by John Kaverman, president, Pad Print Pros LLC As US-based companies strive to become leaner and processes for decorating plastic products become increasingly more automated, many decorators are looking for quality control technologies that can fit seamlessly into their existing systems. The determining factors in deciding whether to employ any of these technologies are, … [Read more...] about Quality Control Technologies
Quality
Basic Test Methods for In-Mold Labels and Label Materials
AWA has drafted a basic list of test methods for in-mold labels. It is not intended that the tests be strict and definitive, but they may be used as a basis for further adaptation and customization to build a full understanding of the critical parameters that companies are required to address when converting, supplying or using in-mold labels. In this excerpt, testing for … [Read more...] about Basic Test Methods for In-Mold Labels and Label Materials
Cleanroom Considerations
by Ron Kosmalski, Clean Air Technology, Inc. A cleanroom is a pre-defined room or area where the volume of particulates as small as 0.5 microns in size is reduced through filtration and air exchanges. The health care community is a significant consumer of plastic products and components. Products ranging from syringes and IV bags to medical grade tubing and implantable … [Read more...] about Cleanroom Considerations
Keeping Contamination Problems at Bay
by Ed Crutchley, www.pdtechwatch.com It's no secret that plastics decoration and surface treatment processes, and particularly those that require wet inks or coatings, need a clean environment. Traces of gas or condensation on the mold cavity surface, airborne dust, traces of oil and water from compressed air, stray grease from tool faces, fingerprints, and even migration of … [Read more...] about Keeping Contamination Problems at Bay
Q&A: Data Matrix Bar Code Mark Quality Verification and Standard
by Scott Sabreen Question: We presently print and read data matrix codes on several parts that we manufacture. If the codes are readable, can we assume they will pass verification? Which verification standard do you suggest? Answer: A common misconception is that if a 2-dimensional data matrix code is "readable" then it also is presumed "verified" as a passable code. This is … [Read more...] about Q&A: Data Matrix Bar Code Mark Quality Verification and Standard