By Liz Stevens, writer, Plastics Business What if? Outside-of-the-box thinkers use a “what if?” mentality to tackle plant operation challenges. Plastics processors are an innovative bunch and it’s a good thing. Keeping a multi-service or multi-line injection molding operation humming along – with its varied work cells, machinery, processes and tasks – takes skill and … [Read more...] about MAPP Innovation Award Winners Put the “Smart” in Smart Manufacturing
Process Improvement
Beacon Engineered Solutions Implements Automation to Ease Labor Crunch
By Liz Stevens, writer, Plastics Business Beacon Engineered Solutions earned the second place award in Labor Solutions at the 2023 MAPP Innovation Award ceremony for its entry describing the company’s 4DX Automation Team which has applied automation technologies that currently save the company 11,000 labor hours annually. Beacon is in Alexandria, Minnesota, offering … [Read more...] about Beacon Engineered Solutions Implements Automation to Ease Labor Crunch
Improved Methods, Better Parts
By Liz Stevens, writer, Plastics Business Texas Injection Molding, Houston, Texas, provides custom plastic injection molding for OEM manufacturing and consumer goods. Operating 30 injection molding machines, the company serves the business electronics, food and beverage, sports and outdoors, medical and pharmaceutical, energy, and industrial and safety markets. Recently, the … [Read more...] about Improved Methods, Better Parts
Solving Design Challenges with Flow Analysis Simulation
An interview with Gustavo Mosquera, vice president of operations, Sigmasoft® Flow analysis simulation allows engineers and designers to test, diagnose and improve the injection molding process, with the end result of optimizing production output. The simulation shows how the resin will fill the mold during the injection molding process. By understanding how the resin fills … [Read more...] about Solving Design Challenges with Flow Analysis Simulation
Strengthening Plastics Manufacturing Performance via Management by Exception
By Steve Bieszczat, chief marketing officer, DELMIAWorks Running a plastics processing operation – with its constant flow of materials, people, machinery and information – is one of the most demanding management jobs in the world. Without proper supervision and control, the operation can slip into inefficiencies and delays that drive up costs while lowering customer … [Read more...] about Strengthening Plastics Manufacturing Performance via Management by Exception