PLASTICS
LINK at
Vo
n
I ss u e
n
FEB.
04 01 2012
lu m e
www.hipf.edu.sa
Yo u r L i n k t o t h e P l a s t i c s W o r l d
S h o r t Co u r s e s
01
n
HIPF
HIPF has designed a series of short courses for the benefit of the plastics industry. The aim of the short courses is to transfer the high knowledge and skill levels of Japanese Experts and HIPF staff to the participants of the courses. The courses are process specific and distributed throughout the year. All are encouraged to make use of this opportunity to enhance their knowledge of plastics technology and fabrication processes. For more information and registration please contact HIPF at +96614989600. Schedule of Short Courses
P r e -D is to r t i o n S o f t wa r e Thermoforming
for
Thermoformed packages can be decorated by different methods. The first method is to apply a label after the thermoforming process. The second is the so called “IML”, labelling in mould: the label is inserted in the mould cavity and applied during the thermoforming process. The third method is direct printing, after the moulding phase. Last but not the least, is the pre-printing method, which means the printing of the packaging material (a plastic sheet) before the thermoforming. The pre-printing method is less used nowadays but, still, it has its advantages: it is much more easy and less complex to print a plain plastic sheet. The disadvantage of pre-print is related with thermoforming deformation and its negative effects on image definition and text readability. But now this problem can be easily solved with the software Thermo 3D Suite V.2 from Quadraxis (France). This software converts the artwork accordingly with the 3D parameters of the package. Thanks to this “pre-distortion”, the thermoforming process will end with a much better image. The pre-distortion by conventional methods takes several hours and trials. Thermo 3D Suite V.2 does the job in 4 simple steps: 1 – Create the 3D template of the pack, 2 – Apply the artwork on the template, 3 – Calculate the distortions, and 4 – Pre-distort the design and rapidly get a 3D proof. The printed pack may be “simulated” for evaluation and approval. The software has been found to be very useful to designers, pre-printers and package producers.
QUARTERLY ISSUED BY THE HIGHER INSTITUTE
Source: revipackonline.wordpress.com
S pecial P oints of I nterest:
I n T his issue :
• Recent Path Breaking Innovations in the field of Plastics.
Pre-Distortion Software for Thermoforming Bio-degradable Plastics DuPont Crastin PBT Resin Lexan EXL Compression Molding for Caps International Plastics Events Contact Details
• Selected International Plastics centered events and exhibitions.
FOR PLASTICS FABRICATION
01
Designs can now be printed on the sheet before thermoforming
• Graduation Ceremony at HIPF.
1 2 2 3 3 4 4
B io -D egradable P lastics There have been three generations of biodegradable plastic. The first was starch based plastic, PLA, almost always made out of corn. The second generation was oxo-biodegradable conventional plastic, and the new generation, is microbiodegradable conventional plastic. PLA, a corn-based biodegradable plastic, was said to be the first generation of biodegradable plastic. PLA, Poly Lactic Acid biodegrades only in commercial compost facilities. The second generation plastic, oxo biodegradable plastic ,is different from the previous generation of biodegradable plastic. Oxo-biodegradable plastics have many advantages over PLA. It is invulnerable to water, one might adjust it to the desired biodegradation rate, some products could contain recycled content, it could be recycled, it is stronger Third generation bio-degradable and less expensive. This second-generation plastics are additive added common biodegradable plastic is well established and plastics like PE, PP, PS, etc. . widely used. Oxo - biodegradable plastic undergoes an initial phase of degeneration which requires oxygen and one of the following three circumstances like heat, UV light, or mechanical stress and the subsequent biodegredation takes place in oxygenated environment. These circumstances don’t exist when deeply buried in landfills, so
oxo-biodegradable plastics don’t have any benefit for products deeply buried in landfills. These products cannot be recycled as it may degrade under heat. Oxo - biodegradable products are effective if litter is the primary concern, as they degrade in the presence of UV light. The third generation biodegradable plastic product is the standard plastic with a masterbatch additive (ENA or Earth Nurture Additive,) that will cause it to biodegrade without the need of heat, UV light, mechanical stress, or oxygen. This third-generation plastic is called micro - biodegradable plastic, and it biodegrades when placed into the ground due to the action of micro-organisms naturally occurring in soil. ENA masterbatches are now available for biodegrading all common plastics Polypropylene, Polyethylene, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Polystyrene, Expanded Polystyrene, Nylon, and many others. Products made with ENA additives are claimed to be recyclable, invulnerable to water, and biodegrade when buried in the ground in either aerobic or anaerobic environments. Also it is claimed to have the same shelf life as regular plastics as it does not biodegrade until it is in the presence of soil micro-organisms.
D u P ont C rastin -SF PBT R esin
New Grade of PBT resin from DuPont has 30% lesser cycle time and longer flow length than standard PBT
DuPont ‘s new Crastin® SF PBT products use a technology to enhance flow of the resin to extremely high levels: • It dramatically reduces manufacturing costs • Improving productivity by up to 30% • Lower filling pressure • Reducing part thickness under standard filling conditions • Lower energy consumption • Wider processing window • Lower reject rate • Improved flow to fill moulds for thinner or more
w w w.hipf.edu.sa
complex parts than standard PBT grades • Excellent property retention: stress, strain and impact, thermal stability This grade can be successfully utilized to make • Connectors: Thin, complex, small parts running in high productivity tools • Automotive electronic components, such as sensors • Coil formers and solenoids • Structurally-complex parts for furniture • Motor housings Source: http://www2.dupont.com
PLASTICS
L exan EXL
01
LINK
is notably lower than general purpose PC. It yields parts with high knit-line strength and low residual stresses.
Lexan EXL 1414 incorporates proprietary siloxane copolymer technology that extends lowtemperature impact strength and cold-temperature ductility of polycarbonate while retaining other key mechanical properties. The impact strength of Lexan EXL 1414 at -40 C is only marginally lower than at normal ambient temperatures. The material also offers important advantages for the processor: its good flow properties make the multicavity hot-runner mold easy to fill, even in thin-wall areas. Melt viscosity, especially at low shear rates,
Lexan EXL 1414 processes well in most conventional injection molds and exhibits excellent release properties, facilitating shorter cycle times and helps improve production. It can be injection molded and extruded, and is available in a wide range of opaque colors. The siloxane softblock in the polycarbonate backbone of Lexan EXL 1414 not only improves mechanical properties but also improves UV stability, making it an excellent candidate for outdoor applications. The polymer also has good hydrolytic stability.
Source: bacou-dalloz.com; www.sabic-ip.com
Compression M olding for C aps Compression and injection molding machinery producers are competing in improving closure molding cycle time and energy consumption. But the target keeps moving, as David Vink reveals in a comparison of the two groups’ data. Earlier this year the head of the packaging business unit at injection molding machinery producer Engel Austria, and Mathias Hermle, CEO of inspection systems supplier IMD in Switzerland, compared injection and compression molded closures in a paper delivered at the VDI injection molding conference in Baden-Baden. A core question they raised was how far energy reduction may “help injection molding to a renaissance” compared with compression molding, which currently dominates the closure market. Compression molding was described as a simpler process but with inflexible product changeover, especially for parts heavier than 2g. More complex process logistics means reject rates are high, it was suggested.
Sacmi says compression molding has high machinery but low mould costs, and the reverse applies to injection molding. But the company says overall machinery and mould costs are lower for compression molding. However, compact 24- to 128-cavityhot runner injection molding tools enable injection molding to “standup” to compression molding by achieving cycle times below 3s, said the Engel paper. But Sacmi has reported falling compression molding cycle times. The cycle times dropped from 5.5s using Sacmi’s CCM001 system in 1995 to 2.4s with its introduction of the CCM48S system in 2006, and this was cut again to 2.2s by K2010. In short good compression molding gives cap manufacturers lower cycle times, lower energy consumption and higher productivity. Closures made by compression ( up ) and injection moulding ( down ) Source: www.europeanplasticsnews.com
w w w.hipf.edu.sa
01 LINK 2012 PLASTICS
I n t e r n at i o n a l P l a s t i c s E v e n t s
PLASTICS AND RUBBER VIETNAM Plastics & Rubber Machinery, Processing and Materials Exhibition
Ho chi Minh (Vietnam)
PACKAGING - PLASTIC ADANA Packaging and Plastic Machinery, Material and Products, Packaging
Adana (Turkey)
DIEMOULD Dies & Moulds, Press Tools. Machine Tools for Making Dies & Moulds
Mumbai (India)
www.hipf.edu.sa
ESEF International Trade Fair for Suppliers, …. Rubber and Plastics industry, Stamps and Moulds…
29.02 - 02.03 2012
> Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center
08.03 - 11.03 2012
> Tüyap Adana International Exhibition and Congress Center
08.03 - 11.03 2012
> Bombay Exhibition Centre - NSE Exhibition Complex Utrecht (Netherlands)
13.03 - 16.03 2012
> Jaarbeurs Utrecht
SUEDTEC Exhibition of manufacturing technologies sub-contracting services and products
Stuttgart (Germany)
EPLA International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing
Poznan (Poland) > Poznan International Fair
13.03 - 15.03 2012
PLASTEX KAZAKHSTAN International Specialized Exhibition “Raw Materials, Equipment and Plastic Production Technologies”
Almaty (Kazakhstan)
14.03 - 16.03 2012
JEC COMPOSITES SHOW JEC Composites: connecting science, business and technology
Paris (France)
S.MOULD Shenzhen International Mould Making Technology ＆ Product Exhibition
Shenzhen (China)
PLASTIX EXPO Plastic Materials & Machinery Fair
Parma (Italy)
NPE International Plastics Showcase
Orlando, FL (USA)
PLAST SHOW Plastic Processing Industry Exhibition & Congress
São Paulo (Brazil)
PIPELINE TRANSPORT Production of tubes. Utilization of tubes in different branches of industry
Kiev (Ukraine)
13.03 - 15.03 2012
> New Stuttgart Trade Fair Centr
> Atakent International Exhibition Centre
> Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
> Shenzhen International Convention & Exhibition Center
> Fiere di Parma Fairgrounds
27.03 - 29.03 2012 28.03 - 31.03 2012
29.03 - 31.03 2012 01.04 - 05.04 2012
> Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
17.04 - 19.04 2012
> KievExpoPlaza Exhibition Center
Higher Institute For Plastics Fabrication
7798 AlKharj Road, New City Industry, Unit #1, Riyadh 14331 - 3244 Contact Details: Tel.: +966 1 498 9678 Fax: +966 1 498 9650 e-mail: info@hipf.edu.sa www.hipf.edu.sa
10.04 - 13.04 2012
> Expo Center Norte
PLASTICS LINK Your Link to the World of Plastics The establishment of HIPF aims to prepare Saudi youth to participate as skilled technicians in the booming plastics industry of the Kingdom and to develop the technical knowledge and skills of Saudi workforce towards localization of plastics fabrication technology. The Editorial board of the Newsletter would like to remind the reader that the articles in this newsletter are collated from the various sources of information. HIPF does its best to verify the sources and confirm the authenticity of the articles published in the newsletter. The HIPF will not assume any legal liability for the content, quality, accuracy or completeness of said information and materials. The sources of the articles and the ‘terms and conditions’ of the newsletter ‘Plastic Link’ are available with the board of Editors and are available on request.s