INJECTION MOLDING
"Where extremely high volumes are required, a key challenge of the design process is to ultimately meet productivity levels that optimize piece part costs. Design optimization is key and becomes a necessity,” says mold maker StackTeck in its white paper, “How to Use Engineering Evaluation Tools in the Plastic Part Design Process.” The paper looks at engineering evaluation tools such as finite element analysis, material flow analysis and other considerations in part design. https://stackteck.com/about/whitepapers/how-to-use-engineering-evaluation-tools-in-the-plastic-part-design-process
Xcentric’s “A Guide to Gating Systems” offers tips on design for the molding process to expedite time to market. Learn how gating systems affect the quality and cost of injection molded parts, how to optimize part design to ensure proper gate location, common types of gating systems and more. Xcentric offers injection molding and rapid-turn mold making services. https://info.xcentricmold.com/guide-to-gating-systems-resource
RECYCLING
As the demand for recycled materials continues to increase, producers need standards and methods for verifying their safety and sustainability. UL's “Assuring the Quality and Safety of Recycled Plastics” examines the issues processors face, and presents tools to increase confidence and trust in the safety and sustainability of recycled plastics in a global circular economy. UL provides expertise, insights and services necessary to solve business challenges related to safety science. www.ul.com/insights/assuring-quality-and-safety-recycled-plastics
MATERIALS HANDLING
Plastics processors rely on materials-handling systems to contain, protect, and deliver resins and other materials that are essential to successful production, but most vacuum-conveying systems are built around high-speed, dilute-phase conveying, a decades-old technology. Conair’s “Rethinking Resin Conveying” explains the capabilities of the company's Wave Conveying System to reduce material damage, deliver higher throughputs and maximize ROI. www.conairgroup.com/resources/resource/rethinking-resin-conveying
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Formlabs’ white paper, “Carbon Fiber Parts Manufacturing with 3D Printed Molds,” provides examples and methods to fabricate on-demand custom molds for composite manufacturing. It includes an overview of composite materials and basic design guidelines for incorporating 3-D printing into your carbon-fiber manufacturing process, and a step-by-step guide on how DeltaWing Manufacturing and the Technische Universität Berlin use 3-D printing in the manufacturing process to create carbon-fiber parts. https://3d.formlabs.com/white-paper-carbon-fiber-parts-manufacturing-with-3d-printed-molds
AUTOMATION
When you’re ready to automate material transport in your manufacturing facility, warehouse or distribution center, you have options ranging from traditional forklifts and conveyors, to automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and advanced autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The Knotts Company’s e-book, “Comparison Guide to Material Transport and Logistics Options,” details the challenges driving automation plans, and the pros and cons of material transport options and how to compare them, with examples. The Knotts Company is an automation solution provider. https://pages.knottsco.com/comparison-guide-to-material-transport-and-logistics-options
Industry experts cite automation and technology as two key factors helping manufacturing companies recover in 2021. The white paper, “Cobots vs. COVID,” shows how collaborative robots can play a role in helping companies succeed during a pandemic: to help with social distancing, ramp up new lines quickly and reshore existing products due to interrupted supply chains. Real-world case studies are provided. www.machinedesign.com/learning-resources/white-papers/whitepaper/21152169/white-paper-cobots-vs-covid
PURGING
Asaclean’s guide, “Purging Compounds & Process Efficiency: Why They Must Work in Tandem to Improve Your Bottom Line,” shows how to improve your bottom line by achieving purging process efficiency. Factors include the relationship between purging compounds and processes, common errors to avoid, implementing correct procedures and why implementing sound purging processes is as important as the products you purchase. https://offers.asaclean.com/purging-compounds-meet-process-efficiency-to-save-time-and-money
