So where should oil be? Not on the floor, that’s where! O-rings, tubing that serves as a seal, are crucial for keeping oil inside the machine and off your shop floor. They seal all hydraulic valve ports on manifolds, and while O-rings may seem straightforward and simple in nature, and they are, there are still […]
Filter elements are one of the most crucial parts on your injection molding machine. It is a key component and one of the greatest contributing factors to extending the life of your machine. Much like your kidneys, filter elements keep circulating fluids free from contamination and particles, which means your valves, pumps and hydraulic components […]
If titles were being considered for the plastics industry in 2018, it is fair to categorize it as the year of “smart everything”. In fact, it has seen a fair bit of transformation this year both in technology and capabilities but also the mindset or direction of plastics processing in general. From many of the […]
Structural Web molding technology is a variation of Low Pressure Injection Molding (LPIM) that was developed by Milacron as a proprietary molding process on our LPIM machines. It is a process that is well suited for large part/large shot sizes with good part surface aesthetics and low molded in stresses. The process also creates a […]
In the first post in our series ‘What is plastic extrusion?’, we discussed the basics of the plastic extrusion process. If you haven’t already read this post, you can check it out here. In the second post of the series, we are focusing on the extruder and the screw and how they influence the extrusion […]
If you’re looking at buying a used injection molding machine, below are some things to know/ask before purchasing. Begin with getting the year, make, model, tonnage, shot, serial number, hours & location of the machine along with photos of the machine from all 4 sides, inside the electrical cabinets, the platens, the toggle mechanism or […]
Plastic parts made using the Structural Foam process have a cellular or a structural core, surrounded with a thick outer layer (skin) that combine to give the products a greater strength to weight ratio and up to as much as twice the rigidity of the solid plastic products that are of the same material and […]
Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) are synonyms for connected devices that allow the owner to gain more efficiency and productivity from their equipment. The ability to control light switches in a home with a voice command, t-shirts that recognize your heart rate while exercising, utilizing smart technology in your refrigerator to know […]
What is injection molding? Injection molding is a manufacturing process commonly used for fabricating items from plastic trinkets and toys to automotive body parts, cell phone cases, water bottles, and containers. Essentially many of the plastic parts that we use in every-day life are injection molded. It is a quick process to create a mass […]
One of the many age-old debates that crisscross the plastic injection molding industry is that critical decision to either attempt to extend the life of an older machine or replace it. I would dare say that this is a topic far too familiar with plastics manufacturing in the United States, with an installed base of […]
