PMM Insight: A Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing Podcast

Thermoforming OEMs aim to fill a void

When SencorpWhite departed the thermoforming market last year, other OEMs saw opportunity.
BMG, Illig and Kiefel are now offering solutions to SencorpWhite users that allow them to keep their tooling and in some cases even improve upon their performance.
Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman discusses the three companies' efforts in this episode of our PMM Insight podcast.

The changing role of auxiliary equipment makers: Jason Ganim, Conair

Conair president Jason Ganim talks about the changing role of auxiliary equipment manufacturers, the new collaborative relationship processors expect and responding to needs for specialized solutions. New technology, including artificial technology in auxiliary equipment, is helping processors deal with labor and skill shortages as well as improve product quality. Ganim talks about Conair’s smart controls, machine-to-machine communications and energy consumption.

5 things to know in August

Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman shares some of the top stories on our website this month, including innovations in extrusion equipment and news regarding a major thermoforming machinery manufacturer. 

Remembering Robert Schad

Robert Schad, founder of Husky and Athena Automation/Niigon, left an indelible mark on the plastics industry and a legacy of philanthropy. He died July 11 at age 95. Editor Ron Shinn looks back on his encounters with Schad over the years, his colorful personality and his drive for perfection. 

Extruder makers implement Industry 4.0

Artificial intelligence, process monitoring and other digital technologies were a major theme at NPE2024. Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman talked with three extruder makers -- Colines, Reifenhäuser and Collin -- to learn about the benefits of their Industry 4.0 technologies.

Sales staff know where economic winds are blowing

If you want to know the state of the plastics machinery business, don't look to pundits or economists; ask a salesperson. Good ones listen closely to their customers and often defy conventional wisdom, says Editor Ron Shinn, and we are wise to listen to what they had to say recently.

Five things to know in July

Editor Ron Shinn rounds up five top stories from Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, including a look at Industry 4.0 technology in injection molding, comments from OEMs on the state of the economy and their businesses, and equipment debuts from Dri-Air, Conair and Athena.

The promise and perils of AI for plastics processors

Artificial intelligence can be hard to define, but it's coming to plastics processing. Doug Anger, engineering manager for training provider RJG Inc., says processors should look beyond the headlines and buzzwords and start viewing AI as another innovation to add to their toolboxes.
Part quality, efficiency and profit margins can be improved by technologies like predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring, Anger tells Editor Ron Shinn in this episode. 

Injection molding embraces Industry 4.0 at NPE2024

From trimming cycle times to optimizing the use of recycled materials, the ability to collect data and tweak production based on it offers molders many benefits, said representatives of injection molding machine makers — and molders are beginning to embrace Industry 4.0.  
In this episode of PMM Insight, Senior Reporter Karen Hanna shares what she learned on the NPE floor about the state of smarter injection molding.

NPE2024: A view from the show floor

PMM Managing Editor Lynne Sherwin attended NPE2024 as a first-timer. Editor Ron Shinn talks with her about her experiences, what she and other PMM staffers heard from participants, and what it might foretell for plastics machinery makers and processors.