COVER STORY
Cool New Materials for Durables
Product design possibilities are being expanded by the unusual characteristics of three new series of materials
By Jan H. Schut
Moldmaking, by Design
Even the most common plastic parts are being designed to be thinner and more complex—requiring new approaches in mold design and fabrication
By Jon Evans
Software for a New Generation
Twenty-first century plastics software capabilities are (barely) keeping up with consumer tastes in design—and production demands for plastic products
By Geoff Giordano
From SPE
RESIN MARKET FOCUS
Polyvinyl Chloride: Global Dynamics
By IHS Chemicals
Shale-gas ethylene feedstock availability is just one thing that’s influencing PVC resin pricing
A Tiny House Provides a Big Lesson on Energy Savings
By American Chemistry Council
Plastics are key building materials in very small houses, as well as in standard houses
DESIGN NOTES
Community is Key to Co-Creation
By Robert Grace
Collaboration leads to cleverly designed, plastics-heavy appliances
CONSULTANT’S CORNER
Troubleshooting Gels in Polyolefin Films
By Mark A. Spalding
There are many types of gel defects—and ways to eliminate them
Process Technology Updates
Plastics Take Center Stage in 3-D Printing Surge
By David Witt
The “overnight sensation” of additive manufacturing is developing over the long term
Chiller Control Packages for Evolving Needs
By Timothy Hallet
Modularity and scalability support changing process cooling needs
Plastic Shredding and Granulation Options for In-House Reclaim
By Dana Darley
Shredders and granulators play their own key roles in size-reducing bulky extruded scrap materials
Technical Papers
Foamcore Blow-Molded Structural Components for Transportation Applications
By Steven R. Sopher
Degradation of Microcellular PLGA-PEG Copolymer for Use in a Drug Delivery System for the Urinary Bladder
By Christian Hopmann, Daniel Kaltbeitzel, Theresa Kauth, Barbara Dittrich, Joachim Grosse, Nadine Huppertz, Ulrich Schwantes, Claudia Neumeister, and Matthias von Walter
An absorbable copolymer allows the slow and steady release of medication inside the human body
INSIDE SPI
Prosthetics Designer Receives International Design Excellence Award
DEPARTMENTS
Industry News
Industry Patents
By Dr. Roger Corneliussen
Energy-Saving Tip
By Dr. Robin Kent
Upcoming Industry Events
Market Place
Advertiser Index
About the cover:
New visions of future products will become reality with new moldmaking and part-design tools. See our cover story and the design-related articles in this issue. (Cover designed by SPE.)
