PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

Hasco helps hurricane victims; AI-powered robots for recycling; looking back at a decade of coverage: Machinery Minutes, Nov. 18, 2024

In this episode of Machinery Minutes, we give you the rundown on these three topics:
Hasco, a supplier for tool and mold making, is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts by opening up its warehouse to store and distribute donations. Learn how you can help. 
Artificial intelligence software from EverestLabs is helping robots sort recyclables at California’s Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station in Fresno.
As PMM turns 10, we are looking at people who made significant contributions to the industry during the past decade, as well as the most significant events and movements.

A conversation with Nadeem Amin, new president of Netstal in the Americas: PMM Insight

Injection molding machine manufacturer Netstal builds machines that are precise and have a high degree of repeatability: “We do not take shortcuts and we do not do partial solutions,” said Nadeem Amin, president of North and South America for the Swiss company.
In terms of machine cost, the new Netstal top executive said processors need to look at the total value the machine is giving the company to make more money.
Hear the complete interview in this episode of PMM Insight with Editor Ron Shinn.

Machinery OEMs optimistic after election; 3D printing for drones; meet Fimic's CEO: Machinery Minutes, Nov. 11, 2024

In this week's Machinery Minutes, learn about these stories from  plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com:
No. 1 – The return of Donald J. Trump to the White House has some plastics machinery makers feeling optimistic in the wake of the Nov. 5 election, expecting minimal impact from tariffs and increased confidence among processors to order new equipment. Read more: “Plastics machinery makers express optimism following election.” 
No. 2 – Drone maker Unusual Machines Inc. has turned to 3-D printing to meet growing demand for U.S.-made parts. Read more: “Drone maker soars higher with 3D printing.” 
No. 3 -- Erica Canaia, the third-generation CEO of Fimic, has grown the recycling machinery company and become an advocate for recycling while also developing a program to help working mothers. 
Read more: “Erica Canaia is passionate about recycling, supporting parents.”

Hybrid vs. electric IMMs, running them efficiently, new leader at Davis-Standard: Machinery Minutes

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, a quick roundup of three stories from Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing.
No. 1 – Injection molding machine manufacturers can help plastics processors reduce their energy use, leading to lower energy bills and improved competitiveness. OEMs offer advice and new machinery technologies to optimize energy consumption.
Read more: “IMM makers offer help for cutting energy use.”
No. 2 – Extrusion equipment manufacturer Davis-Standard has named Steve Andrews as its new chairman and CEO. 
Read more: “Davis-Standard names Steve Andrews as chairman, CEO.”
No. 3 -- Hybrid vs. electric injection molding machines -- which is best for your operation? What kind of machine you choose comes down to balancing factors like energy consumption, price, precision and cleanliness, according to OEMs.
Learn more: “Hybrid vs. electric injection molding machines: Debate continues.”

Avoid downtime with a microgrid; Arburg IMM slims down; Wittmann conveyor controller: Machinery Minutes, Oct. 28

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, where at the beginning of each week Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman shares three things you need to know.
No. 1 – Could a microgrid keep your plastics processing operation humming when your electrical power fails? PMM Editor Ron Shinn thinks it's wise to consider one. Read more.
No. 2 – Arburg introduced a slimmer version of its Allrounder Alldrive 630 A injection molding machine at Fakuma. Read more.
No. 3 -- Wittmann recently presented its E-MAX 2 conveyor controller for smaller- to medium-sized conveying systems. Read more.

How to save energy in your plastics plant, and get help paying for it: PMM Insight

Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman discusses with Matt Flanigan, director of APenergy, how plastics processors might be able to trim energy costs by undertaking upgrades that could cost them nothing… thanks to energy incentive programs.
The plastics industry is a “target-rich environment” when it comes to energy efficiency, Flanigan said.
APenergy is a consulting business that helps industrial plants not only identify energy savings opportunities, but also apply for and obtain funding assistance.
Flanigan explains a little more about his company, what they do and how to take advantage of incentive programs.
Read the story.

Sensors to save energy; sustainability at NPE; cuts at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag: Machinery Minutes, Oct. 21

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, where at the beginning of each week Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman shares three things you need to know.
No. 1 -- Sensors that detect melt conditions in real time can help processors reduce cycle times and waste, according to sensXpert, a German company that provides equipment, artificial intelligence software, and machine-learning technologies to optimize plastics processing and reduce costs. Read more.
No. 2 – The Plastics Industry Association is crediting exhibitors and its recycling partners with helping to recycle or repurpose 516,160 pounds of plastic, cardboard and aluminum collected at NPE2024. Read more.
No. 3 -- The worldwide slowdown in plastics processing machinery sales is causing Sumitomo (SHI) Demag to cut production jobs and make other changes at its German locations. Read more.

How to save energy; Coperion introduces new extruder; molding shop expands capabilities: Machinery Minutes, Oct. 14

Welcome to PMM Insight: Machinery Minutes, a quick look at three important stories from Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing. New episodes drop every Monday.
On today's episode, Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman discusses these stories:
APenergy, a consulting company, is helping plastics processors get utility incentives to undertake energy savings projects, which can trim their bills at little to no cost. 
Coperion has introduced its STS 75 MC Plus, which can be used for multiple applications, including recycling and production of masterbatches. 
American Plastic Molding is a company on a mission. It hopes the addition of a 3D printer for prototyping will allow the company within 10 years to increase its annual sales from about $20 million to $50 million.

Is a microgrid right for your plastics plant? It could save you time and money: Commentary

The weaknesses of the U.S. electrical grid have never been more apparent, as natural disasters cause outages and EVs, cryptocurrency farms and other energy-hungry activities boost demand. Going dark, even for an hour or two, can deliver a significant hit to your plastics plant.
Microgrids are small, local energy delivery systems that are built on Industry 4.0 technology and can reduce your energy costs, provide power stability and help you meet environmental goals. 
Find out more in this PMM Insight commentary by Editor Ron Shinn.

Five things to know: The biomaterials market, new equipment from Conair and Rethink

Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman rounds up five essential stories, including a look at the bioplastics supply chain, new service options and smart technology from Conair, the return of Rethink Robotics to the cobot market and a leadership change at Husky Technologies.