SPE Product Design and Development Division

Fundamentals of Plastic Material Selection
2024-05-20 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Summary
Selecting the right plastic material is a challenging task. While there are numerous online tools available for researching plastic materials, they do not provide any insight into the process of material selection. This workshop will provide a methodology to select materials effectively.
Using common language, we will translate general terms about a material’s characteristics – such as stiffness, strength, and toughness – into specific technical properties that are relevant – and quantifiable – to the intended application. We will review industry standard tests that are used to quantify material properties, and discuss how to interpret the data and understand the behavior of the material to assess its use in an intended application.

Session 1 – Material Science Refresher
Session 2 – Key Plastic Materials
Session 3 – Performance, Cost, and Sustainability
Session 4 – Managing the Material Specification Process

Dates:
May 20, 2024
May 21, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 24, 2024

Eric Larson
Owner & Founder
Art of Mass Production

Eric R. Larson has over forty years experience in plastics engineering. He is the founder of Art of Mass Production, an engineering consulting company based in San Diego, CA. He has worked on a diverse range of products, including disposable lighters, cell phones, office chairs, and hand-held medical devices. Eric has a keen understanding of materials, and knows the value of good design. He also writes and teaches about the effective use of plastics. His book Plastics Materials Selection: A Practical Guide was nominated for a PROSE Award. It is available on Amazon, and in over 600 university libraries in more than 20 different countries.

Thermal Analysis in Failure and Compositional Analysis
2024-05-23 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Thermal analysis is an important group of tests used in the analysis of plastics and other polymeric materials. It consists of a family of well-established techniques that evaluate material properties as they change with temperature, time, and ambient environment under conditions of thermal programming. The results of thermal analysis tests provide qualitative and quantitative information about the material being evaluated. In particular, this information is important to address plastic failures or in characterization of the material composition and physical properties.
The upcoming webinar on thermal analysis will introduce the four primary techniques:

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
Thermomechancial Analysis (TMA)
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

The webinar is designed to introduce the techniques to the attendees so that they may get a better understanding of how the techniques can be used to evaluate plastic materials and solve problems. No single thermal analysis technique is best suited universally, but together they provide essential data for the characterization of plastics materials. This presentation will review thermal analysis techniques and their application to plastic problem solving through case studies. The webinar will be a practical treatment of the techniques, and the focus will be on how the techniques can be utilized to better understand polymeric materials.

Plastec South
2024-06-04 08:00 - 2024-06-06 17:00 (America/New_York) | Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S College St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202
Find Out More Here: https://www.imengineeringsouth.com/en/show-info/show-brands/plastec-south.html

Between the Layers Panel Discussion: Additive Manufacturing Materials and Innovations for Aerospace and Defense
2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Summary
This kick-off event of the virtual panel discussion series “Between the Layers” will feature a conversation with industry experts from across the value chain about materials and innovations in Additive Manufacturing (AM) for Aerospace & Defense (AeroDef) applications. We will discuss topics like the following:

Current AM materials & processes being used in AeroDef
Challenges such as the need for repeatability, traceability, inspect-ability, material property allowable data, and qualification/certification
Specific needs for the AeroDef market, e.g. high performance, digital twin/digital thread, connectivity, and cybersecurity
Future directions for high-performance AM materials & processes.

The event will also offer time to ask your questions and join the discussion.
Join this event if you work with high-performance AM materials & processes, if you are part of the AeroDef value chain, or if you want to learn more about these areas!
Register Here

2024 SPE Chicago Golf Outing
2024-06-24 09:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Find out all the details here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/ycs7y6p

Milwaukee SPE Golf Outing
2024-07-08 09:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Schedule of events to include:
9:15 am Registration – Pro Shop
10:00 am Call to the Golf Carts – Course
10:15 am Shotgun Start – Course
11:00 am Box Lunch – Turn
2:30 pm Ballroom Bar Open (Cash) Light Snacks & Appetizers Available
4:00 pm Dinner – Awards and Speeches
Remember to bring those Food Drive Donations!

Donations, Sponsorships and Door Prizes Accepted and Encouraged! Golf & Dinner: $195.00 Dinner Only: $55.00

Table Reservations: $20 per table of 10
Hole Sponsorships: $250 per hole (22 Available)
Coffee & Donut Sponsorship: $250.00 (1 Available)

SPE Donations:
Bronze Donation: $100.00
Silver Donation: $300.00
Gold Donation: $400.00
Platinum Donation: $500.00
Platinum Plus: $1000.00

Design For....Webinar Series: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and Challenges
2024-07-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Register Here
Addressing plastic waste and transitioning to a low-carbon, circular economy are the biggest challenges faced
by the plastic industry globally. As a leading material science company, Dow is seeking, together with partners,
solutions based on advanced recycling, mechanical recycling, bio-based materials, and product innovations to design recyclable packaging formats. Dow has committed to accelerating the circular ecosystem by
transforming waste and alternative feedstock to deliver 3 million metric tons per year of circular and renewable
solutions by 2030.
REVOLOOP™ resins create a second life for plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, incinerators, or litter in oceans and the environment. In the recycling industry, discarded plastic waste is hauled to a facility to be separated by hand and/or automation; bales of sorted and cleaned plastics are then reprocessed into pellets. Even the best post-consumer recycled (PCR) pellets are inherently inferior and can only be down-cycled or used at less than 100% of the virgin resin counterpart. REVOLOOP™ resins counterbalance PCR deficiencies by well-controlled waste collection system, proprietary performance boosters, and advanced processing to remove contaminants. Commercialization of REVOLOOP™ resin is the result of innovations in PCR characterization, new molecular design, and cost-effective manufacturing at world-scale. It has been demonstrated that polyethylene (PE) PCR can be up-cycled into film applications by designing tailored performance boosters to recover the performance.
Register Here
About the Speakers:
Akanksha Garg: Akanksha Garg earned her Ph.D. degree in computational mechanics from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014 and received her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Kanpur, India, in 2009. She joined Dow in 2017 and is currently a Research Scientist in Product R&D, Packaging & Specialty Plastics. She has led the development and commercialization of novel polyethylene resins in industrial and consumer packaging, health and hygiene, and post-consumer recycle (PCR) resins. Plastic News recognized her as a ‘Rising Star’ in 2021. In addition, Dr. Garg represents Dow at the Society of Plastics Engineers as a board member, the Awards and Recognition team, and as a speaker at SPE conferences. She has also shown leadership in the community, being the president of the non-profit IIT Alumni of Greater Houston, is active in the Society of Women’s Engineers, as well as at Dow-sponsored STEM events.
Mahesh Sawant: Mahesh Sawant is a Senior Research Scientist in Plastics & Hydrocarbons business at Dow Chemical. He started his career at Dow in 2007 where he worked extensively on process development, scale-up and commercialization of bespoke products for multiple Dow businesses. In 2019, Mahesh moved to his current role in Plastics Circularity and Sustainability where he leads the technology validation and implementation of key projects globally for advanced recycling of plastics and leads methodology development, evaluation, and external communication of sustainable plastics LCAs. He actively coaches young engineers within the organization, mentors students via community STEM activities and is currently coaching research graduates from HBCU (NCA&T University) and Department of Energy on a government sponsored research program. Mahesh has received 6 Dow global technology innovation and business excellence awards for commercializing breakthrough processes and products and is a co-inventor of 14 granted US patents. He was recently featured in Americas Change Makers showcase by the ACC Plastics division.

Polyketone: Understanding the Material and Properties
2024-09-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Find out more here

Environmental Stress Cracking: The Plastic Killer
2024-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Find out more here
If you deal with plastic components, then “Environmental Stress Cracking of Plastics” will provide you with information that will enhance your understanding of the interaction between chemicals and plastic resins, and help prevent premature failure. Environmental stress cracking (ESC) is a phenomenon in which a plastic resin undergoes premature embrittlement and subsequent cracking due to the simultaneous and synergistic action of stress and contact with a chemical agent. ESC is a leading cause of plastic component failure, and a recent study suggests that 25% of plastic part failures are related to ESC.
The webinar will be presented from a practical viewpoint with actual case studies to illustrate the ESC mechanism and explain plastic performance. Topics covered during this session include:

Introduction to ESC
How plastics fail
Explanation of the ESC failure mechanism
Generalizations related to chemical interaction with plastics
ESC resistance testing used to evaluate plastic/chemical compatibility
Case Illustrations of some common solvent-based failure modes

Plastec Minneapolis
2024-10-16 08:00 - 2024-10-17 17:00 (America/New_York) | Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
Find out more about the event here: https://www.advancedmanufacturingminneapolis.com/en/show-brands/plastec-minneapolis.html?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=15_NL_PT_Newsfeed_Edit_Sub_20240122&sp_cid=16855&utm_content=15_NL_PT_Newsfeed_Edit_Sub_20240122&sp_aid=32533&sp_rid=842542&sp_eh=b803c81072cdbc16da448ee723a7f636c613f0e00dcd2fa83846273968d3fe25

Additive Manufacturing: Printing the Plan for the Future
2024-10-17 07:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Hosted by: SPE Cleveland Section
We invite you to join our Additive Manufacturing: Printing the Plan for the Future Event!
Hear technical presentations on the newest advances in additive manufacturing related to:
🔹 Design
🔸 Materials development
🔹 Processing equipment
🔸 Enabling technologies
🔹 New applications
🔸 And many more!
The conference includes a full day of technical presentations, plenary and keynote presentations on business trends; breakfast, lunch and break; exhibits of advanced technologies and an evening networking reception.
✍ To register, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gjsf2eK4
💲 $75 for SPE Member
💲 $150 for Non-Member
💲 $10 for Students
🆓 Students can join SPE for FREE
Conferences

Unlocking the Secrets of Plastics with Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
2024-10-22 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
In conjunction with SPE: Inspiring Plastics Professionals, hear from Jeffrey A. Jansen about Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) during a 4-hour online workshop!
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a powerful technique for exploring the viscoelastic properties of plastic materials, offering invaluable insights into their mechanical behavior under various conditions. This comprehensive 4-hour workshop, ” Unlocking the Secrets of Plastics with Dynamic Mechanical Analysis”, is designed to equip participants with both theoretical understanding and practical skills in DMA.
Participants will begin by exploring the fundamental principles of DMA, including key concepts like storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan delta. The workshop will then delve into the viscoelastic behavior of polymers, emphasizing the importance of DMA in material characterization.
Real-world case studies on polymeric materials will provide practical examples of DMA applications in quality control, material selection, and failure analysis. The workshop will also address the advantages and limitations of DMA, and offer insight into data interpretation.
By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a solid foundation in DMA, enabling them to apply this technique effectively in their work with plastics.
Access link here: https://www.4spe.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=9047

SPE VINYLTEC® 2024
2024-10-22 08:00 - 2024-10-24 17:00 (America/New_York)
When: Tuesday, October 22, 2024 8:00 AM CDT – Thursday, October 24, 2024 5:00 AM CDT
Where: Marriott Chicago O’Hare, Chicago, IL
Save the Date!
Vinyltec 2024 topics will span the entire range of the PVC industry including the latest technical developments, market & regulatory updates, and industry sustainability advancements.

Material Characterization in Polymer Manufacturing & Recycling
2024-10-23 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
We’re pleased to announce an upcoming webinar hosted by the 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 (hashtag#SPE) on 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰, 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭 𝗔𝗠 𝗘𝗗𝗧. This session will explore material characterization and its key role in incorporating recycled polymers into manufacturing processes. ♻️
Register Here
Learn from experts on how thermal analysis and other techniques can enhance sustainability efforts.
🎤 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀:
• John E. Estela-García, Graduate Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Tim A. Osswald, Director, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Alec Redmann, Sector Manager, NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱:
Manufacturers, process engineers, materials scientists, and researchers in polymer processing & recycling.
Register Here

Design For Webinar...By Design...Decoration Technique Selection
2024-10-24 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Join Sussex IM’s Jim Naatz and Matt Rosner for an insightful webinar on plastic product design, where we will explore various decoration techniques, including pad printing, hot stamping, heat transferring, and in-mold labeling. Learn how these methods can enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your plastic products. Whether you’re looking to improve durability, achieve high-definition graphics, or streamline your production process, this webinar will provide valuable insights into the best practices for each decoration type.
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rdOmvrjsjGdTIdxCl4Q9cDQNsRdh6QVrA#/registration

Introduction to Ultraviolet (UV) Stabilization of Thermoplastics
2024-10-31 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Are you ready to protect your thermoplastic products from the sun’s damaging UV rays? Join our Introductory Training Course to dive into the world of UV degradation and discover how to prevent it!
In this course, we’ll cover:

How UV degradation affects thermoplastics
The different types of UV stabilizers and how they work at the molecular level
Practical screening and testing methods to assess UV and weathering stability

Whether you’re just getting started with outdoor exposure formulations or looking for the latest advances in UV stabilization, this course is perfect for you! Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your knowledge and protect your products.

Expoplast
2024-11-13 08:00 - 2024-11-14 17:00 (America/New_York)
The only show in Québec dedicated to Plastics, EXPOPLAST is your chance to discover the industry’s latest innovations, processes, and material and learn how they can improve your products….and increase your bottom line. It’s all part of ADM Montréal.
Learn more here

Plastic Failures Associated with Injection Molding Issues
2024-11-14 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Register HERE
Often, as part of materials design processes, inevitably, there is a reconciliation where various inadequacies and limitations are addressed relative to design requirements. These adaptations include changes to material composition through copolymerization, blending, physical integration and fixturing, and through process design and component design to minimize stress concentrations, etc. We will consider here the impact these adaptations have on the design lifetime and the corresponding capacity for polymeric designs to ultimately be recycled. The goal of the workshop is not to make every conceivable product fully recyclable, but to empower registrants to recognize the impact of decisions that ultimately can render a viable product more or less recyclable.
Register HERE

Best Practices in Material Selection and Joint Design for Plastic Welding
2024-12-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Register HERE
Understanding plastic material compatibility and joint design is critical to achieving optimal weld strength and meeting industry standards. Discover how to optimize joint configurations and manage material properties to enhance weld reliability, minimize defects and boost efficiency. Gain key insights to optimize your laser and ultrasonic plastic welding processes for better results.
Agenda:
Learn the principles of plastic material compatibility and their impact on weld strength
Discover best practices for joint design to ensure optimal welding integrity
Explore strategies for optimizing weld joint configurations for enhanced reliability
Understand how to manage material behavior to minimize defects during welding
Gain insights into achieving compliance with stringent industry standards
Presenter 1:
David Cermak
Principal Application Engineer, Dukane
Presenter 2:
Josh Brown
Global Sales Manager, Laser Welding
Register HERE

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
2024-12-05 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Register HERE
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a thermoanalytical technique that measures the stiffness (modulus) and damping (tan delta) of polymeric materials to assess the viscoelastic properties as a function of time, temperature, and frequency. Polymeric materials display both elastic and viscous behavior simultaneously, and DMA can separate these responses. Polymers, composed of long molecular chains, have unique viscoelastic properties, which combine the characteristics of elastic solids and Newtonian fluids.
As part of the DMA evaluation, a small deformation is applied to a sample in a cyclic manner. This allows the material’s response to stress, temperature, and frequency to be studied. The analysis can be in several modes, including tension, shear, compression, torsion, and flexure. DMA is a very powerful tool for the analysis of plastics and can provide information regarding:

Modulus
Damping
Glass Transition
Softening Temperature
Creep Behavior
Stress Relaxation
Degree of Cure

This webinar will provide an introductory look into DMA and how it can be applied to better understand plastic behavior, both long-term and short-term.
Register HERE

SPE IMPACT: Injection Molding Performance Awards Call for Entries
2025-01-31
Celebrate Your Excellence in Injection Molding!
SPE and the SPE Injection Molding Division invite you to enter the IMPACT: Injection Molding Performance Awards, a prestigious program celebrating groundbreaking achievements in injection molding. This is your opportunity to showcase your innovative designs, manufacturing breakthroughs, and bar-raising applications.Why Enter?
By entering, you can gain recognition for pushing boundaries in fields such as automotive and transportation, manufacturing/commercial/industrial equipment, medical and health, consumer goods, sports and recreation, and more. We’re also interested in student prototypes and concepts.Key Details
Eligible entries must feature parts in active commercial production, introduced within the last 24 months, and utilizing injection molding processes. Student prototypes are welcome, even if not in commercial production, but must use injection molding.
The WOW! Factor
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of industry experts based on innovation in design, materials, processes, market impact, customer value, sustainability, human-centered benefits, and aesthetics that balance form and function. This is your chance to shine on a global stage and earn recognition for advancing the art and science of injection molding.
Critical Dates
Entry Submission Deadline: January 31, 2025
Online Judging: February 3-5, 2025
Finalists Notified for Final Judging at ANTEC®: February 10, 2025
Final Judging at ANTEC® (in-person): March 3, 2025
Awards Ceremony at ANTEC®: Date TBD
Recognition & Rewards
Winners will be celebrated at ANTEC® 2025 (March 3-6 in Philadelphia, PA) and featured in trade publications, such as Plastics Engineering—gaining worldwide credibility and visibility among peers and potential clients.
Show us your best work and earn your place among the greatest in injection molding!
Submit Your Entry Today!

ANTEC 2025
2025-03-03 08:00 - 2025-03-06 17:00 (America/New_York)
ANTEC® 2025 Plenary Speakers Announced
Join us in the heart of Philadelphia from March 3-6, 2025, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown for an in-depth exploration of advancements in plastics and polymer science. Set against Philly’s dynamic backdrop, ANTEC® 2025 promises not only groundbreaking technologies but unique opportunities to connect in the city that’s as historic as it is trailblazing.
This year’s ANTEC® program features experts who will dive into today’s most pressing topics in plastics, including sustainability, materials performance, and game-changing research. Our featured plenary speakers include:

Vikram Gopal, Sr. Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Ascend Performance Materials
Arthur Martin, Vice President of R&D, North America, Arkema
Ramani Narayan, University Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University
Tim Osswald, Kuo K. and Cindy F. Wang Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Narayan Ramesh, Senior R&D Director, Global Analytical Sciences-Core R&D, Dow

What You Can Expect
Beyond the plenary sessions, ANTEC® will also tackle real-world technical, scientific, and industrial challenges, offering insights and solutions to today’s critical issues in the field. Here are some additional highlights:

Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders and pioneers from across the globe.
Special Symposiums: Honoring Professor Tim Osswald’s and Mike “The Material Analyst” Sepe’s incredible and enduring contributions to the plastics field.
Prestigious SPE Awards: Join us as we celebrate the achievements of influential contributors to the industry.
ANTEC® All-Access VIP Experience: Get access to unique behind-the-scenes opportunities designed to deepen your conference experience.

Gonna Fly Now!
We’re ready to make ANTEC® 2025 an unforgettable experience in a city known for its resilience, innovation, and, of course, Rocky Balboa! Register today – fantastic early bird pricing available!

Design For...Webinar Series, Advantages of Thermoset Composites for Designers and Manufacturers
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81463502974?pwd=[REDACTED]
While thermoset composites, primarily Bulk Molding Compounds & Sheet Molding Compounds (BMC & SMC) have been around for many years, they are often overlooked and set aside for expensive, highly engineered thermoplastics or metal alternatives. While it is true that these material can offer outstanding, metals-like performance, a lack of true education likely unnecessarily eliminates these materials as cost-effective options. At this webinar, attendees will learn more about the opportunities and design freedoms these thermoset composite materials can offer, and when they are a good option to pursue early in the design process. This practical discussion will highlight, through real-world applications, how the unique chemical make-up of these materials can allow designers and manufacturers to achieve their original design intent without necessarily having to make the same concessions that are required for thermoplastic materials.

Biography
Richard J. Faulk
Product Manager
Mar-Bal, Inc.
Rick Faulk joined Mar-Bal, Inc. in 2017 and has worked in the thermoset industry for over 30 years. His background includes manufacturing management, application development, technical sales & support, and new business development.

Master Plastic Failure Analysis & Prevention
2025-03-17 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Master Plastic Failure Analysis & Prevention
Are product failures disrupting your operations, leading to costly recalls and reputational damage? Do you want to proactively prevent plastic component issues before they escalate?
SPE’s online workshop, Failure in Plastics, taking place online March 17, 19, 24, and 26 (each day from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Eastern time) is designed to equip you with the tools and expertise needed to diagnose, understand, and prevent plastic failures. This four-part series will provide a structured approach to failure analysis, ensuring you can identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
What You’ll Learn:

Key reasons why plastic components fail
Systematic methods for conducting a failure investigation
The five critical factors affecting plastic part performance
Major plastic failure mechanisms and how to prevent them
The significance of ductile-to-brittle transitions in failure analysis

Through case studies and real-world applications, this workshop will help you develop practical problem-solving strategies for addressing plastic component failures effectively. Whether you’re a designer, engineer, consultant, or manufacturer, this program will provide invaluable insights to strengthen your expertise.
Secure your spot today and gain the knowledge to mitigate failures, reduce costs, and enhance product reliability.
Failure in Plastics Costs:
SPE Premium Members: $720
SPE Members: $800
NonMembers: $1,000

Plastics Technology Expo 2025
2025-03-18 08:00 - 2025-03-20 17:00 (America/New_York)
Plastics Technology Expo 2025 | PTXPO | Rosemont, IL

North America’s Premier Molding and Moldmaking Event

PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, IL for three days of non-stop networking, education and business development opportunities.

PD3 at PTXPO!
2025-03-18 08:00 - 2025-03-20 17:00 (America/New_York)
North America’s Premier Molding and Moldmaking Event

PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, IL for three days of non-stop networking, education and business development opportunities.
We are thrilled to announce that PD3 will be at PTXPO this year! Feel free to visit us!

Visit the PTXPO Website Here

Plastic Injection Mold Design: Basic and Advanced Topics
2025-04-29 08:00 - 2025-05-01 16:00 (America/Chicago) | UWM, 3203 N Downer Ave,, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, United States
In this plastic injection molding course, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive exploration of injection mold design that not only enhances your understanding but also equips you to drive overall project success. Through a unique approach, you’ll gain a profound comprehension of detailed mold design concepts set forth in the context of the whole design process.
As you progress, you’ll cultivate a strategic mindset for achieving cost savings throughout the process, and review projects at each important juncture to master advanced concepts.
By enrolling in this course, you’ll emerge with an enriched perspective on injection molding and design, equipped to make significant contributions to projects’ triumphs through your comprehensive grasp of both design intricacies and cost-efficient strategies.

This course can be applied to the following certificate:
Plastics Technology Certificate

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate advanced cavity and core inserting
Analyze your current issues regarding plastic injection molding
Identify mold design concepts
Avoid costly mistakes
Justify and evaluate your purchases of molds
Recognize advanced parting line, shut-off development, advanced slide and lifter design

Course Outline/Topics
Day 1 & 2
Introduction and Overview
The Anatomy of a Mold
Mold Types

Stripper plate molds
Unscrewing molds
Quick change molds
Hot runner molds
Shuttle molds

Basic Mold Construction

Use and placement of bolts and dowels
Major suppliers and differences between them
How to specify and order mold bases and components

Common Components and their Function

Leader pins, return pins, support pillars, rest buttons, etc.

The Molding Press

How the mold interfaces with the press
Horizontal and vertical clamp
Shuttle and rotary presses

Plastic Resin Fundamentals

Amorphous and semi-crystalline
Basic properties and how they affect the mold design

Shrink

How to use shrink to your advantage
Factors that affect shrink and warp

Plastic Product Design Fundamentals

Common errors
What the mold designer needs to look for in a product design

Sprue, Runner and Gate

Common gate design errors
Runner sizing guidelines
Runner pullers

Ejection

Determining ejector place
Pin orientation methods
Knock-out patterns
Return pins and springs

Basic Mold Inserting

Solid vs split construction
Criteria for inserting

Slides and Lifters

A thorough look at how to mold undercuts
Typical slide and lifter construction
Mechanical vs hydraulic

Cavity Layout

How to efficiently “place“ the cavities in the mold and choose the best parting line
How it affects runners, ejection and gates

Cooling

The economic effect of cooling design
General rules for waterline placement
Thermal conductivity of various tool steels

Venting

Venting of runners
How venting affects the molded part
Why this should NOT be overlooked

Mold Steel

What to look for in a mold steel
A discussion of steel hardness
Alternate materials used in molds

Plating and Polishing

A selection chart for mold coatings
When and why to use plating

Day 3

Structural design considerations
Ejector pin placement
Support pillar/plate thickness calculations
Fit tolerances/machining precision
Mold and part design considerations for multi-shot molding

Core shift

LSR and HCR mold design considerations
Unscrewing collapsible core technology
Mold maintenance considerations

Injection molding simulation for toolmakers/tool designers for driving engineering decisions

Who Should Attend
Anyone responsible for procuring, evaluating, building or designing injection mold tools, including tooling engineers, buyers, toolmakers, mold designers, product designers, managers and molders.

Instructor

Erik Foltz
Erik Foltz is a certified professional Moldflow® consultant at The Madison Group. Foltz received his MS from the Polymer Engineering Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Foltz’s work concentrates on assisting industrial clients accelerate the product design process through the… read more

Introduction to Polymer Characterization: Molecular Architecture, Morphology and Thermomechanical Response
2025-06-10 08:00 - 2025-06-11 17:00 (America/New_York)
Announcing a Live Virtual Short Course, sponsored by the Golden Gate Polymer Forum
June 10-11, 2025
This course provides a comprehensive overview of commonly implemented polymer characterization techniques to evaluate molecular composition, structure, processibility, and physical properties. A review of polymer characterization techniques will cover relevant instrumentation and its operation, sample preparation, data analysis, and measurement limitations. Brief presentations will highlight the underlying theoretical principles, but the presentations will focus on experimental design and data interpretation. Case studies will be employed to highlight the application, utility and nuances of measurement approaches through real data. The course is designed for all education levels and is accessible even with minimal background polymer knowledge.
List of topical areas:

Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques for evaluation of molecular information
Microscopy and scattering techniques for morphology and structure analysis
Thermal analysis techniques for probing thermal transitions and polymer stability
Mechanical techniques for plastic and viscoelastic properties
Rheological experiments to assess processibility and influence of processing on polymer performance
Topical examples around emerging technologies

Instructors

Prof. Tim Long, Arizona State University
Prof. Mike Bortner, Virginia Tech
Prof. Karen Winey, University of Pennsylvania
Prof. Mark Dadmun, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Giles Dillingham, Brighton Science
Prof. S. Eileen Seo, Arizona State University

Logistical & Registration Notes
Course timing: Tues. June 10 – Wed. June 11, starting each day at 8:30 AM Pacific time.
This course is very affordably priced – note discounted early registration deadline:
$400 early registration ends at 11:59 PM Pacific time, Wednesday, April 9
$500 regular registration ends at 8:00 PM Pacific time, Wednesday, May 21.
$600 late registration, if still available, ends at 8:00 PM Pacific time, Wednesday, June 4.
GGPF may close registration earlier if in our opinion class size is becoming too large.
Full Course Details and Registration at https://ggpf.org/events/?ee=327

Stratasys Workshops | Practical Lessons for Engineers Who Need Additive to Deliver
2025-06-23 - 2025-06-27
From June 23rd to 27th, 2025, the 3Dnatives team, in collaboration with Stratasys, invites you to join the free “Practical Lessons for Engineers Who Need Additive to Deliver” workshop series. These five expert-led sessions are designed to support engineers and manufacturers throughout the entire additive workflow: prototyping, tooling, and production. Each day from 16:30 CEST / 10:30 EDT (30 minutes per session), a different expert will guide you through real-world insights into additive technologies.
Attend all sessions to receive a Certificate of Attendance, recognizing your participation in cutting-edge additive manufacturing strategies. Mark your calendar—you won’t want to miss it!

WEBINAR Optimizing Plastic Color Formulation: Sustainable Practices to Reduce Waste
2025-06-24 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Optimizing Plastic Color Formulation: Sustainable Practices to Reduce Waste
Cut Costs, Boost Efficiency & Nail That Perfect Shade!
In a world of rising tariffs and tighter budgets, getting your color formulation just right isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
Join us for a dynamic and practical webinar on plastic color formulation where we break down how dialing in your color strategy can help you:
✅ Slash waste✅ Improve process efficiency✅ Boost profitability✅ Hit your sustainability targets

You’ll walk away with expert insights on navigating raw material challenges, reducing rework, and fine-tuning your color formulations for standout results—every time.
Ready to stay ahead of economic uncertainty and keep your production line vibrant and efficient? Don’t miss this session!

About the Presenters

Tony Bolynn is a Senior Applications Engineer for Consumer Products and Materials division for X-Rite, Incorporated. Tony is a member of SPE and has presented papers for SPE and multiple color organizations.
Tony’s career in color began in 1994 with Datacolor after graduating from Appalachian State University. In 1999 he joined Gretag-Macbeth as an Applications Engineer for paint, plastics and inks working with global companies. In 2006, Gretag-Macbeth merged with X-Rite and Tony became a Senior Applications Engineer. In his time at Gretag-Macbeth and X-Rite, Tony has conducted hundreds of training courses, seminars, webinars, and virtual courses.
