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In an era dominated by Industry 4.0, where optimization and sustainability are paramount, companies are turning to cutting-edge technologies to enhance their product offerings. Among these technologies, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative force, addressing the needs of rapid prototyping and end-use part production.

The process of designing a plastic product to be made by injection molding is the same as designing a product for any other manufacturing process or material. Each combination of material and manufacturing method has its own unique design guidelines. However, the design process itself is independent of the kind of material or manufacturing method being used.

As plastic waste continues to pose a global environmental threat, researchers are exploring sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastic. Bioplastics, which mimic the qualities of conventional plastic but are made from natural materials, emerge as a promising solution. Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy is at the forefront of bioplastic development, leveraging agricultural byproducts like avocado peels and coffee grounds to create biodegradable films.

Imagine a future where organs or tissues can be 3D printed directly inside the human body. This once far-fetched idea is now on the horizon, thanks to a pioneering 3D printing process developed by researchers at Duke University and Harvard Medical School.

PVC stands tall among commercial plastics, but its thermal instability at processing temperatures poses challenges. To fortify PVC products against high temperatures, conventional heat stabilizers are often employed, yet they come with toxic baggage harmful to both humans and the environment.

Polymeric materials are the backbone of various industries, ranging from packaging and electronics to automotive and aerospace. The melt flow behavior of thermoplastic polymers, crucial for processes like extrusion, injection molding, and more, is significantly influenced by their molecular architecture. Plastics engineers aiming to tailor polymeric materials to specific physical properties and ensure top-notch manufacturing processes need to master the art of rheology.

The marriage of nano- and microscale 3D printing has ushered in a new era of design freedom and efficiency, propelling groundbreaking innovations in micro-optics and micromechanics. These advancements not only drive new developments but also set the stage for technological progress, leading to the increased commercialization of 3D printing techniques tailored for micro- and nano-objects. At the forefront of this transformative wave is the crucial process of two-photon polymerization (2PP).

The intricate mechanical properties of three-dimensional (3D) braided composites hold both mystery and promise. Particularly, understanding the nuanced multi-scale damage mechanisms in 3D four-directional (3D4d) braided composite shafts has been a challenge—until now.

AI has become an important tool for the development of new materials, enabling R&D scientists to develop new materials with improved properties and functionalities. Data analysis and prediction A significant form of AI’s contribution is data analysis. By sorting through…

A groundbreaking flame retardant has emerged to redefine the performance of epoxy composites. Meet tris[4-(2,5-dioxopyrrol-1-yl)phenyl] phosphite (TDPPI), a phosphorus-based maleimide boasting unparalleled attributes such as moderate transparency, enhanced thermal stability, and improved mechanical strength.

Today’s flame-retardant technologies rely strongly on PFAS, but regulations around the globe are pushing the industry to find alternatives that aim to balance fire safety with environmental and health considerations.

SPE recently announced newly elected Board of Directors members as well as a newly appointed president. Conor Carlin will assume the position of SPE President starting on January 1st, 2024. The president’s term will run from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2024. Scott Eastman, Senior Manager R&D – DeWal, Rogers Corporation, will serve as SPE’s President-Elect from January 1, 2024, until December 31, 2024, when he will start his term as SPE president starting on January 1, 2025.