The NPE 2000 Conference is an outstanding opportunity to hear some of the industry’s leading speakers talk about new technologies and trends to help ensure your business will succeed into the next century. The conference program, which is free to attendees, runs from Monday to Thursday and includes many sessions that relate directly to the injection molding industry.

All conference sessions will be held in McCormick’s South Hall on Level 4, on the lake side one level above the main floor in Rooms S401 and S405.

MONDAY, JUNE 19
Injection Molding Machine Selection (Part 1), 1:30-5:30 p.m., S402
How to Select an Injection Molding Machine
Donald Allen, Phillips Chemical Co.
This session will define the machinery requirements of both custom and proprietary injection molders.

Extrusion Machine Selection (Part 1), 1:30-5:30 p.m., S403

TUESDAY, JUNE 20
Injection Molding Gas Assist, Coinjection, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S405
Application Case Study: Thin-wall Gas-assisted Molding
Charles Mansfield, Delphi Packard Electric
This presentation is a case study of an application in which gas-assisted molding technology was applied to a high-precision, thin-walled part.

Two/Multimaterial Molding—The Moldbuilder’s Perspective
Peter Elford, Hallmark Technologies
This presentation will examine reasons for using multicolor materials, different types of applications, different types of molds, and startups in the future.

Multimaterial Molding: Making the Right Choice
Claude Bodeving, Husky Injection Molding Systems
This presentation will give an overview and selection criteria of some of the technologies involved in selecting a multimaterial molding machine.

Coinjection and Multimaterial Molding
Helmut Eckardt, Battenfeld Injection Molding Technology
This presentation will look at current and future trends of coinjection and multimaterial molding, including items molded in color applications as well as in grounding features.

New Thermoplastics, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S402
Technical and Business overview of BP Amoco’s Polyphthalamide (PPA) Engineering Thermoplastic
W. Christie Crowe, BP Amoco
This presentation will describe the Amodel product line for the electrical and electronics, transportation, appliances, industrial, and consumer markets.

Liquid Crystal Polymers—Overview of Technology and Applications
H. Clay Linstid, Ticona
In this presentation you will discover the properties that make liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) the material of choice for high-performance applications.

Polylactic Acid: Performance Materials from Renewable Resources
Michael Mang, Cargill Dow Polymers
This presentation will report on recent advances in the development of polylactic acid technology.

Advances in Thermoforming, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S401

Extrusion—New Technology Advances, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S403

Automotive Productivity Through Design, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S401
Advances in Automotive Plastics Applications
Suresh Shah, Delphi Automotive Systems
This presentation includes the latest innovations in the area of automotive interiors, exteriors, chassis/hardware, and powertrain applications.

Higher Levels of Integration for Interior Systems
Ed Riehl, Visteon Automotive Systems
This presentation will discuss how to achieve a higher level of integration into interior systems.

Up to Carrying the Message?—Then You Can Become a Role Model Supplier
Edward Martin, DaimlerChrysler
The vision and goal-setting characteristics of role model behavior and the associated tactics and strategies used by role model suppliers will be presented.

Vision of Invention and Innovation for Customer Value
Gary Lawrey, Dow Automotive
This presentation will cover the expanding role of material suppliers in bringing invention and innovation to support their customers better.

Marketing and Management: E-commerce, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S405
A Different Way of Doing Business
Amir Raza, Mascon
You will learn how processors can use extranet technology and computerized ERP capabilities to link customers with production planning, while accessing their inventory requirements.

Expanding E-commerce Beyond Order Taking
Tim Stojka, PlasticsNet.Com
This presentation will examine PlasticsNet.Com’s successful expansion strategy of linking to technical information sites like SPE’s.

Data Mining
Bret Smith, Leo Wright, SAS Institute
Opportunities for collecting and managing market data brought about by e-commerce will be discussed.

Success Stories
Jason Rubel, Polymerland
This presentation will review Polymerland’s experience as one of the first plastics marketers on the Internet.

Injection Molding Machine Selection (Part 2), 1:30-5:30 p.m., S402
Questions and Answers
Donald Allen, Phillips Chemical Co., Roundtable Discussion
A panel of injection molding manufacturers will be available to answer your questions and discuss your concerns about machine selection.

Extrusion Machine Selection (Part 2), 1:30-5:30 p.m., S403

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
Injection Molding: New Technology Advances, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S405
Injection Molding—A Vision of the Future
John Avery, General Electric
Many factors such as costs, economy, Internet, and technology that influence injection molding will be discussed, including their potential impact on the future.

Thixomolding
Al Ridilla, Accumetal; Steve Erickson, Noranda
A general overview of magnesium thixomolding will be presented to include history, equipment, design considerations, economics, applications, and markets.

Mucell Micro Cell Foam Molding Technology
David Pierick, Daniel Szczurko, Trexel Inc.
This presentation will describe benefits of microcellular foam molding technology and review successful applications of the technology to real parts.

Injection Molding Metals and Ceramics
Remco van Weeren and Michael Werner, Honeywell
This presentation examines a new binder system for metal injection molding that allows production of large, thick parts that can compete with investment casting.

New Thermosets and Composites, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S402
Long-fiber Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Processing, and Applications (3rd presentation)
Robert Boland, C.A. Lawton Co.
This presentation will show the machinery required for processing long-fiber thermoplastics (LFT) and explain how the process is performed.

Advances in Blowmolding, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S401

Extrusion—Advances in Packaging, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S403

Advances in Secondary Processes and Equipment, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S402
Cost-saving Approaches to Drying and Material Handling
Charles Sears, Dri-Air
This presentation will discuss the currently available equipment for drying and material handling from beside-the-press styles to central systems.

Molding System Automation—Diversity and Economic Impact
Jim Forrester, CBW Automation
This presentation will cover the diverse manipulations required to handle plastic parts from mold to package and describe challenging successful applications.

Conveyor and Grinder Advancements
Michael J. Anderson, The Conair Group
This presentation will cover conveyor designs, product conveyability, hopper designs based on product, and controls for interfacing.

Rapid Mold Changes
Michael Martin, Master Unit Die
This presentation will explain the MUD concept to quick-change tooling—a cost-efficient approach to plastics tooling that saves time and money at every stage of the production process.

Appliances: Productivity Through Innovation, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S401
Opportunities Provided by TPEs
Gayle Tomlinson, Advanced Elastomer Systems
This presentation is an overview of thermoplastic elastomers including how these materials can improve productivity and end-use performance.

Delivering Performance and Aesthetics
Bill Burgess, Eastman Chemical Co.
A case history will be presented of plastic parts for appliances featuring material properties, part and tool design, processing, and assembly.

Metallocene Polypropylene for Injection Molding
Russ Spiller, ExxonMobil Chemical Co.
This overview will focus on the enhanced material attributes and processing advantages of breakthrough polypropylenes for producers of injection molded appliance parts.

Specialty Compounds for the Appliance Industry
Steve Maki, RTP Co.
Recent developments in specialty compounds (e.g., nanocomposites, platable compounds, and thermally conductive compounds) will be discussed.

Marketing and Management: World Competition, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S403
The Challenges of Managing a Global Business
Robert Schulz, LNP Engineering Plastics
The "hard" and "soft" issues around successful management of global organizations will be discussed.

Rebirth of Automotive Competition
Tony Bernardo, BASF
This presentation will outline how to stay competitive in an industry in which restructuring, regulation, globalization, and technology are constantly changing.

Micro vs. Macro Trends in the Market
Roger Jones, Consultant
Learn how restructuring, consolidations, portfolio swapping, and joint ventures will radically reshape the way the plastics industry does business.

Global Competition from the Processor’s Perspective
Brian Jones, Nypro
This presentation will introduce a new business model for effectively competing in the postindustrial age and defining a strategy for winning.

Marketing and Management: Site Selection, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S404
Fundamentals of Site Selection
G. David Moore, Moore Assoc.
This presentation will be an overview of the issues and processes involved in selecting a site from the perspective of the plastics industry.

The Geography of Plastics
Timothy Venable, Site Selection Magazine
This presentation will review North American historical concentrations, current location trends, the international growth for plastics, and implications for facility location.

Dealing with Electric Utilities
Robin R. Spratlin, Georgia Power
This presentation will provide guidance on addressing the critical issues of availability, quality, and cost of electric power as well as rate negotiation.

The Community Environment
Gene DePrez, PricewaterhouseCoopers
How to understand and effectively address environmental factors (e.g., regulation, incentives, and infrastructure) during the site selection process.

Case Study of Company X
To be announced

THURSDAY, JUNE 22
Injection Molding Productivity and Troubleshooting, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S405
Root Cause Corrective Action for Injection Molding
Bill Porer, M.A. Hanna
This presentation will examine root cause corrective action, a process for determining the basic source of any problem or unacceptable condition that exists in the workplace.

Injection Molding Troubleshooting Logic
Donald Allen, Phillips Chemical Co.; John Bozelli, IM Solutions
Fundamental injection molding principles are used to provide a data-based strategy for process optimization and troubleshooting.

Injection Molding Productivity Improvements
Christopherus Bader, Kistler Instruments
This presentation will examine advanced closed loop process control based on piezoelectric cavity pressure measurement.

Finding the Right Method for Optimizing the Injection Molding Process
Peter Rucinski, Moldflow
This presentation will review a system that allows the molding process to be set up, optimized, monitored, and controlled in production with an intuitive, systematic, and documentable method.

Advances in Commodity Plastics, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S402
Status of the Polyethylene Business
Irwin L. Levowitz, Exxon Chemical Co.
This presentation will review the recent consolidation of the industry and anticipate the impact of that trend on the future.

Polypropylene Global Outlook—Future Opportunities and Facing Up to the Challenges in the Year 2000
Charles Platz, Montell Polyolefins
This presentation will give an overview and current status of the global polypropylene business in terms of major markets and product and process technology.

Dynamic Changes Under way in the PVC Industry
Barry Hendrix, Oxyvinyls
This presentation will identify and discuss the significant opportunities in vinyl markets for further penetration and continued growth.

What’s New in Styrenics
Jesse Roeck, Dow Chemical Co.
This presentation will cover the latest innovations in styrenics.

Extrusion Productivity and Troubleshooting, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S403

Advances in Rotational Molding, 8:00-11:30 a.m., S404

New Tooling and Toolmaking, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S402

Mold Component Standardization for Improved Productivity
Robert Salhaney, Ferromatik Milacron
This presentation will demonstrate how productivity is greatly improved by the utilization of exclusive application-specific standardized components.

Maintenance for Today’s High-speed Injection Molds
Angelo Mora, Tradesco
This presentation will cover a suggested preventive maintenance schedule for high-speed injection molds highlighting specific components to inspect regularly.

Moldbuilding Material Overview: How to Improve the Life of Your Mold
Patricia Miller, Uddelholm
This presentation will examine the effect of methods used to make tooling materials, and how critical good material manufacturing techniques are to the longevity of the tool.

Mold Coating to Improve Performance
Ed Fabiszk, Micro Surface Corp.
This presentation will focus on real-world results around spiral flow analysis, corrosion-resistant coatings, and wear-resistant coatings and treatments.

Mold Design for the Millennium
Dan Marinac, Cimatron
This presentation will focus around process automation for mold and tool and die makers along with how to increase tooling productivity.

Human Resource Issues in High-performance Machining
Todd Jones, Methods Machine Tools
This presentation will address specific areas of human skill improvement critical to the successful implementation of high-performance machining technology in the mold and die industry.

A Model for Success in Reducing Moldbuilding Cycle Times
John Hahn, MGS Technology
In this presentation you will learn the secrets for expediting production molds, keeping them on schedule, and meeting your customers requirements.

Taking Your Moldmaking International
Robert Hart, Hasco America
This presentation will describe the strategic direction of risks and rewards when taking your moldmaking international.

Medical Productivity Through Innovation, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S405
Polymers in Advanced Medical Device and Biomaterial Applications
Jon Katz, Medical Device and Diagnostics Industry
The presentation will review the important role of polymers, including drug delivery, artificial organs, tissue engineering and bioactive surface modification, as well as advances in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, and orthopedic biomaterials.

PVC: Present Status and Outlook for Continued Application in Medical Devices
Len Czuba, Herbst LaZar Bell Inc.
This presentation will review the latest in the longstanding controversy surrounding PVC and its usage in the medical device industry including speculation about possible alternative materials.

An Update on Medical Device Sterilization: What’s In, What’s Out, What’s Up and Coming
William Young, Griffith Microscience
This presentation will review the competition between high-energy radiation and ethylene oxide sterilization methods, and preferences of the medical device industry for the sterilization of plastic medical devices, as well as other sterilization methods.

Current Medical Plastic Legal Issues: Regulation, Liability, and More
John Luedke, Covington & Burling
This presentation will provide the latest information on legal issues surrounding the application of plastics in the medical field to include the impact of recent legislation and regulatory compliance matters.

Developments in Plastics Biocompatibility Testing and International Standards Compliance
Paul Upman, North American Science Assoc.
This presentation will be a digest of the most recent developments in biocompatability testing protocols, the evolution of global standards, and international standards compliance issues.

Marketing and Management: World-class Suppliers, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S403
Designing Products and Services
Kurt Swogger, Dow Chemical Co.
This presentation will overview processes and keys to Dow’s success in new product development and related systems.

Marketing and Selling Products and Services
Michael Urquhart, Husky Injection Molding Systems
This presentation will cover Husky’s integration of customer needs to deliver injection molding equipment system solutions.

Strategic Planning: The Beginning of Leadership
Rhonda Germany Ballantyne, Booz-Allen & Hamilton
This presentation will review best practices in strategic planning, particularly in rapidly changing markets.

Leadership in Supply Chain Management
To be announced

Design Rapid Prototyping and CAD/CAM, 1:30-5:30 p.m., S404
Advances in 3-D Modeling and How Small Companies are Making Use of These Materials
Tom Mueller, Pattern Express
This presentation will overview the impact of 3-D modeling on small businesses by allowing quick and accurate physical modeling using rapid prototyping processes.

Advances in Selective Laser Sintering Process and New Materials
David Leigh, Harvest Technologies
This presentation will describe the usage of selective laser sintering to give fully functional prototypes to small businesses for verifying fit, form, function, and design.

Rapid Time to Market Using CAE Tools
Chari Krishnamachari, Pioneer Technologies
This presentation will describe the use of CAE tools for product development—particularly to accelerate development and commercialization of products.

The Phenomena of Rapid Tooling—Issues and Answers for Small Plastic Processors
Barbara Arnold-Feret, Parts
This presentation will focus on rapid tooling and application fit for injection molded tooling.