Author: Katie Gerard

Screw drives that require special tools to torque into place or to unfasten are considered to be tamper resistant. They also tend to be fairly rarely used. These drives are ideal for applications ranging from aerospace technology to video game consoles, because they inhibit tampering or unsupervised repairs. Each of the five drives listed below are considered tamper resistant, but not tamper proof, given the availability of screw driver bits on the market.  For a tamper proof screw installation, … Read more

Thermoplastic components strengthen pumps and valves through resistance to corrosion, lower repair costs and extended service lives, which is why operators are choosing plastics over metal parts. There are many more advantages to using plastics, including decreased vibration and higher temperature thresholds that enhance operational efficiency. Ultimately, all of the thermoplastic design benefits equate to cost-savings and greater reliability in the field.

Temperature Resistance
Thermoplastics have less thermal conductivity compared to metal components, which is beneficial for preventing damage to pumps and valves exposed to high internal and external temperatures. … Read more

Plastic materials are used heavily in the home building process in everything from flooring to insulation, making plastics an indispensable part of the home building industry. The applications of plastics are both practical and aesthetic, with uses so wide ranging they’re hard to categorize. Some of the most important applications impact not only the utility of homes, but also their resale value.
 
Plumbing Fixtures
Plumbing valves, pipes, decorative handles and seals are often made of plastic, … Read more

The never-ending pursuit of higher levels of efficiency in manufacturing is leading to major advancements in production facilities all around the world. In 2016, expect to see further automation in manufacturing operations, more analytics, higher product quality and cleaner production floors. These trends are being driven by globalization, enhanced competition and rapidly advancing computer and robotic technology.
 
Versatile Robotics
Human and robot collaboration, energy efficiency and higher uptime for robotics are all trends expected to increase in 2016. … Read more

Biodegradable plastics have become more appealing in recent years as traditional consumer plastic products continue to choke landfills, negatively impacting the surrounding environment. Biodegradable plastics take between three and six months to decompose, which is a significant improvement over the hundreds of years most traditional plastics need. Biodegradable plastics are still in development and the current commercially available grades are far from perfect. Despite any drawbacks, scientists continue to develop and refine bioplastics because the potential benefits are hard to deny. … Read more