Industry 4.0: Get ready now

By

Manufacturers are on the brink of a major leap in production. Industry 4.0 describes the current generation of workflow processes infusing smart technology, big data and brainpower. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), “ [M]anufacturers that successfully implement the Industry 4.0 technologies best-suited for their businesses no longer need to choose between focusing on a better top line or a more profitable bottom line – as they can improve both at the same time.”
  … Read more

How Plastics Wear Against Plastics

By

Wear characteristics of one plastic against another vary widely, even among those materials with good natural lubricity. When an application calls for plastic-to-plastic bearings, shafts, gears and other parts, the combination must be chosen carefully.
Because plastics are not rigid bodies, they do not behave according the natural laws of friction.   It is these deviations which cause some of the unexpected results when plastics are run against metal.  Frictional forces are not proportional to load, friction increases with increasing speed and the static coefficient of friction is lower than the dynamic. … Read more

Robotics Make It Possible, Plastics Make It Happen

By

Ever watched “The Jetsons”? It was a ‘60s cartoon family living in the future. George Jetson drove a gas-free hovercraft. Jane, his wife, and the school-age children chatted on mobile and video calls. The family also had a spunky robotic maid, Rosie, who cleaned and maneuvered around a talking dog, Astro.
Today we live like the Jetsons. We see gas-free electric cars on the road. We rely on the internet for everyday activities. Perhaps you’re reading this blog on a mobile phone. … Read more

FOUR THERMAL PROPERTIES OF PLASTICS

By

Generally, there are four commonly used thermal properties of plastics: Heat Deflection Temperature, Continuous Service Temperature, Melting Point or for some, Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion.
 
Heat Deflection Temperature (ASTM D648): Heat Deflection Temperature or heat distortion temperature (HDT) is the temperature at which a polymer deforms to heating or cooling under a specified load. ASTM stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials which is an international society that develops and publishes voluntary technical standards for materials among other things. … Read more

PLASTIC VS. METAL

By

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Material for Your Product
 
Much of the prolific growth in the plastic industry over the past several decades has been fueled by the replacement of metal products and components. Examples are numerous, and include canoes, airplane parts, medical implants, missile components, gas cans, and car parts. Along the way, many designers have had to evaluate whether to use plastic or metal in their applications. Below are some of the considerations that may be helpful. … Read more