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ArticlesExtrusionFeatured

Medical tubing process and die optimization, part 1: Troubleshooting and fine tuning

An extrusion die is a purpose built tool designed by cutting shapes in plates to reflect an intended extruded rubber product. In advance of an extrusion project, a process engineer designs the die according to specifications of the project and those of the customer, and installs it on an extruder. Often, an extrusion die is made from hard metal, like steel, polished and with sharp edges. Once all plates of the mold or die are created, rubber is forced through them under high pressure in a high temperature zone

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ArticlesExtrusionFeatured

New developments in polymer science lead to ultra low density closed cell EPDM sponge extrusion

It has long been established that unvulcanized solid elastomer compounds can be expanded to sponge forms by the incorporation into the formulation of thermally activated gas releasing chemicals known as blowing agents. During controlled heating of the compound, there is molecular dissociation of these blowing agents, and this is often designed to occur in conjunction with the onset of vulcanization of the compound, enabling the production of a range of sponge structures.

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ArticlesExtrusionFeatured

Development of an enabling EPDM polymer to improve performance and processability of EPDM compounds

Royalene EPDM, a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a
non-conjugated diene, is one of the most versatile specialty
elastomers in commercial use today. The main attributes of
EPDM are its outstanding resistance to oxidation, ozone and
the effects of weathering. It is also highly extendable, allowing
high levels of fillers and plasticizers to be added, while still
maintaining good physical properties

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Guill announces 800 series hybrid extrusion tooling

Guill announces the introduction of a new version of its popular 800 series, known as the 800 Series Hybrid. In some extrusion applications that utilize crossheads and inlines, layers of the exact same material are applied multiple times, using a single die. This method is used to reduce the propensity for errors caused by gels breaking through a thin wall, weld lines, inconsistent wall thickness, plus material and process variations. Additional errors include difficult-to-process materials and demanding applications where there is zero fault tolerance.

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KraussMaffei bundles all extrusion technologies under one roof

KraussMaffei Group has bundled its technological know-how and decades of experience in extrusion by merging its corporate extrusion operations at a single location. This strategic approach results in substantial product benefits for customers, valuable synergy effects for the company, and new opportunities and fields of research for the future. The highlight will be the world’s most modern extrusion research and development center currently built at the company’s new site in Laatzen on the outskirts of Hannover. The new plant is part of the largest investment program in KraussMaffei’s history. The relocation of the entire extrusion division is scheduled for the second half of 2022.

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Newsrss3Silicone & Medical

Biesterfeld and Dow expand strategic partnership for moldable optical silicones

Biesterfeld Spezialchemie and long-term partner Dow have extended their strategic partnership. With immediate effect, Biesterfeld will distribute the well-known moldable optical silicone product range SILASTIC™, serving the industrial, retail and consumer lighting industries. The distribution area includes the DACH region, as well as Northern and Eastern Europe.

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Silicone fabrics market worth $5.5 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6.8 percent

The silicon coated market is dominated by large players, such as Elkem (U.S.), 3M Company (U.S.), Auburn Manufacturing Inc. (U.S.), Nott Company (U.S.), Mid-Mountain Materials, Inc. (U.S.), Newtex Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Precision Coating & Coated Fabrics (U.S.), Trelleborg AB (Sweden), Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. (France) and Serge Ferrari Group (France). Expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures and new product developments are some of the major strategies adopted by these key players to enhance their positions in the silicon coated fabric market.

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Wickert Mashinenbau offers compact setup-free multifunctional gripper

Wickert Maschinenbau has developed an extremely compact, setup-free multifunctional gripper for the handling of multilayer stacked or chaotically deposited components with layer separation.
The system is available with two different gripper types: A group of two to six fingers picks up work pieces and lifts them out of the transport container. As soon as one layer has been completely emptied, the separation sheet is removed by three close fitting, extendable vacuum suction elements on the gripper arm. The system is then able to access the next level of components.

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ArticlesMolding

Quality versus quantity: How changes in EPDM polymer impact molding

EPDM is a widely used polymer for many molded goods, as it is inherently water, ozone, UV and weather resistant, and generally recommended for temperatures ranging from -50°C to 150°C. EPDM can be a low cost material option, as it allows for high total loading and has a low specific gravity, yielding low pound-volume cost. EPDM responds well at various process temperatures, and is used in many applications, such as seals, gaskets, weather resistant parts, NSF 61 water potable applications, FDA applications, roofing components, electrical resistant compounds, and more

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