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ENGINEERING MATERIALS
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New sulphone polymers work at higher temperatures - and can be coloured.
New high performance materials from Gharda Chemicals in India and Solvay Advanced Polymers in the USA.
High flow PBT goes commercial with an eye on Questra replacement...while Ticona puts Celanex and Vectra in Questra's shoes.
The applications gap left by Dow's withdrawal of its Questra sPS material has not gone unnoticed by BASF and Ticona.
TPEs have low emission for automotive interiors...and are UV stabilised for exterior components.
Kraiburg and PolyOne have modified their TPE-S materials to meet specific needs in car production.
Transparent PA elastomer beats hydrolytic degradation.
A transparent polyamide elastomer combining nylon 12 with a polyether to provide the soft segments of the polymer chain has been developed by Ube. It is noted particularly for transparency, chemical and hydrolysis resistance and low temperature flexibility.
Lighter, stiffer, tougher - that's the promise of self-reinforced plastics.
Thermoforming sheets made of compressed polypropylene tapes have a lot of promise in lightweight engineering components.
'The stiffest plastic in the world'.
Tecama SRP stock shapes recently added to the Ensinger Industries range are made from 'the strongest, hardest, stiffest thermoplastic without fibre reinforcement'. This is Parmax, a polyparaphenylene copolymer material made in the USA by Mississippi Polymer Technologies.
Polybutadiene polyols create TPU with better properties.
A thermoplastic polyurethane based on polybutadiene polyols has been introduced by Sartomer. Poly bd 2035 TPU is designed to enhance the performance of films, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and thermoplastic elastomers when compared to conventional TPUs based on polyether or polyester polyols. It can also be used for polymer modification of polyolefin and engineering polymers to give enhanced properties.
First roto nylon from BASF.
BASF has developed its first rotomoulding grade of nylon, a PA6 branded Capron BR30HS.
Nylon 12 eliminates need for bonding layer in fuel tubing.
A nylon 12 has been developed by Ube for use in automotive fuel tubing systems, bonding directly to the barrier material, and so eliminating a tie layer.
PVDF foams for construction and electrical use.
High performance fire-resistant closed cell foams from Zotefoams.
Cost-cutting polycarbonate and polyamide compounds.
4Plas is targeting trade and in-house moulders with a range of low-cost polycarbonate and polyamide compounds, with many prices being fixed at pre-increase levels.
Recycled polypropylene compounds for UK sale.
Following its acquisition of Synbra Polymers, AKG Polymers has launched Vision recycled polypropylene compounds on to the UK market.
EXHIBITION PREVIEW
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What to see at PDM 2005 in Telford on April 12 - 14.
TOOLING
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Delcam upgrades automated electrode design system.
PS-Electrode has a lot of new features, including a new catalogue, more customisation and the ability to simulate the action of the electrode.
GTMA sets up Buyers' Network.
The Gauge and Toolmakers Association has launched its Buyers' Network, an initiative to encourage dialogue and business between UK buyers and sellers of toolmaking, precision machining, metrology and rapid development services.
COMPOUNDING
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Strand pelletisers intended for high temperature materials.
New strand pelletisers for high temperature materials have been introduced by Intelligent Pelletizing Solutions. Bearings are on one side of the draw-in and cutting rotor and the ribbed nitrided steel upper draw-in roll has separate drive and high wear resistance compared with non-driven elastomer rolls.
Research into nanoclay compounds at Rapra.
RAPRA Technology has started a 12 months research project into the melt processing effects of montmorillonite type nanoclays.
ADDITIVES
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Electrical accessories moulded to kill superbugs.
Perstorp's Polygiene biocide is being moulded into switches and electrical sockets to fight MRSA.
Masterbatch cuts laser marking cost.
A new masterbatch from Datalase allows polyolefins to be marked effectively with a low power CO2 laser.
Clariant introduces service for blow moulded colours and special effects.
Developers of blow moulded packaging can now evaluate colours and special effects on realistic rounded containers instead of flat plaques, thanks to a new service from Clariant Masterbatches. The company has installed a production-scale blow moulding machine at its Lahnstein plant in Germany which enables it to develop monolayer and bilayer masterbatch systems and to present them as a 250 ml oval bottle that is typical of the European market.
Coupling agents improve wire and cable compounds.
DuPont's new Fusabond modifiers allow compounders to improve both mechanical properties and flame retardancy by permitting higher filler loadings in insulation and jacketing materials for wire and cable applications.
PACKAGING MATERIALS
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Basell introduces RCPP for clear blown film.
A new random copolymer polypropylene is intended for laminated film and transparent food packaging.
High performance HDPE for closures and collapsible tubes.
Basell has created its Hostalen GX4027 high density polyethylene to meet the high production rates and resistance to environmental stress cracking requirements of beverage closures and collapsible tubes.
FILM & SHEET CONVERSION
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Microban incorporated in hard-coated surfacing film.
Another plastics product modified to kill bacteria, this time in a surfacing film.
Frosted glass look for PET sheet.
New Griphen Frost copolyester sheet from Arla Plast combines the benefits of PETG with the visual characteristics of satin PMMA and frosted glass. The sheet has a matt surface on both sides and is intended for office area screening, exhibition stands, interior displays and POS showcases.
INJECTION MOULDING
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Chinese machines now available from stock.
Premier Moulding Machinery now has Haitian machines available at its Aylesbury premises.
Single wire fixing simplifies sensor installation.
A single wire fixing can now be specified for all Kistler cavity pressure sensors, simplifying installation in single- or multi-impression moulds. A single wire sensor, being installed without a connector, requires only a bored hole to accommodate the cable, and for multi-cavity tools several cables can be threaded down one bore.
Rotating platen machine developed for automotive glazing.
A machine with a vertically pivoting central platen and injection from either end has been based on Battenfeld's HM series.
Exatec goes commercial in Peguform Czech plant.
The first commercial plant to use the Bayer/GE joint venture polycarbonate automotive glazing technology is to be built in the Czech Republic by Peguform.
Coated pins reduce maintenance.
Hardened and nitrided oxidation-coated ejector pins with cylindrical heads are now available from Hasco. The glossy black oxidation layer on the Z412/ series pins is said to increase productivity and reduce maintenance. Dry running properties exceed those of most of the known coating alternatives.
BLOW MOULDING
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Vertical presses vital for hot fill preforms says K-M.
Krauss Maffei builds vertical presses for moulding preforms for hot-fill PET bottles and says they offer more uniform heating to prevent deformation in the neck.
Water bottles are stretch blown in PLA.
Compostable water bottles made in NatureWorks PLA corn-based material have been brought to the market through co-operation between Husky, Biota Brands, NatureWorks and SIG Corpoplast. NatureWorks says that they are compatible with all municipal and industrial composting facilities.
FILM & SHEET PRODUCTION
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Blown film gauge control overcomes shortcomings of other gauges.
A new barrier film scanner from Battenfeld Gloucester is said to be effective with all barrier materials irrespective of film temperature.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
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Spend more to save more says gwk.
Better electrics may raise the cost of the control unit, but save money in the long run, contends gwk of Germany.
Free loan for upgrading cooling systems.
Aqua Cooling Solutions is working with The Carbon Trust to lend companies money to buy more energy-efficient cooling systems.
Keep cooling water under control to prevent costly maintenance.
Safety regulations have increased the running and maintenance costs for evaporative cooling towers considerably. Conair is offering an option with its OFC air blast coolers which are closed circuit water recirculation units and so being exempt from new legislation do not require the same treatment or incur the maintenance costs of evaporative systems.
Non chemical treatment to kill water bugs.
The Sonoxide treatment system for industrial water systems introduced by Ashland Specialty Chemical is applicable to installations ranging from water towers to direct contact process water systems. It uses non-chemical technology to treat bacteria, algae and biofilm and control microbial growth but has none of the issues associated with the use of chemical biocides, says Ashland.
Why hot runner temperature control matters.
If you are moulding with a hot runner system you need to control its temperature. But how much, for what specific reasons and how well? Some comments from Husky which may help to build a picture.
SOFTWARE
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Preview that mould.
You've designed it, but can you build a mould round it? Clive Maier explores a program that pre-plans a mould layout to show you the pitfalls before you drop into them.
Delcam offers free trial of routing and engraving software.
Delcam is offering a free trial version of its entry-level CNC routing and engraving software ArtCAM Insignia. The free version includes all the design and manufacturing capabilities available in the full release, together with documentation and tutorials, but has the save and post-processing options disabled.
OTHER DOWNLOADABLE SECTIONS AND REGULAR FEATURES
Materials Marketplace, PMMDA Update (363 KB)
Company Report, Buyers' Guide (1,170 KB)
FACTFINDER CONTACTS FOR THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
101 James M Brown Ltd
Napier Street,
Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire
ST4 4NX
01782 744171
E-mail: sales@jamesmbrown.co.uk
Web site: www.jamesmbrown.co.uk102 Ensinger Ltd
Wilfried Way,
Tonyrefail,
Mid Glamorgan
CF39 8JQ
01443 678400
E-mail: sales@ensinger.ltd.uk
Web site: www.ensinger.ltd.uk103 Ticona UK Ltd
Hollinswood House,
Stafford Court,
Telford
TF3 3DD
01952 213456
E-mail: sean.kemp@ticona.co.uk
Web site: www.ticona.co.uk
02/01/2005
104 BASF UK Ltd
PO Box 4, Earl Road,
Cheadle Hulme,
Cheshire
SK8 6QG
0161 485 6222
Web site: www.basf.com105 BASF UK Ltd
PO Box 4, Earl Road,
Cheadle Hulme,
Cheshire
SK8 6QG
0161 485 6222
Web site: www.basf.com/107 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.uk108 Autotype International Ltd
Grove Road,
Wantage,
Oxfordshire
OX12 7BZ
01235 771111
E-mail: info@autotype.com
Web site: www.autotype.com109 Titan (Atlas Converting Equipment Ltd - Bobst Group)
Montgomery Way,
Biggleswade,
Bedfordshire
SG18 8UB
01767 310100
E-mail: sales.titan@bobstgroup.com
Web site: www.bobstgroup.com110 Arla Plast AB
Office 6, Crown House,
2 Church Row, PErshore,
Worcestershire
WR10 1BH
01386 561515
E-mail: kimwarren@arlaplast.co.uk
Web site: www.arlaplast.se113 Premier Moulding Machinery
Units 3 - 5 Fieldside Farm Estate,
Quainton, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire
HP22 4DQ
01296 658638
E-mail: info@haitian.co.uk
Web site: www.haitian.co.uk114 Kistler Instruments Ltd
Alresford House,
Mill Lane,
Alton, Hants
GU34 2QJ
01420 544477
E-mail: sales.uk@kistler.com
Web site: www.kistler.com115 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.com116 Hasco Normalien
Postfach 1720,
D-58513 Ludenscheid
GERMANY
011049235195734
E-mail: info.de.mk@hasco.com
Web site: www.hasco.com117 Hasco Normalien
Postfach 1720,
D-58513 Ludenscheid
GERMANY
011049235195734
E-mail: info.de.mk@hasco.com
Web site: www.hasco.com123 PMS Systems Ltd
Netherwood Road,
Rotherwas,
Hereford
HR2 6JU
01432 265768
E-mail: pms@pmssystems.com
Web site: www.pmssystems.com124 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.uk125 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.uk126 Conair Europe Ltd
350 Edinburgh Avenue,
Slough,
Berkshire
SL1 4TU
01753 215100
E-mail: info@conaireurope.co.uk
Web site: www.conaireurope.co.uk127 Hasco Normalien
Postfach 1720,
D-58513 Ludenscheid
GERMANY
011049235195734
E-mail: info.de.mk@hasco.com
Web site: www.hasco.com128 Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
Robey Close,
Linby Industrial Estate,
Linby, Nottingham
NG15 8AA
0115 964 0777
E-mail: acsorba@watlow.com
Web site: www.watlow.co.uk129 Fast Heat
Unit 7,
Alder Close,
East Sussex
BN23 6QF
01323 647375
E-mail: sales@fastheatuk.com
Web site: www.fastheatuk.com130 Colortronic (UK) Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road,
Chesterfield Trading Estate,
Chesterfield
S41 9QB
01246 260222
E-mail: sales@colortronic.co.uk
Web site: www.colortronic.co.uk131 Ashland Distribution Company Ashland UK Ltd
Ashland House,
Swanwick Court,
Alfreton, Derbyshire
DE55 7AS
01773 520666
Web site: www.ashland.com132 Isothermal Technology Ltd
Pine Grove,
Southport,
Merseyside
PR9 9AG
01704 543830
E-mail: info@isotech.co.uk
Web site: www.isotech.co.uk134 Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd
Dominion Way,
Worthing,
West Sussex
BN14 8NW
01903 202151
E-mail: sales@etiltd.co.uk
Web site: www.etiltd.co.uk135 4Plas Ltd
7 Aldin Way,
Hinckley,
Leicestershire
LE10 0GE
01455 612601
E-mail: enquiries@4plas.com
Web site: www.4plas.com136 PolyOne
Rue Melville Wilson 2,
B-5330 Assesse
Belgium
Web site: www.polyone.com137 Kraiburg TPE (UK)
Business Innovation Centre.
Staffordshire Technology Park,
Beaconside, Stafford
ST18 0AR
01785 241343
E-mail: info-uk@kraiburg-tpe.com
Web site: www.kraiburgtpe.com138 Delcam UK
Talbot Way,
Small Heath Business Park,
Birmingham
B10 0HJ
0121 766 5544
E-mail: marketing@delcam.com
Web site: www.delcam.com139 Performance Plastics Ltd
3 Brock House,
Grigg Lane,
Brockenhurst, Hampshire
SO42 7RE
01590 622666
E-mail: info@performance-plastics.co.uk
Web site: www.performance-plastics.co.uk140 Zotefoams plc
675 Mitcham Road,
Croydon
CR9 3AL
020 8664 1600
Web site: www.zotefoams.com141 Sherwood Technology Ltd
Unit 3, Wheldon Road,
Widnes,
Cheshire
WA8 8FW
0151 423 9360
E-mail: info@sherwoodtech.com
Web site: www.sherwoodtech.com142 DuPont (UK) Ltd
Maylands Avenue,
Hemel Hempstead,
Herts
HP2 7DP
01442 218500
E-mail: Trevor.Prince-2@gbr.dupont.com
Web site: plastics.dupont.com143 Colloids Ltd
Kirkby Bank Road,
Knowsley Industrial Park North,
Liverpool
L33 7SY
0151 546 9222
E-mail: sales@colloids.co.uk
Web site: www.colloids.co.uk
E-mail: info@mecmesin.com
Web site: www.mecmesin.com150 Quadrant EPP UK Ltd
83 Bridge Road East,
Welwyn Garden City,
Herts
AL7 1LA
01707 361833
E-mail: contact@qplas.com
Web site: www.quadrantepp.com157 Chronos Richardson Ltd
Arnside Road,
Bestwood,
Nottingham
NG5 5HD
0115 935 1531
E-mail: info@chronosrichardson.com
Web site: www.chronosrichardson.com165 Delcam UK
Talbot Way,
Small Heath Business Park,
Birmingham
B10 0HJ
0121 766 5544
E-mail: marketing@delcam.com
Web site: www.delcam.com170 AKG Polymers
6 Repton Drive,
Haslington,
Crewe, Cheshire
CW1 5SA
01270 617204
E-mail: ian.cleveley@btconnect.com
Web site: www.akg.nl
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