Industry 4.0

Polymeric materials play a pivotal role in diverse engineering applications, from aerospace to environmental and civil engineering. However, the traditional approach to designing these materials has been experimental and often inefficient, relying on trial and error. This Edisonian method, driven by experience and intuition, comes with inherent drawbacks, including high costs, slow progress, and limited exploration of chemical space.

Carrying out a full site survey is a specialist task but a mini-survey or walk-around will quickly and easily identify many actions to reduce energy use. Naturally, the focus will be on using that essential tool called the ’OFF switch’ but this can have remarkable rewards very quickly. 

Hitachi High-Tech developed an AI tool that enabled them to reduce their research on biodegradable additives from 120 days to two days. Researchers have used AI in the development of new materials and additives for the production of plastics. Some companies are looking for alternatives to suit their customers’ needs.

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 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).

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…

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) invites you to join their team of instructors as they develop educational programs and workshops for their audience of plastics professionals seeking to enhance their work skills and abilities. Instructors will lead workshops that break the mold, offering unique perspectives and insights that resonate with their audience.

Precise and efficient manufacturing of autonomous and electric vehicles bode well for demand.

Servo-powered hydraulic micromolding model saves energy, has faster molding speed.

AVK, the Frankfurt, Germany-based Federation of Reinforced Plastics, named sensXPERT winner of its 2022 Innovation award for the Digital Mold process sensor system it developed. The company is part of Netzsch Process Intelligence GmbH, of Selb, Germany. (U.S. office is…

Granulators are low-tech outliers in the factory of the future, but advanced controls will make them more effective

Raising the bar of extrusion quality and efficiency requires controlling the variables  Maximizing the precision of process operations is a growing issue in many production operations. The digital age, and especially Industry 4.0, is generating an array of advanced capabilities…