Letter from the Chairman
We have just completed two great conferences with opportunities to network and learn the latest in plastics decoration and assembly.
In May, the Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Decoration and Assembly Division session included seven papers covering topics ranging from in-mold decoration to advances in short-pulsed laser marking. Advances in testing and comparisons of test methods for scratch-resistance of coated surfaces were reviewed. Surface preparation using plasma treatments for both bonding and coating also was covered. Methods for bonding plastics made up the remainder of the topics covered.
In June, we held a two-day topical conference in Franklin, Tennessee. This was our first joint meeting with the Decoration and Assembly Division of SPE and the In-Mold Decorating Association. There were two days of papers with breakout sessions for plastic decoration, plastic joining and in-mold decoration and labeling. This conference was a big success, with increased attendance and a larger trade fair. It provided opportunities to not only learn about the latest techniques, but also to network and develop contacts in all areas of technology. More information is provided below.
If you missed our conferences this year, keep an eye open for the opportunities we will offer next year. As a member of our division and of SPE, you can get copies of past papers online.
The range of topics and skills for plastic decoration and joining are wide and diverse. The best way to learn is through professional organizations, such as SPE. Recently, SPE has expanded the opportunity to network and to seek help with specific problems by creating a networking platform, THE CHAIN, specific to the plastics industry. SPE also has made it easier for you to join the chain if you are not already a member of SPE. Go to the SPE web page: www.4spe.org. If you are a new visitor and would like to register as an SPE e-Member (and do not already have a username and login), you can use the New Visitor Registration to register for the site. SPE e-Members receive instant access to SPE’s THE CHAIN. If you are having issues with login, please call SPE at 203.775.0471.
You can learn more at the Society of Plastics Engineers website, www.4spe.org, or by contacting me at paul.a.uglum@delphi.com.
Paul Uglum
Delphi Electronics and Safety
Chair, SPE Decorating & Assembly Division
TopCon and IMDA Symposium Deemed Success
For the first time, the SPE Decorating & Assembly Division and the In-Mold Decorating Association (IMDA) partnered to create two conferences within one great event that turned out to be a huge success for both organizations. The SPE Decorating & Assembly Topical Conference (TopCon) and the IMDA Symposium took place June 5-7 in Franklin, Tennessee, creating a venue with both separate and combined programming and a combined Supplier Trade Fair for attendees to visit and network with the supplier exhibitors.
“In today’s world, anytime you can partner with another organization and create a conference or tradeshow where there are similar interests and industries, it makes sense,” said Jeff Peterson, publisher of Plastics Decorating and organizer of the TopCon portion of the event. “Through partnering with the IMDA, we were able to add a substantial number of attendees – which generated more networking throughout the exhibit area and among all attendees.”
Ron Schultz, IMDA’s executive director, added, “The synergy of our integrated program of technical papers and workshops provided much more value for our attendees than they could get from two stand-alone conferences.”
The event began with a keynote address from AkzoNobel Specialty Coatings on current trends and the future outlook for decorative applications in automotive interiors. More than 25 papers on the newest technologies in plastics decorating, assembly and in-mold labeling/decorating were presented, including information on replacing electroplating with physical vapor deposition, digital decoration, combining in-mold decoration with laser etch, in-mold thermoformable laminates and digital texturing for mold and prototype finishing. In the area of joining plasma treatment for surface preparation, electromagnetic welding, laser welding, heat staking and the impact resistance of adhesives were covered.
In addition, IMDA held workshops on thin-wall IML packages, laser vs. conventional diecutting, and new films and injection vs. in-mold forming for in-mold labeling. A Supplier Trade Fair with tabletop exhibits was offered during an extended lunch and reception on the first day of the event.
The SPE Decorating & Assembly Division and IMDA are planning another combined event in 2017. More details will be available in the coming months.
Uglum Receives Honored Service Award
Paul Uglum, SPE Decorating & Assembly Division chair and technical fellow at Delphi, was recognized as an Honored Service Member during a special presentation at ANTEC. Five others also were recognized as Honored Service Members, including Dr. Brian Grady, University of Oklahoma faculty member in the School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering; Dr. Hoang T. Pham, Avery Dennison; Dr. Antoine Rios, partner and senior managing engineer at The Madison Group; Gerald (Gary) W. Taylor, retired after a career of 44 years in the plastic industry with Kent Industries and the Akro-Mils Division of Myers Industries; and Bill Windscheif, founder and president of Advanced Innovative Solutions.
Uglum is a technical fellow at Delphi and the technology advocate for appearance technologies (global part decoration) at Delphi Electronics and Safety. Current responsibilities include technology development for automotive interior applications globally, coatings development and coatings failure analysis. He has served on ASTM committees and various other professional societies. Uglum has presented multiple papers and has twice led teams to win the SPE Automotive Divisions Grand Award for the most innovative use of plastics in the automotive industry. He holds several patents related to the compounding and applications of plastics.
More than 300 members, including the current inductees, have received Honored Service Member recognition since the honor was established in 1992. To be chosen, a candidate must have demonstrated long-term, outstanding service to, and support of, the Society and its objectives.
