BP&R April 2013

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bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER www.britishplastics.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor: Leanne Taylor T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: leanne@rapidnews.com

SALES Group Advertising Manager: Lisa Montgomery T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: lisa@rapidnews.com

ART

Manufacturers urged to

get more women on board A recent report published by the EEF, the Manufacturer’s Organisation, revealed that manufacturing companies in the FTSE 100 have a higher than average number of women on their boards than the index overall.

The report comes at a critical time given the debate over whether there should be statutory quotas for women on Plc Boards, and because of the national debate on the shortage of female engineers at all levels.

The report highlights that out of the 29 manufacturing firms within the FTSE 100, women account for 19 percent of board positions, which is slightly higher than the 17 percent average of the entire FTSE 100.

However, with 81 percent of directorships held by men, just like other sectors, it is clear manufacturers have some way to go in tapping into the full talent pool at all levels of their workforce.

Some commentators have suggested that the best way to address this is by introducing quotas for the numbers of women on boards.

EEF's analysis suggests that this would not address the underlying issue of the need to increase the pipeline of women with engineering and other skills choosing to work in manufacturing, instead suggesting that careers advice must focus on promoting science and

engineering options at a much earlier stage in school than the current key stages 4 (ages 14-16) and 5 (ages 1618). As part of the campaign, EEF has also challenged manufacturers to get more of its apprentices and manufacturing graduates involved in going back into their schools, colleges and universities to promote careers in Industry.

Earlier this month, the IOM3 held its first ‘Women in Materials Event’ on mentoring and working with schools, which is a pertinent example of the sort of thing the EEF is encouraging. Dr. Ruth Sealy, Deputy Director of the International Centre for Women Leaders at Cranfield School of Management and an advisor on the EEF’s report said: “Mentoring is a vital activity to grow the female talent pipeline and enable high flyers to realise the possibility of career progression.”

The plastic and rubber industries highlight some excellent examples of successful female role models who could certainly inspire and encourage a new generation of women into the sector. It is vital at a time where so much focus is given to succession planning and skills transfer that the opportunity is extended so that equal representation, at all levels, is given to all.

Leanne Taylor — Editor

Production & Design Manager: Samantha Hamlyn T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: sam@rapidnews.com

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PUBLISHER Mark Blezard T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: mark@rapidnews.com British Plastics & Rubber is available on free subscription to readers qualifying under the publisher’s terms of control. Those outside the criteria may subscribe at the following annual rates: UK: £80 Europe and rest of the world: £115 British Plastics & Rubber is published monthly (10 times/year) by Plastics Multimedia Communications Ltd, Unit 2, Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QE T: +44(0)1244 680222 F: +44(01244 671074 © 2013 Plastics Multimedia Communications Ltd While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for British Plastics & Rubber are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

ISSN 0307-6164 Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age.

Associated organisations

THE BIG STORY Q: What is the difference between volumetric and gravimetric dosing?

P

ut simply, dosing systems dispense predefined amounts of material in a specified time period in a defined ratio. The recipe is based on the mass, not the volume, of the chosen ingredients. Dosing can be influenced by the type and properties of the input material, ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) and the type of dosing device. But there is another important factor to consider: whether you use a volumetric or gravimetric system.

As the name suggests, volumetric dosing systems only measure the volume of the ingredients (in cubic centimetres or metres, for example). Because the dosing device does not weigh the components, it must be calibrated to ensure that the correct mass is dosed over a set period. This means it must be recalibrated every time a new material or batch is introduced. Volumetric systems cannot automatically make adjustments for fluctuations in properties such as input material bulk density – and to play it safe, manufacturers tend to deliberately set the system to dispense a larger amount than is actually necessary. It is also important to ensure that the same amount of material is placed in all the ‘volumetric chambers’ within the dosing device, be it a screw, disc or chamber.

Gravimetric dosing systems, on the other hand, use one or more integrated weigh cells to measure input material. This means that

Mo explains: A volumetric system doses material according to the space it occupies i.e. its volume; a gravimetric system determines the amount of material to be dosed by weight.

mass is the only parameter considered. Because the system continues to dose material until it reaches the required target weight, fluctuations in density do not affect the outcome. A further benefit is that you can say with certainty how much total material – by weight – has been used, this is very important if you need to document the process for quality management purposes.

An example from around the home clearly illustrates the difference between volumetric and gravimetric measurements: 250 ml of liquid cream will become around 1000 ml when whipped – but its mass will remain constant at 250 grams.

Whether you use a gravimetric or a volumetric system, you can choose between synchronous or asynchronous operation – in other words, the components can be simultaneously dosed together straight into the process, or they can be dosed first and then mixed together in a second, separate step. If you are deploying an asynchronous system, a mixer must be installed downstream of dosing to mix the ingredients after they have been metred into the reservoir.

In the next instalment of mo’s corner, which will be published in the June/July issue of British Plastics and Rubber, we will take a closer look at volumetric and gravimetric dosing systems in terms of design and how they work.

Image A: Volumetric dosing systems measure ingredients on the basis of the space they occupy.

Image B: Gravimetric systems use load cells (D) to measure weight.

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Image C: When in synchronous operation (Images A and B), materials are simultaneously metered and fed into the process. Asynchronous systems (C), on the other hand, first measure the material before mixing and then feed it to the process in a separate step.

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Do you have a question relating the manufacturing and processing of plastics? askmo@moscorner.com

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on the cover

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32 18 30

• • • • • •• • • • • • • •• • • • • • • •

volumetric

according

But there is another

factor to consider:

{ Turn to page 4 for the full story. }

bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER

contents april 2013

on the cover What is the difference between volumetric and gravimetric dosing?

A volumetric system doses material according to the space it occupies i.e. its volume; a gravimetric system determines the amount of material to be dosed by weight. See page 4

3 editor’s letter Manufacturers urged to get more women on board

8-13 FEATURE materials handling Benefits of bulk blending polymers

15-19 FEATURE

20-23 FEATURE foams New IKV foaming process reduces part density

24-29 ]FEATURE

REGULARS RECLAMATION AND RECYCLING 34 Engineering Materials

40

From the Front Line

42

Currency Corner

43

SOFTWARE

43

BUYERS’ GUIDE

44

colour management Colour management and brand integrity

30-32 FEATURE optical polymers Two super-reflective grades for LED lighting launched

38-39 FEATURE

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adhesives Electrically conductive PU adhesive launched

injection moulding UK expertise for injection mould tools returning from overseas

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AB Systems invests in fast supply Materials handling and process cooling specialist, AB Systems, has made a significant investment in its Buckinghamshire-based headquarters in order to increase the volume of parts it is able to stock.

The company has purchased additional warehouse space and a stateof-the-art revolving storage solution to ensure that requests for chillers, drying equipment and spares can be fulfilled as quickly as possible.

AB Systems is a UK distributor for a number of materials handling and cooling systems manufacturers, including NovaFrigo, SB Plastics, Lorandi Silos, O.M.P and niche OEM brands. The increased storage capacity means that the company can hold a much wider range of parts, which it says affords many benefits for its growing customer base.

“Business continuity is of the utmost importance for any plastics manufacturer, and it can be imperative to get the right support as fast as possible,” explained Jeff Day, Managing Director of AB Systems. “Being able to stock such a massive range of parts on site means we can cater for almost any eventuality…and

Eighth bagging system supplied to PVC compounder Ancillary systems provider, Premier Tech Chronos, has recently supplied specialist PVC compounder, Dugdale plc, with its eighth Chrono-Weigh E55 bagging weigher, for the company’s Sowerby Bridge compounding facility in West Yorkshire.

During the last five years Dugdale has invested several million pounds in its new compounding plant, which has been designed to help it develop and manufacture high performance, lead-free PVC compounds. The company states it is also enabling it to expand its range of cellular grades, anti-microbial compounds, sealing and intumescent products as well as PVC alloys for elevated temperature applications.

Premier Tech Chronos has provided Dugdale with bagging systems based around its Chrono-Weigh E55 weighers.

The company says the latest system installed is a repeat of the previously supplied equipment, but operating at twice the throughput.

The Kardex system in AB Systems’ new warehouse space

MATERIALS HANDLING

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news

fast. Having cherry-picked the very best brands on the market, we can offer likefor-like replacements or recommend alternative OEM parts that we think will better serve the client’s application.”

To maximise space in the new warehouse, AB Systems has installed a 24-revolving shelf Kardex dynamic storage and retrieval system. The automated unit features over 144 locations and has a total loading of 4,500kg. AB Systems says its presence directly reflects the company’s ambition and growth over the past four years since it became sole distributor for NovaFrigo and SB Plastics.

“Aside from the obvious advantages for customers, an intelligent storage

A new, gravity-fed Chrono-Weigh E55 weigher with stainless steel contact parts has been supplied on a bespoke designed, double-level support framework; feedbin, valve bag filling spout and FIBC filling spout. This has been installed in an existing building that is adjacent to several previously supplied bagging systems.

Premier Tech Chronos says its engineers installed and commissioned the new bagging system and integrated it with the material conveying feed system.

To provide Dugdale with optimum levels of flexibility for their packing operation, Premier Tech Chronos says the new system has a ‘push-pull’ discharge chute configuration, which allows precision individual weighments to be made into valve bags, or multi-tip precision weighments to be made into IBCs. Control of the bagging process is achieved using a SpeedAC NXT highaccuracy weighing controller. further information: www.premiertechchronos.com

solution such as this will help us increase productivity, optimise our storage space and improve working practices,” said Mr Day. “It operates using the ‘goods to person’ principle, thus reducing waiting and walking times significantly. Ultimately it’s a reflection of the progress we’ve made as a company in recent years. We have a modern and progressive approach to business that delivers significant benefits for both AB Systems and our customers.” further information: www.ab-ltd.co.uk

The Chrono-Weigh E55 bagging weigher

further information: www.thplastics.co.uk

MATERIALS HANDLING

Case Study: TH Plastics installs New Dosing unit with Brushless tailor-made system at UK DC Motor launched New Omap, an Italian supplier of materials packaging site Ancillary equipment supplier, TH Plastics, handling equipment covering loading, has won a contract to deliver a new storing and mixing, drying, dosing, Moretto material handling system for conveying and granulating, has developed global packaging company, Kobusch. a new range of dosing units.

The Hadfield-based company says it These new units are said to incorporate a was selected to provide the system for brushless DC motor with torque control Kobusch’s Stanley site in County Durham based on the Hall Effect (the production of due to its experience in delivering fully a potential difference across an electrical integrated solutions for a variety of conductor when a magnetic field is applied organisations within the plastics industry. in a direction perpendicular to that of the Specialising in co-extrusion and flow of current). thermoforming for rigid packaging for the New Omap says in effect this means a food industry, Kobusch required a system much smaller physical unit but with encompassing a blender that could superior self-regulating control effectively handle two tonnes of regrind characteristics. The new controller will also flake per hour. TH Plastics worked with incorporate test and self-optimisation Moretto to identify a tailor-made solution features. for Kobusch, which included one of the The company states another major largest batch blenders sold in Europe - the advantage is that this new unit will more DGM1000, special flake loaders designed than cover the throughput range (0.2 – 30 to work with difficult-to-flow regrind flake, kg/hr of additive) of its existing D0SA1 and a Eureka drying system for the virgin PET D0SA2 units. and a supervisory system to monitor all Massimo Rubbis, Export Sales Director at the equipment.

New Omap, supplier to UK distributor Crawford Fleming, Project Manager at Intelicare, commented: “The new Kobusch, commented: “We selected TH brushless DC motor dosers offer Plastics as they were able to offer us a fitfor-purpose and cost-effective solution that was tailored to meet our specific requirements. “The systems work seamlessly together and we’ve been able to achieve optimum levels of over three tonnes of flake material per hour, which we’re extremely pleased with.”

Lee Thomas, Managing Director at TH Plastics, added: “It was clear pper and to us that Kobusch Eureka OTX drying ho required a solution r nde ble DGM1000 that was designed around its needs as a global packaging company that provided its customers with a wide array of technological platforms and service to deliver real value.

“We drew on our own experience and that of Moretto to not only design a complete solution that was fit for purpose, but to install one that could also deliver a reduction in energy usage and time-saving benefits in the long-term.”

The new dosing unit from New Omap

significant benefits over the existing, well proven and successful DOSA range. For instance, the combination of DC motor with one set of standard screws provides step-less dosing adjustment covering a wide throughput range. Customers will benefit from the avoidance of changing feed screws plus a higher accuracy of dosing resulting in a more consistent and repeatable end product.” further information: www.intelicare.co.uk

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MATERIALS HANDLING

news Case Study: Materials handling gets medical treatment Wittmann Battenfeld UK recently supplied materials handling equipment to polymerbased medical and pharmaceutical products manufacturer, Bespak, when it expanded its plastic injection moulding operations.

The King’s Lynn-based manufacturer recently expanded its clean room moulding facility with the installation of seven injection moulding machines, principally to increase its production of metered dose dispensers.

Wittmann provided a Drymax 100 dryer equipped with dewpoint measuring to ensure consistant drying and three Silmax hoppers (2 x 150 litre and 1 x 30 litre) mounted on a common frame.

The Silmax hoppers are said to be equipped with Smart Flow intelligent air distribution valves, which automatically adjust to differing throughputs of material flow and also prevent over-cooking of materials.

Wittmann states the Drymax was sized for optimum drying and providing dry air, which was used to convey the materials over the lengths of pipework to the moulding machines, and purge valves were fitted to pipe runs to ensure material was not left sitting in pipes after conveying.

In terms of energy efficiency, Wittmann Battenfeld UK says it set a precedent in the Bespak production environment by stating a kWatt usage per kilo of material on the front of each dryer.

“Wittmann sets great store in our leadership for low-energy materials dryers,” commented Managing Director, Barry Hill. “We are very clear about pledging that performance to the customer in every dryer sale that we make.”

Each new Bespak moulding machine was also equipped with a B series loader sized for the appropriate machine

throughput. Bespak’s new Wittmann hopper loaders do not use a ‘flap and switch’, instead, they utilise a bell shape shut off which is pneumatically powered in order to give complete seal of the material flow. This configuration is said to be ideally suited for clean rooms.

Wittmann’s Gravimax blenders were also installed for the accurate metering of masterbatch into the machines and Wittmann robots were used on a total of five moulding machines, which were also equipped with downstream automation.

The Wittmann M7.2 control using CAN Bus was linked to all of the equipment including pumps and filters for easy configuration and for visual display of all functions and alarms.

Bespak dryers linked to the M7.2 therefore give a visual display of all functions of the drying cycle such as dessicant regeneration. On commissioning, a material menu is automatically produced and all drying temperatures and drying times are set.

This automatically prevents any given material being used until its drying time is complete. Temperatures are also preset from the initial M7.2 menu, which Wittmann says eliminates operator errors and maintains quality.

System expansions and/or setting modifications are very simple using the M7.2 control and fresh data can be downloaded to be used in various formats.

Hill said: “The M7.2 system continues to lead the industry and is designed to be as easy in use as possible. We know that the software gives the moulding customers complete monitoring, control and peace of mind as well as energy and material savings.”

The plant monitoring functions of the Wittmann 7.2 system are said to enable Bespak plant managers to view the materials feed and handling situation on each moulding machine in real time.

Wittmann says the M7.2 system therefore assists in maintaining Bespak production; predicting and avoiding any unwanted line stoppages and unscheduled downtime. further information: www.wittmann-group.co.uk

clean Bespak's new 823 W h it w room ed in L nt robots mou on ti ra configu

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Kreyenborg mixing silos are used for their homogenisation and longevity

Process adaptation for existing silo mixer A 20m³ Kreyenborg mixing silo with internal pipe auger that has been operating successfully for 20 years at a plastic compounding company in Germany has undergone a process adaptation which has reportedly seen it reduce energy consumption and speed up process time.

Ponachem Compound GmbH, based in Hamburg, develops, produces and sells compounds for extrusion and injection moulding processes. The company’s requirements from its existing mixing silo changed and Kreyenborg made adjustments to the process.

By replacing the pipe auger with an open mixing screw with special segments, Ponachem says it gained a better mixing result, a shorter mixing time – 20 minutes instead of four hours – and was able to drastically reduce the energy consumption of the mixer.

The results were determined on the basis of plastic regrind, however, Kreyenborg states this mixing technology is suitable for all free-flowing materials. further information: www.kreyenborg-pt.de

MATERIALS HANDLING

The mobile bins arriving at a compounding site in North West England

Case Study: Equipment supplier shows its flexibility Cheshire-based material handling equipment supplier, Genesis Process Solutions, has recently delivered an additional three off mobile bins to a North West compounder to use as a dynamic refill system for its Brabender loss-inweight feeders, taking their total on site to eight.

Genesis Process Solutions says the concept of a mobile bin is far from new, but using the Krause Flexible Transport System (FTS) gives the customer the option of using very poor flowing materials in mobile bins where a conveying system

would normally be chosen.

As the FTS units are filled in a controlled, dust free manner, transported to the line via forklift truck, pushed into position on a mezzanine floor and then connected to the agitation system, they are a completely sealed unit. Once in position, the operator simply opens the manual slide valve on the FTS unit and the system then works with the Brabender feeder giving the signal to refill – thus opening a pneumatic valve and starting the agitation system.

Genesis Process Solutions says the FTS can be supplied in many shapes and sizes to suit the customer requirements, as too can the inlets and outlets as everything is bespoke. “The ones supplied on this particular project were using a

coated material, but for less dusty products, a breathable fabric would be used,” explained Genesis’ Sales Manager, Phil Cameron. “The beauty of using the FTS is that the side walls and cone change shape with the product discharge and this therefore dramatically reduces bridging and rat holing typically found in rigid hoppers,” he continued.

Genesis Process Solutions, the agents for Krause in the UK and Ireland, also developed an agitation system to go underneath the bins using ‘pushers’ to agitate the flexible cone to ensure good mass flow. The company says various products are currently being used on site such as calcium carbonate and fibre glass strands – both of which would come under the category of poor flowing materials.

“We have effectively used our knowledge and experience from our larger flexible silos and downsized to suit mobile bins. The pusher agitation system effectively mimics the Flexwall feeder in its operation and therefore gives us a great mass flow from the hoppers,” Cameron concluded. further information: www.genesisps.co.uk

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MATERIALS HANDLING The Maguire VBD Vacuum Dryer is shown with frame for floor mounting. Vessels from top to bottom are heating hopper, vacuum vessel, and retention/take-away hopper

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news Conair presents NCF series super-tangential granulators ideal for plastic bottle processing New NCF Series super-tangential granulators from auxiliary equipment supplier, Conair, are claimed to have footprint dimensions at least 30 percent smaller than many other granulators with similar capabilities.

The group says the cutting chamber configuration is ideal for handling lightweight bulky parts such as plastic bottles, but also produces clean, uniform granulate from runners and small parts.

Different hopper designs and rotor/knife choices are available which are said to maximise performance with a wide variety of scrap types.

Conair states four different models feature 203mm diameter rotors, in widths of 240, 360, 480 and 600mm and deliver standard maximum throughputs ranging from 68 to 205 kg. A five-horsepower motor powers the smallest unit and the three larger sizes have 7.5 horsepower motors with options to 15 horsepower.

Standard rotor speed for the NCF 810 is said to be 260 rpm and standard speed on the larger models is 400 rpm, although changes and minimise downtime for Conair says 260-, 400- or 840-rpm can be service and maintenance. The knives specified on any of the granulators to require no adjusting to maintain a increase capacity, improve regrind quality consistent knife gap for improved quality, and/or minimise energy consumption. according to Conair.

A tilt-back hopper and drop-down screen cradle are said to provide easy further information: access to the cutting chamber for www.conairgroup.com maintenance and cleaning. Conair says these features contribute to increased productivity and reduced downtime. An optional sound attenuation package is Conair states its also claimed to make the NCF Series new NCF Series super-tangential quieter than other small granulators. granulators have Conair states the super-tangential footprint chamber design ensures that the rotor grips bulky scrap on the downward stroke, dimensions at least 30 percent smaller drawing it into the knives and preventing it than many other from bouncing on the rotor. Standard granulators with tangential and straight-drop in-feed similar capabilities configurations are also available. The company states the rotor itself can be open with three rows of double-angled knives for a clean scissors cut with minimum heat generation. For tougher materials, a solid rotor can be equipped with three rows of up to five cassette knives in a staggered array. Cassette knives allow for quick and easy knife

New generation vacuum dryer launched for time and energy savings Maguire has launched a resin dryer with a new design which it claims will “dramatically advance” the concept of vacuum drying, making operation much simpler and more reliable than with previous vacuum systems while continuing to provide substantial reductions in drying time and energy consumption in comparison with desiccant dryers.

While the concept of using vacuum to force moisture from within resin pellets remains a radical departure from conventional desiccant systems, Maguire says its new VBD Vacuum Dryer adds another concept – the use of gravity to move material through vertically arranged stages of the drying process, with the discharge of material from one stage to the next controlled by slide-gate valves.

This, the company says, eliminates most moving parts, in particular the threestation indexing carousel mechanism of its LPD vacuum dryer introduced in 2000.

It also does away with sealing gaskets, which can be worn and compromised by resin dust and with perforated screens, which require cleaning.

“The VBD Vacuum Dryer provides trouble-free, low-maintenance service, along with the same operator-friendly software and controller used with great success on the LPD dryer, and with the same five-year warranty,” said B. Patrick Smith, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “The savings in energy and startup time in comparison with conventional desiccant systems enable the processor who switches to the new VBD dryer to pay back his investment in a matter of months.”

Maguire says the first model in the new-generation system is the VBD-1000 Vacuum Dryer, with a throughput capability of up to 455 kg per hour. The unit is 4.9m tall and has a footprint of 2.1m by 1.1m. It can be configured for mounting on the shop floor or on a mezzanine. Maguire is offering the unit for around £40,000.

A series of smaller VBD dryers, starting with a throughput of 45 kg per hour, will be introduced in coming months.

Maguire products are available in the UK through Summit Systems. further information: www.maguire.com

MATERIALS HANDLING

Benefits of bulk blending polymers

T

he increase in the use of recycled plastics has brought with it its own set of challenges. Recycled and even reprocessed polymers can have inconsistent properties.

For example, the melt flow index of the material might vary markedly from one bag to another. This can cause difficulties in the production Karl Shields, Owner of process and a variation in the quality K-Tech Plastics Ltd, of the product being suppliers of ancillary produced.

It is not possible to and automation remove these bag-toequipment for plastics bag variations in the processing, explains the material by using a process behind the bulk continuous blender; instead we blending of polymers have to blend a and looks at some of the large quantity of technology available. material together.

Blending can take place at several different stages in the recycling process, including blending of regrind prior to pelletisation, blending of repelletised granules prior to sale as well as blending of regrind or repelletised material prior to production. Blending units are also often used to achieve colour consistency e.g. PET flake for food sheet with clear, green and blue flakes.

Blending the material also has other benefits too. The heat generated by the friction of the mixing combined with the fact that the material is aerated at the top of the mixer can help to reduce moisture levels in the material. If more intense drying is required, units are available which blow hot air through the material whilst it is being mixed. Being relatively inexpensive, these mixers can often double as a storage silo.

Fountain blender principle of operation Material can be introduced to the blender by hand using a manual feed hopper attached at the base of the conical section. However, this is not a practical solution for larger blenders. More commonly blenders are filled via a pneumatic conveying system, or via an auger feed system.

The material is drawn from the base of the mixer using a large central auger contained within a tube. The material sprays out rapidly at the top of the mixer creating a shower of material, this material then migrates back to the base of the mixer creating an annular flow. Once the mixer is full the mixing time is typically 30 – 40 minutes.

The mixed material can either be dispensed into bags or fed directly to processing machines.

Beccaria offers a range of fountain blenders that are ideal for this application. Sizes are available from 500 to 100,000 litres. Smaller units are positioned inside the factory whilst larger units are usually located outside and can be used for transferring mixed material directly into road tankers if required.

Material can be transferred in to the mixer using Beccaria’s rapid auger loading system, which will transfer a 1000 bag of material into the mixer in three to four minutes.

The mixer can be emptied equally rapidly using a high level discharge, which uses the central mixing screw to force material out of the upper outlet.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.ktechplastics.co.uk

The diagram shows the process of mixing the material in the blender

The Beccaria blending equipment

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further information: www.pentagonplastics.co.uk

Director, Paul Edwards, of Pentagon Plastics

The winning Tweet read: @TheoPaphitis #SBS family run Plastic Injection Moulder encouraging staff to be empowered to develop the business and be motivated...

UK injection moulder is the word on the Tweet Plastic injection moulder, Pentagon Plastics Ltd, has received a business boost from TV celebrity, Theo Paphitis, by way of the prestigious honour of a #SBS (Small Business Sunday) Award, communicated through Twitter. #SBS is the Dragon’s Den star’s way of rewarding and promoting small businesses that send him a tweet describing their business and activity in an allotted time frame each Sunday.

Paphitis ‘retweets’ six of his favourite messages, which can be seen by all of his 300,000-plus followers, providing a massive boost to the chosen businesses through increased Twitter followers, positive media publicity and crucially for many, increased sales.

Pentagon Plastics joined Twitter and the world of social media almost a year ago as an innovative approach to marketing working alongside the existing traditional methods to raise service awareness.

Pentagon’s Business Development Manager, Gabby Day, said: “The #SBS award is very exciting for us and should be for the Manufacturing Industry as a whole.

Raising awareness of the polymer industry and the opportunities within it is something that we have been focused on over the last year as well as promoting our own brand of services. We strongly believe that this award will go a long way to helping us achieve our long term goals.’’

Pentagon says social media has developed into a very valuable marketing tool running alongside more traditional approaches and believes that as well as enabling it to make invaluable contacts it has also helped to spotlight the UK manufacturing industry.

To follow Pentagon Plastics on Twitter look for @pentagonPIM

Business Developemnt Manager, Gabby Day, and Managing

news

INJECTION MOULDING

Engineering Passion www.kraussmaffei.com

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news Plastic manufacturer searches for oldest cereal box toy A Yorkshire-based plastics company is marking its 50th anniversary with a hunt for the oldest cereal-box plastic toy it historically manufactured.

Tatra Plastics, based in Norwood Green, near Bradford, wants to track down any of its toys that have survived down the years as a way of celebrating the achievements of the company since it was established in 1963.

“We’d like to hear from anyone who still has one of our plastic toys,” said Tatra’s Managing Director, Karl Hesmondhalgh. “We know there are serious collectors of this kind of ephemera and there may also be a few plastic figures that have remained hidden at the bottom of old toy chests.”

The era of free toys in cereal boxes was brought to an end by health and safety and ‘small parts - choking hazard’ warnings. Tatra says that for an entire generation growing up in the 60s and 70s, the toys were a special treat at breakfast,

Tatra Plastics chairman Paul Freud (left)

INJECTION MOULDING

Engineering Passion and MD Karl Hesmondhalgh start the search for plastic cereal box toys

not to mention a proven marketing tool for cereals manufacturers.

“It would be nice to know if any survived,” continued Karl. “Especially if the owner lives in West Yorkshire, because of the strong local connection.”

The best-known ranges were Magic Roundabout Characters (c.1968), Football Players (c.1974) and Warriors Through the Ages (c.1975). If you have a toy from any of these eras – let the Editor know by emailing leanne@rapidnews.com. further information: www.tatra.co.uk

Yorkshire-based manufacturer Advances with new order Yorkshire-based Advanced Plastics Ltd. has just added a new Wittmann Battenfeld production cell to its new purposedesigned 50,000sq ft manufacturing site in Hull.

The latest addition to Advanced’s mould shop – an EcoPower 180 moulding machine – will be making glass-filled PP metal-insert moulded components for the automotive industries. It will be joined by a W822 rack and pinion robot system; bowl feeder and other peripherals supplied by Wittmann Battenfeld.

Tatra Plastics is searching for the oldest cereal box toy that it previously manufactured Credit: Kellogg’s

Advanced Plastics’ Director, Chris Pearson, commented: “Battenfeld supported the business when we bought our first machine and we have made our supplier partnership work ever since then.”

Advanced says new business and new projects at have been steadily rising, with the arrival of the Wittmann machine forming part of a £3million investment programme.

The company has invested in a number of areas and Pearson states the company has “ambitions for work and growth in the mid-size to large shot moulding areas.” further information: www.advanced-plastics.co.uk

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www.kraussmaffei.com

Midlands moulder invests in compact machine Plastic injection moulder, Rutland Plastics, has just taken delivery of a new Engel 1500T Duo injection moulding machine, which it uart Johnston says will provide greater Steve Ayre and St 1500T capacity and flexibility within with the new Engel the company’s larger machine machine group.

The Midlands-based moulder says one of its key markets is for large and thick section mouldings and over the last two years it has seen an increase in demand for capacity on the largest machines.

The Duo is the new compact range of moulding machines from Engel and Rutland Plastics says the machine is a replacement for an older Engel 1250T. Apart from a smaller footprint, these Tyne Valley Plastics developed plastic parts for the Radfan machines are said to offer the ability to mould taller or longer parts than is currently possible on conventional moulding machines. Cycle time reduction pleasing design comprising of both is said to be possible because of the highinjection moulded and extruded Plastic components turn up the speed cylinders and fast locking action, as components, which fit together in an easy heat well as energy savings comparable to allA Northumberland-based plastics assembly process. electric machines. company has supplied all of the injection The company says it advised Heatwave This is the second new Engel machine moulded components for a new device UK on design modifications which would that Rutland Plastics has bought in as designed to circulate central heating more take cost out of the tooling and then later many months. A 160T machine was effectively. on considerations such as tool filling, gate added to the range at the end of 2012 in Tyne Valley Plastics manufactured the positioning and how best to eject response to an increase in demand for plastic parts for Heatwave UK’s innovative components. products moulded in this size range. This device, the Radfan, a fully automatic Tyne Valley Plastics says competitive latest addition is installed in the new device which re-directs heat from a pricing of components and tooling, production bay that has been purposely domestic radiator, which would otherwise sourced in the UK through Kavia Tooling, built to accommodate the Rutland’s larger end up at the ceiling, to a more useable helped fulfill one of Heatwave UK’s main moulding machines. With a higher roof level in a room. objectives for production, which was to and an overhead crane with a 15 tonnes The result is said to be a room that have as many components as possible for lifting capacity, the company says it offers feels warmer and more comfortable the Radfan to be manufactured in Britain. plenty of space for further expansion in without the need to increase the The product has recently been large machine capacity. thermostat setting. This is achieved by successfully launched and was recently Steve Ayre, Managing Director, means of two ultra low power fans and a highlighted in the innovation section of commented: “This latest purchase reflects cleverly designed plastic housing.

Radio 2’s ‘Simon Mayo Drive Time’ show Rutland Plastics’ commitment to Tyne Valley Plastics says it was heavily as well as now being available to continuing investment in the latest involved in the development of the plastic purchase. technology as part of providing world class parts for the Radfan from a very early service to our customers.” stage, ensuring the parts were further information: manufactured cost-effectively. The www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk further information: resulting part is said to be an aesthetically www.rutlandplastics.co.uk

Engineering Passion

Case Study: The ‘Ecoegg’ laundry egg is a plastic product designed for use in household washing machines to replace powder or liquid.

Although the product was conceived and designed in the UK, China was initially selected as the source for production and the manufacture of the suite of plastic injection moulding tools required. However, Ecoegg Ltd, the company behind the product, say the project was adversely affected by an accumulation of complications from suppliers, which put pressure on the delivery of the finished product.

Here, BP&R looks at how the company enlisted the help of the GTMA to find a solution.

UK expertise for injection mould tools

returning from overseas

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Dawn White, Managing Director of Ecoegg Ltd, the company behind the product, said her initial mistake was making the decision to have the tools for the Ecoegg manufactured in China.

“The supplier cut every corner with the tools during the manufacturing process, and when it came to the production run changes were made to the material specification,” she commented. “The initial samples were fine but the 40,000 production run was carried out using a much cheaper, locally sourced material, which caused a number of problems.”

With the help of the GTMA, the UK-based trade association for members representing toolmaking, rapid prototyping, precision machinery, metrology and tooling technologies, White brought the tooling and production back to the UK through the Hampshirebased B.E.C Group, a company which offers a range of in-house plastic injection manufacturing services including design for manufacture, prototyping, injection tool making and injection moulding.

“The GTMA knew that we could do this because of the skills, experience and capability we have under the one roof,” commented B.E.C Company Director, Mark Elvy. “This customer was up against it and we fully empathised with the issues they faced as we see it with on-shoring of tooling all the time.”

Once the tools were returned to the UK and inspected, B.E.C. says it was apparent some damage had occurred to the tooling during product trials, so the product was not conforming to the design intent. There were also issues around the timing of the manufacturing, as well as lead times needing to be shortened to meet the promised delivery. “At this point we had not seen the suite of three tools, so we gave an estimate based on photographs we had of the tools and the design of the finished product,” Elvy continued.

B.E.C said the first step was to correct the damage that had occurred to the tools with laser welding and spark erosion, including four sliding cores on two of the tools.

“In just three days we repaired the tools to a production standard so we could set up and start producing approved samples in the moulding machines. Within just five days, including working the weekend to meet the timeline, we had samples back to Ecoegg for approval. From there we started a small batch production run to ensure they had product for sale on time,” explained Elvy.

After seeing the tools running, B.E.C staff then made several recommendations for modifications to ensure the tools would last their full production life cycle.

FAR LEFT: Tooling modifications were made by B.E.C BELOW: The Ecoegg is a product designed for use in washing machines LEFT: The Ecoegg was designed in the UK

exist in the UK. We are here to let them know what our members can do.”

The GTMA states projects like the Ecoegg enable it to provide the focal point for those up and down the supply chain, from the designers to the plastics suppliers, on to the manufacturers and even the end customer. The association says this level of communication is necessary to help the industry in the UK move forward.

“Offshoring has been used to reduce large capital expenditure, but now the benefits are disappearing. Rising labour, shipping and currency costs put UK engineering firmly back in the driving seat where companies value quality, service and loyalty,” commented Elvy. “Don’t take a risk on headline savings with a supplier you don’t know, as you will pay for it for the lifetime of the product,” he concluded.

INJECTION MOULDING FEATURE

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further information: www.gtma.co.uk www.becgroup.com

“A full review of the tooling highlighted its poor quality. We were surprised to learn the tools were new as we thought they had been in production for at least five years,” said Elvy. “The tool drawing did not match the actual tooling and the sliding cores were not to tolerance and were badly fitted, which was causing damage to the tool core.”

He continued: “The tools were designed to be fully automatic but the faults did not allow automatic operation without the modifications suggested, including correctly fitted ejection blades to push the moulding out of the tool – the blades fitted to the tool as it was supplied were too short.”

GTMA Chief Executive, Julia Moore, commented: “Globalisation is still a popular pursuit for many businesses looking at the bottom line and locating where the labour pool is cheap. However, these locations still often lack the technical expertise and experience to provide engineering solutions. The allure of cheap tooling is being constantly eroded by currency fluctuations and steep increases in labour costs in the developing countries and full understanding of the tooling requirement.

“We have a great product design and innovation movement in the UK but the tool makers are not aligned with them, which is why many mould tools end up being sourced overseas. They simply do not realise that there are many companies, such as B.E.C, which still

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Foam core technology for weight reduction developed Chemicals producer, Arkema Inc., has developed technology to manufacture Kynar PVDF foam core structures that have a highly foamed centre layer with solid interior and exterior layers. The technology is based on the patent-pending foam concentrate technology, known as Kynar Flex 2620 FC masterbatch resin.

The foaming technology and specialised masterbatch have been developed by the R&D group in Arkema’s King of Prussia, PA, laboratory. The masterbatch is sold in pellet form, which the company says allows foaming levels to be fine-tuned in any conventional extrusion process.

“We continue to develop cutting edge technology to enable Kynar PVDF to expand into diverse markets not previously explored,” said Saeid Zerafati, Arkema’s Principal Research Engineer for Kynar PVDF fluoropolymer foams.

“Arkema has now developed the technology to produce a multilayer pipe which reduces weight by 50 percent at a significantly lower cost to manufacture while maintaining key Kynar PVDF properties,” Zerafati noted.

Kynar PVDF resin systems have a long history in oil and gas, chemical processing, high purity, flame and smoke

Kynar foam products can now be used in a wide range of

foams

news

film and sheet applications

and weatherability applications. Arkema states the new technical development creates opportunities in aerospace, aircraft and automotive applications where weight reduction is paramount. In addition, the company states the reduction in weight correlates to cost savings, which enables Kynar PVDF pipe to compete against low cost, lower chemical performance competitive materials such as various grades of metal, fiberglass reinforced plastics and other types of thermoplastics.

Arkema says foam core products utilising this technology have improved flexibility, thermal conductivity, acoustic insulation, and a dramatic overall weight reduction while maintaining excellent

physical, mechanical, and chemical resistance. “At 50 percent weight reduction, the pure Kynar PVDF structure can be made lighter than water,” explained Sean Stabler, Business Development Engineer for Kynar fluoropolymer foams.

Arkema says Kynar foam products can now be manufactured in monolayer, multilayer and foam core structures, allowing for a broad range of applications in pipe and sheet. Each structure can be tailored to the desired reduction in density per application.

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further information: www.arkema-inc.com

Kynar and Kynar Flex are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc.

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New adidas running shoes get a Boost from foam Global sportswear giant, adidas, has launched a new type of running shoe that utilises foam technology from BASF. The new Energy Boost range of running footwear incorporates a cushioning technology that is said to provide a high energy return for the wearer.

Based on a development process created by BASF, solid granular material

(TPU) is blown up and turned into thousands of small energy capsules which make up the footwear’s midsole. With their unique cell structure, adidas says these capsules store and unleash energy more efficiently. adidas says its innovation team tested how the Boost foam material reacted in a variety of temperatures compared to standard EVA foam commonly used in most running shoes. The results reportedly show that when taken from

t running shoe The new Energy Boos

+40 to -20°C, Boost foam is three times more temperature-resistant than standard EVA material, which is said to provide a more consistent run. further information: www.basf.com

Lower your running costs with our reliable

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Foam interest in seminars sees more dates added for 2013 At the end of November 2012, 130 representatives from various plastic processing firms visited Engel Austria’s Technology Centre in Schwertberg to learn about the possibilities of MuCell foam injection moulding. The seminar – arranged by Engel together with Trexel and other partners – attracted a full house. As a result, Engel has recently confirmed that it will hold the event again for 2013.

“The fact that physical foaming is becoming hugely more important is clear from the steadily rising numbers of people attending the MuCell seminars,” said Michael Fischer, Sales Manager (Technologies) at Engel Austria.

Engel says two factors in particular are driving growth: the gathering trend towards lightweight construction and the low distortion of products manufactured under the MuCell process.

Moreover, it is becoming easier all the time for plastics processing firms to implement the technology. Engel supplies complete, ready-to-use MuCell manufacturing cells. The company imports MuCell systems from Trexel, performs integration with injection moulding technology for control and safety purposes and offers application-specific consulting.

The event in late November focused on the manufacture of highly polished components for automobile interiors, the simulation of foamed structural components (using dashboard carriers as an example) and the cost-effectiveness of MuCell processes.

Presentations given at the event illustrated how MuCell can overcome the limitations of compact injection moulding, including thin or thick injection, no sink marks, high dimensional stability and improved rheological properties. Sample products on display demonstrated how MuCell can be used to cut component weight by as much as 20 percent while reducing carbon footprints.

“The automobile sector is still a focus for our applications,” commented Fischer. “However, we’re noticing that more and more sectors are recognising the potential of MuCell technology and exploiting the advantages. In 2013 we expect new medical engineering applications to emerge, for instance.”

This year’s MuCell seminars will take place on 4th-5th June and 27th-28th November 2013. The venue will be Engel Austria’s Technology Centre in Schwertberg. further information: www.engelglobal.com

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foams

news

Trelleborg Offshore and Construction has acquired Rochdale-based ATL

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Trelleborg acquires syntactic foam business in UK Trelleborg has announced the acquisition of Ambler Technology Limited (ATL), a manufacturer of syntactic foam and composite products based in Rochdale.

Founded in 1969 and having diversified from a traditional pattern making business into a manufacturer, processor and machinist of low density syntactic foam and composite solutions, ATL has experience across a wide range of applications including offshore oil and gas, aerospace, automotive and energy.

“ATL, which has been a key supplier to Trelleborg and other leading players in this field for over 20 years, offers a range of

ground-breaking low density syntactic solutions capable of performance at depths in excess of 7,000 MSW and has a particular expertise in the fast-growing area of remotely operated vehicles,” commented Alan Burgess, Managing Director of Trelleborg Offshore UK, within Trelleborg Offshore and Construction.

“With a focus on customer-centric development, we are moving in the direction of increasingly engineered polymer solutions with a higher technology and knowledge content. The acquired operation commands unique expertise and experience in composite materials that complement our global offering, primarily in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas in deep-sea environments,

but also in other interesting segments,” said Fredrik Meuller, President of the Trelleborg Offshore and Construction business area.

ATL recently agreed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Manchester University in a bid to further enhance its capabilities and develop business accelerating solutions for the oceanographic and intervention sector. As part of the arrangement, the company will look to create a centre of excellence for advanced composites. further information: www.trelleborg.com

further information: www.ikv-aachen.de

PU Test setup in the IKV pilot plant. Credit: IKV

New IKV foaming process reduces part density The Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) in Industry and the Skilled Crafts at RWTH Aachen University is developing a new foaming technology for the production of foamed polyurethane mouldings.

The new technology is said to enable the use of CO2 as the blowing agent. The IKV says it is regarded as the most promising and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical foaming with water, which results in hard segments and embrittlement in polyurethane parts. Until now, however, the IKV says use of large amounts of CO2 as the blowing agent has led to a lack of control of the foaming process.

The IKV says initial tests already show that the new CO2 foaming process results in much lower densities than have been possible previously. To achieve controlled expansion of the reaction mix, a gas counterpressure is generated in the foaming mould. This cavity pressure, which is above the vapour pressure of the dissolved CO2, prevents early foaming-up. With a specific reduction of the cavity pressure, the timing and speed of the expansion process can be controlled. This prevents early expansion and collapse of the foam.

For this process, the IKV scientists cooperated with PME fluidtec GmbH, in the development of a sealed-off mould with valve technology and a corresponding process control. In addition, a highpressure HS500 metering machine from Hennecke GmbH was adapted to the new process technology.

IKV has successfully started up the technology and says preliminary trials have already yielded flexible foam parts with a density of around 90 kg/m³. It says the process opens the door to expanding the range of individually adjustable mechanical properties of the PU foam.

The Institute says material foamed with CO2 can be made more flexible than one that is foamed chemically. In addition, it significantly reduces the amount of isocyanate that was needed for the conventional chemical foaming reaction, thus helping to reduce costs.

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Zotefoams launches new packaging grade Manufacturer of cross-linked block foams, Zotefoams, has launched a new foam grade specifically for the packaging market.

PackaZote is claimed to have a number of properties that make it an economical choice for the packaging market, including less wastage and better application methods.

Zotefoams says PackaZote was developed to fill a gap in the market; a product that can fulfil its application need whilst offering the converter properties including isotropic behaviour, purity, lighter density and less laminations.

Zotefoams’ products are made by a high-pressure nitrogen gas solution process, which is said to produce pure, chemically inert foam without blowing agent residues and with a uniform cell structure and regular cell walls. further information: www.zotefoams.com

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colour management

When the appearance of your product matters... Think Stothard

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news Colour service is the perfect match Bridgend-based CJP sales says it is offering a colour matching service for plastic product manufacturers requiring masterbatch.

With the introduction of polymer specific grades, masterbatch is very often the most cost effective way of producing coloured components in virtually all grades of plastic, especially true for smaller lot producers, says CJP. “Customers simply need to send in a sample colour to our technical department, and we will have it matched to an extensive bank of colours, send sample plaques back for approval and supply the masterbatch in as small lots as 10kgs. Typically, the addition rate is

Investment paying off with flying colours Masterbatch manufacturer, Colloids, states that recent investment in equipment and upgrades at its two UK manufacturing sites is benefitting clients through efficiency gains, reduced lead times and greater flexibility.

“Putting clients’ needs first, that’s the reason for our ongoing investment in capital equipment,” commented Josephine Bagnall, Sales and Marketing Director at Colloids.

The company operates two manufacturing sites in the UK - at Knowsley near Liverpool and at Rushden in Northamptonshire. Colloids says at Rushden new mixing technology – which feeds the entire plant – is increasing flexibility, cutting the time needed to change colours/formulae, improving efficiency and reducing waste and cleaning, all while supporting high dispersion.

The company states the result is not just greater efficiency, helping everyone to control costs at a time of increasing raw material prices, but also reduced lead times and improved responsiveness. “It’s not unlike a commercial kitchen, where cook-in-the-bag can bring benefits over

between one and two percent, which means that small coloured quantities can be achieved at minimum cost,” said Richard Benyon, Director at CJP.

CJP offers a colour matching service for masterbatch

further information: www.cjpsales.co.uk

starting every recipe afresh back at the chopping board,” said Josephine.

The mixing technology at Rushden is in addition to a new €120,000 investment in a new 46mm twin-screw line completed in 2012.

At Knowsley, the latest enhancements include a one million Euro investment in a complete twin-screw extrusion line, which features high torque and high volume extrusion, with multiple loss-in weight feeders in addition to an underwater strand pelletising technology (particularly suited to high temperature crystalline polymers) for more uniform geometry – which Colloids states provides greater stability in the customer’s process.

“One of our areas of specialist expertise is nigrosine,” continued Josephine. “We are proud of our worldleading performance in the field, offering

[our] clients benefits such as better mechanicals and improved injection moulding behaviour - and the new line is optimised for nigrosine. In specifying, commissioning and running this line, as always, we have the benefit not only of our in-house experience but also the international experts from our parent, the Tosaf Group.”

With these upgrades now in production, Colloids states it is already planning the next round of investment. further information: www.colloids.co.uk

Colloids’ New Twin Screw Extrusion Line

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et Orange Iriodin 506 Suns ted in the ca lo is said to be between um tr ec sp colour es ad gold and red sh

Hello sunshine: new pigment launched for plastics Merck, a supplier of effect pigments, has launched a new colour that it says creates unique effects for plastic products.

The new Iriodin 506 Sunset Orange pearl-luster pigment is said to boast high luminosity, strong body colour, give good coverage and nearly limitless combination possibilities for the print and plastics industries.

Merck says its Iriodin pearl luster pigments, which consist of mica-based particles, measuring 5 to 35 Îźm and coated with metal oxides, create semitransparent pigments with a soft, deep sheen.

Iriodin 506 Sunset Orange is said to be located in the colour spectrum between gold and red shades, meaning it offers a unique orange effect that was previously only achieved by mixing different pigments.

The new, high opacity orange pigment can reportedly be combined with effect and absorption pigments for the creation of several colour shades including warm, brilliant orange and cool copper, as well as shades of brown, red or gold.

Merck says the application areas within the plastics industry include thermoplastic casings for household and entertainment electronics devices, household goods and packaging. further information: www.merck-performancematerials.com

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When the appearance of your product matters... Think Stothard

Why measure colour?

Tom Stothard of Leicester-based colour and appearance measurement specialists, Think Stothard, highlights the benefits of measuring colour in the plastics industry.

Pellet holder

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easuring colour and overall appearance of products can lead to reducing wastage, preventing unnecessary friction between customers and optimising processes.

How? There is an easy and simple way to measure the colour and overall appearance of plastic products: by using a Spectrophotometer. The Spectrophotometer technology is used in every day industry to either characterise a sample and/or to also provide visible wavelength data for the accurate calculation of colour. When measuring colour and overall appearance there are a few points to consider ensuring the measurement is accurate and relates to what the human eye sees.

Sample Preparation The key to repeatable colour measurement is sample preparation.

Plastic components come in all shapes and sizes and a manufacturer needs a device that when called upon they can measure flat samples through to irregularly shaped products like preforms.

For example, the Hunterlab ColorQuest XE has many custom made holders to hold

the sample in position and ensure an accurate measurement is being taken without having to change instrument.

Instrument and RSIN mode would be recommended. The Hunterlab ColorQuest XE (0/8) has two modes built in RSEX (overall appearance) and RSIN (actual colour content), which makes it ideal for formulating colour as well as controlling the finished surface.

Geometry The Geometry is important as this defines how the data is obtained. If a user would like to look at the overall appearance of the sample taking into consideration different surface finishes (matt/gloss) then a 0/45 instrument or one with RSEX mode would be the preference.

If the colour alone is important and surface texture needs to be ignored for colour formulation then a 0/8 (or diffuse)

Lighting conditions Different lighting conditions cause the sample to appear differently and the root cause of most quality control issues is that the checks are carried out under different lighting conditions opposed to standardising on one daylight, for example. Using software enables you to view results under different lighting conditions and see how the sample would change if illuminated by different lighting.

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colour management

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Colour consistency is important in plastic products

Scale Choosing the right scale for the application is important. Using language that is universal makes the task of discussing what something looks like a whole lot easier. Writing a colour specification that others can interpret is the ideal way to meet specifications. The L,a,b scale is the most commonly used method around the world and is easy to understand.

The L-Axis runs from top to bottom.

The maximum for L is 100, which would be white or a perfect reflecting diffuser.

The minimum for L would be zero, which would be black. The a- and b-Axes have no specific numerical limits. Positive a is red and negative a is green. Positive b is yellow and negative b is blue.

If you would like to receive a free guide into measuring colour then send your details to hello@thinkstothard.com further information: www.colourmeasure.com

Custom-made holders for the plastics industry

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When the appearance of your product matters... Think Stothard

an Colour management is eloping dev of ect essential asp ssful cce su a g inin inta ma and nd bra and recognisable

Colour management is an essential aspect of developing and maintaining a successful and recognisable brand. Tony Bestall, Managing Director of Silvergate Plastics, discusses how the stringent yet responsive process of masterbatch production ensures brand integrity, accurate market positioning and increased consumer appeal.

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In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competitive and consumer-led markets, great aesthetics really do equate to great sales. In the manufacture of a finished plastic product, masterbatch is used as the sole raw material that defines the attractiveness of the product to the purchaser and end user. Consequently, the accurate and consistent management of colour is critical to maintaining both company and product reputation. The benefits of using solid masterbatch are far reaching, not only because of its superior handling and performance, but also due to the many control mechanisms within its production process that guarantee long-term colour accuracy.

With access to a global network of manufacturers and suppliers, plastics component buyers face challenges in controlling, managing and maintaining colour stability. This is becoming more and more complex as producers strive for suppliers with the operational excellence that essentially ensures brand integrity. In parallel, state of the art systems will deliver the most cost effective and quickest solutions. Time and budget constraints do influence the choice of colour producer, but choosing to partner with one experienced in robust colour management controls will always deliver the best results.

A well-known product design and development consultancy based in North Wales has recently experienced this exact

situation. Its US-based client produces specialist safety equipment and uses manufacturers located at various international locations. This scenario can significantly increase the risk of colour variation; which has the potential to compromise the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand image.

The design consultancy wanted to mitigate these risks long-term and set about initiating a process to control the colours globally and to avoid any variation, both in terms of component-to-component and region-to-region.

Using rigorous processes of colour formulation and masterbatch production, a robust colour management programme was established to bring uniformity and precision to the range of colours specified across the globe. The US Company can now manufacture its products anywhere in the world without compromising the integrity of its brand or products.

Stringent control measures can be implemented to ensure customers achieve an accurate colour time and again. With very precise computer generated colour co-ordinates, each formulation is strictly recorded and controlled for the lifetime of the product.

Colourists utilise computerised formulation processes that eliminate the risk of human error and ensure accuracy from the very outset of the manufacturing process. Within this initial formulation stage, a precise match is achieved and

colour management feature

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Masterbatch is used as the sole raw material that defines the attractiveness of the product to the purchaser and end user

also the compatibility of the pigments with the final application is ensured. It is possible for a computer controlled formulation management system to identify materials that are suitable for a specified application, and accept only those that are fit for purpose at the formulation entry stage.

Weigh management control systems exist that guarantee only the right raw materials are selected when manufacturing a particular formulation. It also ensures correct quantities are added to the mixing vessel, thereby ensuring batch-to-batch consistency. Using a computer-controlled system linked directly to the colour formulation data allows production personnel to add exact quantities of pigments and additives. Only when the target weight is achieved can

the system call for the next ingredient.

This process is critical as it ensures that correct pigments are being included at precisely the correct weight.

To eradicate the risk of contamination within the production process, it is good practice to protect the weighed pigments from the external environment prior to mixing. Practically, the product remains in an enclosed vessel from the point it is weighed to the moment it enters the extruder barrel. This ensures the performance of the product is not compromised and assures the customer of a zero risk to airborne raw material contamination.

To validate the final colour, a spectrophotometer coupled with the latest colour measurement software is used

throughout the whole process. This ensures total accuracy of colour and prevents incorrect colour production, colour drift, metamerism and batch-tobatch variation.

Colour formulation and production control systems have made massive and significant technological advancements in recent years. These controls are in place to ensure purchasers receive a raw material that will enhance the overall aesthetics and performance of plastic products. Investment is moving the masterbatch industry to levels never previously experienced, providing peace of mind for the whole supply chain. further information: www.silvergate.co.uk

Come and visit us Hall 8A Stand D01

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optical polymers

news

new LSR MPM launched ications pl ap for optical

Ultra-transparent LSR launched for optical lenses and light guides At the International VDI Conference in Germany last month, Momentive Performance Materials (MPM) showcased transparent liquid silicone rubber (LSR) for complex optical lenses and light guides in automotive design and engineering.

The new Silopren liquid silicone rubber (LSR) 7090, which completes MPM’s ultra-transparent LSR 7000 series, is said to provide an improved hardness of 90 Shore A combined with optical durability.

MPM says the new glass-clear liquid silicone rubber enables freedom of design and productivity advantages for complex optical parts, including high precision surfaces in lighting applications.

“The innovation-enabling technology solutions we bring to our customers address many of the energy efficiency, safety and high quality design issues that are top of mind in automotive engineering,” said Heiko Bayerl, Marketing Manager, Elastomers Europe for MPM. further informtion: www.momentive.com

Clear incentive for automotive lighting competition SABIC has announced it will be collaborating with London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) as part of a research programme and competition based around its Vehicle Design course.

‘VISIcON’ is an automotive lighting programme and design competition involving more than 30 post-graduate students from the RCA who are researching and exploring how SABIC’s high-performance thermoplastic lighting materials and polycarbonate glazing technologies can be applied in practical and creative ways to enhance the lighting and illumination of current and future vehicles.

“The Royal College of Art brings together some of the world’s most talented future automotive designers,” said Greg Adams, Vice President, Automotive and Polycarbonate Strategy with SABIC’s Innovative Plastics business.

“We are happy to work with the RCA once again to stretch the technology and design boundaries that currently exist in automotive lighting. We are looking forward to seeing the future of the vehicle through the creative eyes of the RCA’s students.”

SABIC and London’s Royal College of Art have teamed up to launch an automotive lighting and design competition

SABIC’s selection of materials for automotive lighting include various grades from its Lexan, Ultem, Valox and Stamax resin product lines.

Professor Dale Harrow, Head of the RCA’s Vehicle Design course, said that SABIC’s materials were a “source of inspiration” to future automotive design.

“Through a collaborative program like VISIcON, we can help connect our young designers to the empowering material solutions available from SABIC that can bring their design possibilities to life,” he commented.

The VISIcON programme has tasked students from the RCA’s three automotive studios to research and explore current and future application of materials, including front, rear and interior lighting.

The winning student and design will be revealed at an awards ceremony in May. SABIC and the RCA previously collaborated in a 2005/2006 programme called PLASTicon in which students developed car design visions based on innovative uses of plastics. further informtion: www.sabic-ip.com

Evonik launches lens package for CPV optics Evonik has launched a complete acrylic lens package which it says is designed to provide access to Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) optics, while also saving customers significant costs and lead times associated with tooling.

New Plexiglas Solar Pre-Fab acrylic lens panels are part of the Plexiglas Solar product portfolio, which consists of speciality PMMA moulding compounds and sheet products for solar applications.

The lens panels are combined with a Secondary Optical Element (SOE) to create a complete optical train package for assembly directly into Concentrated Photovoltaics (CPV) modules. Evonik says this allows customers to forgo the purchase of a tooling device needed to create the product, which is said to be very expensive and requires a timeconsuming installation process of several months.

“The package’s complete offering allows us to deliver world-class performance to our customers while bypassing the tooling process to save both time and money,” said Christopher Walby, New Business Development Manager of Evonik’s Acrylic Polymers business line.

“We are also offering the product in small quantities of as little as 10 panels to be used in prototypes.”

Evonik says the Plexiglas Solar Pre-Fab lens panel serves as the Primary Optical Element (POE), which collects light over its entire area. This POE is coupled with the Secondary Optical Element (SOE), which focuses and homogenises light over a smaller area in order to maximise its usefulness to a solar cell.

The lens panels reportedly provide excellent light transmission, high mechanical strength, low weight and outstanding resistance to weathering and UV light. further information: www.evonik.com

The ‘Night & Day’ range of acrylic sheet is black during daylight, turning white when illuminated at night.

The signs are right for new LED acrylic sheet Altuglas International, a subsidiary of the Arkema group, has launched a new generation of its Altuglas acrylic sheet optimised for LEDs. The company has launched two new ranges – Altuglas LED system, which is designed to provide uniform illumination with no LED hot spots and maximum luminescence efficiency and Altuglas Night and Day acrylic sheet, which is black during the day turning white when illuminated at night.

Altuglas International says the two new ranges are designed for applications such as signs and interior and exterior architecture and design. The sheet is said to be resistant to UV and atmospheric agents as well as being easy to thermoform.

The company says formulation of the acrylic glass is optimised for uniform and maximised light distribution and is available in 14 colours over the two ranges. It is said to reduce energy consumption and the number of LEDs used by up to 20 percent compared to a standard acrylic sheet. further information: www.altuglasint.com

Structure of the Plexiglas Solar Pre-Fab lens panel

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optical polymers

news Polycarbonate sheet clearly has World Cup covered Polycarbonate sheet from Bayer MaterialScience will keep 70,000 spectators protected from the elements whilst letting in an optimum amount of natural light as part of the Estadio Nacional stadium roof at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Makrolon solid polycarbonate sheets are said to have excellent optical properties and transparency, as well as being sturdy, highly impact-resistant and breakproof and meeting the relevant requirements for safety, weather resistance, economic feasibility and design.

Bayer says the polycarbonate sheets have a light transmission of 82 percent, ensuring optimum natural light for healthy turf growth.

The Makrolon UV 2099 grade that will be used in the stadium has a UV coating on both sides that is said to remain in place after being processed by coldbending and even after many years of weathering.

The final inner ring of the stadium roof will consist of 110 metric tonnes of Makrolon UV 2099, with each sheet 12mm thick and over 10 metres long.

Two super-reflective grades for LED lighting launched Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, has introduced two new-generation Thermx polycyclohexylene-dimethylene

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Outside view of the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia with circular suspension roof

Bayer states thanks to their relatively low weight compared to other materials, the polycarbonate sheets do not require a costly sub-structure. Furthermore, the sheets are said to be easy to process, allowing direct handling on-site.

The Estadio Nacional continues the long list of projects in recent years where Makrolon has been used in sports arenas for major international events, including the roofs of the stadiums in Shenyang and Tianjin for the Summer Olympic Games in 2008, the Arena Legia in Warsaw and the PGE Arena Gdansk for UEFA Euro 2012. further information: www.materialscience.bayer.com

terephthalate (PCT) resins, said to deliver outstanding initial reflectance and the reflectance stability required in lightemitting diode (LED) packages found in display backlight and general lighting.

“Developers at Ticona have developed two high-performance, super-white grades of Thermx PCT, meeting the challenging requirements of LED reflectors, especially for high brightness, medium-power LEDs,” said Ruth Castillo, Thermx PCT and Vectra/Zenite LCP Global Business Director at Ticona. “Thermx PCT provides superior colour and reflectance stability under heat and light compared to commonly used high temperature polyamides.”

Thermx LED 0201 and Thermx LED

Above: Inside view of the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia with circular suspension roof. The final inner ring will consist of Makrolon. Image by gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner/Rendering: Björn Rolle, Berlin

0201S are fiber filled, super-white PCT compounds. According to Ticona, they are able to withstand the demanding LED requirements for reflector resins with regard to heat and light stability, including high initial reflectance, high reflectance stability under heat and light, excellent silicone adhesion, processability and mechanical properties. They are also said to benefit from excellent reflow capability and low moisture absorption. Ticona says this LED product family meets the optical and mechanical properties as well as the process requirements for specific applications.

“These super-white Thermx PCT LED grades provide customers with much better reflectance stability than PA9T and PA6T nylons at high temperature,” Castillo said. “Now, they can mould reflectors with excellent surface characteristics that maintain UV and colour stability, providing superior long-term performance.” further information: www.ticona.com

Multi-LED application by Philips Source: Philips.

reclamation & recycling

news Axion’s ELV recycling plant gains ISO 9001:2008 accreditation Axion Polymers has gained ISO 9001:2008 accreditation for the quality management of its pioneering Shredder Waste Advanced Processing Plant (SWAPP) at Trafford Park, Manchester.

Designed, built and now operated by Axion’s in-house engineering team, the plant is one of the most advanced of its type in Europe. It is already capable of delivering over 95 percent recycling and recovery of materials from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) ahead of the 2015 EU ELV recycling and recovery target.

Non-metallic fractions from the equivalent of about 800,000 cars a year are separated at the multi-million pound facility, which opened in January 2011, through a combination of plastics recycling, producing materials for the construction industry and fuel to substitute coal.

Axion’s Health and Safety Environmental Manager, Adam Joyce, who

led the implementation of the system, said: “The ISO 9001:2008 is an internationally-recognised standard for the quality management of businesses. It demonstrates that we run an effective quality management system and that we are committed to quality, our customers and to a process of continuous improvement.”

Further processing of plastic concentrate at Axion Polymers’ Salford plant creates a range of high quality plastic chip and extruded pellets, including Axpoly PP51, for a wide range of customers, including some in the automotive sector, thereby ‘closing the recycling loop’.

A further £1 million was invested in 2012 as part of ongoing efficiency optimisation at the SWAPP, which has an annual 200,000 tonnes processing capacity. The plant has been shortlisted in the Recycling and Waste Management Business of the Year category of the National Recycling Awards 2013, with winners announced in July.

Axion Polymers’ Director, Keith Freegard, commented: “Having overcome many challenges to produce useful new

End-of-life vehicles at Axion’s facility

products for highly-technical users from materials originally destined for landfill, gaining ISO 9001:2008 certification is a tremendous step forward that demonstrates we can deliver what we promise.” further information: www.axionpolymers.com

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nior School The Patcham Ju am. te ll ba ot girls’ fo

Recycled bottle tops score on the pitch Girls from a Brighton junior school have won their first seven-a-side football tournament wearing a brand new kit made from recycled plastic bottles, thanks to a Plastics 2020 Challenge initiative, financially backed by the BPF, PAFA and PlasticsEurope.

It was a visit from the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) ‘Cool Seas Roadshow’ to Patcham Junior School in February that inspired the girls to participate in the ‘Bottles Champions’ competition, where the collection of closures from bottles sent to recycling is rewarded by an offer of football kits actually made from used bottles. The competition is the fruit of a partnership between the MCS and The Plastics 2020 Challenge.

In the last two years, funding from Plastics 2020 has allowed the Marine Conservation Society to deliver 157 Cool Seas Roadshows briefing children on the effects littering plastic can have on the ocean. Some 26,971 children have now been involved and 207,020 bottles been recycled. Fifty-seven schools have now been awarded the sports kit made from recycled bottles.

Peter Davis of the Plastics 2020 Challenge said: “This is one of several initiatives we have taken in the UK to help prevent plastics getting into the sea. These are valuable materials and should not be irresponsibly thrown away. We want to set others an example.”

Patcham School Head Teacher, Peter Barker, said the pupils took up recycling after hearing from the Roadshow how plastic littered in the sea could pose a threat to marine wildlife. “The whole school felt incredibly inspired to make a difference to the pollution of our seas.

When they realised that much of the pollution comes from plastic washed up on the shore, they really were motivated to collect the plastic bottle tops.”

Now Patcham Junior schools has joined a select group of teams including Arsenal, Portugal and Brazil who all wear strips made from recycled plastic bottles.

Ten-year-old Hannah Bassett who played in the winning team said: “It was really cool wearing a shirt that had been made from bottles that we may have collected.”

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reclamation & recycling

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news Positive developments for mixed waste recycling project A pan European consortium project which aims to engineer high value products from low grade mixed plastic waste has manufactured its first test barrier panel designed for use in flood defences, with promising results.

PRIME (Plastic Recyclate Impression Moulding Engineering) is consortium made up of ten partners from the European Community that proposes to use mixed polymer waste to manufacture high value products, with strength and good surface quality that have similar properties to timber or aluminium. The process is designed to be suitable to manufacture a wide range of complex products such as flood barriers, as well as marine and construction applications.

Experts in material science and innovators in manufacturing using mixed polymers have combined their expertise to build a prototype rig that has now manufactured the first test barrier panel for use in flood defences. In doing this, optimum process conditions have been determined, with more than 50 different processing conditions being evaluated based on variables such as heating time and flame mode.

Environmental testing on the panels, including UV, humidity, moisture and flame testing are continuing, and further production trials are now to be carried out to manufacture a final prototype flood barrier.

The technical and manufacturing developments have also been complemented by Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), comparing panels manufactured using mixed plastic waste and aluminium panels currently used in flood defence barriers. The project is to be completed in June 2013, and the final results of the project, including LCA analysis, will be communicated later in the year.

Steve Morgan from Recoup, who is also the PRIME Dissemination and Commercial Exploitation Manager, stated: “We have seen some very promising results in the manufacture of the panels, and this clearly demonstrates the increasing potential of using mixed polymer waste to create high end products that can be used in many industries.” further information: www.fp7prime.eu

Rare peatland habitat protected with recycled plastic A boardwalk made almost entirely from recycled bags and bottles has been installed above a rare bogland habitat in Scotland.

Langlands Moss near East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire is a rare, lowlandraised bog habitat nestled in the heart of Scottish suburbia on the outskirts of Glasgow. The new 374m-long raised boardwalk has been made from Duraplas recycled plastic planks and posts supplied

by Liverpool-based Centriforce Products.

Duraplas profiles are made from postconsumer HDPE plastic waste — plastic that would otherwise be exported or sent to landfill.

The new plastic boardwalk replaces the existing wooden structure which was beginning to rot. “The old boardwalk was deteriorating and was getting slippy and on the verge of being unsafe,” said Maureen Potter, a local East Kilbride resident.

ks and posts Duraplas plan cycled re made from the bogland er ov l materia

“We soon realised that a recycled plastic boardwalk was the ideal option for the wet environment, as it will not rot. The boardwalk fits well into the landscape. Visitors are amazed when they find out it’s made from recycled plastic and it’s a real bonus that we can tell them it’s made from plastic waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill,” she added. further information: www.centriforce.com

Bottles of recycled PET in new waterproof printing paper Teijin Limited has developed a waterresistant, wet-strong printing paper made entirely with the company’s ‘Ecopet’ recycled polyester fibre derived from used PET bottles.

As a polyester material, Teijin states the printing paper is highly water resistant compared to conventional pulp-derived paper and is not easily torn when wet, making it ideal for use in outdoor or wet locations. Potential applications include hazard maps, triage tags and other outdoor or disaster supplies, outdoor posters, recording papers and labels and price tags for fresh or frozen foods.

The new printing paper is said to be as

thin as conventional printing paper, so it can be used normally in regular laser printers with no need for manual feed.

Also, unlike conventional water-resistant printing paper made of film, the paper enables easy scoring, gluing and writing with pens or pencils. ls are The new labe h it w made e polyester fibr ed us om fr derived s le tt bo T PE

further information: www.teijin.co.jp/english

An Introduction to Colour & Appearance

Recycling project takes the biscuit!

Recycling firm, TerraCycle, has joined forces with McVities in a tasty project to reduce the amount of biscuit wrappers ending up in UK landfills.

The McVitie’s Biscuit Wrapper Brigade allows schools, organisations, or individuals to collect and send used packaging in exchange for points redeemable against a variety of charitable gifts or for payment towards a non-profit organisation or school. There are prizes to be won for the most wrappers collected.

Middlesex-based TerraCycle will turn the collected wrappers into new products including plastic lumber and pavers, tote bags and pencil cases.

The Biscuit Wrapper Roundup Collection Contest is taking place from 8th April until 7th October 2013. further information: www.terracycle.co.uk

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Electrically conductive PU adhesive launched Adhesives specialist, Intertronics, has introduced Polytec PU 1000, an electrically conductive polyurethane adhesive which it says addresses applications in die attach, bonding of components in hybrid circuit applications and surface mount technology (SMT); areas where silver-filled electrically conductive adhesives have been used for many decades.

Oxfordshire-based Intertronics says usually such adhesives are epoxy-based, two-component or premixed and frozen single-component systems, but its Polytec PU 1000 polyurethane solution provides an alternative with advantages including flexibility and room temperature cure.

Polytec PU 1000 is a singlecomponent, silver filled, paste adhesive, which can reportedly be cured quickly at room temperature and is flexible and elastic, which Intertronics says makes it ideal for bonding of flex-circuits,

Intertronics’ electrically conductive polyurethane adhesive

adhesives

news

temperature-sensitive substrates or substrates with highly dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion. It has found applications in smart cards and RFID circuitry, where cure can be effected in seconds.

Intertronics says it is considered suitable for the electrical interconnection of active and passive components, particularly if convenient processing or high flexibility of the adhesive is desirable.

This PU-dispersion is suggested for electrically conductive bonding and

coating applications on absorbing substrates like fabric, paper, leather, cork and non-absorbing substrates like glass, ceramics, PMMA, metals and most plastics. further information: www.intertronics.co.uk

The structural adhesive Pliogrip 1100 is designed for boat construction

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Methacrylate structural adhesive for marine applications launched Ashland Performance Materials has introduced a new addition to its portfolio of high-performance structural adhesives.

Pliogrip 1100, a two-part methacrylate structural adhesive, was developed to provide longer work times at elevated ambient temperatures – a key requirement for bonding stringers and other large composite parts in fiberglass boat construction.

When used with Pliogrip 1080 activator, Ashland says Pliogrip 1100 adhesive provides 120-180 minutes of work time while maintaining a minimum of 45 minutes of work time at 97°F (36°C).

“Similar to our Pliogrip 1000 adhesive, Pliogrip 1100 has very high body- and gap-filling capabilities and provides improved sag resistance, which are properties often required for bonding of large composite components in boat applications,” said John Baetz, Industry Manager for Ashland Performance Materials. “As part of our product development process, we looked closely at the enhanced work-time and temperature requirements in specific marine bonding applications to ensure that Pliogrip 1100 adhesive truly meets the performance needs of our customers.” further information: www.ashland.com

Plastics Testing Te sting SSolutions olutions Impact | Tensile Tensile | Me Melt lt Flow | HDT Vicat | Fle Flexure xure

Araldite AW 4856/Hardener HW 4856, an epoxy adhesive system designed to improve productivity and increase fatigue resistance for wind blade shell bonding and repairs

Adhesive helps to streamline structural designs and processes in wind blade manufacturing Araldite AW 4856/Hardener HW 4856, an epoxy adhesive system from Huntsman Advanced Materials, is designed to improve productivity and increase fatigue resistance for wind blade shell bonding and repairs, according to the company.

As a wind blade spins, it is subject to static and dynamic forces that vary along the blade from the supporting root to its tip. To account for these diverse loads, Araldite AW 4856/Hardener HW 4856 has reportedly been formulated to deliver increased toughness, offering outstanding load bearing strength and a lap shear strength of 22-25MPa. This two component structural adhesive is said to combine excellent shear strength with improved linear shrinkage and higher fracture resistance to standard epoxy wind blade adhesives.

In comparison to the previous adhesive from the range (which had a linear shrinkage of 1.5 to 2.0 percent), Huntsman says this adhesive has drastically reduced linear shrinkage in the range of 0.2 to 0.6 percent. This would serve to reduce internal stress during curing.

The adhesive’s toughness and fracture properties have also been enhanced. The fracture toughness, in other words the ability of a material containing a crack to resist fracture, has increased from 1.2-1.3 MPa.m1/2 to 2.9-3.2 MPa.m1/2 – said to be a major benefit for the blade service life once installed.

Huntsman says in the wind industry, the ability to optimise the adhesive application on very large surface areas and minimise labour intensive assembly processes has been identified as a key factor. This, the company says, is where Araldite AW 4856/Hardener HW 4856’s chemical thixotropy can deliver significant advantages in developing non-slump properties very quickly after mixing and offering controlled flow as well as resistance to sagging.

Its low exothermic properties are also said to enhance performance through low shrinkage for thick bond lines, the lessening of residual stress in the finished joint and the possible use of cheaper core material in the composite.

In combination, Huntsman says the system’s good thixotropic and low exothermic properties lead to improved process efficiencies, characterised by easy handling and mixing, a long pot life of 240 minutes at 23°C, fast strength build-up and reduced curing cycle capabilities. The standard recommended cure time of 5 hours at 70°C could be reduced to 2-3 hours at 70°C with the necessary minimal mechanical properties – including lap shear strength, Tg and E-Modulus. further information: www.huntsman.com/advanced_materials

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engineering materials

news

Expanded grades for waterinjection technology (WIT) BASF is expanding its range of polyamide grades optimised for the use of waterinjection technology (WIT) in injection moulding. The new WIT grades are Ultramid A3HG6 WIT Balance and Ultramid A3WG7 WIT. Thanks to water-injection technology, hollow plastic parts, for example, for medium-carrying lines that require a very good inner surface, can be produced by injection moulding. These two materials are now said to be available in commercial quantities.

Owing to its improved hydrolysis resistance, the polyamide (PA) Ultramid A3HG6 WIT Balance is said to be particularly well suited for components that carry coolant or that come into contact with water. At the same time, BASF says the content of PA 6.10 in this material also translates into high stresscracking resistance to calcium chloride, thus taking into account the more stringent requirements made in terms of resistance to road salt.

BASF has expanded its polyamide product line for pipes and tubes as well as other medium-carrying hollow parts produced by WIT injection moulding

further information: www.ensinger.co.uk

In contrast, BASF recommends its new Ultramid A3WG7 WIT, which is reinforced with 35 percent glass fibres, for tubes that convey oil such as those employed for dipsticks, or else for other components that have to meet high demands in terms of oil resistance, stiffness and dimensional stability. Both materials lend themselves very well for WIT processing. In the meantime, the hydrolysis-resistant basic product of the WIT series, namely, Ultramid A3HG6 WIT, has become the material of choice for many WIT applications such as cooling water pipes. further information: www.ultramid.de

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Manual dedicated to engineering plastics launched High performance and engineering plastics supplier, Ensinger, has published a reference work that it says collates specialist knowledge from every aspect of plastics processing.

The new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Engineering Plasticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; manual is said to look at the latest new developments, properties and applications for engineering and hightemperature plastics and is said to contain more information that the preceding version.

Ensinger says the manual starts with an overview and direct comparison of materials based on their most important properties, modifications and fields of application. A colour-coded index links this introduction to more detailed information. In the chapters on material selection and further processing, users are provided with the facts they will need for the construction of components or for machining semi-finished materials. This information is presented in graphs and diagrams and is backed up by a wide selection of application examples.

Ensingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Engineering Plastics manual can be downloaded from its website.

// Materials Technical //

Blog A few words about Engineering Thermoplastics Have you ever wondered about the term ‘Engineering Thermoplastic’? Today it is conveniently applied to certain families of thermoplastics which have a higher performance than the group of thermoplastics labelled ‘Commodity Thermoplastics’.

By performance we imply superior properties for more demanding applications, in particular mechanical strength and resistance to impact, heat and chemicals. The distinction between the two groups also refers to production volume and price.

This month BP&R is introducing a new face to our readers, Dr Charlie Geddes. Dr Geddes is a regular columnist for Hardie Polymers and going forward we will be regularly publishing extracts from his informative and interesting blog within our engineering materials section.

The workhorses of the Engineering Thermoplastics are the polyamides (PA 6, PA66), polyesters (PET, PBT), polycarbonate (PC), polyacetals (POM) and acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene (ABS), which are applied extensively in automotive, electronics and other industrial sectors.

However the term Engineering Thermoplastic should not be interpreted as plastics exclusive to solving engineering problems because some of the commodity thermoplastics can offer a cost effective solution to engineering problems.

Think about the use of high-density polyethylene in gas transmission pipes, polypropylene in geotextiles and PVC in chemical storage vessels.

The secret of improved performance lies in the chemical structure of the base polymer, but we should not forget the role that additives play in enhancing the properties of engineering thermoplastics. Incorporation of glass fibre not only increases stiffness values by a factor of four but can also increase heat distortion temperatures by 100°C and significantly reduce mould shrinkage and dimensional instability.

Got a view on the above? Blog posts will also be published on the new BP&R website at www.britishplastics.co.uk - feel free to leave your comments.

In association with Hardie Polymers

NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINE This month the BPF’s Philip Law shares his opinions on the Thatcher legacy and telling the Government ‘what’s what’.

If there is one lesson we should learn from the Thatcher legacy it is the importance of inward investment. Her initial sojourn at BX Plastics, Manningtree, aside, it was her re-shaping of the UK’s industrial landscape where she had her true impact on the plastics industry.

The demise of the smoke-stack industries - iron and steel, ship building, coal mining - accelerated by her policies lead to the creation of enterprise zones which offered extremely attractive grants to companies re-locating to them.

This resulted, in the late 80’s and early 90’s, in a wave of Japanese and American investment into South Wales, the North-East and ‘Silicon Glen’ in Scotland. This had a huge impact on the plastics industry as it coincided with the micro-chip revolution and the introduction of new applications for plastics in business equipment and devices produced by the inward investors.

Plastics moulding companies pounced on this opportunity and followed the migration to the old coal fields. Even London-based firms moved to Scotland.

Some plastics industry CEOs boasted

of their prowess in the basics of Japanese.

Wondrous it was to be alive in our plastics industry at that time! And all based on inward investment. Forget ye not, Vince!

This is a theme well developed in the BPF’s Strategic Discussion Document and one we pressed in a very positive meeting we held with Labour Shadow Minister for Competitiveness and Enterprise, Iain Wright (yes, we do have to hedge our bets!), who came to the BPF offices for a one-hour briefing on the plastics industry on March 18, 2013. We can only take it at face value when this MP for Hartlepool told us that he saw the plastics industry as a strategic heartland of the UK economy. He wants us to inform the evolution of the coverage of manufacturing in Labour’s manifesto.

Another way in which the BPF helps the industry is in the preparation of detailed responses to Government consultations either on proposed legislation or policy. These can cover anything from industrial competitiveness to waste management. We complete about 50 of these a year and it’s one of the major ways we tell government ‘what’s what’. The most far reaching we have on the table at the moment is the European Commission’s Green Paper on Plastics Waste. We don’t like the way this is written

Margaret Thatcher

and the assumptions behind it are highly questionable. This week we sent in our comments on the Government’s consultation on a proposed Waste Prevention Programme. It was a great opportunity to brief the civil servants on the resource efficiency story for plastics and how we’ve never really needed legislation to minimise the use of material in products. Commercial imperatives were producing such results before ‘sustainability’ was christened as such. It’s previous name in that unreformed era was that now unfashionable yet much more precise and evocative term ‘profitability’. further information: www.bpf.co.uk

R&D funding workshop a success This month’s update from the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA) reports on the funding workshop it recently held in Coventry.

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On Friday 1st February 2013 RAPRA held its first funding workshop of the year with great success. Amongst the exhibitors were Materials KTN, EU Life, SCRA, METRC, MAS and R&D Tax Credits.

The day commenced with an introduction by Steve Shaw, Executive Director of RAPRA, followed by talks from various funding bodies. The afternoon session consisted of one-to-one meetings between funding representatives and delegates where brief discussions were held.

“The Materials KTN were pleased to be able to support the ‘Meet the Funders’ workshop as it gave us an opportunity to showcase the different funding mechanisms that are available from the Technology Strategy Board and the EU to support innovation, research and

development in UK companies,” said Dr Matthew Thornton from Materials KTN. “A full afternoon of one-to-one meetings highlighted a strong desire from the UK polymer industry to access financial support for innovation and a need for funding to support industry led research and development to help maintain the UKs position as a world leader in this important industry sector,” he continued.

Gareth Davies of R & D Tax Advisors said the event was the first chance to meet with companies directly since becoming a ‘RAPRA Preferred Provider’.

The overview given of the HMRC Tax Relief for Research & Development schemes was well received and as a result R & D Tax Advisors hope to progress claims on behalf of a number of the companies they spoke to.

The Science City Research Alliance (SCRA), a collaboration between the universities of Birmingham and Warwick,

supports innovation in the Midlands by providing access to knowledge, facilities, equipment and funding. The SCRA advised attendees of its ability to set up Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and access to the Science Park.

Feedback from delegates about the event was excellent. If you think you may be eligible for funding, come to the next event, to be held on 8th May 2013 at the Boiler House in Grantham. Further details can be found on the events calendar on RAPRA’s website further information: www.rapralimited.org

software directory manufacturing management directory ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING Solarsoft Mattec Real-time MES (Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers & “Web Based”) Solarsoft Business Systems MEI Division (Europe) T: +44 (0)1909 479 886 E: andy.jewell@solarsoft.com Modules: Production Monitoring, “Drag and Drop”, Scheduling/Planning, “Family Moulding”, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts, Trace-ability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Email/Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone, “Drag and Drop” Scheduler, Standalone, SPC “Machine Analyzer”, Machine Energy, Monitoring, KPI Dash-boards, Visual Manufacturing (Large LED/LCD Displays), Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for Integration to Manufacturing Systems &Other Software Packages).

Solarsoft iVP ERP SAAS Manufacturing Software (for Plastics’ Processors) Solarsoft Business Systems T: +44 (0)1909 479 886 E: andy.jewell@solarsoft.com Solarsoft’s iVP ERP (SAAS) software for the plastics’ converting industry covers the full range of back office operations from on-line and off-line sales and quotations to production planning, inventory management and finance through to logistics, ware-housing and distribution. It seamlessly integrates with Solarsoft-Mattec’s Real-time MES to provide a single system that offers a complete quote-to-cash solution for the plastics’ industry.

REAL TIME PRODUCTION MONITORING, SCHEDULING AND PROCESS MONITORING intouch T: 01604 646144 F: 05601 506253 E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.com Real-time production monitoring systems. Designed to be easy to use and providing affordable solutions to all sizes of businesses. Production monitoring, scheduling, reporting, data import/export, databases for parts, tools and operators, integration with other software packages.

ProHelp EPM (for Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers) Mattec Ltd T: 01909 561544 F: 01909 560675 E: a.jewell@mattec.com Real-time Modules: Production Monitoring, ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduling/Planning, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts Traceability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Pager/Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduler, Standalone SPC Machine Analyzer, Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for integration to Manufacturing Systems and other software packages).

PlantMaster BMS Vision Ltd T: 01254 662244, E: sales.bla@visionbms.com Website: www.visionbms.com/ plastics.

Affordable and flexible MES system for the plastics/rubber industry. Real-time production monitoring features wireless data units and OPC Ethernet machine connections. “Drag & drop” job scheduling supports frame/insert level family tooling plus KAN BAN. ERP system integration, SPC/SQC, Touch Screen Data Units, Machine Maintenance, Operator Tracking, Traceability, DNC, Energy Monitoring, Bar Coding, Pager Alerts.

Easy to use systems from a €600m company with over 30 years experience.

SYSCON-PlantStar MTec Services Ltd T: 0114 2476267 F: 0114 2476267 E: mt@mtec-services.co.uk W: www.mtec-services.co.uk W: www.syscon-intl.com PlantStar systems provide customised, scalable applications that deliver real-time plant floor data from any machine, shift, and plant anywhere in your business.

Affordable systems available for all size of processor.

Browser-based software and hardware, and wireless ethernet technology make for highly versatile and configurable systems providing information wherever needed. Standard systems include real-time alarms, downtime & reject analysis, capacity scheduling, ERP integration and more. With options including SPC/SQC, Labour tracking and Scheduling, Family Tooling, Material traceability, bar-coding.

A listing in the Software Directory costs £140 per programme per year.

Call Lisa on 01244 680222 for details.

Red tape not the only constraint on manufacturers This month’s view from Smart Currency While debate rages around Britain's membership of the EU and whether certain responsibilities could be repatriated back to the UK Government, plenty could be done straight away to remove the barriers to expansion faced by British manufacturers.

The Government and other commentators have decried red tape from Brussels as restricting UK business growth. Yet among the powers retained by the Government, there are huge discrepancies when compared with other EU countries.

One key example is the reliance on tax rebates and retrospective incentives to SMEs. Such measures – while welcomed – do little to directly stimulate investment. These tax breaks, themselves delayed in their full implementation until 2015, are simply a means of alleviating the overall cost burden on businesses.

Germany, by contrast, affords entrepreneurs and growing firms up to €500,000 in public funding to expand their operations, helping successful smaller companies overcome the hurdle of funding to achieve their ambitious growth plans. This cash injection aids businesses with the cost of staff hire, machinery acquisition, the purchase of raw materials and logistics needed to fulfil new incoming orders.

Longer term, it makes sense for the UK Government to have greater control of UK business regulation. However petitions for such change do nothing to alleviate the constraints on growth currently experienced by UK SMEs, and will not deliver a boost to economic growth at a time when it is most needed – now.

For help with all aspects of budgeting for international trade, download Smart Currency's Treasury Management report. www.smartcurrencybusiness.com/BPRTreasury/

buyer’s guide

FOR SALE

materials polymer distributors

COMPOUNDING

FOR SALE Reheat Stretch Blow Moulding Machine (PET) Make: Sidel, France Type: SBO 24/24 Year: 1994 - Preform Tipper, Hopper / Elevator, Infeed Rail - Oven & Heating Wheel - Electrical Cabinet (Siemens S5) - Operating manuals

For further details: 01925 596170 – 07838138342 Email: douglastrading@gmail.com

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buyer’s guide

materials

pulse staking

colour masterbatch

H.T.E Engineering Services Ltd Unit 9, St Ives Enterprise Centre, St Ives, Huntingdon Cambridgeshire, UK, PE27 3NP

conductive plastics and coatings

T: +44 (0) 1480 467321 M: +44 (0) 7435 967632 E: john@hte.ie W: www.pulsestaker.com

TBA Electro Conductive Products Ltd Unit 3 Transpennine Trading Estate Gorrells Way, Rochdale, OL11 2PX

spin welding

chillers/temperature controllers Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

T: 01706 647718 F: 01706 646170 E: info@tbaecp.co.uk W: www.tbaecp.co.uk

fastenings and fixings

equipment AEROSOLS Units 3E + 3F, Hillam Road Industrial Estate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD2 1QN T: 01274 731552 F: 01274 738118 E: sales@eclipsecolours.com W: www.eclipsecolours.com

ultrasonic plastics assembly systems Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

ultrasonic welding

Polymer Specific and Universal Colour and Additive Masterbatches. Fastmatch colour matching service.

1 mm Easysperse MicroPellets to 4 mm MaxiPellets.

Standards second to none.

InControl Ultrasonics Ltd (FFR Ultrasonics Ltd) The Swan Centre, 8A Swan Street, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7NW T: 01509 816507 E: enquiries@ffr-ultrasonics. co.uk W: www.ffr-ultrasonics.co.uk

masterbatch ancillary

temperature control

For Temperature Control Rental turn to the experts • FLUID CHILLERS • BOILERS • AIR CONDITIONING • HEATING • DRY COOLERS/ FREE COOLING

0800 026 4717 Rental Systems

Telsonic UK Ltd 12a - 15 Birch Copse, Technology Road, Poole, Dorset BH17 7FH T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 E: sales@uk.telsonic.com W: www.telsonic.co.uk Blog:wwwtelsonicuk.wordpress.com

vibration welding Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

Dosing equipment mould release assembly hot plate welding

FLEXIBLE POLYMERS RIGID POLYMERS ADDITIVES PURGING SOLUTIONS

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C.J.P. Sales Ltd, 8 Heol West Plas, Litchard, Bridgend CF31 1PA

Tel: 01656 644907 Fax: 01656 662 397 Email: sales@cjpsales.co.uk Web: www.cjpsales.co.uk

Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com Machine Techniques Ltd Units 3-5, Sutton Court, Bath Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EW T: 01858 434059 F: 01858 433638 E: davidchatterton@ymail.com W: www.mactec.co.uk

CNC ASSEMBLY MACHINES Cannon Shelley UK agents for Belotti 5 axis CNC machines T: 01480 453651 F: 01480 52113 E: sales@cannon-shelley.co.uk W: www.cannonforma.com W: www.belotti.com W: www.shelley.biz

control systems and equipment quality monitoring control Kistler Instruments Ltd T: 01256 741550 F: 01256 741551 E: sales.uk@kistler.com W: www.kistler.com Pressure transducers and associated monitoring/control equipment for new and existing injection moulding applications.

thermocouples Elmatic (Cardiff) Ltd Wentloog Road, Rumney, Cardiff CF3 1XH T: 029 20 778727 F: 029 20 792297 E: sales@elmatic.co.uk W: www.elmatic.co.uk

granulators Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

hot runner systems hot runner controllers

PLASTICOLOR B A Thorne (Machinery) Ltd 19A Imex Business Centre, Oxleasow Road, East Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0RE T: 01527 584714 F: 01527 584784 E: bat@bathorne.co.uk W: www.bathorne .co.uk

hopper dryers

GATE CUTTERS

Energy Saving Dryers printing machines pad

infra red systems

hopper loaders Motan Colortronic Ltd

heating equipment

Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

extrusion systems

screws and barrels

co-extrusion die heads and systems

mixing, feeding, drying Motan Colortronic Ltd

Ridgeway Co-Extrusion Technology Ltd Unit 22, W & G Estate, Challow, nr Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9TF T: 01235 760435 F: 01235 763021 E: frankh@ridgewaycoex.co.uk W: www.ridgewaycoex.co.uk Optimised monolayer die heads, coating die heads up to 4 layers, multi-layer die heads up to 7 layers, for pipe/tube sizes from 1 mm O/D up to 200 mm O/D; multiple tube die heads for mono and multi-layer products; multi-layer, multi-parison blow moulding die heads up to 7 layers; multi-layer sheet and profile dies up to 5 layers. R & D and product development projects; line conversions; turnkey system installations.

extruders and downstream equipment Cooper Plastics Machinery Unit 12, Harmill Industrial Estate, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4FF T: 01525 850610 F: 01525 218008 E: cooperplastics@googlemail.com W: www.cooperplastics.co.uk Extruders, extrusion tooling, water baths, haul-offs, fly knife cutters, conveyors/tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used. Repairs, servicing or rebuilds.

UK agent for Lyons Electronics.

LABORATORY machines

Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

metal detection & separation equipment Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

induction heating for platens and tools MF Induction Heating Unit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs WS11 7XN Replacement Coils New platens T: 01543 570642 F: 01543 574460 E: sales@mfinduction.com W: www.mfinduction.com BS EN ISO9001: 2000 registered.

BS EN ISO9001:2008

dryers/dehumidifiers Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

nozzles & nozzle tips

materials handling and storage gravimetric/volumetric blending Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

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buyer’s guide WANTED

static control

printers printers of plastic mouldings

Arrowquint Ltd Unit 5 Sanders Close, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN8 4HQ T: 08450 655455 F: 08450 655456 E: sales@arrowquint.co.uk W: www.arrowquint.co.uk Static control solutions, equipment sales and rental, repairs and on-site servicing.

UK/Eire agent for Eltex – market leaders in static control systems.

WANTED PLASTIC SCRAP We are looking to purchase LDPE post production scrap.

Can take over 100 Tonne a week.

TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL Contour Marking Co Ltd Albert house, Gledrid Industrial Park, Chirk ,Wrexham, LL14 5DG T: 01691 770093 F: 01691 770023 Sub Contract Tampo, Screen & Foil Printing to the plastic moulding industry E: sales@contourmarking.com W: www.contourmarking.com

Payment terms: COD

testing equipment WATER FITTINGS

T: 0121 328 5222 F: 0121 328 3555 E: sales@bsplastics.co.uk

injection moulding

pad Total Print Ltd Specialist Pad Printers Station Road, Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire PE12 0NP T: 01406 330122 F: 01406 330123 E: info@totalprintltd.com W: www.totalprintltd.com

testing/consultancy

screen changers Industrial Plastics Ltd Unit 13 Canterbury Industrial Park, 297 Ilderton Road, London, SE15 1NP T: 020 7252 9600 F: 020 7252 9601 E: sales@ipl-london.co.uk W: www.ipl-london.co.uk

secondhand and reconditioned ANGLO PLASTICS LTD Buy/Sell Used Plastics Machinery Rutland Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1HX T: +44 (0) 1276 470910 T: +44 (0) 7740 632907 E: information@ angloplastics.com W: www.angloplastics.com DM Machinery Ltd Used Injection Moulding Machine Stockists 40 Thorne Lane, Wakefield West Yorkshire, WF1 5RR T: 01924 290206 E: sales@dmmachinery.co.uk W: www.dmmachinery.co.uk

DTL Machines We Buy / Sell all Makes, Age and Sizes of Injection Moulding Machines & Ancillaries Tool room machines and also complete factories / plants Factory Clearance Services Dismantling / Removal of obsolete plant and machinery T: 01925 596170 M: 07838138342 E: douglastrading@gmail.com Plasplant Ltd Unit 4, Oakhanger Farm, Oakhanger, Bordon, Hants GU35 9JA T: 01420 473013 F: 01420 475152 E: plasplant@aol.com W: www.plasplant.com Rawmec (EEC) Ltd Rawmec Industrial Park, Plumpton Road, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 0EE T: 01992 471796 F: 01992 471797 E: rawmec@btconnect.com W: www.rawmec.com

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TransXL International Ltd Thornhill, South Marston, Wiltshire SN3 4TA T: 01793 827666 F: 01793 823826 E: sales@transxl.co.uk W: www.transxl.co.uk

Ray Ran Test Equipment Ltd Kelsey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 6RS T: 024 763 42002 F: 024 766 41670 E: Polytest@ray-ran.com W: www.ray-ran.com

hardness - IRHD and shore MAPRA Technik Co — BAREISS Unit D13 The Seedbed Centre, Langston Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TQ T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

World leader in Materials Testing Instrumentation Tensile|Fatigue| Impact Compression|Melt Flow Coronation Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 3SY, UK Tel: +44 1494 464646

www.instron.com inspection & measurement MAPRA Technik Co – MARCEL AUBERT – DOSS – KAFER Unit D13 The Seedbed Centre, Langston Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TQ T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

thermoforming equipment Cannon Shelley Sales and service for thermoforming equipment T: 01480 453651 F: 01480 52113 E: sales@cannon-shelley.co.uk W: www.cannonforma.com W: www.shelley.biz

services ACQUISITION EXTRUSION FLOW ANAYLYSIS Injection Moulding Business Wanted T/O between £100,000 and £1.5million.

Contact in the strictest confidence, Joe Reeve, Data Plastics Ltd Email joe.reeve@dataplastics.co.uk Phone 01993 700777

Fleming Polymer Testing & Consultancy Unit 326, Hartlebury Trading Estate, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 4JB T: 01299 253300 E: enquiries@flemingptc.co.uk W: www.flemingptc.co.uk Compuplast bureau service & distributor

Fleming Polymer Testing & Consultancy, Unit 326 Hartlebury Trading Estate, Kidderminster, Worcs, DY10 4JB T: 01299 253300 E: enquiries@flemingptc.co.uk W: www.flemingptc.co.uk An independent ISO9001 accredited laboratory specilising in Rheometry, TGA, DSC, MFR/MVR, Pilot-scale blown film line, flow simulation, Consultancy.

Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services Unit 5C, Leaton Industrial Estate, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3AP T: 01939 291677 E: enquiries@gammadot.com W: www.gammadot.com Providing independant testing solutions to all your quality control, failure analysis & flow simulation data needs

Contract cleaning Injection Moulding Extrusion

mouldflow analysis

• • • • • •

Hot Runners Nozzles Moulds Dies Filters Screws Cleaning service for processors Remove all polymers Tel:- +44 121 511 1203 Fax:- +44 121 511 1192 Email:- LesH@claytonholdings.com Web:- www.claytonholdings.com

tool making parts & services

mouldmaking