Edited by Erin La Row and Dianna Brodine, Plastics Decorating When picturing a towel dispenser found in a public restroom, the image that comes to mind likely is a gray or white metal box – functional, but not exactly stylish. Kimberly-Clark wanted to change that, using in-mold decorating techniques to bring design elements to a product found in washrooms around the … [Read more...] about Kimberly-Clark Elevates Towel Dispensers from Ordinary to High Design
Quality
Part 2: Avoiding Common Mistakes | Keys to Successfully Implementing New Plastics Decorating Processes
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC An article in the July/August 2022 issue of Plastics Decorating described a structured method and steps that can be taken to reduce the risk in adding new processes or upgrading current processes. Even when following these steps, the result sometimes is less than satisfying. Failure to meet the targeted production yields, … [Read more...] about Part 2: Avoiding Common Mistakes | Keys to Successfully Implementing New Plastics Decorating Processes
Surface Energy Measurements for Development and Control of Surface Treatment Options
by Rose Roberts, Ph.D., senior custom applications and materials engineer, Brighton Science Surface energy is the ability of molecules on a surface to attract other molecules. This is important for predicting when paints, coatings and other decorations will stick to a surface. Rose Roberts, Ph.D., with Brighton Science, provided insight into this important topic. Explain the … [Read more...] about Surface Energy Measurements for Development and Control of Surface Treatment Options
Keys to Successfully Implementing New Plastics Decorating Processes
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC Few activities have a greater impact on a business than the introduction, or expansion, of in-house decorating processes. Plastics decorating consists of a diverse and ever-expanding collection of fundamentally different secondary processes. New technologies and methods are continually being introduced. Improved UV cure systems, … [Read more...] about Keys to Successfully Implementing New Plastics Decorating Processes
UV/Ozone Surface Pretreatment to Improve Adhesion of Polymers
by Scott R. Sabreen, president, The Sabreen Group, Inc. Note from the author: Printing and adhesion problems on many polymers and rubbers are common throughout industry. This is a result of the inherently low surface energy of polymers, among other factors. Surface oxidation processes can oxidize polymer surfaces, making them more wettable. Ultraviolet (UV)/ozone … [Read more...] about UV/Ozone Surface Pretreatment to Improve Adhesion of Polymers