Schreiner provides IML for containers
Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG has introduced its latest radio-frequency-identification in-mold label for injection molded products.
The IML is a good choice for labeling reusable shipping containers for industries such as food, pharmaceutical or general industrial products, the company said.
After being injection molded, the label is protected from external influences by a solid plastic coating. Schreiner said the labeled parts are easier to control and they help optimize logistics.
Schreiner is based in Oberschleissheim, Germany.
Tel. 49-89-31584-5586, fax 011 49 31584-5239, e-mail [email protected] schreiner-group.com.
Thieme pump can be cast-iron alternative
Reaction injection molder Thieme GmbH & Co. KG is offering an industrial pump with a polyurethane housing, instead of cast iron.
Thieme, based in Teningen, Germany, molds the parts for a German pump maker. The RIM parts are much lighter, with no restrictions on their technical properties. Also, according to Thieme, production and tooling costs are much lower than a cast-iron housing.
The company's U.S. operation, Thieme Corp., is in St. Charles, Ill.
Tel. 630-513-1666, fax 630-513-1999, e-mail [email protected]
Mold coating lasts for multiple cycles
IFAM, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Applied Materials Research in Bremen, Germany, together with Acmos Chemie KG, have developed a permanent coating for molds used to make composite aircraft wings and dashboards - which normally have to be ``greased'' each time, just like a cake tin.
Engineers normally have to apply four to six layers of release agent before they can pour in the mixture of resin, plastic and fiber reinforcements. Solvents are used, which evaporate after application - leading to environmental issues.
``Our plasma polymer coating only has to be renewed after 30 to a hundred cycles - in some applications it even lasts up to a thousand cycles,'' said Gregor Grassl, IFAM project manager.
In other news, that last drop of ketchup won't stick in the bottle, thanks to a joint project by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging in Freising, Germany, and IFAM's Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart.
The plasma coating is done by placing the plastics in a vacuum, then introducing gases into the chamber and igniting them by applying electrical voltage.
The organizations also worked with the Munich University of Technology, plus several industrial partners.
In another coating application, IFAM has developed a safety label to make shipping boxes for medicines forgery-proof.
Tel. 49-89-1205-1301, fax 49-89-1205-7515, www.ifam.fraunho fer.de.
Rollguard cradle tabs keeps rolls in place
Rollguard has developed a brand of plastic roll cradles with unique locking tabs. The cradle tabs keep rolls of plastic and paper film from shifting in a truck.
Rollguard is part of Great Northern Corp.'s Specialty Group. The company developed innovative locking tabs on the ends of its patent-pending Thermoformed-brand roll cradles. The tabs keep the cradles locked tightly together when they are stacked back to back.
The Thermoformed cradles are made of high-impact polystyrene.
Cleveland Plastic Films turned to Rollguard when it had problems with its plastic cradles, which sometimes would shift and open up. The Cleveland-based company ships its film across North America.
``When you have rolls of film stacked two layers high, the movement of the truck is going to cause the rolls to move,'' said Paul Mirka, purchasing manager of Cleveland Plastic Films. ``The rolls have to stay stationary or the roll cradles will open or snap and you'll have product rolling all over.''
Rollguard worked closely with the Cleveland-based company to develop Thermoformed roll cradles. Cleveland Plastic Films now uses them for its 18-, 20- and 22-inch diameter rolls, which also are strapped down and stretch wrapped.
Rollguard offers roll cradles made from fiber, foam and plastic. Rollguard and Great Northern are based in Appleton, Wis.
Tel. 800-925-2626, fax 920-831-0614.
Xaloy heating system utilizes less energy
Xaloy Inc. said its new nXheat, noncontact, induction-barrel heating method uses electromagnetic induction, which uses much less energy than traditional heater bands for injection molding.
The barrel is cool to the touch.
The nXheat uses a high-frequency power supply and helical induction coils to generate heat directly within the barrel wall - without coming into contact with the barrel. According to the company, the new heating system has energy savings of up to 70 percent, from heater bands, with a 95 percent efficiency. An additional 35 percent of energy savings come from reduced demand for air conditioning, since the outside of the barrel does not get hot, as well as from reduced peak-power demand.
The nXheat heats up and cools down immediately. It also has more heating capacity, normally about three times higher wattage into the barrel, according to Xaloy.
A stand-alone induction power module runs the nXheat barrel heater.
Xaloy, of New Castle, Pa., also highlighted a new development in downstream extrusion. Pneumatic air now powers the slide plate on Xaloy's XP air-assisted manual screen changer. The XP uses the plant's air supply, using no hydraulics or electrical controls. The unit fits extruders of any size, between 60 and 120 millimeters.
Tel. 724-656-5600, fax 724-656-5620.
Cyclics fuel tanks surpass CARB rules
Cyclics Corp. says it has an executive order from the California Air Resources Board. The order exempts fuel tank rotomolders from expensive fuel permeation testing when they certify the use of Cyclics' polybutylene terephthalate in tank production.
Cyclics of Schenectady, N.Y., has developed a way of making two-layer fuel tanks for engines with displacements greater than 80 cubic centimeters but with less power than 25 horsepower. Cyclics claims its method surpasses CARB's standard that mandates permeation of less than 1.5 grams per square meter per day at 104° F. On existing rotational molding equipment a dual-layer fuel tank can be made in a one-step process when CBT pellets are added to the mold with linear polyethylene powder. CBT resin forms an inner layer that boosts permeability protection.
Tel. 518-881-1422, e-mail [email protected]
