by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC One of the primary purposes of decorating processes is to impart color to the object being decorated. Color is used to create beauty, to increase perceived value, to convey information and to define brand character. Color is only one aspect of a part’s appearance. Appearance is a combination of color, gloss, shape, geometry and … [Read more...] about Understanding Color in Decorated Plastics
Quality
Plasma Treatment Transforms Plastic Parts into High-Value Products
by Ray Chen and Ryan Blaik, PVA TePla America For manufacturers and injection and blow molders that work with different kinds of plastics (i.e., polycarbonate, polyethylene and polypropylene), utilizing plasma treatments can create competitive advantages and transform specific parts into specialized, engineered components with 10 times the value. Plasma is a state of matter – … [Read more...] about Plasma Treatment Transforms Plastic Parts into High-Value Products
Understanding Cleanrooms and Their Successful Use in Plastics Decoration
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC Contamination in its various forms often is the largest contributor to yield loss in plastic decoration. This is especially true with decorated plastic that has highly reflective surfaces, such as high-gloss physical vapor deposition, piano black paint and high-gloss hard-coated lenses. Even with less sensitive processes and … [Read more...] about Understanding Cleanrooms and Their Successful Use in Plastics Decoration
Failures and Prevention: Chemical Attacks of Decorated Plastic Surfaces
by Paul Uglum, president, Uglum Consulting, LLC Plastic parts are decorated for many reasons and using many differing techniques. Parts can be decorated to achieve specific aesthetics and appearances, to provide uniform appearances across various substrates, to apply graphics and to achieve specific functional or tactile results. Coatings also are applied to protect the … [Read more...] about Failures and Prevention: Chemical Attacks of Decorated Plastic Surfaces
Particle Monitoring Technology for Coating and Decorating
When it comes to decorating plastic parts, particularly when using specialty processes, it is crucial to account for particles that could otherwise mar the finished product. As a result, particle monitoring technology is becoming a vital part of cleanroom environments. Plastics Decorating sat down with PMT Director of Sales Mark Berdovich to discuss some of the basic aspects of … [Read more...] about Particle Monitoring Technology for Coating and Decorating