by Trevor Larcheveque, Branson Ultrasonics Corp. 3D printing (3DP) now is widely adopted for prototyping and developing new product designs because it allows plastic component and part prototypes to be developed, produced, assessed and modified far more quickly and economically than traditional injection-molded plastic parts, which require significant up-front investment in … [Read more...] about 3D-Printed Plastic Parts: To Weld or Not to Weld?
2017 Oct/Nov
Association News
Once every three years, an extraordinary opportunity comes along. It is the joint meeting of the National Plastics Exposition (NPE) and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Annual Technical Conference. It brings together the largest gathering of plastics engineers and professionals in North America, affording the opportunity to see the latest offerings in materials, … [Read more...] about Association News
Be a Force Multiplier: Accomplishing More with Existing Resources
by Elizabeth McCormick, former US Army Black Hawk pilot, author and speaker The US Department of Defense defines "force multiplier" as a capability added or employed by a combat group that significantly improves their combat potential, enhancing mission success probability. A force multiplier could be anything from new weapons technology to fresh food in the mess hall - … [Read more...] about Be a Force Multiplier: Accomplishing More with Existing Resources
Best Practices for Painting Plastics
by Patrick Smith and Nick Strauss, Graco Inc. Plastics can be challenging materials to decorate. Different surface properties, lower surface energies and lower polarities are just some of the attributes that provide challenges not seen with metal. Not only is the paintability of plastics different from that of other substrates, it even varies among different plastics. … [Read more...] about Best Practices for Painting Plastics
Bling Appeal: ZoMazz Ups Its Game with Embedded Crystals
by Brittany Willes, contributing writer "There are a lot of consumer products which incorporate crystals with plastic parts, but in almost every case it involves attaching the crystal to the outside of the part after it has been molded," explained ZoMazz COO Ron Maddocks. "That means the crystals are exposed and can be knocked off or cause negative user experiences, like … [Read more...] about Bling Appeal: ZoMazz Ups Its Game with Embedded Crystals