by Steve Johnson, ToolingDocs LLC As most mold maintenance audits reveal, both internal and external water leaks continue to be the frontrunning causes of unscheduled mold downtime. Pitting - the simple act of electrons from one steel component migrating to another - wastes thousands of company dollars per year through excessive repair hours, additional tooling costs, press … [Read more...] about Water Leaks are Money down the Drain
Process Improvement
Additive Manufacturing Changes the Face of Molding
Plastics Business Additive manufacturing. Fused deposition modeling. Rapid prototyping. 3D printing. Whatever you call the process, additive manufacturing has undergone a perception change. While prototyping remains a key functionality served by additive manufacturing equipment, 3D printing is gaining acceptance as a method of short-run production. Plastics Business … [Read more...] about Additive Manufacturing Changes the Face of Molding
Three Responsibilities of Innovation
by AJ Sweatt There's a lot of talk lately about innovation and its likely role in the revitalization of US manufacturing. This past June, President Obama announced the formation of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership - a collection of representatives from academia and the public and private sectors tasked with making recommendations to the President on how to best … [Read more...] about Three Responsibilities of Innovation
Industrial Mold & Machine’s iPads and Social Network
Plastics Business When those involved in plastics processing talk about upgrading technology, they often are replacing outdated machinery on the plant floor. At Industrial Mold & Machine (IMM), Twinsburg, OH, technology upgrades have put iPads in the hands of 19 employees and are changing the way the company communicates. "Instant information - that's how we've branded … [Read more...] about Industrial Mold & Machine’s iPads and Social Network
Assessing Sustainable Packaging through Life Cycle Analysis
by Chandler Slavin, Sustainability Coordinator, Dordan Manufacturing Co. Inc. Sustainability is a concept commonly defined as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland Commission of the United Nations, March 1987). Since the early nineties, "sustainability" as concept has been … [Read more...] about Assessing Sustainable Packaging through Life Cycle Analysis