Kodak machines use reinforced polyimide
Eastman Kodak Co. uses thermoplastic polyimide for fuser roll end caps in its new copying and printing machines.
The Rochester, N.Y., firm chose glass-reinforced Aurum resin supplied by RTP Co. of Winona, Minn., because it withstands high loads and high velocities at temperatures of 500§ F. RTP compounds Aurum supplied by Mitsui Chemicals America Inc. of Purchase, N.Y.
Pixley Richards Inc. of Plymouth, Mass., injection molds the end caps to tight tolerances over a powder metal insert. The patented, composite end-cap replaces a more costly, all-polyimide version.
Tel. (914) 251-4222, fax (914) 253-0790 or e-mail [email protected] suichem-us.com.
Metapor aluminum helps thermoforming
International Mold Steel Inc. of Florence, Ky., is selling a micro-porous aluminum, called Metapor, for thermoformers.
The air-permeable aluminum offers an even-pressure vacuum over its entire surface.
Tel. (800) 625-6653, fax (606) 342-6006.
ATOM series improves molding productivity
Cavity Balancing Systems of Kitchener, Ontario, claims to have developed an inexpensive way to injection mold low-volume parts in family molds: balancing the molds.
The system is called ATOM [Adjustable Thickness Overflow Molding] and the EquaFill Series of overflow cavities.
The products balance mold-filling conditions by using an overflow cavity connected by a gate and special channel to the first filling cavity. During fill, resin continues to flow into the overflow cavities after each part cavity fills.
The overflow cavity is inserted into the mold through a pocket bored into the mold base.
Upon mold opening, a puller pin removes the molded disk from EquaFill. The scrap is fed through a grinder and fed back into the press.
International patents are pending.
Tel. (519) 571-0204, fax (519) 570-9824.
Nabisco downgrauges OPP snack-food film
RJR Nabisco Inc. has saved more than $1 million by downgauging oriented polypropylene film from 60 to 50 gauge.
The New York food products giant switched to 50-gauge Torayfan PC-1 for the inner layer of cold-seal, single-serve packages for most of its snack foods. The OPP film is treated on one side for metalization and on the other for coatings and adhesives. Toray of North Kingstown, R.I., said its film also allows downgauging of an outer package layer with no overall loss in performance and barrier properties.
Tel. (401) 294-4511, fax (401) 294-2154.
Herrmann announces three new products
Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc. announced three new products: the Ultraline ultrasonic welding machine, the Dual-Actuator and a 500-watt Active Control Generator.
Ultraline boasts a modular concept of tooling, power supplies and controller, so that a change in part design can be handled simply, by changing the tooling, rather than changing the entire system.
Ultraline machines are based on Herrmann Ultrasonic's computer numerically controlled, closed-loop technology.
The Schaumburg, Ill., company also introduced the Dual-Actuator, which can weld large and complex parts. It comes in two sizes, 35 KHz and 20 KHz. The larger, 35-KHz horn can assume a length of 6 inches.
The company's Active Control Generator is based on closed-loop electronics. The system offers millisecond control that automatically compensates for variations in line voltage as well as thermal and mechanical changes to the stack.
Tel. (847) 985-7344, fax (847) 985-1470.
16-ounce PET bottles bolster sales for UDF
United Dairy Farmers of Cincinnati boosted single-serve milk sales by 20 percent by switching to PET bottles from paperboard containers.
Double R Enterprises of New Castle, Pa., blow molds the 16-ounce bottles using Eastapak resin supplied by Eastman Chemical Co. of Kingsport, Tenn.
Double R predicts more dairies will adopt PET bottles to avoid difficult-to-open and messy gable- top containers made of paperboard.
Tel. (423) 229-5728, fax (423) 224-0577 or e-mail [email protected] man.com.
TechniDrill introduces deep-drilling system
TechniDrill Systems Inc. of Kent, Ohio, is offering a new system for drilling deep holes, designed for plastics companies and mold shops.
The Series 200 drilling system is designed to drill water lines and ejector pin holes in plastic injection molds. The three-axis machine is fully computer numerically controlled. It can drill holes as large as 2 inches in diameter and as long as 4 feet. The worktable measures 4 feet by 4 feet.
Tel. (330) 678-9980, fax (330) 678-9981.
Controller can help upgrade equipment
Solid Controls Inc. introduced the Scoremaster 97 controller for injection molding machines.
The Hopkins, Minn., company also announced a project to upgrade existing Reed injection molding machines.
Solid Controls is selling the controller to machinery manufacturers and rebuilders, and to processors that want to upgrade their existing equipment.
A color touch-screen gives a wide viewing angle and high-resolution graphics.
The controller allows either open- or closed-loop operation.
Scoremaster 97 uses QNX as its software operating platform.
Solid Controls also has announced an agreement with the Reed Division of Package Machinery Co. to upgrade Reed injection presses with new microprocessor controls and upgraded hydraulic and mechanical components. New Reed machines no longer are being produced, but Reed, based in West Springfield, Mass., provides replacement parts for used Reed presses.
Tel. (612) 933-9053, fax (612) 933-8961.
