Second Pan
European Conference, 5-7 June 2002, Paris, France
Attendees: 375+
Exhibitors: 50+
Papers: 40
Countries Represented:
30+
Overall, an excellent event. It
was a busy two days with a lot of information to digest but something for
everyone. As with all large events, there never seems to be enough time to talk
with everyone but there was ample opportunity to see new faces and make new
friends.
Presentations were typically
given in the language of the speaker and then translated into French, German,
Italian and English. This worked well for the most part with only a few minor
hiccups during presentations when the speaker went too quickly - on one
particularly difficult topic, the English translator actually surrendered!
There were a number of parts on
display in the foyer of the event - not a parts competition as such but a chance
to see some nice moldings.
Display Concept into Molded Reality
The SAM molded concept two-seater car
produced by Rhein Bonar GmbH.
And from the rear......
Italian design on display from Euro3Plast.
And the machined mold from which it was
produced by Persico SpA.
A molded-in development from mold-maker Cre-Mar
in Italy to allow liquid levels to be seen in tanks.
A former winner of Product of the Year at
ARM, insulated food trolleys from Monetti SpA.
The supplier booths as always were a great
opportunity to meet and chat about new developments. There were over 50
suppliers in attendance in a typical layout. Extended breaks at lunchtime
allowed people to mingle and, although there were some rumblings about having to
stand and eat lunch, for the most part the extra time was a good thing. For us,
it was a great chance to catch up with many European contacts and meet many new
ones from Cyprus, Japan, Slovakia, Poland and all the other places we want to go
visit!
Papers
Presented - Day 1
Future Trends in
Rotomoulding, Sandy Saccia, Norstar Molds, Inc.
A look at the technology and
development trends shaping our industry.
Latest Research Results,
Mark Kearns, Queen's University Belfast
Material development programs
on foaming, metallocenes and fillers. Also, a detailed look a new coloring
technique involving sprayed polyethylene powder to color the outside of
polyethylene parts.
Direct Mould Heating,
P.J. Feerick, PPA Teo
A new way of adding heating
directly to the surface of molds using shaped electrical panels, the MECH
system. The technique allows standard molds to be used and can allow close
control of heating parameters around a mold surface. See www.ppateo.com
for more details.
Rotational Moulding of
Technical Products, Renzo Martini, Monetti SpA
A discussion of the use of
automation, internal pressurization / cooling, quick-disconnect inserts and
shopfloor control documentation to improve quality and throughput on the
shopfloor.
Liquid Colouring Technology,
Dr. Pagel, Colortek GmbH
Liquid colors are becoming
more common in rotational molding. Carsten Pagel outlined detailed test
results on the effect of pigments on part performance. Some pigments
reportedly increased impact behaviour of the materials molded at low levels of
addition. Liquid colors offer significant dispensing advantages - keep an eye
on their development.
Micropelletized Foams for
Rotational Molding, Stu Lipsteur, Chroma Corporation, Inc.
Nice technical review of
foaming, the sintering behavior of foam pellets and their effect on cycle
times.
NPS Revolution in Black PE,
Anne-Marie Fatnes, Borealis
Borealis has introduced a New
Powder System (NPS) for improved bulk density and flow properties of their
materials. What appears to be a micropelletized material shows good
performance and properties.
Company Profile - German
Markets, Dr. Engelsing, Bonar Plastics, GmbH
Bonar Plastics, GmbH - solid
and dependable as always. One of the top molders in Europe giving just a hint
of their approach to those who aspire below.
A New Generation of
Rotational Moulding Grades, Dr. P. Vindevogel, BP Solvay Polyethylene
New polyethylene grades from
a joint venture between BP and Solvay.
New Machine Concept (K-01),
Stephen Reinhardt, E. Reinhardt, GmbH
Nice development work on a
new concept of molding machine that allows molds to bypass those ahead in the
oven or cooler. The first implementation is installed and working - watch for
the next generation with lessons learned from the first.
Rotation (10 Years of
Success), Jennifer Gibson, JSJ Productions
The girls at Rotation
Magazine doing their thing. Rotomolding just wouldn't be the same without
them! www.rotationmag.com
CIBA Additives - The
Importance of Selection, A. Thurmer, Ciba-Geigy
Excellent, detailed
presentation covering everything you need to know about additives and their
effects on molded parts. An solid resource. Only one thing, could we have the
lite version next time ....?
A New Company and Flexible
Manufacturing System, Harry Covington, Ferry International
Update on Ferry International
and the new offerings in the ClamshellTM and shuttle style machine
line-up at Ferry.
How Does Oven Temperature
Affect Optimum Cure, John Steele, ICO Polymers, Ltd.
The first live demonstration
of impact testing at a rotomolding conference I've ever seen. With hammer and
drum roll, John put his molding reputation on the test block and....... I'm
happy to report that he came out intact! We need more entertainers in this
industry.
Rotomoulding & Design,
Didier Codron, Design Utility
Nice presentation on
conceptual design and converting it into molded parts. www.designutility.com
Misunderstood Materials,
Mark Roberts, Matrix Polymers Ltd.
A review of the performance
and moldability characteristics of polypropylene and polycarbonate.
From Rotational Moulding to
Industrial Manufacturing, Johan Aasen, Motion Technology AS
How to face the challenges of
product development and changes in our markets.
Datome Infrared Technology,
Paul Meuret, Datome, Ltd.
New concepts in machine
design. Interesting not just from the perspective of infrared as a heating
source but also in how the molds are handled and moved between stations. Paul
is working on some new concepts and has a fascinating approach to making
parts.
Mould Releases, Past -
Present - Future, Martin Toth, DuPont Coatings
Marty stuck to it even though
none of his display materials made it through shipping. A solid review of how
releases have developed and where they are today.
Papers
Presented - Day 2
What's New - In Mold
Manufacture, Manuel Terzi, Cre-Mar, Srl
New parting line designs and
the ability to mold in strips that show liquid levels in a tank, just some of
the new ideas from this Italian mold maker specializing in both steel and
aluminum molds.
PVC Foaming (Market in
Spain), Antonio Marcilla, University of Alicante
Research work carried out in
conjunction with local molders by Alicante University.
Machine Control for Process
Improvement, Martin Spencer, Rototek Ltd.
A joint presentation from
Rototek, Queen's University and Nottingham Trent University providing an
overview of a terrific project on process control. Internal temperature
measurements taken from a rock and roll type machine provide continuous
process control signals that have been incorporated into the operation of the
machine. Look forward to hearing more in the future.
Adhesion Between Two Layers
in Multi-Layer Products, Abbas Tcharktchi, LTVP-Ensam Paris
Results of a study looking at
characteristics of the interface between polymer layers and how to improve
bonding.
What's New - Drader
Injectiweld, Gordon McTavish, Drader Injectiweld, Inc.
Presentation of Drader's
hand-held injection welding system for joining and repairing parts.
High Efficiency Pulverizers
for Rotomoulding, Carlos Garcia, Reduction Engineering, Inc.
Grinding equipment for
molders, Reduction Engineering's expansion around the world continues...
Company Profile (Market in
UK/Ireland), Dessie Gregg, Kingspan Group Ltd.
Review of operations and
offerings of a 10 factory organization.
The Applications for Moulds
with Steel and Aluminium Together, F. Harleman, Modellmakerij Hengelo
Holland
Very capable moldmaker from
Holland showing new technical developments in combining steel parting lines on
aluminum molds.
The Importance of Space and
Energy, Luigi Sacchi, Polivinil Srl
By taking a hard look at
space and operation of their machines, Polivinil significantly reduce
the space used and the energy efficiency of their equipment.
New Decoration Possibilities,
Scott Saxman, Mold In Graphic Systems
After a slightly long winded
review of their standard products, Scott did eventually share their exciting
new development of PE compound (sorry Scott!). This is a great
addition to the rotomolding field allowing solid sections to be molded into
parts of any thickness. No more worries about fill or design limitations. See
PE Compound for some photographs and examples.
Integrated Design and
Manufacturing to Develop New Market Possibilities, Michael Paloian,
Integrated Design Inc.
A new approach to design and
market development could help to push rotomolding into new areas.
Automation, Pierino
Persico, Persico SpA
Work on applying Persico's
experience in supplying equipment to the automotive industry to rotational
molding.
Hytrel - A Polymer with New
Applications, A. Polese, Dupont
Hytrel is an overlooked
material for rotomolders. It is surprisingly easy to mold compared to other
non-standard materials and has some great properties.
Rotational Molding's Pursuit
of Perfection, Paul Nugent
See Rotational
Molding's Pursuit of Perfection for a copy of this talk.
What's New - SAT, SA,
Walter Jaconelli, SAT SA
SAT equipment has been a
secret confined to France, until now... They have a fascinating method of
balancing arms using automated mechanisms outside the oven. Solid oven design
from their experience in the furnace making business.
'Why did my product turn
yellow? and other questions you should never have to ask', Giacomo Vitarelli,
Cytec Polymer
The perennial issues of good
additive selection.
Design Story - 'SAM',
Klaus Dieter Liehr, Bonar Plastics GmbH
Great story of the
development and production of a two-seater concept car by Rhein Bonar GmbH. A
complex and large product taken from drawing board to working products in 9
months.
What's New - Caccia,
Paolo Legnani, Caccia Engineering
Interesting modular machine
design from Caccia.
