switzerland
        +41 52 632 2605
        Web site: www.priamus.com

164 E Collinson & Co Ltd
        Riverside Industrial Park,
        Catterall, Preston,
        Lancashire
        PR3 0HP
        01995 607400
        E-mail: info@collinson.co.uk
        Web site: www.collinsonindustrial.co.uk

165 Sandretto (UK) Ltd
        Leigh Road,
        Swift Valley Industrial Estate,
        Rugby, Warks
        CV21 1DS
        01788 544221
        E-mail: welcome@sandretto.co.uk
        Web site: www.sandretto.co.uk

166 Brabender Technologie Ltd
        3 Tanning Court,
        Howley,
        Warrington, Cheshire
        WA1 2HF
        01925 244002
        E-mail: sales@brabender-tech.co.uk
        Web site: www.brabender-technologie.com

169 Clariant UK Ltd
        Calverley Lane,
        Horsforth,
        Leeds
        LS18 4RP
        0113 239 8283
        E-mail: PAorderdesk@clariant.com
        Web site: www.pa.clariant.com

170 Lloyd Instruments Ltd
        Forum House,
        12 Barnes Wallis Road,
        Segensworth East, Fareham
        PO15 5TT
        01489 486399
        E-mail: general@lloyd-instruments.co.uk
        Web site: www.lloyd-instruments.co.uk

171 Mettler Toledo Ltd
        64 Boston Road,
        Beaumont Leys,
        Leicester
        LE4 1AW
        0116 234 5074
        E-mail: enquire.mtuk@mt.com
        Web site: www.mt.com

172 Bohlin Instruments Ltd
        Unit 6, Corinium Centre,
        Cirencester,
        Gloucs
        GL7 1YJ
        01285 644407
        E-mail: sales@bohlin.co.uk
        Web site: www.bohlin.com

173 Cabot Carbon Ltd
        Lees Lane
        Stanlow, Ellesmere Port,
        Cheshire
        CH65 4HT
        0151 355 3677
        Web site: w1.cabot-corp.com

174 Tinius Olsen Ltd
        6 Perrywood Business Park,
        Honeycrock Lane, Redhill,
        Surrey
        RH11 5DZ
        01737 765001
        E-mail: sales@TiniusOlsen.co.uk
        Web site: www.TiniusOlsen.com

175 Vision Controls (Group) Ltd
        4 Bentley Court,
        Paterson Road,
        Finedon Road Industrial Estate,
        Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
        NN8 4BQ
        01933 277717
        E-mail: vcl@clara.net
        Web site: www.vcl.clara.net

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