Vision and Versatility Rewarded at Plastics Industry Awards

17 October 2011 –TV presenter and comedian Dara O Briain announced the winners of the eleventh annual plastics awards at a black-tie gala event held at the London Hilton, Park Lane on Friday 14 October. Winners included a design agency which had created a potentially life-saving piece of rock climbing equipment as well as a student who designed a grow box which enables dwellers of high rise flats to cultivate their own vegetables. The audience also heard about collaborations between all parts of the plastics supply chain which had resulted in energy efficiencies, improved safety and boosted profits.

Known as the Oscars of the UK plastic industry, the Plastics Industry Awards offer an insight into current developments in materials usage, product design and innovative manufacturing as well as identifying excellence in training and environmental performance. Almost 800 plastic professionals and their guests attended this year’s glittering awards ceremony to find out who had won.

Steve Crowhurst, organiser, said: “We received a really high standard of entries from companies and individuals whose expertise and vision have helped to develop lightweight and durable products which solve consumer, medical and industrial problems. It was a really uplifting evening which celebrated the versatility of polymers and the innovation driving our industry forward. The winners are to be congratulated on their achievements.”

Winners of the Plastics Industry Awards 2011:

 Consumer Product Design of the Year

Won by John Ewans Design for designing a washable, hygienic adjustable rowing shoe, now sold throughout the world and worn by the UK National Rowing squad.

Industrial Product Design

Won by FSW Design for TroBord, a lightweight blow-moulded ballast board developed for the rail industry.

Agentdraw Young Designer of the Year

Won by Barty Rowland-Orme who is studying product design at Brighton University. Barty developed ‘Urban Greens’, a hydroponic growing aid which allows inner city dwellers to successfully grow their own vegetables over balconies or outside windows.

Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Won by Faith Kelly, Engineering Advance Apprentice at Mann+Hummel, who has been entrusted with considerable responsibility, liaising directly with large OEMs in the automotive sector.

Personal Contribution Award

Won by Colin Williamson, former chairman of the British Plastics Federation’s Recycling Group and founder of Smile Plastics. Judges said Colin had been “banging the drum for plastics recycling long before it became trendy,” and should be thanked for his part in improving the image of plastics recycling.

Best Energy or Environmental Initiative

Won by Rosti UK for implementing a raft of green initiatives including installing a 2.2 MW wind turbine which it hopes will generate up to 50 per cent of its total energy requirements by the end of the year.

Best Business Initiative

Won by Wavin for successfully creating a consortium of toolmakers to work on a project to manufacture a new range of plumbing fittings. Wavin benefited from the specialist expertise of the individual companies, while the four consortium members benefited from a large project which could have gone overseas.

Best Training and Development Programme

Won by Classic Industries Europe for building up the multi-skilling levels of its entire workforce to create a flexible team which can move from job to job quickly.

Best Technology Application

Won by Electronics For Industry who developed a hot runner control system which offers improved operator safety and reliability as well as reducing material and maintenance costs.

Processor of the Year

Won by Artenius PET Packaging Europe who impressed judges with their ambitious diversification strategy and commitment to quality.

Supplier Partnership: Polymer Distributor

Won by Distrupol and DMM for their partnership work on Dragon Cam, a spring-loaded mechanism which secures a rope into a rock face.

Supplier Partnership: Prime Machinery

Won by Engel UK and Ambic Equipment for a mould shop overhaul which resulted in average operating efficiency rising from below 60 per cent to 86 per cent.

SupplierPartnership: Ancillary Machinery

Won by TH Plastics and Birkby’s Plastics for developing a turnkey solution that enabled Birkby’s Plastics to recycle its waste product on-site.

 Supplier Partnership: Masterbatch, Compound or Additive Supplier

Won by Matrix Plastics and BioCote: a partnership which saw the lead time for antimicrobial masterbatches reduce from two or three weeks to two or three days and a dramatic increase in customer service.

Supplier Partnership: Toolmaker

Won by Midas Pattern and Mast Group for the Uri-plus project to update a medical screening device, which judges said met all the commercial, technical timing and quality challenges.

Full details of the winners can be found on www.plasticsawards.com

 

PDM 12 Website Launched

We have today launched the website for the PDM12 Plastics Design and Moulding Exhibition and Conference, taking place at ExCel, London again on 29-30 May 2012. Visit www.pdmevent.com for more details of the event.

PDM12 will again be co-located at ExCel with the 2nd Product Design + Innovation Conference. www.pdesigni.com

Plastics Industry Awards 2011 Shortlist Announced

Earlybird Discount for Awards Dinner Bookings ends Friday 22^nd July

 The organisers of the annual Plastics Industry Awards 2011 have announced the shortlist of this year’s awards, which will be held at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane on Friday 14^th Ocotber 2011.

Known as the Oscars of the UK plastic industry, this year’s awards will be presented by Dara O Briain, comedian, author and TV presenter. Well known as one of the most popular stand up comedians in the UK, O Briain is also a familiar face on TV, regularly chairing the satirical news quiz ‘Mock The Week’, as well as ‘The Apprentice: You’re Fired’. He also appears in the ‘Three Men In A Boat’ television series with Griff Rhys Jones and Rory McGrath.

The Plastics Industry Awards is the industry’s most prestigious awards initiative, recognising, celebrating and encouraging achievement throughout the UK plastics industry. The awards offer an insight into current developments in materials usage, product design and innovative manufacturing as well as identifying excellence in training and environmental performance.

Shortlisted entrants for the Consumer Product Design of the Year are: Brightworks, Hyphen Design, John Ewans Design, Playforce, Renfrew and Smallfry. While finalists in the Industrial Product Design category are: Elcometer/Hymid Multi-Shot, FSW Design, LATI, Loadhog, Trig Creative and Wavin.

Finalists shortlisted in the Best Environmental or Energy Efficiency Programme are: Biffa Polymers, Classic Industries Europe, Easy Do Products, Eco Plastics, Hi-Technology Group, Rosti UK. For the Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award, sponsored by Krauss Maffei, the finalists are Faith Kelly of Mann + Hummel (UK), Lucy Hickling of Plastribution and Jamie Wright of United Closures & plastics.

After its successful launch last year, Agentdraw’s Young Designer Award will run again in association with the Plastics Industry Awards.

Winners will be announced at the glittering black-tie gala event held at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane on Friday 14^th October 2011.

Earlybird discount rates on table booking end this Friday, 22^nd July 2011. For more information or to book a table call Karen Jethwa on 020 8253 9629 or visit www.plasticsawards.com

 

The Plastics Industry Awards 2011 are sponsored by Agentdraw, the Engel Moulders Group, Distrupol, Hasco, Krauss Maffei, Netstal, Nifco, Plastribution and TH Plastics. They also enjoy the support of the British Plastics Federation and the Plastics Design & Moulding exhibition www.pdmevent.com

Plastics Industry Awards 2011 Shortlist:

Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Faith Kelly, Mann + Hummel (UK)
Lucy Hickling, Plastribution
Jamie Wright, United Closures & Plastics

Consumer Product Design
Brightworks
Hyphen Design
John Ewans Design
Playforce
Renfrew
Smallfry

Industrial Product Design
Elcometer / Hymid Multi-Shot
FSW Design
LATI
Loadhog
Trig Creative
Wavin

Best Technology Application
Cyan Tec
Electronics For Industry
Litec Moulding
Oval Medical Technologies
Playforce
Sabic Innovative Plastics

Best Training and Development Programme
APPE (Artenius PET Packaging Europe)
Classic Industries Europe
Duo Plastics
Hi-Technology Group
Mollertech
Plastek UK

Best Environmental or Energy Efficiency Programme
Biffa Polymers
Classic Industries Europe
Easy Do Products
Eco Plastics
Hi-Technology Group
Rosti UK

Best Business Initiative
APPE (Artenius PET Packaging Europe)
Marpak Extrusions
NIFCO UK
Wavin

Processor of the Year
APPE (Artenius PET Packaging Europe)
Classic Industries Europe
Hi-Technology Group
Mollertech Wales
NIFCO UK
Rosti UK

Supplier Partnership – Ancillary Machinery
AB Systems
Hasco
Industrial Purification Systems
Renmar
TH Plastics
Wittmann Battenfeld UK

Supplier Partnership – Prime Machinery
Engel UK (two projects)
Krauss Maffei (UK) (two projects)
Netstal (two projects)

Supplier Partnership – Toolmaker
Avenue Mould Solutions
Hanson Thorpe
Investment Tooling International
Midas Pattern
Ryetools
W.H.Smith & Sons

Supplier Partnership – Polymer Distributor
Distrupol (two projects)
Plastribution (two projects)

Supplier Partnership – Masterbatch/Compound/Additive
Addmaster (UK)
Colloids
Elasto UK
Gabriel-Chemie U.K.
Matrix Plastics
Silvergate Plastics

 

 

UK Companies have 1 week to enter Plastics Industry Awards 2011

The entry deadline for the 2011 Plastics Industry Awards has been extended until Friday 17th June. That means you have got just over a week to submit your entry. 

You can enter online and it’s easy to do. www.plasticsawards.com

Categories include:

Consumer Product Design
Industrial Product Design
Best Technology Application
Best Environmental or Energy Efficiency Programme
Best Training and Development Programme
Best Business Initiative
Processor of the Year
Supplier Partnership – Prime Machinery
Supplier Partnership – Ancillary Machinery
Supplier Partnership – Polymer Producer
Supplier Partnership – Polymer Distributor
Supplier Partnership – Masterbatch/Compound/Additive
Supplier Partnership – Toolmaker
Agentdraw Young Designer Award

www.plasticsawards.com

The awards are presented at a networking and celebration dinner at the London Hilton Park Lane on Friday 14th October 2011.

Manufacturing Back on the Agenda as Product Designers Flock to PDM11

Turn out to this year’s Plastics Design & Moulding Exhibition (PDM11) exceeded expectations and over half of all visitors were first-timers, demonstrating that the show’s relocation to London had successfully attracted a new audience. Many of these new visitors were industrial designers and OEMs attending the co-located Product Design + Innovation conference which drew design consultancies like PDD and Lucid Group as well as creative minds working in-house for Marks & Spencer, Dyson, Sony and Peglar.

PDM exhibitor IPF, which specialises in 3D printing technology, reported making over 130 contacts in two days and Vicky Bancroft, internal customer sales representative, Ultra Polymers said: “We’ve been able to demonstrate our more innovative products and discuss ideas in depth with a lot of designers at PDM11. The show’s been even better than we expected and proved an ideal platform for showing the design community how we can help them.”

Other exhibitors reported meeting quality visitors to discuss genuine projects, confirming that exhibiting at PDM presents value for money. “The quality of visitors at PDM11 has been very good. We were attracted by the London venue and we have met a lot of OEMs from the region, who came here to discuss specific projects with us,” said Karl McGee, managing director, WCM.

“PDM11 has proved excellent value for money and I have already re-booked for next year. We’ve met loads of new and existing contacts and exhibiting here is far more cost effective than driving all around the country to meet so many people,” concluded Graeme Herlihy, managing director, Engel UK.

The free PDM conference sponsored by Distrupol proved very popular this year, in particular the afternoon devoted to design innovation in rotational moulding, organised by the BPF Rotational Moulding Group, and the sessions on injection moulded part design.

Meanwhile in the Product Design + Innovation conference, the mood was upbeat with the audience and speakers alike keen to explore opportunities for growth. “Manufacturing is back on the agenda… This is the most motivated I have seen the industry in 25 years,” said Smallfry managing director, Steve May-Russell who presented a session entitled The Route to the Loot.

PDM 12 will take place at ExCel London on 29 and 30 May 2012. For more information see www.pdmevent.com

Champ Draws Ward Winner at PDM11

Hamish Champ, the new editor of PRW, drew the winning business card from Ward Polymers’ prize draw at the close of PDM11.

Hamish Champ (right) draws the Winner on the Ward Polymers stand at PDM11

The lucky winner was Claire Kirkby of Merck, who receives a 14 MegaPixel Fuji Finepix AV180 camera.

The Future is Green and in 3D at pdm11

3D Printers that can produce real parts for prizewinning race cars and ecological plastics made from compostable resins are among the latest innovations being showcased at the annual Plastics Design & Moulding Exhibition (PDM11) at the ExCel Centre in London this week (18-19 May 2011).

Combining an exhibition with free conference sessions, PDM is the most comprehensive plastics event in the UK. This year it relocates to the heart of the capital to allow the London-based and international design community to see all the latest materials and technologies available in the plastics industry.

More environmentally-friendly materials for plastic bags and packaging will be showcased including Plastribution’s new range of compostable resins, which can be used to increase the renewable content of a product by up to 50 per cent. Developments in plastics recycling will also be much in evidence with Sims Recycling Solutions launching new processes to recover polymers from contaminated plastics that have been traditionally difficult to recover and recycle. Meanwhile exhibitor Protomax Plastics has been working with Sainsburys to “upcycle” comingled plastic into panels used for cabinets, doors and shelving. The green theme continues on the machinery stands where Wittmann Battenfeld will be sharing the benefits of its low-energy, low noise, all-electric EcoPower moulding machine.

The latest 3D printing technology on show at PDM can be used to print real parts, not just prototypes, reducing design time and costs. PDM exhibitor Hewlett Packard recently helped a team of engineering students from Berlin to produce parts of a prizewinning race car using an HP Designjet Colour Printer, and visitors to the Objet Printer Solutions stand will be able to see the magic of its 3D printing technology through live demonstrations.

These are just a few examples of the innovations which can be found at PDM this week. The exhibition and conference (sponsored by Distrupol) are free to attend. Visit www.pdmevent.com for more information and for travel advice on getting to PDM11 at the ExCel Centre via car or public transport.

European Pathway to Zero Waste (EPOW) Offers Advice from Pod 14 at pdm11

Plastics moulders and manufacturers are invited to meet the EPOW team and industry experts at Pod 14 at pdm11 (http://www.pdmevent.com/) to find out more about quality assured recovered plastics available through the award winning Waste Protocol project run by the Environment Agency and WRAP.

Visitors can access expert advice and guidance on how to reduce the cost and carbon footprint of their operations with quality assured recovered plastics, improve environmental performance and be more competitive in a greener market place. See http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/wfo/epow/123624.aspx. and http://www.the-environment-council.org.uk/quality-materials-sector-workshops_south-east.

More Exhibitor News for pdm 11

Animating wound closure devices to train medical professionals pic

Skywide Design has produced a series of training animations for medical professionals using wound closure devices. The client, Advanced Medical Solutions, has a subsidiary company, MedLogic Global Ltd, manufacturing Liquiband products which seal laparoscopic surgical incisions using topical skin adhesive technology. Produced for online use and DVD format, the animations developed by Skywide Designs introduce medical professionals to the various Liquiband devices and take them through the sealing process step-by-step, even explaining how to dispose of the product afterwards. Highlights will be shown on Skywide Design’s digital show-reel at PDM this year.

Energy efficient extruder screw

Cooper Technology offers a range of products for the plasticizing unit, including screws, barrels, screw tip assemblies and nozzles. Its particular expertise is in the design of injection and extruder screws. The Posi-Melt ™ screw, which will be showcased at PDM, is the most energy efficient screw available. Neil Cooper, Cooper Technology founder and owner, says: “Recent years have been very hard on moulders with a low priority on quality. The survivors are now having to mould smarter and faster than ever before – and with much more understanding of the process.”

Digital transfer decoration

Diamond Photofoil provides digital transfers suitable for flat, round slightly curved articles including small items such as pens or toothbrushes right up to large images over one meter in length. The transfers can be applied to most thermoplastics such as P.S. A.B.S. S.A.N. acrylic, polycarbonate and polypropylene. Photofoil digital print transfers are competitive for long runs, with the benefit of staggered production for better inventory control and cash flow. Produced at high speeds and without origination costs they can also be suitable for short runs, sampling and market testing.

Investment to boost UK manufacturing

Fernplas plastic engineering is the new name given to the Hampshire-based company formerly called Scottlamp Ltd following the acquisition of the business by the Fern-Howard group last summer.

At the heart of Fernplas is a state of the art injection moulding shop which is able to produce mouldings from its range of presses from 35 to 700 tonnes. Having recently invested over £500,000 on machinery, Fernplas also offers the sub-contract service of Formed-In-Place-Foam-Gasket using the Sonderhoff process, (3D robotically dispensing a polyurethane mix that cures into a seal). Find out how the Fernplas engineering team can provide the complete solution from design to the point of sale and discuss the benefits of keeping your project in the UK.

Developments in temperature control

HB Therm will be showcasing its Series 5 temperature control generation which features continuous, maintenance free flow measurement via ultra sound, for enhanced speed and precision. Together with the maximum limit monitoring system, flow fluctuations or pump wear can be detected in good time and indicated by an alarm message before the problem leads to defects. The cooling is lime scale-free and surge free while the self-optimising cascade regulation system results in minimal regulatory fluctuations and adapts to different production conditions, enabling tool changeovers to be effected very swiftly.  Programmable via a specially developed 3.5″ TFT colour display, the units come with user-specific settings and maintenance is facilitated by a front USB connection in host and device for software updates and parameter integration. Up to eight separate channels can be connected (2×4 way manifolds) to each unit complete with taps for optimum regulation and monitoring.

Blending form and function

See examples of Hi-Tech’s current work as well as discuss both new and existing projects at PDM this year. From its facilities in the UK and Slovakia, Hi-Tech offers a comprehensive service incorporating design, tool making, injection moulding and assembly for a variety of sectors, such as healthcare, diagnostics, personal safety, communications, aerospace and defence. Operations director Richard
Brown, who will be speaking in the PDM conference, believes, “Product design should be a perfect blend of form and function; it is the coming together of excellent design and excellent engineering to deliver the needs of the customer.”

Unique tooling systems

Also exhibiting at PDM this year is Midas Pattern Company which specialises in the manufacture of high quality, polyurethane moulded enclosures for a variety of applications including medical, laboratory and electrical.  The company offers two unique tooling systems: FASTrim™ – a low cost solution for prototyping in production materials in as little as 10 – 15 days and MRIM™ – a high quality composite tooling system for production volumes from 1 to 2000-off, with a guaranteed life of 5000-off. Both types of moulding are produced in-house using CAE and are therefore quick to produce, very accurate and can be easily modified to incorporate changes. In addition, Midas also offers rotational mould tool manufacture.

Witness multi-sensor measurement

In response to the current trend for single machines providing multi-sensor measurement capability, OGP UK, will demonstrate a high specification SmartScope Flash 200 at PDM this year. This model features video camera technology with patented AccuCentric 12:1 zoom lens for fast and accurate measurement of all geometry in the XY plane; Renishaw tactile probing for 3D measurement of features in ZX and ZY; and TTL (through-the-lens) laser technology for surface measurement and high accuracy measurements in the Z plane. Multiple parts can be loaded for tasks such as SPC of specific features or characteristics.

Visitors are warmly invited to the stand to talk with OGP’s team about any specific plastic part applications or requirements. You can even bring along sample plastic components and witness the capabilities of OGP’s multi-sensor measurement first hand.

Latest 3D printing technology presents exciting opportunities for plastic parts designers

Get a real taste of 3D printing and rapid prototyping technology on the OPS (Objet Printer Solutions) stand where staff will be demonstrating the virtues of the latest Connex multi-material 3D printing technology, as well as the new cost effective Objet 30 desktop system.

The Connex family represents the first 3D printing systems capable of simultaneously jetting multiple model materials. This unique ability to print parts and assemblies made of multiple polymer materials in a single build means that double injection products can be created very early in the product design process, reducing costs and minimising the risks associated with creating complex moulds. New application opportunities include plugs and seals; living hinges, gaskets and hoses; component coating; and biomedical and translucent part production.

Green polymer options

Find out more about the broad range of engineering, styrenic and commodity thermoplastics carried by Plastribution, as well as seek advice on material selection and processing for new and existing applications by visiting their stand at PDM. This year Plastribution was appointed the sole UK distributor of the Granic^® range of highly calcium carbonate filled polymers. These low carbon footprint PE, PP and PS compounds provide improved mechanical properties for the cost-effective production of more ecological products such as carrier bags, industrial and agricultural films as well as injection moulded parts. Plastribution customers can also now choose from Cardia Biohybrid™ resins or Cardia certified compostable resins: a blend of renewable materials and traditional polyolefins which can be used to increase the renewable content of the final product by up to 50 percent. Typical applications include shrink wrappings, multi-layer films, moulding and high resolution printable packaging.

Plastribution will be participating in the Engel, Agentdraw, Plastribution design workshop on the first day of PDM.

Problem products welcomed!

The enthusiastic team from design consultancy techsol invites PDM visitors to bring problematic products to their stand!

Energy saving moulding machine, built to last

The Wittmann Battenfeld team will be stressing the advantages of the company’s new all-electric and energy saving EcoPower, created to not only provide the best all-electric and environmental moulding machine on the market but to make a machine that would last. Low energy and low-noise, the EcoPower moulding machine saves a lot on cycle time and mould opening can take place during screw back. Managing director Barry Hill says: “We well know that our customers’ costings often need to factor the entire lifetime of a machine. Factors such as low maintenance costs or low energy consumption are of higher importance than before. Energy consumption in particular will become more important in the future with rising energy prices.”

Exhibitor News for pdm 11

Optimising part design and production with System Manufacturing™ 

Learn about System Manufacturing™ and how AST Technology GmbH employs it to help its OEM customers optimise part design and production. System Manufacturing™ is composed of several turn-key steps including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), System Moulds™, System Moulding™ and System Monitoring™. The pre-engineered, “kit-style” ProtoBridge System shown here for example helps to minimise costs associated with new product development, and is designed specifically for the economical manufacturing of caps and closures. The design is flexible and provides consistent mould performance.

Polycarbonate solutions help to advance technology

 The latest developments in polycarbonate solutions will be showcased by Bayer Material Science at PDM. On display will be a roof modules made of Makrolon and a Makrolon LED which offers improved transmission and higher stability. Staff will be on hand to explain how Makrolon LEDs can be used in the production of lighting for residential and commercial projects. Visitors can also find out about direct coatings and skinning technologies that can be tailored for high quality surfaces, soft touch and high gloss.

From concept to reality with the help of PDM 

After integrating feedback from PDM 08 visitors into its final design, injection moulding machine supplier Billion is returning to PDM with a finished version of its DIXIT 3 control system. Visitors will be able to play with the system and experience first-hand how end users have contributed to its outstanding flexibility. Ease of use, connectivity through multiple USB ports, LAN / WAN and comprehensive in-built help/diagnostics are all strong features of the control system which is already available for new orders of the all-electric SELECT range of injection moulding machines, with their hybrid and hydraulic counterparts soon to follow.

 Conference sponsor to demonstrate wide range of customer resources 

With the tag line ‘More than a polymer distributor’, Distrupol will demonstrate that rather than simply providing delivery of plastics to processors it aims to be a complete solution provider offering full technical support to customers including material selection, component design and process optimisation. A wide variety of resources is offered to customers with online tools such as the Product Information Centre (PIC) and Comparator Cards, along with dedicated application development engineers.

 Engel optimistic after record sales 

 Having recently reported a record-breaking year for machine sales, Engel’s managing director Graeme Herlihy is very optimistic about the growth opportunities for injection moulding and automation manufacturers. “In the recession, we managed to win a very large share of a very small market.  It was mostly the medical and packaging industries that were kind to us.  Now it is the market as a whole that is busy – the automotive industry is buying again and so are the trade moulders.”

Ultra-compact multi-point valve gating solution

Ewikon’s new valve gate version has been developed for applications where multi-point valve gating with minimal distances between the gating points is required, for example the production of transparent micro sample tube strips in the medical industry.

Coveted colours and scratch solutions

Gabriel-Chemie will be show-casing several recent innovations including the new RAL PLASTICS colour range, initially covering the 100 most frequently demanded colours from the RAL CLASSIC colour collection. Also on display will be the new MAXITHEN^® SCR range of masterbatches which significantly improve the optical appearance of scratches, as well as the resistance of polypropylene products to scratching. This presents real benefits for automotive applications as well as household goods, electronics and electrical appliances, garden equipment, furniture, decorative articles and toys and high quality cosmetic articles.

Gabriel-Chemie will also be featuring its Colour Vision^® Edition for 2011/2012 at the BPF Colour and Additives Seminar on Thursday 19^th May.

Accreditations and nominations for Hi-Tech

Through its integrated systems and adoption of the latest technologies Hi-Tech Mouldings can offer its global customer base a comprehensive service that incorporates design, tool making, injection moulding and assembly. Since exhibiting at PDM last year Hi-Tech has gained accreditation to ISO 14001:2004, whilst retaining its ISO 9001:2008 certificate and received nominations at The Plastic Industry Awards and The Manufacturer Awards.

Printing real parts reduces design time

 3D printing is not just for prototyping, as demonstrated by a team of engineering students from Berlin who used an HP Designjet Colour 3D Printer to produce parts of a prizewinning race car. The Formula Student Team, Technical University of Berlin used the printer loaned by HP not only in the modelling phases of its car’s design but also in the production of some of the car’s final parts. Project manager for the student team, Nils Schaupensteiner said: “We don’t have much time on our hands. A new race car has to be designed every year, and we have only six or seven months to develop the whole car. We produced all of the components of the car’s air-intake system in ABS plastic using the printer. The geometry of these parts is very complex, and normally it would take a lot of manual steps and processes to make the system. With the printer, we were able to do it in a matter of hours.”

Visit the HP stand at PDM11 to find out what opportunities 3D printing presents for you.

New high sensitivity pressure sensors for composite materials

Kistler Instruments will be showing a new range of high sensitivity, pressure sensors for use in the production of fibre-reinforced lightweight plastic structures and composite parts for the automobile and aerospace industries using conventional and high-pressure resin transfer moulding (RTM). The sensors are also suitable for injection moulding and pressing of temperature-resistant components for domestic appliances and electrical products from thermosetting materials such as bulk moulded compound (BMC), sheet moulded composite (SMC), elastomers and liquid silicone resin (LSR).

Used with the Kistler CoMo Injection system, the new sensors’ ability to detect minute changes in cavity pressure allow the processing of curable, cross-linking compounds to be precisely monitored and controlled.  The resulting mould cavity pressure curve can then be analysed for quality assurance monitoring.

Expansion on the horizon for mould maker

New Star Mold is an ISO-9001-2008-certified mould maker, currently making 35 moulds a month from its factory in Shenzhen, close to Hong Kong.  At the end of this year a move to a new factory will see its production capacity increase to more than 50 moulds a month with a maximum weight of 10 tonnes. Find out more about New Star Mold’s UK support, technical back up, guarantees and payment terms at PDM this year.

Upcycling unsorted plastics

Protomax Plastics will be sharing the secrets of “upcycling” co-mingled waste into P2 Panels which can be used in a variety of applications. It has recently completed a project with Sainsburys, using a mixture of unsorted plastics including PE, PP and PET to create panels for cabinets, doors, table tops and shelves. The panels required some mechanical properties similar to wood for fabrication, along with a smooth surface which could be cleaned and approved for food contact.

Materials handling and blade services

Renmar will be showing a range of conveyors and separators from Virginio Nastri, granulators from Cumberland and materials handling and temperature control equipment from AEC. Also on show will be its range of water flow regulators and encased hopper magnets and Pulsotronic metal detection equipment for a variety application within the recycling sector. Information on the Amut range of recycling plants, extrusion and thermoforming lines will be available and Renmar’s sister company Arrowquint will be showcasing static charging and discharging equipment widely used in the plastics sector.

As well as its existing granulator blade reconditioning and re-sharpening service, Renmar now supplies blades for any manufacturer and model of granulator.

New contaminated plastics recycling service

A new range of advanced recycling options for contaminated plastics will be launched by Sims Recycling Solutions at PDM. The new processes can recover graded single or mixed polymers from contaminated plastics. In a move which broadens the scope of the company’s traditional markets, Sims is offering expertise and assistance in plastics recovery and refinement alongside recovery of polymers, to companies which produce postindustrial contaminated plastic.

Sims Recycling Solutions’ Martin Parkinson explains:  “We are actively looking for contaminated plastics from consumer and industrial sources that have historically been difficult to recover, recycle and re-use. We now have the capability to separate the difficult complex materials that arise from industrial processes. Polymers which were once redundant can now be recovered and re-used in plastics processing markets. It is a major step forward, as we can now find a home for most plastics that are available for sale or disposal, in virtually any form.  Plastic materials from injection, rotational moulding and extrusion processes are ideal even if they are contaminated with metals such as inserts, plates or screws.”

Compact ultrasonic joining and welding technology 

The Telsonic stand will feature a number of different items from the company’s extensive range of ultrasonic components. Visitors can see an operational USP750P compact ultrasonic welding system which can be applied to a host of welding and joining applications. The IPM and SGM Generator, designed, configured and targeted at the automation and machine building sectors will also be showcased. With its integral miniature generator and converter, the IPM unit opens up a host of new possibilities in machine design by eliminating the need for the usual high frequency connectors, cables, external generator, sequencer and separate electrical cabinet.

Other equipment on show will include a hand held ultrasonic welding system which offers a cost effective and flexible solution to many applications. This lightweight handgun, weighing only 1Kg, is powered by a 1000W generator.