The Troubleshooter, Part 120: Ejector pin gates—make a wedge

Some of the most obvious cosmetic problems, such as sink marks, may not be caused by the most logical suspects.

Not a year to remember, nor to forget

Exit recession stage left; welcome to a new year.

Changes in healthcare options: How will they affect molders and moldmakers?

There are a number of ways to fix what’s wrong with the U.S. healthcare system without throwing out what’s right with it. Small businesses often don’t have much choice in healthcare, and choice (i.e., competition) can fix that without raising taxes and putting small businesses out of business.

Technology is the solution for volume production of infusion solutions

It took intense supplier collaboration to create a new type of production line for the infusion solutions of medical OEM B. Braun, and one key ingredient was hot runner needle shut-off technology in a purpose-designed system.

Metal-effect compound dresses up talc-filled PP engine cover

The engine cover on the Ford Fusion Hybrid utilizes a metallic-effect compound from PolyOne that mimics the luster of a painted polymer without the extra energy requirements and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that painting can produce. Injection molded by MPC Inc. (Walworth, WI), a Ford World Excellence-recognized supplier, the engine cover utilizes PolyOne's Maxxam FX Metal for a clean finish and reduced carbon footprint.

New company is supporting major tool transfers

Transferring tooling from one vendor to another isn’t an easy job, let alone going from one country to another. However, a new company aims to make mold transfers less painful, no matter where in the world you need to take them.

American Tool & Mold expands into LSR

Toolmaker and injection molding company American Tool & Mold Inc. (ATM; Clearwater, FL) has announced plans to enter the liquid silicone rubber (LSR) tooling and molding arena, adding silicone operations in the coming month. The company has already hired Marshall Strang to act as LSR Operations Manager. In this role, Strang will oversee all LSR dealings at ATM, covering everything from assisting with sales quotations, tooling design, mold fabrication, and part production.

A torchbearer’s tale

At 7:45 am on Dec. 28, 2009 in Meaford, ON, Jason Ruby began a 300m run in bone-chilling -8°F temperatures. For someone who runs a few times a week and has a marathon under his belt, this short jog wouldn’t seem particularly noteworthy, but for Ruby, who has worked for Husky Injection Molding Systems (Bolton, ON) for 12 years in its marketing communications department producing video and multimedia, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Plantwide process monitoring promotes precision, productivity

In a bid to further optimize processes that currently churn out more than 1.6 billion parts each year, the molding and
automation division of IV therapy, oncology, and critical-care device supplier ICU Medical is developing its own processmonitoring
system, one that’s true to the principles of company founder George Lopez.