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AUTOMATION
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Six axis robot solves deep undercut problems at Birkby's.
The complex de-moulding and de-gating of parts with 5 mm undercuts has been automated at Birkby's Plastics by mimicking the manual process with a six-axis robot. The mould tools were originally produced for manual de-moulding, but automation was deemed necessary to achieve target cost and to ensure that consistent cycle times could be achieved.
Star extends servo robot range and adds a sprue picker.
The Gxe and Ixe ranges of servo robots introduced in 2002 by Star Automation have been extended from the original three sizes to seven, a new version of both ranges has been introduced for unloading along the axis of the moulding machine, and the company is about to introduce a higher speed model.
Wittmann links with Schöttli for high speed automation cells.
The two companies have joined forces to make in-mould labelling systems with the emphasis on high speed food packaging. Wittmann is providing the automated labelling and mould handling system; Schöttli's role is to design the mould tools specifically for client use with IML..
FILM & SHEET PRODUCTION
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Better barriers call for seven layer coextrusion.
Macchi will deliver five seven layer barrier film lines in the first quarter of 2004, as film makers tend towards more layers to achieve a higher gas barrier effect.
Kuhne builds multi-layer PC and MAP PET film lines.
Dedicated lines for the production of polycarbonate sheet and PET film have been delivered by Kuhne. The PC sheet line has an output of more than 1 tonne/hr and is considered one of the biggest of its kind in Europe.The flat PET film line makes film from 200 to 1,200 microns thick with a net width of 1,250 mm at more than 1,300 kg/hr.
COC films can be steam sterilised.
Blister packaging film that will allow steam sterilisation can now be made with Ticona's Topas cycloolefin copolymer following the development of new blends.
Near-infrared and X-ray gauge options from NDC.
The near-infrared gauge is said to enable more consistent high-quality production, enabling flatter cross web thickness profiles and improved streak detection. The X-ray transmission sensor is a substitute for nucleonic transmission gauges in applications where an alternative to the use of radioactive isotopes is required.
Roll stack improvements from Kuhne.
Kuhne has improved the design of its roll stacks to achieve better film transparency, thermoforming properties and printability.
Bandera continues the quest for total PET recycling.
The latest move by Bandera in equipment for producing film from reclaimed PET is to add in-line thermoforming, enabling it to offer complete lines including all ancillaries such as temperature control equipment.
ENGINEERING MATERIALS
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Low melt PVC compound prevents cables catching fire.
Cables used in safety-critical applications such as electric blankets and aircraft wiring can now be made thinner and at lower cost with a new PVC compound from Dugdale which eliminates the polyethylene layer between conductors intended to melt and trip a circuit breaker in the case of overheating.
PPA ousts nylon for DIY tuning manifold.
An American company making replacement air inlet manifolds for performance improvement is using polyphthalamide instead of nylon 6 or 66 to withstand higher heat and humidity and the pressure of supercharging, and is moulding them in three parts which gives greater accessibility to the engine, and makes moulding simpler.
PACKAGING MATERIALS
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New PET grade protects against UV.
A new PET material from Voridian protects food, beverage, cosmetic and other products packaged in it from UV light, which can degrade vitamins, lipids, fatty acids, flavours and colours.
ADDITIVES
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Bigger, not smaller, particles make process aids more effective.
Fluoropolymer process aids for extruded polyolefins recently patended by DuPont Dow Elastomers have larger particles than previous thinking indicated because it was found that larger particles coat more of the die surface, enlarging the boundary layer on the die wall and increasing the probability that a particle will reach and coat the die.
Improved coupling agents for use with wood and natural fibres.
Clariant has introduced polypropylene and polyethylene waxes which act as coupling agents between plastics and natural fibres.
INJECTION MOULDING
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PlugXPress injection unit augments 2C machine for In-Mould Assembly.
A three component moulding cell now in use by TRW Engineered Fasteners and Components for automotive air grilles consists of a standard Sandretto two component machine, with an additional injection unit from Sandretto's fellow Cannon group company Windsor.
The NEXt all-electric from Nissei.
A new series of all-electric machines from Nissei is built in nine sizes from 30 to 450 tonnes and offers greater power savings among the improvements over the company's previous range.
Injection moulding cut the cost of making intricate stainless steel parts.
Conventional metal processing methods were ruled out for the manufacture of a hinged medical part because they would have been too expensive. Instead the part was injection moulded from powdered stainless steel, which only needed a vibratory polishing process to provide a finished component.
BLOW MOULDING
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Amcor 'sets new standards' in hot fill PET.
The Rebound bottle from Amcor is lighter, stronger, and has more possibilities for packaging presentation than before. The bottles are said to have halved vacuum retention compared with conventional hot-fill PET bottles.
SIG to build-in TopWave testers.
SIG Corpoplast and AgrTopWave have started a joint marketing operation for Agr's PET preform and bottle quality monitoring systems to be built into SIG Corpoplast's stretch blow moulding machines.
PIPE & PROFILE
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'Active' conical extruders are gentler with the material.
Battenfeld Extrusionstechnik has expanded to three models its range of conical twin screw extruders which have a reduced feed volume, reducing attrition of the material and providing other processing benefits.
MATERIALS HANDLING
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Dryer manufacturers add compressed air units.
Both Motan and Wittmann have introduced low throughput granule driers which, instead of a desiccant, use the expansion of factory compressed air to absorb moisture.
Remote stock management benefits Distrupol and its customers.
The successful use of remote stock management at two of Boots' PET bottle sites has led to plans by Distrupol for further implementation with other customers across Europe. Microwave measurement of stock levels in the moulder's silos is monitored by Distrupol and used to control material deliveries and provide materials usage data to the moulder.
RECLAMATION
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Screenless Sumo tackles tough scrap.
A low speed screenless granulator has been introduced by Wittmann for the reduction of hard and glass fibre reinforced scrap without damaging the material structure or creating dust or fines.
Optical disc sprue reclaim spawns new small granulator.
The SRS-A1 granulator, of which around 1,500 have been built by Getecha for reclaiming sprues in optical disc production, is the basis for a new 'maintenance free' clean room machine.
PROTOTYPING
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3T backs laser sintering for production as well as prototyping.
3T RPD now claims to be the biggest provider in the UK of plastic components produced rapidly from a CAD model, and is advocating laser sintering as a faster and more economical method than injection moulding for producing components in batches sometimes running to several thousands.
TOOLING
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Laser sintering steel for rapid mould manufacturing.
A new selective laser sintering steel from 3D Systems for mould manufacturing can be heat treated up to 39 Rockwell C, and its high thermal conductivity means that injection moulds made from it can cycle up to 50 per cent faster than conventional steel moulds.
SOFTWARE
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Counting on plastics.
Clive Maier celebrates his fiftieth year in plastics this month, and realises with a shock that for half of that time he has been using computers.
Moldflow upgrades Plastics Advisers and MMS.
Version 7.0 of Moldflow's Plastics Advisers includes two new add-on modules, Performance Adviser and Cooling Circuit Adviser, among other new optimisation tools. The new release of Moldflow Manufacturing Solutions brings in production monitoring capability.
OTHER DOWNLOADABLE SECTIONS AND REGULAR FEATURES
Buyers' Guide (1,190 KB)
Company Report (289 KB)
Conferences & Exhibitions (305 KB)
Materials Marketplace (170 KB)
Temperature Control (231 KB)
Update (250 KB)
FACTFINDER CONTACTS FOR THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
101 Autotype International Ltd
Grove Road,
Wantage
Oxfordshire
OX12 7BZ
01235 771111
E-mail: info@autotype
Web site: www.autotype.com102 Ticona UK Ltd
Stafford Park 12,
Telford,
TF3 3BJ
01952 213456
E-mail: sean.kemp@ticona.co.uk
Web site: www.ticona-eu.com103 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.com104 Flomat Bagfilla International
Unit 2, Peakdale Road,
Brookfield, Glossop,
Derbyshire
SK13 6LQ
01457 854102
E-mail: info@flobag.com
Web site: www.flobag.com105 Dugdale plc
Valley Mill,
Sowerby Bridge,
West Yorkshire
HX6 2AA
01422 832501
E-mail: j.salmon@dugdaleplc.com106 Nickerson Europe Ltd
Unit A2, Baird Court,
Park Farm Industrial Estate,
Wellingborough, Northants
NN8 6QJ
01933 674144
E-mail: info@nickersoneurope.co.uk
Web site: www.nickersoneurope.co.uk107 Rediweld Rubber & Plastics
6/9 Newman Lane,
Alton,
Hampshire
GU34 2QR
01420 543007
E-mail: info@rediweld.co.uk
Web site: www.rediweld.co.uk108 Masterflex Technical Hoses Ltd
Prince of Wales Business Park,
Vulcan Street,
Oldham, Lancashire
OL1 4ER
0161 626 8066
E-mail: masterflex@btconnect.com
Web site: www.masterflex-uk.com109 Bayer plc, Polymers Division
Bayer House,
Strawberry Hill,
Newbury, Berks
RG14 1JA
01635 563863
E-mail: diane.treacher.dt@bayer.co.uk
Web site: www.bayer.co.uk110 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.uk111 Forward + Thompson
Atlas Road,
Clifton Moor,
Clifton, York
YO30 4UR
01904 690999
E-mail: sales@forward-group.com
Web site: www.forward-group.com112 Baxenden Chemicals Ltd
Paragon Works,
Baxenden,
Accrington
BB5 2SL
01254 872278
E-mail: mail@baxchem.co.uk
Web site: www.baxchem.co.uk113 Intertronics
17 Station Field Industrial Estate,
Banbury Road, Kidlington,
Oxfordshire
OX5 1JD
01865 842842
E-mail: sales@intertronics.co.uk
Web site: www.intertronics.co.uk114 Industrial Automation Ltd
The Midway,
Lenton,
Nottingham
NG7 2TS
0115 840 0500
E-mail: stevem@ind-auto.com
Web site: www.ind-auto.com116 Star Automation UK Ltd
Heathcote Way,
Heathcote Industrial Estate,
Warwick
CV34 6TE
01926 453660
E-mail: sales@uk.star-europe.com
Web site: www.star-europe.com117 RTS Associates
12 Meadow Bank Avenue,
Nether Edge,
Sheffield
S7 1PB
0114 258 5805
E-mail: RonSmith@rtsassociates.freeserve.co.uk118 Doel Engineering Ltd
5 Europa Park,
Croft Way, Witham,
Essex
CM8 2FB
01376 515515
E-mail: technical@doelengineering.com
Web site: www.doelengineering.com119 NDC Infrared Engineering Ltd
Bates Road,
Maldon,
Essex
CM9 5FA
01621 852244
E-mail: salesdesk@ndcinfrared.co.uk
Web site: www.ndcinfrared.com120 Sussex Gauging Ltd
1A Malling Industrial Estate,
Lewes
BN7 2BY
01273 488555
E-mail: barry@sussex-gauging.co.uk
Web site: www.sussex-gauging.co.uk123 Sullivan Plastics Machinery Ltd
PO Box 161,
Biddenham,
Bedford
MK40 4EX
01234 349888
E-mail: billholt@spm-mcy.fsnet.co.uk124 Wittmann (UK) Ltd
Sanders Road,
Finedon Road Industrial Estate,
Wellingborough, Northants
NN8 4NL
01933 275777
E-mail: info@wittmann.co.uk
Web site: www.wittmann.co.uk125 Ticona UK Ltd
Stafford Park 12,
Telford,
TF3 3BJ
01952 213456
E-mail: sean.kemp@ticona.co.uk
Web site: www.ticona-eu.com126 Ciba Specialty Chemicals plc - Coating Effects
Charter Way,
Macclesfield
SK10 2NX
01625 617878
Web site: www.cibasc.com127 Clariant UK Ltd
Calverley Lane,
Horsforth,
Leeds
LS18 4RP
0113 239 8283
E-mail: PAorderdesk@clariant.com
Web site: www.pa.clariant.com128 DuPont Dow Elastomers Ltd
Maylands Avenue,
Hemel Hempstead,
Herts
HP2 7DP
01442 346888
Web site: www.dupont-dow.com129 Ticona UK Ltd
Stafford Park 12,
Telford,
TF3 3BJ
01952 213456
E-mail: sean.kemp@ticona.co.uk
Web site: www.ticona-eu.com133 LNP Engineering Plastics UK Ltd
Unit 25 Monkspath Business Park,
Shirley,
Solihull, West Midlands
B90 4NZ
0121 744 9922
Web site: www.lnp.com/135 Battenfeld UK Ltd
6 The Valley Centre,
Gordon Road,
High Wycombe, Bucks
HP13 6EQ
01494 450911
E-mail: sales@vuk.battenfeld.com
Web site: www.sms-k.com138 Rapra Technology Ltd
Shawbury,
Shrewsbury,
Shropshire
SY4 4NR
01939 250383
E-mail: info@rapra.net
Web site: www.rapra.net140 Motan Ltd
Unit 10, Blacklands Way,
Abingdon Business Park,
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
OX14 1RD
01235 550011
E-mail: sales.ltd@motan.com
Web site: www.motan.com141 Wittmann (UK) Ltd
Sanders Road,
Finedon Road Industrial Estate,
Wellingborough, Northants
NN8 4NL
01933 275777
E-mail: info@wittmann.co.uk
Web site: www.wittmann.co.uk144 Rittal Ltd
Braithwell Way,
Hellaby Industrial Estate,
Hellaby, Rotherham
S66 8QY
01709 704000
E-mail: information@rittal.co.uk
Web site: www.rittal.co.uk146 SIG Plastics Technologies (UK) Ltd
Unit 15, Drakes Mews,
Crownhill,
Milton Keynes
MK8 0ER
01908 261777
E-mail: sales.uk@sig-group.com
Web site: www.sig-group.com147 AEI Compounds Ltd
Crete Hall Road,
Gravesend,
Kent
DA11 9AF
01474 566736
E-mail: sales@aeicompounds.co.uk
Web site: www.aeicompounds.com149 Tricool Engineering Ltd
14 Barnes Wallis Road,
Segensworth East,
Fareham, Hants
PO15 5TT
01489 584006
E-mail: sales@tricool.com
Web site: www.tricool.com150 Tool-Temp Ltd
Unit 2, Plant House,
Royal Oak Way North,
Daventry
NN11 5PQ
01327 704406
E-mail: sales@tool-temp.net
Web site: www.tool-temp.net151 Hasco Normalien
Postfach 1720,
D-58513 Ludenscheid
GERMANY
011049235195734
E-mail: info.de.mk@hasco.com
Web site: www.hasco.com152 Hasco Normalien
Postfach 1720,
D-58513 Ludenscheid
GERMANY
011049235195734
E-mail: info.de.mk@hasco.com
Web site: www.hasco.com154 Planet Friendly Products Ltd
PO Box 4ZD,
London
W1A 4ZD
07753 386399
E-mail: david.parry@cullesden.screaming.net155 Wittmann (UK) Ltd
Sanders Road,
Finedon Road Industrial Estate,
Wellingborough, Northants
NN8 4NL
01933 275777
E-mail: info@wittmann.co.uk
Web site: www.wittmann.co.uk156 Getecha UK Ltd
Unit 14 Woodcock Industrial Estate,
Warminster,
Wiltshire
BA12 9DX
01985 219929
E-mail: mail@getecha.co.uk
Web site: www.getecha.co.uk157 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/158 Uniplex Machinery Sales Ltd
28 - 30 High Street,
West Malling,
Maidstone, Kent
ME19 6QR
01732 841619
E-mail: info@uniplexmachinery.co.uk159 Sulzer Chemtech (UK) Ltd
Westmead,
Farnborough,
Hampshire
GU14 7LP
01745 571789
E-mail: chemtekUK@sulzer.com163 Sullivan Plastics Machinery Ltd
PO Box 161,
Biddenham,
Bedford
MK40 4EX
01234 349888
E-mail: billholt@spm-mcy.fsnet.co.uk164 Alflex Machines Ltd
4 Broadwells Crescent,
Westwood Heath,
Coventry
CV4 8JD
024 7642 1888
E-mail: alex.koltuniak@btopenworld.com165 Resin Express Ltd
11 The Valley Centre,
High Wycombe,
Bucks
HP13 6EQ
01494 463413
E-mail: info@resinexpress.com
Web site: www.resinexpress.com166 LNP Engineering Plastics UK Ltd
Unit 25 Monkspath Business Park,
Shirley,
Solihull, West Midlands
B90 4NZ
0121 744 9922
Web site: www.lnp.com167 Johnson Matthey
Pigments & Dispersions,
Liverpool Road East,
Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent
ST7 3AA
01782 794400
E-mail: pd@matthey.com
Web site: www.cmd.matthey.com168 3D Systems Europe Ltd
Unit 7 The Progression Centre,
Mark Road,
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 7UA
01442 282600
E-mail: marketing@3dsystems.co.uk
Web site: www.3dsystems.com169 Chemical Innovations Ltd
217 Walton Summit Road,
Bamber Bridge,
Preston
PR5 8AQ
01772 322888
E-mail: sales@polycil.co.uk
Web site: www.polycil.com173 Moldflow (Europe) Ltd
Central Court,
Knoll Rise, Orpington,
Kent
BR6 0JA
01689 878111
Web site: www.moldflow.com174 Moldflow (Europe) Ltd
Central Court,
Knoll Rise, Orpington,
Kent
BR6 0JA
01689 878111
Web site: www.moldflow.com175 Delcam UK
Talbot Way,
Small Heath Business Park,
Birmingham
B10 0HJ
0121 766 5544
E-mail: marketing@delcam.com
Web site: www.delcam.com177 Cornelius Chemical Co Ltd
Cornelius House,
Woodside,
Bishops Stortford, Herts
CM23 5RG
01279 714300
E-mail: sales.dept@cornelius.co.uk
Web site: www.cornelius.co.uk
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