by Adam J. Wozniak, AMCO Polymers LLC Looking back on 2012 for one recipe of success has been difficult. Instead, many varied scenarios with the same innovative roots seems to be a constant with plastic converting companies that are thriving and staged for more growth in the coming year. Utilization of creative supply chains remains an integral part of their innovation and … [Read more...] about Material Trends to Watch
Articles
Analysis of the Sales Management Process
by Troy Nix, MAPP, Inc. The MAPP organization recently conducted and published the 2013 Sales and Management Study for the plastics processing industry. A total of 116 manufacturing executives participated in the survey process in order to gain a better insight into current sales management benchmarks, some of which have never been documented. The top three most … [Read more...] about Analysis of the Sales Management Process
Q&A: Machine Guarding Safety Regulations
by Eric Esson, Frommelt Safety Question: Why are industrial machine control/robotics safety regulations changing from EN 954-1 to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN 60621 standards? Answer: Increasingly complex manufacturing processes are forcing more complexity into the systems required to monitor operations and keep machine operators safe. Automated processes, robotics and even … [Read more...] about Q&A: Machine Guarding Safety Regulations
Why Plastic Flows Better in Aluminum Injection Molds
by David Bank, Aluminum Injection Mold Co., Dave Klafhen, Advent Tool, Ron Smierciak, Alcoa Forged and Cast Products There have been numerous articles published regarding the cycle time advantage aluminum molds have over steel when configured with the same gate, part geometry and cooling channels, but there is little specific information available to demonstrate why this … [Read more...] about Why Plastic Flows Better in Aluminum Injection Molds
Plastikos Journeys Through ISO 14001 Certification
by Melissa DeDonder Issues concerning worker health and safety have been thrust into the national spotlight recently, following the audit of one of Apple's key suppliers, the Foxconn manufacturing facility in China. "Because Apple is a leader in the marketplace, many other manufacturers are taking note," said Philip Katen, president and general manager of Plastikos, Inc. … [Read more...] about Plastikos Journeys Through ISO 14001 Certification