Designs Stack Up Well Against the Competition Innovative plastic packaging designs continue to push the capabilities of tooling and materials By Geoff Giordano Digital Creation By Pat Toensmeier Advancements in design & simulation software blur the line between virtual and real Cool and Dry By Jennifer Markarian Users of dryers and chillers are seeking easy servicing and maintenance—and overall simplicity—in this equipment Breakthroughs for Creating New Designs with Modern TPEs By Rob Banning A consultant’s guide for molding thermoplastic elastomers in challenging applications Clean and Cost-Saving: New Developments for Meeting Medical Molding Challenges By Alan Hickok Features in molds for making threaded caps, and related tooling innovations, can speed cycles and reduce costs GLOBAL LOOK 3-D Hot Stamping: A New Technology for Decorating Automotive Parts By Ljubisa Drinic A German company’s economical approach to creating a chrome look on curved plastic parts INSIDE SPI News about the state of the plastics industry and more, from SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association DEPARTMENTS Energy-Saving Tip By Dr. Robin Kent Industry Patents By Dr. Roger Corneliussen Industry News Upcoming Industry Events Market Place Advertiser Index About the cover: Stack Wines and R&D/Leverage collaborated on creating packaging that delivers a full bottle of wine via four lightweight, stacked, shatter-proof stemless glasses (get the details in our cover story). www.4spe.org