Published 12/19/2017

Technology Tuesday: Preparing for NPE with Plastics Review

This slideshow has you covered in plastics review with discussion on common plastics problems like sticking and warping. It includes pieces on software analysis for plastic parts, and it even includes a piece on making the most out of used plastic.

NPE
Analysis

Karen Cornelissen

Contributing Editor, MoldMaking Technology

Read the related 2013 blog, “What if Metal Follows the Same Path as Plastic?”

Directed Manufacturing sees metal additive manufacturing becoming as much of an established technology for final part production as plastic additive manufacturing is now. It expects to buy more metal additive machines in anticipation of the work that’s coming. Directed also succeeds in additive production of plastic parts. The alignment tool in this image is used for knee surgery is tailored to CAT scan measurements of the patient. The company expects to serve production needs in metal comparable to those it is already serving in plastic.

Read the related 2017 article, “Limiting Stress Limits Chances of Plastic Part Failure.”

Molders can reduce excessive stress in plastic parts with a deeper understanding of part design, mold design and material selection. This thermos lid molded from polycarbonate is exhibiting stress. Image courtesy of RJG Inc.

Read the related 2016 article, “Plastic Injection Molding Starts with the Pellet.”

MMT compiled a series that examines the injection molding process by breaking down the path a plastic pellet takes as it is transformed from Pellet 2 Part. It covers what every moldmaker should know about raw materials, including the fundamentals of viscosity curves, Melt Flow Index, Melt Flow Rate, shear and more. Image courtesy of Krauss Maffei.

Read the related 2013 blog, “The Designer's Edge: Plastic Part Sticking, Part 1.” Also, be sure to check out Part 2 and Part 3 from the same series.

Most of you have experienced issues with a plastic part sticking in the cavity, core, lifters, slides or ejector pins, and a typical response is to polish or add undercuts. However, if you understand how materials react to certain surface finishes and temperatures, a more robust solution is possible. In this image, the opposite side shows the ejector pins. A pin push is visible on the visual surface. The stress is from the plastic sticking in the rib detail.

Read the related 2013 article, “Putting Recycled Plastics to Work.”

Haidlmair discovered that if recycling is done correctly, the difference between virgin and recycled plastic material is minimal. Material for thick-walled, large industrial logistic containers, such as the one pictured in this mold from Haidlmair, makes up more than 90 percent of the total cost to produce the part. This makes it an ideal candidate for using a large portion of recycled plastic material, which can lower costs yet still meet the required performance specifications. Image courtesy of Erema and Haidlmair.

Read the related 2013 article, “Moldmaker Relies on Plastic Injection Analysis System for Perfect Plastic Cover.”

When a moldmaker received an order for a plastic cover from a company making electrical coupling components, they began the design and manufacturing process using a plastic injection analysis system, which checks mold design and the optimum placement of injection gates.

Read the related 2015 blog, “What is Your Plastic Pain Point?”

Many will agree that one of the most frustrating aspects of plastic injection molding is warping. CAE Services' Director of Engineering, Tim Lankisch took time with MMT during a webinar this fall to explain how the manufacturing of plastic parts affects their final shape. Take a look at these three key questions below that were asked during the discussion, and then view the recording.

Read the related 2014 blog, “Additive System Produces Functional Plastic Parts.”

Arburg’s freefomer system builds plastic components from the ground up with the same, pelletized material as a plastic injection press. Traditionally known for injection molding presses, Arburg has applied its expertise to the additive realm with the Freeformer system, shown here on display at the Euromold show in 2014.

T minus four months and 18 days till NPE2018. That’s right. With fewer than five months left till Plastics Industry Association’s big show, what better time is there to brush up on your knowledge of plastics in moldmaking? As Editorial Director Christina Fuges notes in her letter from January, 2018 is a big year. It is not too soon to start planning. This slideshow has you covered in plastics review with discussion on common plastics problems like sticking and warping. It includes pieces on software analysis for plastic parts, and it even includes a piece on making the most out of used plastic. Did you know that under the right treatment, recycled plastic can perform like virgin plastic? Check out the slideshow for August 2017’s TIP, in which the pros from Haidlmair and Erema weigh in on recycling. Think of the savings that using recycled plastic could bring to your wallet and to the Earth!

Need to start planning your trip to NPE2018? Be sure to check out the NPE zone, where you can find up-to-date information on show news, products and blogs, or visit the NPE event website for everything you need to plan your trip.

Featured in this week’s slideshow are articles and blogs on the latest plastics developments in moldmaking. Suppliers and consultants from RJG, Inc., Renishaw Inc., Directed Manufacturing, CAE Services Corporation, ARBURG, Inc., Erema, Haidlmair, VISI by Vero Software and Krauss-Maffei Corporation contributed to the articles and blogs in the slideshow. Links to relevant articles, blogs, series and other media are located in the slideshow captions.