Moldflow releases upgraded software
Moldflow Corp. has released the latest version of its Moldflow Plastics Advisers software, upgrading the program's ability to identify manufacturing and quality issues.
Version 5.0 of the software from Wayland, Mass.-based Moldflow includes several new features.
The software can identify the locations of sink marks on a plastic part and predict their severity. It also provides cooling analysis that allows part and mold designers to locate excessive heat concentrations or heat loss on a computer-aided-design model and take corrective actions.
Moldflow's new version also contains a consolidated materials database culled both from the company's files and those of C-Mold, another mold-simulation company that Moldflow purchased in February. The database features close to 7,500 grades of materials.
Finally, the new version also helps parts designers by offering a cost adviser to quantify the projected manufacturing costs and recognize how design or material changes will affect those figures.
Tel. (508) 358-5848, fax (508) 358-5868.
Datacolor promotes spectrophotometer
Datacolor International said its hand-held Mercury line of color measurement devices offers double the level of resolution of other laboratory-grade instruments.
A touch screen and the use of the personal digital assistant operating system make the Mercury spectrophotometer easy to use, according to the company in Lawrenceville, N.J. The operator can perform more-complex functions with a writing stylus.
Tel. (609) 924-2189, fax (609) 895-7472, e-mail [email protected] color.com.
Sunglasses maker using composites
Costa Del Mar Sun Glasses Inc. of Ormond Beach, Fla., casts an advanced black nylon composite with a hard-pressed etched rubber on the temples for its Fathom and Tempest face-hugging styles. Both came onto the market during 2000.
Costa Del Mar subcontracts material processing and does final assembly at its Ormond Beach facility, where it has 30 employees.
The lightweight sunglasses come with its Colorific-brand polarized lenses in active-sports polycarbonate or mirror glass and retail for $109-$149, depending on the lens.
These coinjected styles are "meeting and exceeding sales expectations" and contain technology that Costa Del Mar will incorporate on some of five new frames being introduced during 2001, marketing coordinator Leigh Segalini said in a telephone interview.
A group of offshore fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts wanting better sunglasses formed Costa Del Mar in 1983 and retains ownership. The firm sells more than 30 styles and 14 lens options.
Tel. (800) 447-3700, fax (800) 818-3737, e-mail [email protected] mar.com.
Arizona Instrument touts moisture tester
Arizona Instrument LLC of Tempe, Ariz., said its Computrac Vapor Pro measures moisture levels down to 10 parts per million, or 10 micrograms of water.
Results are generated in as fast as three minutes and displayed as percent moisture, parts-per-million moisture or micrograms of water.
By adding a compressed-air pump and eliminating the need for a nitrogen source, the instrument becomes portable.
Arizona Instruments showed the new moisture analyzer at Plastec West in Anaheim, Calif.
Tel. (602) 470-1414, fax (480) 804-0656.
Bohler and Uddeholm unite sales force, HQ
Bohler and Uddeholm, sister suppliers of tool steel that used to compete against each other, now have a united sales force and share a headquarters: Bohler-Uddeholm Corp. in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
The companies, which share the same parent, studied the market and listened to customers before the move, which was effective Jan. 8.
Bohler-Uddeholm makes steel for injection and blow molds, screws and barrels and other plastics applications.
The Bohler facility in Arlington Heights, Ill., was closed.
Tel. (847) 577-2220.
MUD develops method for changing molds
Master Unit Die Products (MUD), a unit of D-M-E, has developed a top-loading way to change insert molds quickly.
The E-frame design accepts the same size molds as MUD's H-style frames, but it allows the inserts to be lowered into the frame using an overhead handling system.
MUD said top loading is easier and safer than side loading.
The E frame is center-sprue injected into the center runner bar, and side gated into the insert molds. With an optional runner, molds can be gated from the end, so they are interchangeable with H-style layouts.
D-M-E is based in Madison Heights, Mich.
Tel. (248) 398-6000, fax (248) 398-6174.
Ticona formulates filled PPS grades
Ticona developed new polyphenylene sulfide grades that have up to 10 times the thermal conductivity of standard, filled PPS.
The new compounds are designed for use where heat dissipation is important. The new Forton grades have thermal conductivities of about 1.1 to 3 watts per meter-degree Kelvin.
Heat sinks, heat pipes, pumps and power supply units are among the applications envisioned by the Summit, N.J., company. These parts can be used in high-intensity light fixtures and transformer thermal emission bases.
Tel. (908) 598-4209, fax (908) 598-4319, e-mail [email protected] ticona.com.
Progressive offers mold maker products
Progressive Components is offering several new products for mold makers.
The Wauconda, Ill.-based company is selling pin plate inserts designed to be matched with cavity and core inserts for use with a complete pocketed unit insert.
The company also has launched its S-Series inserts that offer an even surface for easy holding of a work piece. The inserts include a finish ground parting line and four leader pins and bushings for positive alignment.
Progressive also is providing core pin retainers, a space-efficient method of retaining the center core pin in ejector sleeve applications.
Unlike a set screw, the retainer allows the pin to float slightly for optimum performance while eliminating the need to machine plates.
Tel. (800) 269-6653, fax (800) 462-6653.
Teknor Apex unveils medical-grade TPEs
Teknor Apex has debuted new thermoplastic elastomers for medical and hygiene film products.
The company said new grades of Monprene have the softness, drape and dry-to-the-touch feel of latex but are more productive and easier to color. The grades also allow users to avoid potential allergic reactions to latex, according to the Pawtucket, R.I., company.
Teknor Apex said the new products are processable in conventional blown and cast film extrusion systems.
Tel. (401) 725-8000, fax (401) 728-5680, e-mail [email protected] apex.com.
Weidman develops coating technology
Weidman Co. Inc. has developed a portable, thermoplastic spray system that can coat a range of materials.
The High Velocity Impact Fusion equipment can coat up to 400 square feet per hour, claims the Fort Myers, Fla., firm. Nylon 12 and other thermoplastics can be sprayed onto plastics, composites, metals and other materials, according to Weidman.
Weidman said the HVIF process is suited to in-plant use or in the field. The United States Air Force, for example, installed one at its Warner Robins, Ga., base for large-scale spray applications.
The company claims the technology provides good adhesion between the substrate and the coating. Weidman lists the machinery at $175,000-$230,000.
Tel. (941) 489-2145, fax (941) 489-1865, e-mail [email protected] aol.com.