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Click here to read the
July issue.
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Product Spotlights
| World Demand For Specialty Silicas To Reach 2.7 Million Metric Tons In 2014 |
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World demand for specialty silicas, which include precipitated silica, fumed silica, silica gel and silica sol, will rise 6.3 percent per year to 2.7 million metric tons in 2014. Gains will be driven by a rise in world manufacturing activity, particularly in key silica markets such as tires, rubber, chemicals and agricultural products. These and other trends are presented in "World Specialty Silicas," a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Precipitated silica, which accounted for 70 percent of world specialty silica demand in 2009, will remain the dominant product type through the forecast period. Precipitated silica will also be the fastest-growing silica product, driven by a strong rebound in the rubber market and increasing utilization in tires as a partial replacement for carbon black. Fumed silica gains will be fueled by a rebound in the production of silicone rubber, which accounts for a large portion of demand. Silica sol is expected to continue to see favorable opportunities in paper coatings, while also increasing its share of the semiconductor polishing market. Rubber is the largest market for specialty silicas, and will account for 45 percent of total demand in 2014. The increasing penetration of “green” tires, which use precipitated silica to lower rolling resistance and improve motor vehicle fuel economy, will bolster demand. Silicas will also see strong gains in demand in the chemicals market, as more of these products employ silica additives to improve their processability and performance. Demand in food and feed applications will be driven by an increase in processed food and beverage production, especially in the developing world. Specialty silica demand in the Asia/Pacific region will advance at the fastest pace through 2014, rising nearly nine percent per year to account for half of total world demand. Gains will be fueled by continued double-digit demand growth in China, the world’s largest single market for silica. North America and Western Europe will experience silica demand growth well below the world average, although each will see an acceleration from the sluggish gains of the 2004-2009 period. Silica demand in all other regional markets, including Central and South America, Eastern Europe and the Africa/Middle East region, will post gains moderately higher than the world average, but from a small 2009 base. "World Specialty Silicas" (published June 2010, 285 pages) is available for $5,800 from The Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143-2326. For further details, please contact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440-684-9600, fax 440-646-0484 or e-mail pr@freedoniagroup.com.
The Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| Rate Of Decline In Petrochemical Prices Picks Up Pace In May |
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According to a report published by Platts, "In May, prices fell at a faster pace in the $3 trillion global petrochemicals market with the average daily price of Platts Global Petrochemical Index (PGPI) dropping 7.5 percent from $1,237 per metric ton (mt) in April to $1,144/mt. The index, a basket of the most widely-used petrochemicals prices published by Platts, a leading global energy information provider, had been falling since mid-April. The PGPI hit a six-month high of $1,262/mt on April 12, before falling to $1,064/mt by May 28. “The April price downturn in olefins, the primary building blocks to most petrochemicals, passed through to aromatics and polymers in May, signaling lower input costs for things like plastics, rubber and nylon,” said Shahrin Ismaiyatim, Platts global editorial director of petrochemicals. But short-term market action suggests market volatility appears to be the petrochemical industry’s only constant in the second quarter. There were only two days in May that spot prices posted gains over the previous trading day's close. Petrochemicals took their pricing cues in large part from macro-economic and geopolitical factors during a turbulent month, noted Ihsan Rahim, Platts managing editor for Americas petrochemicals. The Platts Global Petrochemicals Index reflects a compilation of the daily price assessments of physical spot market ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, paraxylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene published by Platts and is weighted by the three regions of Asia, Europe and the United States. Petrochemicals are used to make plastic, rubber, nylon and other materials for consumer products, packaging, manufacturing, construction, pharmaceuticals, aviation, electronics and nearly every commercial industry. Americas: “In the Americas, lower physical delivery contract prices for key petrochemicals settled down in May and moved with the tide of dropping spot prices for chemical feedstocks," Rahim said. The June U.S. benzene physical contract tumbled 57 cents to an initial settlement price of $2.95 per gallon, setting the stage for a drop in European prices. Meanwhile, U.S. steam cracker operators saw margins shrink as spot ethylene prices extended losses from April, while the monthly average for feedstock ethane prices was almost identical to April. Asia: In the Far East, weak fundamentals saw the majority of Asian petrochemical prices slumping to year lows in the second half of May, with all three key aromatics suffering double-digit losses by the end of the month. Aromatics are the most actively traded petrochemicals and are used in a wide variety of applications including gasoline blending, pharmaceuticals, plastic manufacturing and refrigeration. Asian benzene prices lost nearly 15 percent of their value between May 17-21, while Asian toluene dropped a similar 15.23 percent in the same time period. Sizable losses were also seen in the Asian olefins sector (feedstock chemicals including ethylene and propylene which are used for the ubiquitous plastics industry and many everyday products.) Propylene slumped 19.3 percent, while the Asian ethylene market declined 23.8 percent. Sources described the plummet in spot prices as "inevitable," given the phobia among end-users on holding excess feedstock. "Industry players are nervous about the prospect of a free fall in prices reminiscent to the scenarios in end-2008 and early-2009, when the financial tsunami hit global markets, and Asian trading houses closed en-masse," said Quintella Koh, Platts managing editor for Asia petrochemicals. Europe: In Europe, it was a softer crude oil and gasoline environment that spawned a pronounced decline in the aromatics complex, but polymers held to their uptrend, according to Ilana Djela, Platts managing editor for European petrochemicals. May’s month-on-month loss in European benzene was the most prominent at 11 percent, outpacing the drop in Eurobob gasoline by 1 percent. However, European polymers were sheltered from negative bias and finished May to the upside, aided by tight inventories, persistent supply issues and stable demand. The PGPI serves as a price reference, a gauge of sector activity, and a measure of comparison for determining the profitability of selling a crude barrel intact or refining it into products. It is based on Platts’ long-established price assessment methodology and published daily in Platts Petrochemical Alert, a real-time news service, as well as in other Platts publications. First published by Platts in August 2007, the PGPI peaked at $1,679/mt on July 14, 2008, before plummeting to a low of $491/mt on December 5, 2008, on the heels of the global financial meltdown.
Platts
www.platts.com |
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| Global and China Automotive Tire Companies Will See Revenue Growth, But Profit Fall in 2010 |
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According to the "Global and China Automotive Tire Industry Report 2009-2010," published by Research and Markets, "In 2008, the tire industry was in depression, companies suffered a big drop or even loss of profit due to the natural rubber price inflation, and both the OE market and the RT replacement market plummeted due to the worldwide economic downturn in the second half of 2008. The situation was improved in 2009. The natural rubber prices continued to drop while there was just a slight, or even no fall in tire prices. As a result, companies doubled their profits, but still witnessed decline in revenue since the demand had not been recovered to the peak level in 2008. In the second half of 2009, the price of natural rubber, as well as carbon black, kept rising. By April 2010, it had more than doubled the level of early 2009. Tire companies had raised prices to address the price hike in raw materials. In 2010, the natural rubber supply and demand were nearly in balance, and the price was relatively stabilized at a high level. Although there is still no clear sign of economic recovery, the prices of bulk commodities will not suffer sharp decline as in 2008. Tire companies will see revenue growth, but profit fall in 2010. In 2009, Bridgestone still held the first place in the world, and widened the gap with Michelin, the runner-up. In addition, Bridgestones joint ventures in North Europe, Russia, India and Turkey had delivered excellent performance in 2009. Although Michelin did not invest enough in these emerging markets, its operating profit margin was two times higher than Bridgestone's. Although Michelin did not perform well in the OE market, it delivered an increasingly better performance in China's after-sale replacement market, and got high profit for its outstanding reputation. Stranded in the North American market, Goodyear suffered a decline in both revenue and operating profit margin since the operating expense increased. Furthermore, it achieved little growth in China's market, but still stayed far ahead of the fourth place. Continental, dominating the high-end market all along, delivered roughly the same performance as in 2008. Its OE ratio was 25 percent, a little higher than in 2008. Being a key tire supplier for Benz, Audi and BMW, Continental was among the few manufacturers with revenue growth benefiting from the huge demand for luxury cars in China's market. Moreover, it has put its Hefei base into production, and is expected to grab a larger market share in the future. Pirelli, an Italian company, is a key tire supplier for well-known luxury cars including Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Land Rover, Volvo, Jaguar and Maybach, all of which have robust demand from China's market, with small quantities but high prices. In the meantime, being the most important tire supplier in the South America market, Pirelli has dominated the market there for years with stable sales. Sumitomo, i.e., Dunlop, acquired by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, is a key tire supplier for SUVs, especially luxury SUVs, as well as Japan's high-end vehicles like Crown, Lexus, Teana and Acura. Benefiting from strong demand in China's market, Sumitomo had achieved the most rapid growth in revenue and high growth in the after-sales market. Meanwhile, it also has increased investment in China's market. Also profiting from China's market, Yokohama achieved growth in revenue. It even got a Chinese name to show its recognition of China's market and carried out a series of advertising and promotional campaigns. In the meantime, it is the main tire supplier for high-end vehicles such as Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz C-class and G-class, Acura and Aston Martin in OE market. Japanese manufacturers, being known as conservative, have increased their efforts in China's market, and substantially expanded the output capacity of their Chinese bases in late 2009 and the first half of 2010. Even Toyo Tires, the smallest one of them, established a plant in China. Apart from the OE market, Japanese manufacturers have also expanded the replacement market. For example, Dunlop planned to surpass Michelin by expanding its lineup of retail stores to 4,000. It can be said that Japanese manufacturers have benefited the most from China's tire market, and they all have accelerated the expansion, even after the Toyota brake issue. Supported by Beijing Hyundai, FAW Volkswagen and Shanghai Volkswagen, the main force in China's auto market, Hankook, witnessed great growth in profit despite a decline in revenue. Kumho, relying on the strategy of low price, suffered a sales drop in 2009. Although it ranks in first place in China's OE market, it fails to succeed in the replacement market. Low price, low profit and high debt have made its operation difficult, and it has begun division reorganization and debt restructuring in 2010. Totally immune from the Special Protectionist Tariff on Tire case, the majority of Chinese manufacturers had achieved revenue growth, and maintained significant export, only with a slight drop in the export to the United States. Now, Chinese tire manufacturers' dependence on foreign trade is still above 40 percent, which certainly will lead to trade disputes. Although they have been trying to develop the OE market, they can only enter the microbus market, and little progress has been made in the car market, since even Chery and BYD prefer tires of Kumho, Giti and Cheng Shin. However, Chinese tire manufacturers have monopolized the heavy-duty truck, bus, commercial vehicle and off-the-road (OTR) tire markets. In 2009, the massive infrastructure investment and the campaign of bringing autos to the countryside had boosted van sales. Cheng Shin ranked among the world's top ten in terms of revenue, and Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber announced that its sales were up to RMB 16.8 billion, ranking at eleventh place in the world.
Research and Markets
www.researchandmarkets.com |
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| Rubber Loses Support Of Crude Oil, Currencies And Commodity Stocks |
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According to a report from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC): "Natural rubber (NR) prices dropped since the beginning of May taking cues from global commodities, stocks and currencies. Commodity markets could not withstand the speculation centered on the potential threat of the Greek debt crisis on Europe’s economic recovery and the region’s demand for raw materials. Besides, the concerns over China’s plans for monetary tightening, which could stymie the global economic recovery, have been sending negative signals to global markets. Another development was a sharp fall in crude oil price on the German ban of speculative trading. A reported increase in the U.S. jobless rate has also been a disturbing factor. These concerns prompted speculative investors to flee from commodities, and currencies closely linked to commodities, to the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen, both perceived as relatively risk-free. Although the above conditions continue and crude oil stays low, the NR market has taken a recovery path from around 8 May, supporting the view that fundamentals remain strong even after the wintering off-season. Preliminary estimates available up to April reveal that the demand remains strong in China, India and Malaysia. Consumption of natural rubber rose during the first four months of this year by 25.5 percent in China, 11.7 percent in India and 13.6 percent in Malaysia on an annualized
basis. In China, the country accounting for about 32 percent of the global demand for NR, import of NR and NR-rich grades of compound rubber increased during the period at 17.3 percent and 42.7 percent annualized rates, respectively. China’s consumption of NR is anticipated to rise 10.2 percent in 2010 to 3.35 million metric tons. In Malaysia, import of NR surged during January-April
at a 30.4 percent annualized rate. The country is estimated to have imported 253,000 metric tons of NR during the first four months of this year as against 194,000 metric tons in the same period last year. The above trend in the three major consuming countries in the ANRPC supports the view that the demand for natural rubber remains strong despite woes and worries clouding expectations for global economic recovery. It is striking to notice that these robust rates have been attained in spite of a section of the tire manufacturing industry staying away from the market expecting a lower price after the wintering season. This means that the real demand is yet to be felt in the market. Predictions available from member governments in mid-May point that the total supply of NR from the ANRPC region could rise 6.2 percent this year after three consecutive years of stagnation or decline. The output growths in 2007, 2008 and 2009 were 0.2 percent, 0.0 percent and -3.6 percent, respectively. The total output of 9.369 million metric tons anticipated for this year is up by only 2.4 percent compared to that before three years (2007). In other words, the average annual growth during the period 2007-10 comes to only 0.8 percent. It follows from the above that a tightness being felt in the market, even after the wintering season, is the cumulative effect carried from 2007 onwards. In 2007, ANRPC had indicated the possibility of supply remaining more or less stagnant during the period up to 2011. The supply behavior from 2007 onwards until now closely agrees with the views ANRPC presented at the IBC Asia’s Rubber Market 2007 (Singapore, October 2007) and the ASEAN Rubber Conference 2008 (Manila, June 2008) based on historical planting trends and age structure of trees. Provisional estimates for the period up to April
(available up to March only for Thailand and up to February only for Indonesia) further reveal that
expansion in yielding area has helped in offsetting the output loss caused by the drought in the first quarter. As per revised estimates available in mid-May, yielding rubber area expanded this year by 10,000 ha in Cambodia, 22,000 ha in China, 9,000 ha in India and 23,000 ha in Vietnam. A section of smallholders in Indonesia and Malaysia leaves rubber trees idle due to reasons such as
uneconomic yield, non-availability of laborers or high labor cost. A higher price can make harvesting of these trees economically viable. It is estimated that tapped area expanded this year by 64,000 ha in Indonesia and 85,000 ha in Malaysia due to smallholders’ short-run response to the price rise. An estimated 85,000 ha of rubber trees planted in Thailand during 2003 is expected to have attained the yielding stage by now. At the same time, a portion of aged trees would be uprooted this year for replantation. Non-availability of the data corresponding to this year’s replantation limits the scope for estimating the country’s expansion in yielding area this year. Currencies of major NR exporting countries have lost sharply against the U.S. dollar beginning from around May 5 after staying strong during the entire month of April. While the baht has been relatively stable, the rupiah and the ringgit lost their strength at 3.7 percent and 3.2 percent
rates, respectively. A weak currency of NR exporting countries generally depresses NR prices quoted in U.S. dollar. Currencies of NR exporting countries from around May 5 have been pushing rubber prices down. The movement of NR prices vis-a-vis the Japanese yen shows that the yen
generally followed a depreciating trajectory against the U.S. dollar until the end of April. (The rising curve implies more Japanese yen needed to be equivalent to a dollar). But, the yen has taken an appreciating path thereafter, especially from May 5. An appreciating yen generally depresses NR prices as speculative investors shift from yen-denominated commodity stocks. Therefore, the yen’s influence on the natural rubber market from May 5 onwards has been negative. The crude oil market has been highly volatile during April and May. The WTI (West Texas Intermediate) spot price nosedived from $86.19 per barrel on May 3 to hit $69.38 on May 18. The rubber market also tumbled almost at the same pace until May 7. Thereafter, although oil continued to fall (from $75.1 per barrel on May 7 to $69.38 on May 18), natural rubber managed to stay and even took a recovery path. From the observed trends it follows that the crude oil market has been pushing rubber prices down since the beginning of May. The observed recovery in the rubber market beginning May8 , in spite of crude oil falling further, indicates that underlying supply-demand
fundamentals have been strong. Fundamentals have been supporting rubber prices in partly offsetting the negative influence of crude oil market. Various factors influencing natural rubber prices could be broadly grouped into two areas, including (1) supply-demand fundamentals and (2) all other factors which include currencies of NR exporting countries, Japanese yen, crude oil price and commodity stocks. Having seen the influence of various factors, it is inferred
that all the factors in the second group have been pushing rubber prices down from the beginning of May. Despite the continued downward pressure from these factors, the rubber market started recovering after May 7. While the Kuala Lumpur (SMR 20) market stood as the exception to this, the Bangkok market (RSS 3) recovered from $3.40 per kg on May 7 to $3.74 per kg on May 24 (SICOM has
discontinued quoting physical rubber prices effective from May 1). In the Kottayam market, RSS 4 recovered from $3.27 per kg on May 8 to $3.61 per kg on May 24. A continued supply tightness being felt in the market, even after the wintering off-season, is believed to be the key driving force of the present NR market. Concerns over comfortable availability of natural rubber in the short term have contributed in keeping the market sentiments positive. Supply concerns on political unrest in Thailand have dominated speculations in the market until the third week of May. Physical markets have also been supported by a reported drop in China’s stockpiles monitored by the Shanghai exchange causing an uptrend in Shanghai futures. A 6.6 percent fall in Vietnam’s output
anticipated for May-July this year adds further to the supply concerns. Furthermore, India’s rubber production sector is entering into another off-season, spanning for about three months, with the onset of the southwest monsoon expected on May 30. The tire industry normally makes advance procurement before the monsoon sets in. Indications support the view that fundamentals would continue to stay strong in the short and medium terms."
Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries
www.anrpc.org |
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| Chinese Tire Industry Predictions for 2010-2011 |
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According to a report published by Research and Markets, "The Asian market represented by China has gradually become the global tire manufacture center. Since 2004, both Chinese tire production and export volume have ranked the world top. China has become the world leading tire production country. Owing to the financial crisis, the global tire industry suffered great losses. Especially, auto markets in Europe and USA have greatly shrunk. This severely cut down Chinese tire export volume and thus impacted the Chinese tire industry. In 2009, USA declared to carry out three-year punitive tariffs on Chinese exported tires (tire special safeguard case), forcing Chinese tire enterprises to expand domestic and other emerging markets. According to investigations on Chinese tire enterprises by China Research and Intelligence, Chinese tire industry did not receive too much adverse effect from the tire special safeguard case. Many domestic tire enterprises began to focus on the domestic market and third-country export to partially counteract the unfavorable effects from the tire special safeguard case. Moreover, in 2009, encouraged by domestic demand stimulation policies (the purchase tax of passenger cars with the emission no more than 1.60 liters was halved by Chinese government in January 20 - December 31 of 2009), the Chinese auto market saw prominent growth. In 2009, both Chinese auto production and sales volume exceeded 13 million, becoming the world's largest auto production country and new vehicle market for the first time. The Chinese domestic tire market is under rapid recovery, leaving vigorous demand. Though China has become the global largest new vehicle market in 2009, the retain volume per capita is still quite low. In 2009, the vehicle retain volume per thousand people in China was less than 50, much lower than the 600-800 in developed countries and less than the half average retain volume in the world. It is forecast that the Chinese auto market will maintain the annual growth rate of over 20 percent in the coming years. With the increase in Chinese vehicle retain volume, the annual growth rate of the Chinese tire market will also exceed 20 percent. In the Chinese auto tire market, the demand for replacement tires is about twice that for OEM tires, accounting for over two thirds of shares in the Chinese tire market. China is expected to develop into the world's largest tire market in the near future. Since the 1990s, attracted by the low production cost, transnational tire enterprises begin to enter the Chinese tire market. China has become the tire production base for many transnational tire enterprises. A large amount of global tire investments advances into China considering the gigantic demand and low cost. Instead of joint ventures, foreign-funded tire enterprises prefer sole proprietorship and new projects in China at present. Foreign-funded enterprises have occupied over 50 percent of shares in the Chinese tire market. Particularly, they dominate the domestic high-end tire market, so the profit rate is usually folded (even more) that of domestic tire enterprises. In China, transnational tire enterprises possess great advantages while most local tire enterprises are of small scale and weak strength. According to incomplete statistics of China Research and Intelligence, by the end of 2009, there were over 400 tire manufacturers in China. The M&A in the Chinese tire industry is expected to be accelerated in the following three to five years, phasing out many small and medium enterprises. These eliminated enterprises will be acquired by competitive enterprises or go bankrupt. There are many misunderstandings as well as development opportunities in the Chinese tire industry, requiring tire enterprises to distinguish between them. This report was accomplished by China Research and Intelligence over about four months. During the composition of “Research Report on Chinese Tire Industry, 2008-2009”, the global financial crisis had not placed too much influence on the Chinese tire industry. However, during the composition of “Research Report on Chinese Tire Industry, 2009-2010”, the Chinese tire industry fell into a downturn. Fortunately, in 2010, promoted by the domestic demand, the Chinese tire industry begins to restore. In 2009, Chinese tire export value was reduced by 4.7 percent year on year; in the first quarter of 2010, Chinese tire export saw a certain growth. However, meanwhile, trade barriers on Chinese tire enterprises have also been raised. Some countries increase the tariffs while some others enhance the environmental protection standards. With the complete tire upstream and downstream industry chain and cheap energy and labor costs, the Chinese tire industry possesses more prominent advantages compared with other developing countries in recent years. It is forecast that Chinese tire export will also enjoy growth in the coming years.
Research and Markets
www.researchandmarkets.com |
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| Rubber Component Checklist |
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This designer, developer and manufacturer of custom-molded rubber products, extruded rubber products and precision rollers offers a tool called the Molded Rubber Component Design Specification Checklist. Users simply fill in the online checklist and a company engineer will evaluate the part's requirements. Chances are a molded rubber, extruded rubber or rubber bonded assembly will deliver performance benefits over the component construction currenty being used, according to the company. Using this checklist is a free, no-obligation way to investigate potential new methods to improve a product's performance, warranty, life, weight, size, specifications, features and assembly costs. Engineers struggling with trying to come up with components that will perform multiple functions in challenging conditions can check out rubber's capability to bond to a variety of subtrates, eliminate parts and lower assembly costs. A polymer and material selection guide is also available.
Robinson Rubber Products
www.robinsonrubber.com |
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| Chlorinated Polyethylene |
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This company is an authorized distributor of Keliren CPE which is produced by Hangzhou Keli Chemical. The Keliren CPE rubber-grade products are said to be known worldwide for their superior quality. Keliren CPE products can be found in wire and cable, hose, rigid vinyl, PVC (impact modifier for window profiles, fence and pipe), magnet, sponge, flame retardant ABS and coatings.
Alternative Rubber & Plastics
www.altrubber.com |
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| Silicone Adhesive |
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A silicone rubber has been specifically designed to meet tough automotive industry demands. The RTV-2 liquid silicone rubber is said to be easily machine applied, cures at room temperature and has excellent resistance to oil, heat and blow-by gases. With its outstanding adhesive and sealing properties, this rubber grade enables innovative engine construction solutions, according to the company. With Elastosil 76540 A/B, this company now offers the automotive industry an innovative silicone adhesive. Ths room temperature vulcanizing (RTV), two-part silicone is said to be extremely robust. Even when immersed in organic liquids such as engine oil at over 100 degrees Celsius, the silicone sealant shows hardly any swelling and retains its mechanical strength. Consequently, it is said to bond extremely reliably and durably to a variety of polymers and metals.
Wacker Chemie AG
www.wacker.com |
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| Semi-Permanent PTFE Release Coating |
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MAC-968 is a water-based, semi-permanent release coating based on PTFE nanoparticles. MAC-968 is a colloidal dispersion that has proven to provide superior release performance and durability, according to the company. The product allows for improved flow properties, superior part appearance, and excellent thermal stability and lubricity. It is supplied in a ready-to-use formulation to assure economy of usage. The product has proven to be an extremely effective release coating for all types of rubber stock such as EPDM, FKM, polychloroprene, natural rubber, ECO and acylic rubber compounds, according to the company. It will provide a thin, colorless bonded film coating that will adhere tenaciously to the mold surface allowing for a maximum of parts to be molded per application. The product will not contaminate the rubber stock, allowing for superior part appearance. The product is environmentally-friendly, containing no heavy metals, powders or silicone oils, and it is VOC-free. Samples coupled with plant testing are available.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Rubber Compounding Blends |
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The latest Solutions insert, published by this company, answers often asked questions concerning the manufacture and use of Cureblends. Cureblends are said to be ideal for rubber compounds that are mixed often or where several batches of the same compound are mixed one after the other (long runs). They are said to be a perfect way to incorporate certain chemicals in internal mixers, and are often used when mixing or finishing a batch of rubber on a mill. Cureblends are custom made from a specific compound formulation with high quality raw materials. Cureblends are said to ensure inclusion of critical chemical components in the rubber compound, reduce fly loss, reduce variability of weighing chemicals, reduce variation in cure time from batch-to-batch, save time, reduce energy costs, reduce scrap rate of raw materials and finished products, reduce waste disposal, and reduce health and safety concerns. Cureblends are said to be a great way to reduce cost and improve efficiency with the mixing and curing of rubber articles.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Propylene-Based Elastomers |
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This company's portfolio of polymer solutions for nonwovens applications includes Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers, polypropylene solutions and Achieve resins. Multilayer constructions of pure Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers with other polymers are being designed to provide good elastic performance, preventing diaper leakage and providing a pleasant touch, feel and good aesthetics, according to the company. Blended with PP, Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers are said to increase fabric softness. Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers are also being used commercially for face masks. The company's PP3155 polypropylene resin is said to be an industry standard for spunbond applications, and is said to provide robust spinning and operability. SFT315 PP resin is said to add a cotton-like softness to the outer layers of HAP. It is also said to offer drapability and abrasion resistance with the convenience of spunbond processing. Achieve 6936G1 resin for meltblown applications is said to deliver improved barrier performance, while low extractables, an ultra-high melt flow rate and narrow molecular weight distribution contribute to clean, efficient fabric processing with reduced manufacturing energy demand.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Medical Elastomers For Tubing |
Advanced medical grade elastomers are said to provide the first fully practical alternative to PVC for many tubing applications. Medalist MD-500 Series compounds are said to exhibit crystal clarity and mechanical properties comparable to those of PVC, provide similar clamp resilience and resistance to kinking and necking, have a PVC-like feel and are substantially more flexible and significantly less dense. At the same time they undergo minimal color shift upon heat aging after exposure to gamma irradiation, the most severe type of sterilization. A typical compound in the series, Medalist MD-575, actually exhibits 70 percent less heat-aged color shift than a gamma-stabilized PVC compound of comparable hardness. The Medalist program for medical manufacturers now includes 38 standard high-purity elastomer compounds, along with a comprehensive body of test data and resources for designers and processors. Compounds are available with durometer A hardness from 5 to 87, and include clear, translucent and opaque formulations.
Teknor Apex
www.teknorapex.com |
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| Silicone Bonding Agent |
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Cilbond 36 is a one-component bonding agent that will bond peroxide-cured silicone, fluorosilicone, fluoropolymer and HNBR elastomers to metal and fabric substrates. Cilbond 36 also bonds platinum-cured silicones and bisphenol-cured or bisamine-cured fluoropolymers, acrylics and AEM compounds. Cilbond 36 is said to offer exceptional in-service heat resistance and extensive customer testing, and has shown that bonded components survive for over 1,000 hours at temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius or 400 hours at 225 degrees Celsius. Parts bonded with Cilbond 36 will also survive glycol testing for over 600 hours at 160 degrees celsius and salt-spray testing for up to 1,000 hours. The product is non-wiping, making it suitable for all rubber molding methods, including injection molding. Expected end applications include high-performance components such as TVDs, anti-vibration mounts, fabric reinforced hoses, rubber rollers and oil seals, particularly in tough environments.
Chemical Innovations Ltd.
www.polycil.co.uk |
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| Light Colored Resin |
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Akrotak 100 is a light colored C5 type resin which is said to provide superior tackifying action to synthetic and natural rubber applications. Akrotak 100 resin aids in processing elastomers and plastic products by increasing green tack, rate of incorporation of fillers and pigments, and provides wetting action for fillers. In addition, Akrotack 100 is said to improve rubber to metal/fibers bonding. Common applications include hot melt adhesives, and as a general tackifier and/or softener in NR and synthetic elastomers.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Water-Based Lubricant For Rubber Parts |
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This water-based lubricant for rubber, plastic, leather and metal parts finds numerous applications in the automobile and transportation industry, such as o-rings, seals, gaskets and weatherstripping, and is also being used as an insertion and assembly lubricant. This product is said to eliminate a variety of noises such as squeaks, rattles, squeals and whines. It provides a clear, colorless film coating that will bond to the applied surface. Current applications are said to have proven the product to have a low coefficient of friction with excellent durability and lubricity. Benefits of using the lubricant are said to include effectiveness, thermal and chemical stability, and excellent compatibility due to the inert nature of the product. The product is environmentally and user-friendly, containing no hazardous ingredients or VOCs.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Polypropylene Grades |
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PP7555KNE2, PP7684KN and PP7032KN polypropylene resins are said to enhance performance while lowering costs due to faster cycle times and increased production rates. PP7555KNE2 resin is a high flow impact copolymer PP that can enhance the performance of thin wall injection molded containers, while reducing costs. With low odor and flavor transfer, this resin is said to be ideal for rigid food packaging containers used for hot-filled, room temperature and frozen foods. PP7684KN resin is said to be a versatile impact copolymer designed for a broad range of applications, including medium duty crates, totes and bins; large appliance parts including refrigeration bins; consumer products, such as housewares and furniture; and as a compounding base material. PP7032KN resin is an impact copolymer designed for heavy duty applications that require very high stiffness and impact strength such as industrial pallets and crates; pails and floor mats; toys and sporting goods; housewares and furniture; and luggage components.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Tire Hardness Gauge |
Tire hardness can be a critical factor in setting up a race car, according to the company. A tire that is too hard may sacrifice traction, while a tire that is too soft may give great traction but wear too quickly, and an unmatched set of tires may result in an ill-handling car. To properly set up a car, a measure of tire hardness is necessary, and the easiest and most cost-effective way to obtain such a measure is to use a durometer. The Type A durometer as specified by ASTM D-2240 is the gauge used by tire manufacturers to measure hardness of tire rubber. The gauge gives readings of hardness in durometer points on a scale of 0-100, with 100 being the hardest reading. Some race tires come from the factory with the durometer hardness noted on the sidewall, but factors such as ambient temperature, track temperature, usage and age of the tire can change the actual hardness of the tire from the factory hardness. The RX-2100 tire durometer allows racers to quickly and accurately make checks of tire hardness. Unlike other racing durometers (which are just relative hardness gauges), the RX-2100 is calibrated to the ASTM D-2240 standard for durometer hardness and is NIST-traceable. Thus, the RX-2100 allows comparison with the factory tire specifications. The RX-2100 is a handheld gauge weighing only 4.2 oz. The indicator case, bezel and barrel are all billet machined aluminum. The gauge is furnished with a carrying case and a one-year warranty.
The RX-2100 is supplied as a complete kit including gauge and protective carrying case with belt clip. This gauge gives readings of hardness in durometer points on a scale of 0-100; it is calibrated to the ASTM D-2240 standard for durometer hardness and is traceable to NIST; it is made of billet machined aluminum; and it quickly and accurately make checks of tire hardness.
RWC Testing & Lab Supplies
www.rwctesting.com |
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| Profile And Shape Measurement |
The Profilemaster PMM 80 enables measurement systems using the light section principle and machine vision. The design is focused to achieve the best price/performance ratio for all profiles, tubes and cables made of plastic, rubber, metal, steel and other materials. Additionally, the Profilemaster PMM 80 is said to fulfill the demands of the market for a compact, industrial-proof and cost-effective system. As a pioneer of on-line measurement committed to extensive research and development, this company is said to have continuously grown as one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of on-line measuring and control systems. Customer benefits are said to include increased accuracy of end products; improved process control; scrap reduction; savings on raw material and post processing costs; increased product quality equaling higher customer satisfaction; quick and easy installation on existing production lines; and seamless integration of the PC-based system with the customer network.
Zumbach Electronics
www.zumbach.com |
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| Low Temperature Testing System |
For rubber materials, there are said to be three important standardized test methods for low temperatures, including the Gehman test (relative stiffness), the TR test (temperature retraction) and the brittleness test. The company's latest instrument can combine all three methods. Only one base unit with a cooling bath is used and the rigs are mounted on a carousel. No lifting is necessary when switching from one method to another. The instrument can be delivered with one, two or all three methods, and is managed from a computer with software configured for each method. An automatic computerized low temperature tester increases the precision up to five times, the capacity will be double and labor time will decrease about 75 percent, according to the company.
Elastocon AB
www.elastocon.se |
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| Complex Geometry Product Inspection |
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The ThreeVI machine is specially designed for use on products with complex geometry where conventional vision systems are not as suitable, such as molded products of complex shapes. It detects three-dimensional defects by creating 3-D images that are then automatically inspected for quality flaws. Through this unique 3-D feature, the ThreeVI is able to find dimensional quality characteristics, surface imperfections, flash and non-fills. All of the company's vision system machines have feed systems that are applicable to a wide variety of parts which in most cases eliminate the need for high maintenance parts like feeder bowls.
Nela Vision Systems
www.nelavisionsystems.com |
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| Tensile Testing Of Structural Composites |
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This provider of testing equipment solutions designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components announced the commissioning of an extra-height 600 kN universal testing system with the capability for tensile testing of advanced structural composites between -80 degrees C and +350 degrees C, at Hexcel Composites in Duxford, U.K. With a large number of testing frames already installed at various Hexcel sites across the globe, Hexcel’s Duxford site is equipped with a number of this company's systems ranging from benchtop machines to the newest acquisition. This company was said to be chosen thanks to its excellent after-care support, servicing capabilities and ability to meet machine requirements. The company's equipment has been used in the testing laboratory at Duxford for a number of years without issue and the material technicians on site are very comfortable with the operation of the frames and Bluehill, according to the firm. Their newest system is said to possess excellent alignment characteristics and is fully equipped to perform a wide variety of tests. It is fitted with an alignment fixture that allows any load string misalignment to be removed as per NADCAP standards. The hydraulic grips aid achievement of good specimen alignment and also provide excellent gripping performance at high loads, according to the company. The special design allows the gripping heads and specimens to be enveloped in an environmental chamber, allowing test temperatures between -80 degrees C and +350 degrees C to be achieved while keeping all hydraulic oil outside of the chamber. The system comes equipped with Bluehill 2 testing software. Hexcel in Duxford recently upgraded software on all frames to Bluehill 2 to allow a common user interface, which reduces operating training costs and the potential for mistakes. The software is intuitive and easy to master, while still containing all the functionality required to perform advanced calculations and generate the report formats required by Hexcel’s customers, according to the firm. All of their existing Bluehill 1 test methods were converted automatically to the newer software using the built-in conversion utility.
Instron
www.instron.com |
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| Air Dampened Material Thickness Gauge |
The MTG benchtop contact thickness gage is said to accurately and conveniently perform geometric dimensional testing (thickness measurement) on rubber, fabrics, foams, tapes/films and a wide assortment of other soft materials. It employs a specified presser foot (feeler) of a specific diameter/area and combined with a predetermined mass (weight) as noted in the ASTM D 3767 standard. The MTG system is supplied with the company's unique air damping feature that controls the rate of decent of the presser foot at the same rate for each test, thus eliminating human error resulting in superior repeatability. If required, the rate of descent can be user-adjusted. The MTG system is supplied with a 16 mm diameter presser foot and 212 g mass. This configuration is commonly used for measurement of all rubber materials with a hardness of 35 IRHD or below. Optional presser foot diameters and related weights are available.
Rex Gauge
www.durometer.com |
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| Insulating/Jacketing Line X-Ray Inspection |
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The X-Ray 6000 eccentricity, wall thickness and ovality measuring system features a technological upgrade. The X-Ray 6000 is available for the measurement of the eccentricity, wall thickness, ovality and the diameter of insulating and jacketing lines. Innovations include the XLL-X-Ray tubes (extral long life), as well as a selectable measuring rate of 1 to 10 Hz. Additionally, the X-Ray 6000 offers precise measurements, even under difficult climate conditions. The measuring values are displayed at the processor system Ecocontrol 6000 on a 15" or 19" TFT monitor. In combination with the display and control devices, the new dual and triple axis measuring systems are said to ensure an optimum process control in automatic mode.
Sikora International
www.sikora-usa.com |
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| Nondestructive Tire Inspection Camera |
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The C9750-27FCC and C9750-27FCD c-shaped x-ray line scan cameras for nondestructive tire inspection are offered by the company. Just one tire rotation is reqauired to inspect the whole tire with this camera. Working in conjunction with a panoramic x-ray source, these cameras are said to provide high quality x-ray imaging that allows achieving the quality control and safety inspection requirements at various stages of tire manufacturing.
Hamamatsu Photonics
www.hamamatsu.com |
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| Air Aging Ovens For Polymers |
This test instrument company offers a range of cell aging ovens for polymers which offered major improvements in the control of temperature (uniformly throughout the complete chamber) and precise control of air velocity and exchange rates. Improvements in performance such as these have permitted the preparation of international standards with tighter specifications which has improved test accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility within the industry. The company has since designed and manufactured an extended range of testing instruments for rubbers and plastics, one particular specialization being a continuous stress relaxation apparatus whose performance is enhanced by utilizing the precision aging ovens. Control of precise temperature over long periods has been found to be critical when determining product lifetime predictions from test periods lasting for more than 1,000 hours. The company has launched a new range of cell aging ovens which incorporate a number of improvements based on the knowledge gained from selling over 200 cell ovens since the company began. The ovens are manufactured in four or six cell configuration with either single or individual cell temperature control. Benefits are said to include improved insulation for lower energy consumption resulting in lower external surface temperatures; lower surface temperature; new touch screen control utilizing a micro PLC, featuring individual cell count down timers and alarm history; and each cell can get a test name. Reduced height versions specifically for stress relaxation tests with an integrated draught hood are offered. A version for temperature cycling from -40 degrees C to 200 degrees C will follow shortly.
Elastocon AB
www.elastocon.se |
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| Optical Inspection Machine |
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The company's rotary optical inspection machine is built up around a rotary table and is designed for the highest quality inspection. Using this machine, it is possible to deform and seal during the inspection, making splits formerly unseen visible. The rubber seal rotates within the pallet. Multiple, overlapping pictures of sections of the seal are taken during its 360 degree rotation. This creates an extremely high resolution and an incomparable surface inspection system. It is suitable for a wide variety of components, such as oil and seal shafts.
Nela Vision Systems
www.nelavisionsystems.com |
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| Liquid Silicone Machine Series |
This company has extended its range of liquid silicone machines. The new additions will be based on the machine MHF200L/100 which has a clamping force of 1,000 kN and an injection volume of 200 cc. New to the machine family will be the models MHF400L/190 and MHF60L/100 with clamping forces of 600 kN and 1,900 kN, as well as a new injection unit specially developed for the plasticizing of liquid silicone with injection volumes of 100 ccm and 400 ccm. The machines offer short cycle times and a very small footprint. A lot of development has been focused on the injection unit which has resulted in the highest precision and repeatability of shot, according to the company. Another bonus with this design is said to be the time saved on a material change. Cleaning and change of material can easily be carried out by one machine operator within a very short time. The drive for the machines is the well established axial piston pump, as well as the energy saving CoolDrive, together with the fully hydraulic clamp unit. With the CoolDrive, you can save energy of up to 70 percent.
Maplan
www.maplan.at |
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| Large Seals Machine |
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A newly-developed special machine for large seals, the 968.600 ZOZO, has been recently delivered to a customer. The special thing about it is the largely dimensioned clamping unit with hydraulic-mechanical clamping and locking system. Since the total clamping force with 6,300 kN is relatively small as against the mounting surface of 1,650 x 1,650 mm, extensive calculations regarding the optimal clamping force allocation were carried through in the run-up of this development. With this machine, seals for a diameter range between 700 and 1,600 mm can be produced with almost zero waste. Another novelty on this machine is the specially developed circular heating platens with radially arranged heating zones. Since in the case of such largely dimensioned article diameters ring-shaped molds are preferably used, the areas covered by the mold can each be heated only. The remaining areas are thermally insulated to a large extent. Thus, a saving of heating energy as high as 50 percent is possible. Due to the high number of temperature-controlled heating zones, an extraordinary temperature homogeneity on the complete mold surface is given. Two mechanically sliding injection units, the FIFO A type, instead of different cold runner systems were installed on the machine in order to achieve perfect results in material savings, as well. These injection units can be moved at graduated sizes, depending on the article diameter. Thus, a near-direct injection is also possible without a cold runner system. If using shut-off nozzles, a direct injection on the article would even be feasible without any runner waste. The share of waste in the present example of use was also negligible due to lateral injection. Both injection units were fitted with a silicone stuffing device to ensure as much flexibility in material selection as possible. These devices can remain completely assembled, even if rubber strips are used. One has only to detach the connecting tube to the material intake. Large opening strokes with lowest working height (1,200 mm) could be realized due to the hydro-mechanical clamping and locking system. The mechanically uncoupled hydraulic unit, including control cabinet, allowed the realization of an accessibility from all sides. This machine is ideally suited for large-sized articles with a comparatively small projected area, such as o-ring seals. A special pressure transfer disk gives a uniform application of the 6,300 kN of clamping force across the entire mounting surface. The machine was delivered with the DRC 2010 control system that provides an intuitive machine operation by means of a touchscreen.
Desma/KDE Sales and Service
www.desma-usa.com |
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| Carbon Black Batching System |
A technical rubber manufacturer required a clean, accurate method of batching out specific amounts of various carbon black materials. Engineers developed a unique gain-in-weight bulk-bag unloading station. Frequent changes of carbon blacks led the engineers to design an interchangeable-frame system complete with unloader assembly. After closing a butterfly valve, the original frame is lifted out of the stationary feeding station. A second frame with different material is then placed into the feeding station. Its butterfly valve is opened, and the material change is complete. For gain-in-weight batching, carbon black is metered out of the unloading station into a plastic bin, which is indexed onto a scale. When initiated, the system automatically dispenses the proper amount of material, accurate to +/- 0.1 lbs. on a 75 lb. batch. The complete process is accomplished in a dust-free environment.
Metso Minerals Industries
www.bestvibes.com |
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| Tire Handling Robotic Systems |
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This company has completed the largest gantry robot in its history to function as an ASRS for truck, bus or automobile tires. This specific robotic system is capable of storing and retrieving approximately 4,500 tires, but the design can be easily altered to accommodate vastly different quantities. The custom end effector, or end-of-arm tool, can handle tires with or without
the wheels installed. Efficient engineering combined with lightweight materials allow for a much wider y-axis span, drastically improved speed and a virtually maintenance-free drive system compared to previous designs. Gantry widths of 80 feet across or more are possible, while lengths are limited only by the constraints of the installation facility. This design also includes technology to reduce everyday maintenance issues, creating a higher operating reliability. The system is controlled by an Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC.
Sage Automation
www.sagerobot.com |
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| Flexible Screw Conveyor |
A Flexible Screw Conveyor (FSC) is said to move dry bulk solids and ingredients at higher throughputs than ever before. Thanks to a new and simplified direct electric motor-driven spiral screw, the conveyor rotates at faster speeds than previous models. This company is said to be a pioneer of the FSC concept. With fewer parts to wear, the Spiroflow FSC is lower in cost, since many unnecessary components have been eliminated, and has a more sanitary modular design for greater flexibility in adapting to new applications. Maintenance is reduced since the only moving part is the spiral screw that rotates material within a sealed tube and moves it along by its revolutionary homogenizing conveying action. Faster rotation of the spiral screw increases capacity, allowing the use of a smaller conveyor to handle larger loads, saving on floor space and reducing equipment investment cost. With its sanitary design, the FSC meets the hygienic conveying needs demanded by the food, pharmaceutical and other industries. This is made possible by the company’s upgraded spiral screws that are now available in ultra-high grade and heat-tempered stainless steel or heat-treated spring steel for longer life. With fewer parts than most companies’ gearbox driven models, the Spiroflow FSC is easy to clean by simply reversing the motor and dry brushing or flushing with liquid. Optional interlocked, quick-release connectors permit rapid dismantling and reassembly, minimizing downtime.
Spiroflow Systems
www.spiroflowsystems.com |
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| Integrated Continuous Thermal Fluid Or Hot Oil Filtration System |
A heat transfer fluid filtration system that filters contaminants down to 10 microns for enhanced plant efficiency and longer component life is now available. Said to be easy to integrate within any new or existing facility, the patented Vector Series Model VB10C thermal fluid filtration system continuously filters contaminants on a side stream basis down to 10 microns. This keeps fluids clean for higher heat transfer and plant efficiency, longer fluid life and minimum maintenance downtime. System flow and pressure available from the plant process is used to re-circulate hot oil or thermal fluid from the pump discharge through the filter. Clean fluid is then returned to the suction side of the pump. Industries where this technology is applied include petrochemical recycling and refineries, automotive, die casting, adhesives, sealants, food and supplement processing, manufactured wood, petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical, institutional and resort textile operations, asphalt manufacturers and others. Systems are built to comply with strict ASME Section VIII, Division 1 pressure vessel specifications. The Vector Series Model VB10C system from Liquid Process Systems can withstand up to 150 psig (10.5 bar) of pressure and temperature up to 650 degrees F (345 degrees C). Flow rate and cleaning capacity is up to 15 gallons per minute (114 liters per minute) or over 900 gallons per hour (3,405 liters per hour). This is enough cleaning capacity to filter the entire volume of a smaller system several times in a typical day. As a result, the useful life of the hot oil is increased since it is filtered and remains clean to last longer. Fouling and carbon sludge build-up are reduced, unscheduled
maintenance is minimized and heat transfer efficiency is increased. With cleaner fluid, wear on moving parts such as process pump mechanical seals, impellers and valves are significantly reduced. In fact, filtering hot oil normally results in a three fold increase in pump life, according to the company. The Vector Series Model VB10C uses economical glass-fiber wound cartridges that have excellent dirt holding capacities, are easy to change and are disposable. Life of the filter element is approximately six to 10 weeks, depending on the condition of the fluid. Regular filter change-outs can also be scheduled if preferred by maintenance and operations personnel.
Liquid Process Systems
www.lps-filtration.com |
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| Customized Conveyor Belt Designs |
A wide variety of conveyor belt designs and styles engineered and custom manufactured to meet exact customer material handling requirements in moving product is available from this manufacturer of bulk material handling solutions, offering an extensive range of in-line bucket elevators, vibratory screeners and conveyors, hoppers, tote dumpers, vibratory feeders, bulk bag handling equipment and storage conveyors. The types of customized conveyor belts available from the company include flat slider-bed, incline, cleated, troughed belts and a variety of others. Styles vary from flat to flighted with inclines up to 90 degrees. Belt conveyors are used in a variety of chemical and industrial applications. This company offers a variety of conveyor designs, each of which is customized to best suit the specific application and environment. Units are designed and manufactured to precisely conform to space requirements and a customer’s material handling needs. Besides designing and manufacturing a range of standard and specialized material handling systems such as belt conveyors, this company also provides a variety of technical services, including product testing, product engineering, control systems and installation management.
Gough Econ
www.goughecon.com |
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| Bulk Bag Filler With Advanced Controls |
The redesigned C1-2 bulk bag filler comes complete with a new programmable controller designed to increase filling accuracy and cycle speed. The C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler uses an automatic gain in weight adjustment to monitor and compensate for any weight variation. Using programmable one-touch controls, the C1-2 bulk bag filler operator can control bulk bag filler operations as well as upstream in-feed devices. With accuracy within 1 percent, the C1-2 bulk bag filler is said to be ideal for companies who seek NTEP resale approval. A filling rate of up to 20 bags an hour is attainable, depending on the flowability of the product and the storage hopper or conveyor used to deliver the product to the C1-2 bulk bag filler. The system offers broad applications in numerous industries including chemical, food, dairy, pharmaceutical, animal feed, plastics, minerals and aggregates. An additional benefit of the newly redesigned C1-2 bulk bag filler is said to be the greater ease to add custom features. The C1-2 bulk bag filler can be customized to meet individual user requirements. Examples of custom features include power height adjustment, retracting bag hooks, filling nozzle and inflatable mechanical seal, liner inflation device, roller bed and electric or pneumatic vibrators.
Spiroflow Systems
www.spiroflowsystems.com |
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| Precipitated Silica |
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Mansil 055 is a white, spray-dried, precipitated silica. It is a semi-reinforcing filler for use in synthetic and natural rubber compounding. The spray-dried silicas have a larger particle size than the milled type silicas. Advantages are faster incorporation time and less viscosity build-up while maintaining excellent dispersion. Precipitated silica increases hardness, tensile strength, abrasion and tear resistance. For mechanical rubber goods, Mansil 055 can be used as the primary filler or in combination with carbon black. In tire applications, these silicas improve rolling resistance, flex fatigue and enhance traction. In adhesives compounding, silica provides an additional method of promoting improved adhesion, as well as providing reinforcement. Silicas are universally applied to provide increased abrasion resistance, green strength and translucence in the formulating of shoe sole compounds.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Rubber Crisis Looms, May Hit India Hard |
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Kochi, India - An article in The Hindu Business Line by C.J. Punnathara states: "Even as the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) has warned of an imminent rubber crisis gripping the world economy, India seems least prepared to confront such an eventuality. The Indian rubber crisis is twin fold; increasing areas coming under old trees with low productivity which have outlived their economic life cycle and sluggish growth in new areas coming under rubber cultivation. India was just about self-sufficient in rubber production until recently. As Asian economies have transcended to an accelerated pace of economic development, the global demand for automobiles and consequently for tires and rubber have soared. Neither the global nor the domestic natural rubber production has been able to keep pace with the accelerated demand, sources in the rubber trade pointed out. The new area brought under rubber cultivation in India in 2003 was just 7,000 hectares. This is just one percent of the 6.95 lakh hectares under rubber plantations. This meager one percent area would come under tapping from this year onwards as the trees would have attained maturity after seven years. Among the other major rubber producing countries, China planted 36,300 hectares under new trees, Thailand 32,000 hectares and Vietnam 12,000 hectares. By 2008, the new area under rubber plantation in India had grown four-fold to 27,000 hectares. But growth in area in countries such as Thailand was far more spectacular at 2.21 lakh hectares, Vietnam 75,000 and China 49,100 hectares. As global demand continues to outstrip supply and a rubber crisis seems imminent, other producing countries seem better prepared to confront such a crisis. Even in the realm of replanting old and economically unviable trees, India seems to have fallen short of other major producing countries. While India was replanting 7,400 hectares in 2003, Thailand was replanting 52,000 hectares and Malaysia 19,100 hectares. Most of the plantations in China being relatively new, it had hardly any area which needed re-planting. While replanting in India had nudged to 9,000 hectares in 2008, it was 40,000 in Indonesia, 32,000 in Thailand and 20,700 hectares in Malaysia. Going by the track record of India and other major rubber producing countries in bringing more areas under rubber cultivation, as well as in replanting old trees with new and more productive seedlings, India seems to have fallen behind. Even as output has been slipping behind other major producing countries, India has evinced an accelerated growth in demand and consumption of rubber. In fact, major rubber consuming countries such as China, India and Malaysia together account for 45 percent of the global rubber consumption. China accounted for 28 percent growth in rubber consumption, followed by India and Malaysia with 13 percent. Imports into India grew by 121 percent during the first quarter this year. As the global mismatch between rubber demand and supply is poised to aggravate this year, prices are poised to remain at high levels. Major producing countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam stand to gain from firm price trends. Countries such as India, which are major consumers, are likely to pay the price. High global prices are likely to prove a deterrent, as India is likely to become a net importer of rubber this year."
The Hindu Business Line
www.businessline.in |
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| Designing With Rubber |
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Literature is available that describes designing with rubber. Information is included on molding processes, including compression molding, transfer molding and injection molding. An exhaustive rubber glossary is included defining rubber-related terms. General guidelines for selecting or identifying rubber materials or compounds are also featured.
Robinson Rubber Products
www.robinsonrubber.com |
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| U.S. Industrial Rubber Products Market To Reach $17.7 Billion In 2014 |
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The U.S. market for industrial rubber products is expected to recover from the declines registered during the 2004-2009 period, increasing 6 percent per year to $17.7 billion in 2014. Rebounding levels of motor vehicle production will support demand increases, as will accelerating output in the machinery industry. Continued growth in both aerospace equipment production and nonresidential building construction expenditures will also benefit manufacturers of industrial rubber products. However, competition from suppliers in low-cost countries and moderating raw material costs will hold back price increases, limiting value gains to some degree. In addition, industrial rubber products will continue to face competition from less expensive plastic goods in a number of applications. These and other trends are presented in Industrial Rubber Products, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Sales of mechanical rubber goods will post strong increases through 2014 and will continue to account for the largest share of overall demand. Demand for mechanical rubber goods, including body seals, vibration control products, wiper blades and a range of miscellaneous products, will be boosted by rebounding motor vehicle production. With the exception of rubber roofing, every major product category is forecast to improve from its 2004-2009 performance. Sales of industrial hose and belt products will post healthy gains, boosted by the wide diversity of uses for these products. The machinery market, including both industrial machinery and off-road equipment, will continue to account for the largest share of industrial rubber product demand through 2014. The motor vehicle market is forecast to register the fastest gains through 2014, boosted by a strong recovery in U.S. motor vehicle production. Automotive manufacturers utilize a variety of industrial rubber products, including mechanical goods, hoses, belts and miscellaneous other items. However, automobile production is forecast to outpace output of light trucks, vans and SUVs, which will restrain market advances to some degree as smaller vehicles tend to utilize less rubber on a per vehicle basis. Growth will also be tempered by the significant pricing pressures exerted by the large automotive companies.
Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| Conductive Polymer Composites |
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The iPolyCond web site details key information about the iPolyCond project and offers users the opportunity to register for access to some useful resources. These include an online library of information about conductive polymers, datasheets, case studies and presentations from the PolyCond project, and an informative article explaining electromagnetic interference, electrostatic discharge and how conductive polymer composites can protect against them. iPolyCond is a two-year project which will integrate the available state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and experience of the consortium to develop, write and test industry-specific training materials and resources.
iSmithers
www.ipolycond.org |
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| Tire Pressure Monitoring System Resource |
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This online industry resource addresses the specific tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) needs of aftermarket retailers, original equipment manufacturers and drivers. Developed after extensive research among a broad range of industry experts and drivers, the site approaches TPMS from the three distinct perspectives and with an objective lens, according to the company. The three-in-one interactive site includes a variety of industry-focused site content, including interactive training resources, case studies, POS materials, objective technology insight, industry reports and other technical data to assist OEMs with purchasing decisions. Safety and industry experts appear on the site to discuss the implementation and impact of TPMS. Industry association executives, environmental journalists and other experts also appear on the site, highlighting the safety, economic and enviornmental benefits of TPMS.
Schrader
www.schraderelectronics.com |
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| Magnetic, Vibratory And Inspection Services |
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This manufacturer of equipment and technology for magnetic, vibratory and inspection applications has launched a web site section dedicated to its 5-Star Service program. Whether it is an emergency inspection system service call or a complete rebuild of a suspended magnet, the company's 5-Star Service allows customers to operate at original equipment standards. The 5-Star Service includes a 24/7 hotline, original OEM parts, on-site field service, equipment manufacturing and full "as new" warranties. The 5-Star Service web site section showcases the company's 5-Star Service Center and its capabilities. The 15,000 sq. ft. center is completely equipped to remanufacture even the most complex systems, according to the company. The fully staffed service center employs trained technicians. The center has the machining, fabricating and welding capabilities necessary to rebuild all of the company's equipment. Once remanufactured, all of the company's equipment leaves the service center with an "as new" warranty
Eriez
www.eriez.com |
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| Laboratory Instrument Control Software |
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LabX laboratory software is recognized for its unique approach to aiding the performance of laboratory weighing applications, and managing the associated data generated. The all new LabX 2010 release supports XP and XS balances, as well as the company's new line of density meters and refractometers. The software’s variety of included One Click application solutions help users perform their routine tasks with a single touch of the instrument dynamic display for fast, easy and secure workflows, according to the company. LabX 2010 securely manages the entire application, including automatically performing all calculations, guiding users through the workflow, and report generation. It also has the capacity for secure data storage and data export/import, with full regulatory compliance, if required. The LabX software supports XP and XS balances and the new LiquiPhysics Excellence density and refractometers. LabX 2010 server edition allows the connection of up to 30 laboratory instruments, and enables smooth integration with other lab data systems such as ELN, LIMS, CDS and SAP. Routine tasks are performed by users, step-by-step, according to the established standard operating procedure (SOP) directly via the instrument display under the management of the selected method application in LabX 2010. The approach helps ensure that all instrumentation is properly tested and suitable for use, and that only correct data are generated. LabX 2010 includes a complete range of ready-to-use method templates for the most common weighing, density or refractive index applications. The new built-in OneClick application solutions include all necessary steps for fast and easy performance of common lab tasks. For example, new OneClick Standards Solution Preparation in LabX 2010 swiftly guides the user through error-free preparation of reference standard solutions, including accurate weighing of the reference compound, solvent addition, labeling, automatic calculation of all concentrations and comprehensive reporting. Even more specialized applications such as sieve analysis and loss on drying are included in LabX 2010. Using the graphical method editor, any built-in application can be easily adapted to any type of workflow without any programming knowledge required. LabX 2010 can be tailored to fit individual process requirements.
Mettler-Toledo
www.mt.com |
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| Stress Relaxation Test Software |
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EC 05 relaxation software is user-friendly software, since many functions can be made with a click of the mouse. Simplified functions include switching between graphic presentation in absolute force in F or F/F0; switching between absolute time and relative time; easy to zero the force; and all information in the same window. New functions include evaluation points showing relaxation at different times; end conditions can be set as F/F0 or time; and the possibility to calculate the median value when testing double or triple test pieces.
Elastocon AB
www.elastocon.se |
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| Data Acquisition And Display Station |
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The DXAdvanced R4 is said to be the newest and most capable version of the company's Daqstation data acquisition and display stations. Standard high capacity memory and a new option for stringent pharmaceutical applications are new features on the DXAdvanced R4. The advanced security option delivers full compliance with FDA regulation 21 CFR Part 11, enabling all DXAdvanced R4 models to be used in any FDA program area that must comply with the regulation. This is complimented by a multi-batch option that allows channels to be grouped and recorded to discrete batch records with independent start and stop control. Standard features include 400 MB of internal flash memory, with an optional USB interface for data retrieval using USB memory devices or configuration with a USB keyboard. All models include custom graphics that allow users to design custom display screens unique for their application. An alarm annunciator display mode using ISA sequencing is also included.
Yokogawa Corporation of America
www.yokogawa.com |
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| Engineering Simulation Software |
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GEA Niro has selected engineering simulation software from this company to optimize equipment design and reduce development time and costs. Based in Denmark, GEA Niro is said to be a world market leader in drying technology for the dairy, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries and is a core technology center in the GEA Process Engineering business segment in GEA Group. GEA Niro provides process equipment, process technology and know-how to those industries. The software suite enables customers to optimize designs throughout the product development process, especially in the early stages when changes can be efficiently and cost-effectively implemented. GEA Niro is applying engineering simulation as it develops equipment and processes for transforming liquids into powders, said to be a major consideration in the dairy, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Drying plants are said to be becoming increasingly important in processing safer, “greener” and more profitable products. Optimizing the drying process requires an in-depth understanding of complex flow and thermal exchange phenomena, and this software is said to help engineers to simulate real-world conditions in performing comprehensive analysis. Simulation results can be used to minimize energy requirements without compromising product quality.
Ansys
www.ansys.com |
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| Global Tire Cord Market To Exceed 1.3 Million Metric Tons By 2015 |
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According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, "Tire cord is a shaped or twisted structure made out of single or more tiered strips of inorganic material, mainly steel or using organic polymers such as polyester, rayon or nylon. The cord facilitates in reinforcing a tire's rubber matrix. The tire reinforcement material or tire cord industry is directly dependent on the tire industry, performance of which is closely intertwined with the fate of the automobile industry. With the prolonged world economic recession taking its toll on automotive demand, demand patterns worldwide have been undergoing transformation with developed markets showing signs of distress, and the developing economies displaying minimal growth. Led by the automobile boom in Asia-Pacific, particularly in China and India, the region represents the largest as well as the fastest growing market in tire cord sales as stated by the new GIA market research report on the tire cord market. Despite the dampener cast by the recession, the automotive industry in developing nations in the medium to long-term remains encouraging. The global economic recession in recent years hastened the geographic shift in the automobile industry, with the Asia-Pacific led by China and India emerging as the new powerhouse in the sector. Apart from providing a vast market, these countries are also proving cheaper production bases compared to the traditional markets in the Western Europe, the U.S. and Japan. Apart from China and India, the Latin American and Central European markets also hold much promise for the tire and tire cord industries. Stagnating growth in the Western European countries, vastly untapped market in the Central European countries and the cheaper availability of material resources as well as manpower is leading to the shifting of manufacturing bases to these countries. The replacement tire market constitutes the major part of the tire cord industry, with the truck tires replacement forming the bulk of the demand. Apart from containing more amount of tire cord due to their size, truck tires also are more frequently replaced because of regular and higher usage. Furthermore, more number of tires are deployed in trucks than in passenger vehicles. The tire cord market is comprised of independent tire cord manufacturers as well as vertically integrated tire manufacturers. Key players profiled in the report include Century Enka Limited, Cordenka GmbH, Formosa Taffeta Co. Ltd., Hyosung Corporation, Junma Tyre Cord Company Limited, Kolon Industries, Inc., Kordarna a.s., Kordsa Inc., Bekaert, SRF Limited and Teijin Fibers Limited. The report, titled, "Tire Cord: A Global Strategic Business Report," announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides an industry overview, product overview, product introductions, recent industry activity and profiles of major players. The report analyzes market data and analytics in terms of annual sales in volume terms for regions including North America, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and rest of world. The report further analyzes the global market by the segments of polyester tire cord and nylon tire cord."
Global Industry Analysts
www.strategyr.com |
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| Auto Industry Outlook for 2010 |
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According to an article from Zacks Equity Research, "The auto industry is a highly concentrated one. About ten global automakers account for over 77 percent of the production worldwide. Among them, Toyota Motors leads with a 13.3 percent market share, while its domestic rivals including Nissan and its alliance with Renault account for 8.4 percent of the auto market, Honda Motor 5.6 percent and Suzuki 3.8 percent. Among the Detroit automakers, General Motors holds 11.9 percent of the auto market, Ford 7.8 percent and Chrysler-Fiat 6.4 percent of the auto industry. The recent economic crisis has provided an impetus to a massive structural change in the auto industry, setting the stage for growth over the next decade. Given the high barriers to entry and need for scale economies (in operations, supply chain and marketing), the global auto industry landscape is expected to be ruled by global automakers and suppliers based in the six major auto markets of China, India, Japan, Korea, Western Europe and the U.S. To remain competitive, automakers will need to design vehicles that will meet the requirements of consumers in both mature and emerging markets. Automakers will focus on more user-friendly and low-cost vehicles that are also the most advanced technologically. The automakers will continue to shift their production facilities from high-cost regions such as North America and the European Union to lower-cost regions such as China, India and South America. For example, Greater China and South America is projected to represent more than 50 percent of growth in global light vehicle production in the auto industry from 2008 to 2015. There are two underlying factors behind this location shift in the auto industry. The first is the cost factor. The cost of labor in emerging auto markets continues to be a fraction of that in the developed world. The second is the demand factor. Many low cost regions, including the emerging auto markets, have high potential for growth. Thus, the shift in auto industry production facilities will lead to a localization of the manufacturing base that will bring down transportation costs. The emergence of trading blocs is also giving this process a push in the auto market. It is likely that over time there will be fewer car imports from outside a trade zone. Further, automakers have started to reduce the number of technological platforms with a greater diversity of models produced from each platform in order to remain cost competitive in the auto industry. For example, Honda, with its flexible common platform, has developed three dimensionally distinct versions of the Accord, allowing for designs where 60 percent of the components are common. Ford aims to build 680,000 vehicles per core global platform within five years, up from current levels of 345,000 units. After emerging from its bankruptcy, General Motors has started focusing solely on four core brands – Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. Higher fuel prices and concerns over global warming have pooled attention on the auto industry that either rely less on traditional fossil fuels or use renewable sources of less expensive energy. Thus, “green” alternatives such as fuel-efficient electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids will attract consumers in the wealthier countries while flex-fuels such as ethanol and natural gas will be highly sought-after in the emerging auto markets where the local climate or resource base favors their usage by automakers over petroleum. Consequently, there will be a variety of powertrain technologies in the auto industry by the next decade. It is likely that “green” cars will represent up to a third of total global sales in developed auto markets and up to 20 percent in urban areas of emerging auto markets by 2020. Some of the “green” cars have already generated a huge response in the auto industry. These include the Ford Focus, GM Volt, Daimler Smart, Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius. The role of governments must not be overlooked. Governments in all major countries have become active auto industry players. Their investments through emergency loans and incentive packages, such as “Cash for Clunkers” in the U.S., are a good example of this. Moreover, governments' energy and environmental policies will be highly responsible in molding the auto industry in the coming years. Although automakers continue to focus on shifting their production facilities to new regions driven by cost and demand factors, developing the supplier networks remains one of the greatest challenges they face in the auto industry. Existing suppliers to automakers often lack the financial background to expand capacity in new markets. On the other hand, auto market suppliers are sensitive to technology transfers to local third parties, which may result in new and lower-cost competitors. The financial condition of the majority of auto market suppliers continues to deteriorate, resulting from historically weak demand and higher dependence on automakers. According to the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), 13 major U.S. direct auto market suppliers and two indirect auto industry suppliers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy or have had their assets foreclosed on, while many others in the auto industry have simply liquidated in the first half of 2009. They include prominent components auto market suppliers such as Visteon and Lear, who cater to General Motors and Ford. According to OESA, 12 percent of the auto industry suppliers do not have sufficient working capital to support a 10 percent to 25 percent expansion in production. Thus, despite the government’s sizable investment in the automakers, it is likely that there will be auto market suppliers who are unable to restart operations as automaker production resumes due to working capital shortfalls. Higher dependence on automakers makes the auto market suppliers vulnerable to several maladies, primarily pricing pressure and production cuts. Pricing pressure from automakers is constricting auto market suppliers’ margins. On the other hand, production cuts by automakers driven by frequent market adjustments are negatively affecting their operations. Some of the auto industry suppliers who have a high reliance on a few automakers such as General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Volkswagen include American Axle and Manufacturing, ArvinMeritor, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Magna International, Superior Industries, Tenneco and TRW Automotive. The shift in auto market consumer preferences towards hi-tech, fuel-efficient, environment-friendly vehicles, such as small cars/hybrids/EVs, is another issue. Auto market suppliers are expected to quickly adapt to the new technologies by investing in research and development, putting heavy capital burdens on them. The automakers also face significant challenges in transforming the existing powertrain technologies into the new versions as far as marketability is concerned. As the number of technology applications increases, automakers and suppliers will need to be selective. Their criteria for choosing what to include and what not to will depend entirely on what the customers are willing to pay for."
Zacks Equity Research
www.zacks.com |
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| World Industrial Rubber Products Demand To Grow By 4.5 Percent |
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Global demand for industrial rubber products is forecast to climb 4.5 percent annually through 2013 to nearly $110 billion, according to a study conducted by The Freedonia Group. Market advances in developing areas will be fueled by healthy economic growth, ongoing industrialization efforts and rising personal income levels, bolstering manufacturing output and fixed investment expenditures. In addition, higher living standards will help stimulate demand for automobiles and
other industrial rubber product-containing durables, boosting both original equipment (OEM) and maintenance/repair/operations (MRO) industrial rubber product sales. Mechanical rubber goods, which include body seals, vibration control products, wiper blades and a variety of miscellaneous
goods such as bellows, bumpers, duct covers, mallets, pads, plates and trim, comprised the largest product segment in 2008. Suppliers of mechanical rubber products will benefit from continued gains in motor vehicle production through 2013, as these products are highly represented in this market. Industrial equipment, which includes industrial machinery and equipment, as well as off-road vehicles, will continue to comprise the largest end-use market in 2013. Demand in this market will benefit from rising demand for heavy industrial equipment such as construction and mining machinery. China, which recently surpassed the U.S. to become the largest national market for
industrial rubber products, will account for over 40 percent of all additional demand through 2013. India will also record strong gains, and sales growth is expected to be healthy as well in a
number of lower-volume markets, including Thailand and Indonesia. Advances will continue to be solid in Eastern Europe, reflecting the ongoing shift of durable goods manufacturing to that region, primarily from Western Europe. Industrial rubber product demand in the U.S., Western Europe and Japan will rise, as well. Advances will be spurred by largely favorable economic climates and higher per capita income, resulting in increased manufacturing activity and
consumer spending for durable goods. Although representing mature markets, these areas, along with Australia and Canada, will remain the most intensive users of industrial rubber products because of the advanced industrial and technological nature of their economies. The large numbers of
industrial rubber product-containing equipment in use will also help bolster aftermarket industrial rubber product demand. This new Freedonia industry study, World Industrial Rubber Products, is priced at $5,800. It presents historical demand data (1998, 2003, 2008) plus forecasts for 2013 and 2018 by type (e.g., mechanical goods, hose, belts, roofing), market (e.g.,
industrial equipment, motor vehicles, construction), world region and for 27 countries. The study also considers market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles over
30 industry players, including Cooper-Standard Automotive, Bridgestone and Veyance Technologies.
The Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| Tire Industry Market Report 2010 |
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Dublin, Ireland - According to a report published by Research and Markets, the apparent U.K. market for rubber tires and tubes was worth an estimated 1.29 billion at manufacturers' selling prices (msp) in 2009, a reduction of 12.6 percent from the figure for 2008. The economic recession and its impact on the automobile manufacturing sector, both in the U.K. and overseas, was a major contributing factor in the decline. The main product sectors considered in this market report include tires for motor cars; tires for light commercial vehicles; tires for heavy commercial vehicles; tires for motorcycles and scooters; tires for other applications, including tires for agricultural vehicles, bicycles, aircraft, civil engineering vehicles, construction or industrial handling vehicles and machines, and solid tires; and retreaded and rebuilt rubber tires. Tires for motor cars constitute the largest sector of the market. A number of trends characterized the U.K. tire industry in 2009. The sharp decline in U.K. vehicle manufacturing significantly affected demand for original equipment (OE) tires. The market for replacement tires for passenger cars appears to have fared better, although the replacement market for commercial vehicle tires was badly affected. Falling demand also seems to have reduced the level of tire imports, and tire exports may have benefited from the fall in the value of sterling against other world currencies. Despite this, import penetration of the U.K. tire market now exceeds 100 percent. U.K. tire producers and suppliers will face a number of legislative changes during and after 2010. In March 2010, new S-marking legislation aimed at reducing noise from tires is set to come into force. In November 2010, EU tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) legislation is due to be introduced, and from November 2012 all new tires on sale in Europe will need to be classified and labeled for fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise performance. The apparent U.K. market for rubber tires and tubes is expected to show some recovery in 2010 as the overall U.K. economy returns to growth and has a positive impact on demand for automotive products, including tires. On the downside, new car registrations in the U.K. are currently forecast to decline further in 2010, and U.K. vehicle output, although possibly recovering in 2010, may also remain weak. Accordingly, levels of growth in the U.K. tire market are expected to remain fairly modest over the period to 2014.
Research and Markets
www.researchandmarkets.com |
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| Rubber Compound Batching System |
The company's 16-ingredient rubber-compound batching system is designed to accurately process powdered chemicals and precisely weigh each ingredient and the final batching. The system consists of 13 two-speed electromagnetic vibratory feeders and three two-speed precision volumetric screw feeders, made of 304 stainless steel. It also includes eight weigh stations which feature weigh bases with individual, electrically powered rollers. Model MTU-2500 bulk-bag unloaders supply the chemicals to the feeders. For optimum system performance, each powdered chemical was tested at the company's processing and testing center, and the system’s feeders were selected based on accuracy and flowability of the product. During processing, materials are fed into a 2.5-cubic-foot bin and weighed within +/- 0.01 pounds, with the final batching accuracy of +/- 0.05 pounds. The final batch is ready for the internal mixer. This company also supplies Allen Bradley system controls designed and built in the company’s on-site UL-listed panel shop. The firm is said to be a leading manufacturer of precision-engineered equipment, systems and controls for the rubber, plastics, chemical, food, recycling and other dry powder and solids processing industries.
Metso Minerals Industries
www.bestvibes.com |
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| Bulk Bag Filler |
The C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler has been redesigned complete with a new programmable controller to increase filling accuracy and cycle speed. The C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler uses an automatic gain in weight adjustment to monitor and compensate for any weight variation. Using programmable one-touch controls, the C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler operator can control Bulk Bag Filler operations as well as upstream in-feed devices. With accuracy within 1 percent, the C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler is said to be ideal for companies who seek NTEP resale approval. A filling rate of up to 20 bags an hour is attainable, depending on the flowability of the product, and the storage hopper or conveyor used to deliver the product to the C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler. The system offers broad applications in numerous industries including chemical, food, dairy, pharmaceutical, animal feed, plastics, minerals and aggregates. An additional benefit of the newly redesigned C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler is said to be the greater ease to add custom features. The C1-2 Bulk Bag Filler can be customized to meet individual user requirements.
Spiroflow Systems
www.spiroflowsystems.com |
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| Modular Concept For Tire Component Production |
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Thanks to the modular concept, the plug-in production lines offered by this company can be put into operation at the customer's premises within a minimum of time. All essential line components, such as the fully-wired extruder, control system, calender and winding stations, are mounted on base frames and subjected to extensive tests at the company's headquarters prior to commissioning. Similar to the building block system, the new modular concept is based on the simple connection of individual modules. The single components, e.g., the GE 150 KS rubber processing extruder with slot die, the control unit, the complete roll system and the four winding and unwinding stations, are assembled and mounted on separate different base frames in the factory in Hannover, Germany. The complete wiring and water supply piping are also integrated into the base frame so that the production process is not affected by cables or pipes. The customer only has to make available the power and water supply connections. Increased operational reliability is said to be provided thanks to early fault detection. Thanks to the modular concept, installation, pre-commissioning and the check of software components can already be carried out in the manufacturer's works. This substantially reduces the personnel and time required for on-site installation. In addition, the operational reliability is increased as potential interface problems are detected at an early stage and can be eliminated rapidly and at low costs. Furthermore, the future operating and maintenance personnel can be trained during the pre-commissioning of the equipment. The connections are then separated, the winder trestles are disassembled as far as necessary to comply with the container dimensions and the entire equipment is transported in overseas containers to the customer's premises. The benefits obtained with the modular concept are drastically reduced on-site installation times, as well as substantial savings in total cost as the use of standardized modules results in lower engineering expenses, according to the company. In addition, the shipment of complete transport units helps to cut the costs for demounting, packaging and remounting.
KraussMaffei Berstorff
www.kraussmaffei.com |
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| In-Line Surface Quality Inspection |
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The Simac 63 is the latest model available in the company's line of surface inspection using image
processing. The design was focused to achieve the best price/performance ratio for practically all tubes, hoses, cables and other quality products made of plastic, rubber and other materials. Additionally, the Simac 63 is said to fulfill the demands of the market for a compact, durable and cost-effective system. This firm is said to be committed to extensive research and development, and has continuously grown as one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of on-line measuring and control systems. Customer benefits of the Simac 63 are said to include increased product quality leading to higher customer satisfaction; ease of use, with a graphical user interface (GUI) of the latest generation; a very compact design; it is modular and extensible with various options providing a bright and focused image that sees surface faults down to 100 μm; length related scanning and fault definition; and seamless integration of the PC-based system with a network
Zumbach Electronics
www.zumbach.com |
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| Diameter Gauges |
The Laser Series and the Laser Diffraction technique was introduced to the market in 1997. With FFT/SRL calculations done directly in the gauge head, no system brought the amount of information to the customer than this revolutionary product, according to the manufacturer. With all of its capabilities, plus the fact that calibrations are software-based, thereby making the calibration truly permanent, the firm was said to have established a new level of diameter gauge reliability.
Today, the products within the Laser Series are said to have expanded to address requirements in the industry in the same innovative manner. For sector cables, the Laser S/R gauges bring application specific measurement capability to the manufacturing of sector shaped cables. These gauges bring accuracy and reliability to the application without complicated mechanical rotational of gauges. The Laser FR gauges are said to have brought innovation for the reliable measurement of flat cables. Always a difficult measurement to achieve, measuring the minimum diameter of the flat cable has been a demanding application. In old days customers were instructed to guide the cable through a two axis gauge and hope that the twist was minimal, allowing for a somewhat good measurement of the minor axis. To avoid twist in wire and cable applications is said to be almost impossible. The Laser 2030 FR and Laser 2050 FR are designed with two laser diodes per axis to give multiple tangent points around the circumference of the cable, which are used with the geometry of the cable to calculate the maximum and minimum values even with up to 15 degrees of twist of the cable in the production line. This unique approach is said to have been highly successful with industrial power cables, fiber optic drop cables, non-metallic house wire and more.
Where the application demands even more information, the Laser T series has been developed to give three axis measurements of production for exact diameter and ovality in the same small package as the Laser series. Driven by engineering, this manufacturer looks at the information provided by the gauge and calculates the true ovality, not just a difference of the maximum and minimum, but the calculation of the minimum and maximum by a theory of two ellipses.
Sikora International
www.sikora-usa.com |
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| X-Ray And Metal Detector System |
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An extra wide combination E-Z Tec Dual-Beam Multi-Zone X-Ray and Metal Detector System is offered by the company. This state-of-the-art device is said to offer optimal detection and precise rejection of virtually any foreign object for packaged or bulk flow applications. Working together, the X-Ray is said to provide customers with unsurpassed foreign objects detection for ferrous, nonferrous, stainless steel and non-metallics such as stone, glass, bone and some plastics. Additionally, the metal detector is said to provide for the best possible detection for aluminum, which is said to be the most difficult metal for the X-Ray machine to detect. An additional benefit of the dual beam X-Ray System is it offers zone detection as packaged or raw product moves through the unit. Rather than rejecting an entire row of product, the X-Ray unit will pinpoint a single product with a foreign object for precise rejection, thus allowing non-contaminated product to proceed. Moreover, the company's X-Ray Systems operate using very low beam energy because of the unique beam architecture. This design places the X-Ray System source very close to the belt/product, and thus, the lowest energy. The dual beam technology is also said to provide coverage for a conveyor belt more than 40 inches wide. Traditional X-Ray systems have accommodated belts up to 24 inches. The sheer size of the dual beam coverage is said to be unique to the industry, as well as the use of individual zones with dedicated rejects for each. The company's E-Z Tec DSP Metal Detector complements the dual beam X-Ray System by detecting ferrous, nonferrous, stainless steel and aluminium objects in packaged and raw product. The standard three-coil aperture arrangement sends a signal to the unit’s control for digital processing.
Eriez
www.eriez.com |
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| Epichlorohydrin Elastomers |
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While offshore wind farms are said to be an important source of the world’s future renewable energy supply, the sea is a hostile environment for wind turbines, wearing down their parts with saltwater and high shaft speeds. The cost and effort to replace these components is said to be high. That is why a German parts manufacturer is now using Hydrin epichlorohydrin elastomers (ECO) in place of nitrile rubber for the seals that secure the turbines’ blades. The company, Otto Haas KG in Nuremberg, Germany, has produced rubber and plastic parts for more than 60 years, and today creates high-quality seals for the wind industry. By using Hydrin rather than an NBR, the company is said to be able to double the life expectancy and increase the performance of the turbines’ seals. Long used in the automotive industry, and an excellent choice for industrial parts, Hydrin elastomers offer many of the same dynamic properties of natural rubbers, as well as many of the same desirable characteristics of nitrile and polychloroprene rubber, according to the company. With good resistance to heat, hydrocarbons and low temperatures, Hydrin ECOs are said to provide a good balance of properties not found in other thermoset materials. Replacing NBRs with Hydrin is said to enable wind turbine producers to install superior parts for turbines that require less maintenance. Locating turbines offshore is said to make them less obtrusive to residents, and the average wind speed and capacity is usually much higher than that produced by land-based turbines. Yet the cost of maintaining offshore turbines is said to be sharply higher. Using Hydrin seals, which last twice as long as NBR seals in off-shore environments, is said to reduce the number of needed replacements by half.
Zeon Chemicals
www.zeonchemicals.com |
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| Antistick Coatings/Lubricants |
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A series of water-based antistick coatings and lubricants is available for the processing of tires, rubber hose, belts, extruded profiles and rubber parts. These products are said to be operator and environmentally friendly, as well as being chemically and thermally stable. They can be used with cured and uncured rubber compounds. The products are said to provide a clear, colorless, dry film coating that will not contaminate the rubber compound or interfere with any post-curing process. The products contain no silicone oil, powder, waxes or heavy metals. These water-based, antistick coatings are said to provide superior performance, improved processing, ease of application, reduced scrap rates and are supplied as concentrates for economical usage. The products contain no hazardous materials and are suitable for use on medical, automotive, industrial, electrical, aerospace and food applications. The company's water-based, antistick coatings and lubricants are said to offer significant operational and performance attributes.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Silanes For Improved Rolling Resistance And Wet Traction |
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NXT silanes are said to help improve rolling resistance while retaining or improving wet traction. The NXT family of silanes has a unique molecular structure that can dramatically improve silica dispersion, improve processing, reduce hysteresis by shortening bond distance, and increase bond strength. These performance attributes typically can be achieved simultaneously with dynamic properties representative of equivalent or improved wet traction. According to the company, starting in 2012, European legislation will require that a label displaying tire rolling resistance, wet grip and noise ratings be attached to a passenger car or light truck tire at the point of sale. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has followed suit and established an informational program requiring that a label disclosing rolling resistance, wet traction and wear ratings of a passenger tire be provided to consumers to educate them concerning the effect of tires on automobile fuel efficiency, safety and durability. The new labeling requirements are said to underscore the importance of improving rolling resistance
without losing wet traction.
Momentive Performance Materials
www.momentive.com |
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| Nd-BR Rubber Grade Buna CB21 |
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As the first commercial application for Buna CB21 neodymium polybutadiene rubber (Nd-BR) from this manufacturer, the Kira Star golf ball is said to be a revolution in golfers’ sports gear. Its outstanding market success is said to be due in no small part to the properties of this newly developed high-performance rubber grade. Making use of Buna CB21’s ultra-high resilience, the Kira Star is said to be well equipped to achieve greater flight distances even when hit at low head speeds and with a low impact. As a consequence, the golf balls made by Japanese sporting goods manufacturer Kasco have sold about 3.5 times more than originally forecast since they hit the market a few months ago. Buna CB21 is said to be an Nd-BR that is characterized by ultra-high resilience, which efficiently converts the impact energy into kinetic energy and thus flying distance. Most golf balls use a three-piece structure to achieve bounce. But Kira Star golf balls get just as much bounce using a two-piece structure. This is because their core is made of Buna CB21, which offers high resilience without sacrificing the ball’s impact feel, spin or strength. The simple structure also gives full play to the properties of Buna CB21. The ball is designed to take advantage of the characteristics of the firm’s ultra-high-resilience Nd-BR. That translates into a greater flight distance and a superior impact feel.
Lanxess
www.lanxess.com |
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| 2010 Tire Shipments To Increase Three Percent |
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Washington, D.C - Tire shipments in 2010 are projected to increase by approximately 3 percent or approximately 7 million units to 267 million units, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Total shipments experienced an 8 percent drop in 2009 to 259.7 million units. The increase in tire shipments reflects the onset of the economic rebound, an increase in vehicle miles traveled and a slight uptick in auto sales. As a result, this rebound is projected to extend into 2011, reaching approximately 275 million units as the economic recovery gathers momentum. RMA’s Tire Market Analysis Committee forecast for key categories and their respective segments for 2010 includes: Original Equipment Passenger Tires - Passenger OE shipments declined by nearly 35 percent in 2009 to 24.6 million units, a low point for recent history, attributable to the economy and large vehicle production cuts. For 2010, light vehicle production is forecast to rebound slightly, resulting in an approximate 21 percent increase in OE passenger tire shipments to nearly 30 million units; Original Equipment Light Truck (LT) Tires - Consumer and commercial demand for LT OE tires was less severely impacted by the light vehicle production cuts. As a result, shipments declined only 4 percent to 2.79 million units, a 100,000 unit year-over-year drop. For 2010, this category will experience a nearly 10 percent increase to more than 3 million units, reflecting a strengthening economy; Original Equipment Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires - For 2009, this category decreased by 36.9 percent to 2.4 million units, attributable to the continued large economic slowdown in the commercial sector. For 2010, commercial activity is expected to pick up, resulting in a nearly 8 percent increase, or approximately 180,000 additional units; Replacement Passenger Tires - The sluggish economy, coupled with consumers looking to extract more miles out of their tires, contributed to a decline of 4.3 million units in 2009, representing a 2.2 percent decrease for a total of 189.5 million units. However, this sector is forecast to increase by nearly 1.7 million units in 2010, or approximately 1 percent, as the measured economic recovery gains hold and the number of vehicle miles traveled increases; Replacement Light Truck Tires - This market segment realized a drop of 6.5 percent, or 1.9 million units, for a total of 27.5 million units in 2009 as soft economic conditions impacted small commercial vehicles. Given that the number of vehicles for this market remains steady, the soft economic conditions and fewer vehicle miles traveled will contribute to another nearly 1 percent decline in replacement LT tire shipments in 2010 to approximately 27.3 million units; Replacement Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires - This market declined to 12.9 million units in 2009, a decrease of nearly 2 million units or 13.2 percent. However, this market will realize an increase of approximately 600,000 units in 2010 as the economy picks up, and more goods are shipped. The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods and other finished rubber products. RMA's Tire Market Analysis Committee is comprised of tire market professionals representing the major U.S. tire manufacturers, which account for over 90 percent of all U.S. tire shipments. Their analyses and forecasts of current and future industry activity include a review of RMA tire industry and economic data, government trade figures, and vehicle sales and production. TMAC develops its consensus view for tire demand from this process.
Rubber Manufacturers Association
www.rma.org |
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| World Demand For Carbon Black To Reach 11.6 MMT In 2013 |
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World demand for carbon black is forecast to rise 4.3 percent per year through 2013 to 11.6 million metric tons, bolstered by a healthy global rubber market over the same period. Gains will be exaggerated to some extent by the fact that growth will be rising off a relatively weak base in 2008, when a significant part of the world experienced the beginnings of recession. The vast majority of carbon black finds use as reinforcement material in vulcanized rubber goods, with over 60 percent devoted to motor vehicle tires alone. Carbon black demand from the tire sector is projected to increase 3.7 percent per year through 2013. The non-tire rubber carbon black market will expand 4.8 percent per year. These and other trends are presented in World Carbon Black, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm. The market for special blacks will advance a strong 5.9 percent per year to 1.2 million metric tons. While special blacks comprise less than ten percent of the overall global carbon black market on a tonnage basis, they command considerably higher per-kilogram prices than commodity furnace blacks. Carbon black manufacturers will continue to spend a disproportionate amount of their research and development budgets on the special blacks sector. The Asia/Pacific region will post the strongest gains in carbon black demand through 2013. The large markets of China and India will post particularly impressive gains due to a continuing rapid expansion in their respective motor vehicle and tire industries that will be driven by robust economic growth in both nations. China and India saw the largest increases in new carbon black capacity among all countries of the world over the 2003 to 2008 period, a trend that will continue through 2013. Demand for carbon black in the developed parts of the world will continue to post below-average gains through 2013. Carbon black demand in the U.S. and Western Europe will recover from declines experienced in 2008, but growth in both markets will continue to significantly lag the global average through 2013. The Japanese market holds particularly weak prospects, although growth in the country will be coming off a relatively strong 2008. World Carbon Black (published 02/2010, 284 pages) is available for $5,700 from The Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143-2326.
Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Copolymer Demand To Grow In 2010 |
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World demand for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) expanded by 4.5 percent in 2009, although the demand was considerably affected by output reductions in the automotive industry. With construction and automotive industries recovery, ABS demand is expected to further grow in 2010. When most markets for ABS are mature, it continues to find new applications. The market has become a general-purpose sector, where cost and productivity are the most important factors, and an engineering plastics sector is driving most of the industry's growth. ABS combines the resilience of polybutadiene with the hardness and rigidity of polyacrylonitrile and polystyrene. It is the largest-volume engineering thermoplastic resin. Within Polymers, Rubbers and Resins Reports Package 2010, a newly updated market report, "Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Copolymer (ABS): 2010 World Market Outlook And Forecast," has been recently issued at MarketPublishers.com. The report provides full and thorough ABS market analysis, including general information (properties, applications, manufacturing processes); world market characteristics (capacities, production, consumption, prices, trade by region and future projects); and overviews of regional markets by country (European, Asian, American, Middle East, African and Oceanian markets). The market research is accomplished by a list of major ABS suppliers and profiles of leading producers. ABS market perspectives through 2015 are given on a global and regional basis. The feedstock market for ABS is also briefly overviewed in the report. The report description and content are also available in Russian and in German languages. The research on ABS was worked out by Merchant Research & Consulting Ltd., an internationally recognized market research agency, specializing in the chemical industry. The "Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Copolymer (ABS): 2010 World Market Outlook And Forecast" is a part of Polymers, Rubbers and Resins Reports Package 2010, which also highlights polycarbonate, polyethylene high density, polyethylene low density, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, expandable polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, styrene-butadiene rubber and nitrile rubber markets.
Market Publishers
www.marketpublishers.com |
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| World Rubber Consumption To Reach 26.9 Million Metric Tons In 2013 |
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World rubber consumption is forecast to rise 4.1 percent per year through 2013 to 26.9 million metric tons, according to a report from The Freedonia Group. Gains will be exaggerated to some extent by the fact that growth will be rising off a weak recession-plagued 2008 base. A majority of rubber demand is accounted for by the motor vehicle sector, particularly via usage in tires. The largest national rubber market, China, will consume over one-third of all new rubber demand in the world through 2013, and account for 30 percent of the global rubber market in 2013. These and other trends are presented in World Rubber & Tire, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland, OH-based industry research firm. The Asia/Pacific region is by far the leading rubber consumer, accounting for 56 percent of global rubber demand in 2008. Moreover, the region will post the strongest growth in rubber demand through 2013, despite the fact that the important Japanese rubber market is expected to see a decline due to a fall in motor vehicle production levels in the country after a surprisingly strong performance in 2008. North America and Western Europe will continue to see subpar gains relative to the global average, although both regions will see an improvement from the declines of the 2003 to 2008 period. Non-tire rubber demand will outpace tire rubber demand through 2013. Demand for non-tire rubber products will benefit from rising industrialization levels in developing countries. Tire rubber demand will continue to benefit from strong growth in Asia. Concerns related to the environment and high gasoline prices will boost the popularity of more fuel efficient smaller cars, resulting in a decline in rubber usage per tire through 2013. Demand for synthetic rubber will register slightly slower growth than demand for natural rubber through 2013, but the former will remain more important. World synthetic rubber production capacity totaled over twelve million metric tons at the end of 2008. Natural rubber production is concentrated in Asia, with just the six countries of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam and China producing 90 percent of the world’s total in 2008. World Rubber & Tire (published January 2010, 571 pages) is available for $5,900 from The Freedonia Group.
The Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| Water-Based Rubber Lubricant |
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This water-based rubber lubricant can be used as an insertion and assembly lubricant. The product will provide a clear, inert, thermally stable lubricant coating with a low coefficient of friction and superior lubricity. Currently being used with a variety of rubber and plastic parts such as o-rings, diaphragms, hoses, seals, bushings and gaskets, the product will provide an inert coating that will not harm the applied surface. This product is environmentally- and operator-friendly, containing no VOCs or hazardous ingredients.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Aqueous Primer and Adhesive |
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A high performance aqueous primer and covercoat adhesive has been introduced for bonding during vulcanization to metal. Chemlok 8212 adhesive is designed for use over Chemlok 8008 primer. Chemlok 8008 primer helps to ensure environmental resistance of the bonded assembly and adhesion to the substrate. Chemlok 8212 will bond a variety of elastomers to primed metal during vulcanization. In addition to bonding to various natural and synthetic elastomers, Chemlok 8212 adhesive will also bond to cold rolled steel, phosphatized steel, aluminum and other various substrates. The environmentally-resistant adhesive provides excellent resistance to hostile environments including salt water and heat. The adhesive and primer are ready to use directly out of the container without dilution and are not prone to settling. The primer is environmentally friendly, as well, because it is formulated with low VOCs and HAPs for reduced emissions, allowing for a safer work environment and regulatory compliance. It can function for many materials such as steel, phosphated steel, nylon, aluminum and brass. The Chemlok 8008-8212 system was developed to provide customers a high performance, environmentally-friendly adhesive option.
Lord
www.lord.com |
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| Signs of Timid Recovery in 2009 |
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Brussels, Belgium -- According to a report published by the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association, "The tire industry had mixed feeling for the year 2009. The decrease of passenger car tire sales in the replacement market in 2009 was less big than in 2008; however, the original equipment market (OEM) still recorded an 18 percent decrease. During the last quarter of 2009, a small but constant increase was reported for both markets. We shall see if the upcoming months will confirm whether the tendency that we have witnessed in the last couple of months will continue, or was it only a short correction of the market. The total 2009 passenger car tire sales (replacement market plus OEM) were around 260 million units. Looking at the major markets in 2009, only Germany, Italy, Austria and Poland increased their sales, but the volume is still less than in 2007. Meanwhile, in France, U.K. and Spain, the markets maintained their sales, or even a small amount of decrease was reported. The truck market continued to be seriously depressed in 2009. The replacement sales suffered a further 16 percent decrease compared to 2008. The OEM sales were 62 percent lower than in 2008. The total sales (replacement market plus OEM) reached only 10 million units, which is a 30 percent decrease compared to 2008. In 2009, all markets have further declined and the negative tendency continued. The agriculture segment also witnessed a 16 percent decrease in 2009 compared to 2008.
European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association
www.etrma.org |
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| Water-Based Mandrel Lubricant |
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A water-based mandrel lubricant has been developed for hydraulic, industrial and automotive hoses. This product is said to have increased lubricity and an extremely low coefficient of friction to allow for ease of mandrel removal. Benefits include ease of hose removal, no transfer, elimination of I.D. defects like pinholing, and increased efficiency while reducing overall rejection rates, according to the company. The product was designed with no hazardous ingredients or VOCs, providing an environmentally-friendly plant atmosphere. Samples and supervised plant trials are available upon request.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Elastomers Distributor Sees Signs of Market Recovery |
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Principals at Alliance Polymers and Services, LLC, predict sales of TPUs (thermoplastic polyurethanes), among other soft elastomers, will grow 20 percent to 30 percent during the first quarter of 2010, most notably in the automotive and industrial sectors. These forecasts are based on company sales and customer inquiries this past quarter (fourth quarter 2009). APS began operations in 2009 as a single-stop-shop for both product sales and personalized hands-on technical support for companies needing specialized thermoplastic elastomers. Alliance is said to have become the fastest growing full service elastomer distributor and technical support service firm in North America. Giving credibility to the firms’ projections that TPEs are coming back strong is the fact that sales have been extremely good for APS, and much stronger than anticipated, according to company officials. “We’re seeing a definite increase in interest by designers, processors and marketers of plastic products, resulting in an unexpected spurt in sales,” noted Stephane Morin, co-founder of APS. “Compared to sales of similar polymers over the past months,” the plastics industry executive continued, “inquiries and orders these past 90-120 days have resulted in a massive jump compared to what the market was experiencing previously. We see a particular surge in interest for elastomers in two areas: automotive and industrial applications, and particularly for materials that provide a high degree of softness and durability.” As to why he attributes this spurt in elastomers revenues when both interest and sales have lagged over the past 15 months previous to October, 2009, Morin offers an answer. “Emphasis is now on finding more cost-effective product solutions and enhancements from companies that have accessibility to immediate inventories, can adjust formulations or provide additives to meet specific needs and/or who can provide personalized high level technical support.” With sales of elastomers increasing by as much as low double digits so far the past quarter, Morin and his associates predict that this is only the start of the resurgence of new growth in the many markets where TPEs (including TPUs, TPOs, TPRs and TPVs) are used, targeted for use or desired because of their favorable processing and end-use features and benefits. Alliance Polymers and Services, LLC, with headquarters, warehousing, shipping and technical support in Romulus, MI, is a full-service warehousing, distribution, shipping and technical service organization dedicated to helping TPU and other elastomer marketers and processors with all their product and technical support needs. The company is owned and operated by Roger J. Huarng and Stephane Morin, formerly with BASF Corporation.
Alliance Polymers and Services, LLC
www.alliance-tpu.com |
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| Tensile Tester Software |
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GraphMaster analysis software provides solutions for curve analysis and test data storage for materials testing instrumentation. GraphMaster directly interfaces with the company's 84-76 tensile tester. Software displays real-time curve, menu selection of popular test results and export features for results and curve data. The software captures test curve data with results and transfers test information directly to Excel, Access or Clipboard.
TMI Group of Companies
www.testingmachines.com |
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| Fatigue Tester Machines |
The EMT Series Servopulser fatigue testing machine is an environmentally-friendly option for dynamic strength testing. It operates exclusively on efficient electrical power. In addition, EMT testers do not generate waste oil or contaminate surrounding lab areas. With closed-loop (servo) control, the Servopulser allows stable loading over a wide range of test forces and displacements (strain), according to the company. This is said to make it ideal for dynamic or static testing of resins, rubbers, biological samples, and automobile and electronic parts. EMT Servopulser testers are capable of fast, large movements with sine wave cycle testing at speeds up to 2 m/s. The 24-bit rangeless Servo Controller 4830 is said to provide high-resolution test force and movement measurements, including offset loads and contact tests, as well as unique functions to perform varied text procedures. The series offers full digital control for auto-tuning control parameters and waveform correction.
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
www.ssi.shimadzu.com |
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| Tensile Tester |
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The Model 84-76 tensile tester is designed to test the strength of sheet materials including film packaging seals, adhesives, pressure sensitive tapes and a variety of low force tensile applications up to 1,330 N (136 kg, 300 lbs). The Model 84-76 tensile tester is said to be a robust, precision, tensile strength instrument suitable for rugged production environments, yet is designed to provide highly accurate measurements for research applications. The instrument has a small footprint just over 0.20 square meters (2.3 square feet) and features a large 5.7 inch color display, intuitive operator interface, software control, integrated printer and serial port for data collection.
TMI Group of Companies
www.testingmachines.com |
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| Material Thickness Gauge |
The MTG benchtop contact thickness gauge accurately and conveniently performs geometric dimensional testing (thickness measurement) on rubber, fabrics, foams, tapes/films and a wide assortment of other soft materials, according to the manufacturer. It employs specified presser foot (feeler) of a specific diameter/area and combined with a predetermined mass (weight) as noted in the ASTM D 3767 standard. The MTG system is supplied with the company's unique air damping feature that controls the rate of descent of the presser foot at the same rate for each test, thus eliminating human error resulting in superior repeatability, according to the company. If required, the rate of descent can be user-adjusted. The MTG system is supplied with a 16 mm diameter presser foot and 212 g mass. This configuration is commonly used for measurement of all rubber materials with a hardness of 35 IRHD or below. Optional presser foot diameters and related weights are available.
Rex Gauge
www.durometer.com |
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| Ozone Destruct Unit |
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The company's ozone destruct unit is a fully automatic operation for use on the firm's Orec 0500 and 0900 Series oven chambers, and can be adapted to other applications. Utilizing a bed of proprietary metal oxide catalyst, the unit is able to achieve over 99 percent destruct efficiency for concentrations up to 250 pphm. Unlike activated carbon, which requires continual replacement, the company's catalyst is not consumed by ozone. Destruction of ozone takes one-fifth of the reaction time required by thermal destruction. The unit comes with a warranty for one year on parts and workmanship.
Corporate Consulting Service Instruments
www.ccsi-inc.com |
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| Laser Line Sensor |
The high-speed EyeCon 2000 laser line sensor is said to provide system integrators with the latest technology to measure a wide surface area using a single gigabit Ethernet connection. The EyeCon 2000 line sensor is not only designed for high frequency and accuracy measurement of mat surfaces and shiny black materials, such as rubber, but also for measuring thickness and width and profiling component preparation stock material. According to the company, the new sensor is one of the fastest inspection laser line sensors available to the industry. The EyeCon 2000 laser line sensor provides a profile rate of 4,000 samples per second, without any sacrifice to quality and control. If the speed needs to be adjusted, the EyeCon sensor series provides a line laser profile rate of 2kHz for lower speed applications. Both profile rates are said to be ideal for high production output and the plant. The standard design features of the EyeCon 2000 sensor provide binocular vision inspection to observe the target from two different directions. The sensor also features a direct encoder input to control global synchronization better than +/- 1.0 microsecond using a gigabit Ethernet protocol. Integrating binocular vision and laser line projection into this sensor produces a high-resolution image of cross section data profiles. The total integration architecture of the EyeCon 2000 uses four sensors and an encoder signal, which has the capacity to deliver synchronized tire maps over one gigabit Ethernet connection at a high degree of repeatability and accuracy. Power over Ethernet allows mounting the sensor at a distance up to 100 meters away from the controller. The EyeCon 2000 uses the company's FireSync platform. This new sensor technology allows system integrators to upload their own custom algorithms. This reduces integration costs and eliminates the need for external computer power, since an external controller is no longer necessary (PC, PLC or any other device).
LMI Technologies
www.lmitechnologies.com |
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| Processing Additive |
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JV 46F is a newly designed, next generation processing additive for use in natural and synthetic rubber. It is said to be especially suited for applications in mineral filled (particularly silica) extruded compounds, but also offers advantages on transfer and injection molded products, according to the company. Mixing improvements are said to provide reduced mixing stages and faster mix cycle times. Physical properties are also enhanced, while heat build-up is reduced, according to the manufacturer.
Struktol Company of America
www.struktol.com |
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| Thermoplastic Elastomers |
STK40 Series thermoplastic elastomers have been found to overmold onto acrylics with excellent results, according to the manufacturer. Industrial and consumer products utilizing or made entirely from Lustran, Plexiglas, Perspec, Acrylite and Polycast, are said to be among the many acrylic resins that can benefit with added protective or decorative characteristics from this Elastocon TPE. STK40 TPEs now enable designers and processors of acrylic products to consider complementing existing products or creating new products that can have better functionality, more rugged performance and durability or improved appearance, or all of these characteristics or added benefits, according to the company. Specific overmold applications can include seals for increased weatherability or waterproofing, street lights, traffic lights, pedestrian signs, lenses, button gaskets, lighted street signs, linings or frames for protection or decorative touches, or feet, pads or bumpers to add new usefulness. The STK40 grade is said to offer excellent sealing properties, good surface finish, added protection and good feel with its relative softness (40 durometer A). It can be provided black or natural, in that this grade is said to have excellent colorability. In addition, the STK40 Series is said to offer many outstanding processing characteristics. The SEBS-based TPE can be supplied in 1,000 lb. or less quantities for compounding or as ready-to-use pellets. The company suggests applications might include aquariums, shower doors, windows, skylights, podiums, picture frames, bases, signs, displays, stands, lighting, lighting lenses, panels (up sides of escalators), food bins, jewelry and countertop displays, among others. At the present time, the company offers the 2800 Series and 8000 Series of TPEs, The SMR Series of TPOs, the STK Series for overmolding, and alloys, all of which can be injection molded, extruded, blow molded or compounded. The company's thermoplastic elastomers do not require drying and are offered for applications that require rubber-like properties, impact resistance, colorability, a good surface finish, easy processability, reduced material usage and numerous other features and benefits. All of the company's grades are free from latex, and are RoHS and California Proposition 65 compliant, with many of the company offerings being FDA compliant, as well as UL and NSF approvable, and are suitable for medical applications. The company can provide ISO reporting for manufacturing and shipping. All grades are reclaimable and recyclable.
Elastocon TPE Technologies
www.elastocontpe.com |
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| Tire Mold Cavity Lubricants |
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This global manufacturer of mold release agents offers DiamondKote tire mold cavity lube. In keeping with the firm’s core philosophy of formulating products that increase production efficiency, DiamondKote cavity lube was developed specifically to enhance the tire molding process. This new water-based formulation exhibits durability as much as three times higher than the competition, which brings a significant reduction in overall cavity lube consumption, according to the company. Such reduced spray frequency also allows for higher output in between applications, minimum downtime and maximum productivity, according to the firm. Additionally, DiamondKote reduces build-up of lube, rubber remnants and other contaminants on the mold surface, and therefore allows for longer intervals between scheduled mold cleanings. The ease of tire removal from the mold shortens open press time by up to 60 percent. DiamondKote cavity lube is available in five-gallon pails, 55-gallons drums and 330-gallon totes.
Franklynn Industries
www.franklynnusa.com |
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| Specialty Compounds |
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This manufacturer of silicone materials has expanded its product line to include specialty compounds targeted to specific applications and markets. These specialty compounds can be utilized in such diverse applications as light diffusion, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and self-bonding. The light diffusion compounds can be provided with varying degrees of transparency\translucency. They can be customized to fit processing needs, as well as specification requirements. The electrical conductive products range from high conductivity applications requiring less than 0.2 Ohms surface resistivity to low conductivity applications that fall in the semi-conductive or static conductive categories. Thermal conductive compounds can be provided for high conductivity or low conductivity requirements. The self-bonding compounds have been developed individually for bonding to specific materials, such as metals, plastics and polymers. In certain applications, the self-bonding compounds can be provided in a high consistency form or a liquid form. All of the specialty products can be provided in a full range of durometers, and they can be customized to fit specification callouts and processing needs.
SilCoTec
www.silcotec.com |
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| Stock Compounds |
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This company has established stock compounds based on Aflas polymers from AGC Chemicals Americas. These stock compounds, EE30475B and EE30478H, are available in the form of strip or slab, calendered sheet and extruded preforms. The company also uses these compounds to manufacture cured parts in the form of molded sheet (36" x 36"), continuous sheet roll and extruded profiles. Minimum order quantities of the stock compounds are only 10 pounds for strip or slab and 30 pounds for calendered sheet and extruded preforms. Customer specific compounds are welcomed, as well as compound development opportunities. Technical support is readily available for all of the company's stock and custom mixed compounds to help improve processing and reduce scrap.
Eagle Elastomer
www.eagleelastomer.com |
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| Fluoroelastomer Extrusions |
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Hoses, seals and square-rings, custom extruded from high-performance fluoroelastomers, are designed for use in hostile service conditions. The extruded products withstand extreme temperatures of -40 degrees F to +400 degrees F; resist attack by over 750 corrosive chemicals and liquids, including oil, gasoline, hydraulic fluids, hydrocarbon solvents and sulfuric acid; resist the effects of thermal cycling; and exhibit excellent abrasion resistance, according to the company. Other properties include a hardness of 60-90 durometer A; maximum tensile strength of 3,000 psi; good to excellent compression set; excellent resilience; and resistance to ozone, sunlight, UV radiation, salt spray and fungal growth. Ideal applications are said to include automotive and aerospace engines, chemical processing, pulp and paper processing, and other industrial applications distinguished by aggressive environments.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| HNBR Elastomers |
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Zetpol HNBR elastomers are designed to dramatically improve processing in injection molding applications without compromising the performance of the finished parts. Created specifically to aid in the injection molding of complex parts, the Zetpol HNBR collection provides a substantial improvement in mold flow, improved filling of mold cavities and a superior safety margin against scorch to help eliminate knit lines and part delamination, according to the company. Zetpol polymers are said to be proven to achieve an excellent balance of heat and environmental resistance, as well as outstanding dynamic properties.
Zeon Chemicals
www.zeonchemicals.com |
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| Propylene-Based Elastomers |
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Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers are being used as the carrier in masterbatch applications because they provide easy pigment dispersion and improved impact strength for high-end aesthetic applications, according to the company. Masterbatch compounding can be a demanding and technically sophisticated application requiring good dispersion, dilution and compatibility with the fabricator's resin. Failure to meet these requirements can result in finished products that exhibit poor mechanical and aesthetic properties, according to the company. Vistamaxx is said to provide good colorability and temperature stability to reduce scrap and lower the cost of the finished product. It also is said to have broad food regulation approval, allowing further market penetration into food contact/packaging applications. The masterbatch can be compounded and pelletized using a single or twin-screw extruder. The lower melt temperature and viscosity of Vistamaxx facilitates wetting of the solid particulate filler and pigments for better dispersion. A Vistamaxx concentration of between 20 to 30 percent is required for masterbatch applications, depending on the type of pigment and its surface area.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Zinc Oxide |
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USP-2 zinc oxide is said to be produced from the highest quality and purity zinc metal under carefully controlled conditions. It is specially produced to comply with the high purity requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia and the FDA (21 CFR 73.1991). USP-2 is said to provide excellent physical properties, has a bright blue-white color, fine texture and optimum particle size for maximum dispersion. Applications include dental, cosmetic and pharmaceutical, and it is prescribed in The National Formulary.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| UV-Active Silicone Rubbers |
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Semicosil UV is a room-temperature-curing siicone rubber which only crosslinks after irradiation with UV light. Semicosil UV cures within minutes, allowing rapid, economical potting of electronic components, circuit boards and photovoltaic components. Semicosil UV is said to be an easy-to-manage one- and two-component UV-active system based on polyorganosiloxanes. It is characterized by a long shelf life and rapid processing. Semicosil UV does not release any by-products as it cures, a property that is said to be highly desirable for potting electronic components. The curing rate of Semicosil UV can be accurately controlled by appropriate selection of the elastomer, UV dose and process temperature. Even at room temperature, Semicosil UV is said to boast very short activation and curing times. In consequence, cycle times for coating electronic components can be drastically reduced.
Wacker Chemie AG
www.wacker.com |
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| Rotary Injection Molding Machine |
The STI-SAM is an injection molding machine capable of handling eight molds simultaneously, with the option to increase to 12 or 16 molds as necessary. The curing cycle takes place at a station that is offset from the injection press with the molds kept firmly closed with tension bolts. Clamping pressure is 40 tons and the platen size is 200 mm x 200 mm. STI-SAM includes systems for loading insert metal and unloading finished parts, enabling automated production.
Sanyu USA
www.sanyu-sti.com |
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| High Pressure Injection Units |
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HP Series (high pressure) FIFO (first in, first out) injection units are available from the company. Responding to market demand, the company now offers injection units from 85 ccm to 24,200 ccm (approximately .225 pounds to 64 pounds) in shot volume with injection pressures up to 43,000 psi. Customers are faced with the reality of processing some very high durometer HNBR, Viton and nitrile compounds, according to the firm. Some of these high viscosity compounds on the market today are said to require an extreme amount of pressure in order to be successful during the injection phase. The FIFO HP Series injection units are said to give customers maximum process control while continuing to be extremely serviceable and access-friendly, according to the company.
Desma/KDE Sales and Service
www.desma-usa.com |
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| Press Series |
The Triton Series press features high end controls for pressure and temperature ramping. Featuring a clamping force range from 2.8 tons to 28 tons and 15” x 15” platen size, these new presses will be in stock at all times for immediate shipment. The PLC controller offers program storage for up to ten programs and a 3” touchscreen. The operator controls include two clamp close buttons, clamp open, emergency stop and power on/off controls. Guards on the new Triton include a manual hinged front with magnetic safety switch interlock, sheet metal wrap for easy removal for maintenance access and expanded metal windows. Many options usually quoted separately for other presses come standard on the Triton press.
Wabash MPI
www.wabashmpi.com |
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| Bodyply Stocksplice Handling System |
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This advanced system for bodyply stocksplice handling not only prevents interference between splices of two different plies, it also does this in a scrap reducing way and a way that is expected to reduce the dispersion of uniformity figures, according to the company. In the company's tire building machines, bodyply stock splice detection is part of the standard functionality. This system measures the position of all stock splices in the bodyply. If a stock splice would end up too close to one of the ends of a bodyply, the system automatically cuts off a piece of material to prevent this stock splice from being too close to its machine splice in the tire.
VMI Group
www.vmi-group.com |
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| Bulk Bag Unloader Brochure |
The firm's brochure describes the BulkBuster bulk bag unloader which is available in a variety of styles and options to accommodate all bag styles. Variations in bag capacity, bag height and width dimensions, inlet and outlet sizes and lifting loops can be accommodated. Options include bag jostlers, electric hoist, glovebox hopper, automatic bag slitter, vibrating hopper and traveling scissors lift. Included with the brochure are style sheets with illustrations of the forklift style and hoist styles for bulk bag unloading systems.
Dynamic Air
www.dynamicair.com |
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| Automated Tire Mold Cleaning System |
This company has expanded its line-up of Model SP-72 automated tire mold cleaning machines with a version engineered to handle extra heavy molds weighing up to 7,500 pounds (3,400 kg) on each of its two turntables. Single table mold cleaning machines are available from the equipment manufacturer, but its most popular configuration is dual 66-inch diameter turntables mounted on a shuttling transfer cart that allows loading and unloading of molds to take place during the blast cleaning cycle, thus making nearly non-stop operation possible. The track extension on which the transfer cart rolls is equipped with vacuum catch-trays to collect and continuously reclaim cleaning media that may be carried out of the processing chamber. The rotary table media-blast system features multiple pressure-blast nozzles fed by an ASME-certified pressure vessel that holds 6 cubic feet of media per charge. Electronic media level sensors installed in the vessel trigger a fault indication when a high or low media level is detected, so operators are alerted long before the condition could affect the integrity of the automated cleaning process. The media reclamation and delivery system is compatible with all types of dry blasting materials, including glass beads, plastic grit and microscopic metallic bead media. Motion of the blast nozzles in the SP-72 tire mold cleaning system is programmable, so dimensional data and the recipe for automatic processing of each different mold is stored and recalled on demand. The machinery designer and manufacturer offers several different types of nozzle motion systems, including linear, multiple-axis and robotic manipulation of the blast guns. The programmable logic controller has the capacity to store automated cleaning routines for one hundred different molds. Prospective users of automated tire mold cleaning systems are invited to submit sample molds for a free test cleaning and application engineering evaluation at the media-blast machine builder's factory in northeastern New York State. Each SP-72 automatic tire mold cleaning machine is custom-engineered, based on the requirements of the individual customer. The latest innovation is a turntable bearing and drive system capable of accommodating molds weighing up to 7,500 pounds. The direct pressure media-blast machine features programmable nozzle motion, with storage and recall of the cleaning process recipes for 100 different molds.
Guyson
www.guyson.com |
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| Electrically Heated Oven |
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The company's electrically heated oven is designed to cure rolls of butyl rubber tape. Rolls are loaded onto trays which are transported through the oven on a chain conveyor. The oven operation and conveyor indexing are controlled through a PLC. This oven is said to have increased production and decreased cure time compared to the company's existing oven.
Infratrol
www.infratrol.com |
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| Temperature Control Unit/Water Chiller |
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The TT-5500 E water chiller generates new possibilities in the process of heating and cooling. The model TT-5500 E is a combined unit with a cooling and heating capacity of 5 kW. This allows using this unit in a wide field of applications. It was especially designed for use on polyurethane machines. The most important innovation on this model is the integrated digital flow control. This survey instrument guarantees higher safety in the production process, according to the company. A reduction of the indicated minimal flow will be shown acoustically as well as visually. Any blocking somewhere in the system can be seen from the very first moment. Damages can be avoided as the production process becomes safer. The model TT-5500 E is the only water chiller on the market with an integrated flow control. Like all of the company's water chillers, the TT-5500 E works with the heat impassible cooling agent R-134a. This allows a problem-free function also at ambient temperatures of +45 degrees C or water temperatures until +40 degrees C.
Tool-Temp AG
www.tool-temp.ch |
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| Recognition and Metrology Software |
Version 4.1 of HexSight software has been released for high accuracy recognition and metrology. The V4.1 HexSight software adds further support for color image processing and hardware acceleration, and now supports Sony Intelligent Cameras. HexSight’s geometric pattern recognition technology offers flexible and reliable contour-based identification of objects unaffected by scale, orientation, lighting, occlusion, clutter, contrast reversal or even subtle color variation. After finding objects, HexSight delivers a flexible set of metrology tools to measure and confirm that the parts meet key tolerances. To maximize capabilities of the software, HexSight 4.1 incorporates a wide range of third party camera and frame grabber support. The latest release adds support for fully compliant GigE Vision cameras, adding to the current capability to work with any IEEE 1394 (Firewire) and USB camera that uses a DirectShow driver. HexSight 4.1 is said to be ideal for a vast array of machine vision challenges, including road sign detection, solar wafer inspection, shirt tag location and analysis, optical character recognition, brake pad inspection, part sorting and sizing, plus many other applications.
LMI Technologies
www.lmitechnologies.com |
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| Elastocon |
The company's EC 05 relaxation software is said to be user-friendly, as many functions can be made with a click of the mouse. Simplified functions include switching between graphic presentation in absolute force in F or F/F0; switching between absolute time and relative time; easy to zero the force; and all information is in the same window. New functions include evaluation points showing relaxation at different times; end condition can be set as F/F0 or time; and the possibility to calculate the median value when testing double or triple test pieces.
Elastocon AB
www.elastocon.se |
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| Contour-Based Object Recognition Software |
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The company's VC Smart Finder software library is said to have proven itself as a powerful pattern matching tool in various manufacturing applications, e.g., sorting and bulk material recognition. An enhanced version features optimized parameters, and scales objects and reliably matches them with preset patterns, irrespective of their distance from the sensor, according to the company. The software allows users to identify structures by means of preset patterns. The real-time program operates with subpixel accuracy: +/- 0.1 pixels positioning accuracy, +/- 0.3 degrees angle accuracy.
Vision Components
www.vision-components.com |
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| Machine Reconditioning |
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Machine reconditioning services are offered for existing rubber and silicone presses currently in production throughout North America. Many of the company’s customers are taking advantage of slow market conditions to rebuild and prepare for the pending recovery. This reconditioning program is designed to increase uptime and add years to the life of existing equipment. The machine is typically shipped back to the firm’s North American headquarters in Hebron, KY, where it is thoroughly cleaned, evaluated and inspected by a technician. The facility has two overhead cranes (20 ton and 5 ton) for disassembly and rebuilding of large components. Typical upgrades to the machines include a hydraulic system overhaul, heating platen resurfacing, electrical component upgrades, software enhancements, as well as temperature control unit servicing. Items like the injection screw, barrel and check assembly are either rebuilt or replaced. Many of the parts needed for reconditioning are stocked in Hebron, which houses several million dollars in parts inventory. The clamping cylinder, transportation cylinders and injection cylinders are checked and rebuilt using OEM seals. Hydraulic cylinders can be re-manufactured. Machine safeties are all confirmed or upgraded to original working order. For legacy support, the company can repair the machines control system, dating back to their 962 Series from the 1980s. However, many customers take this opportunity to upgrade their controls to the latest technology, the DRC 1210. This same controller as on the firm's new presses gives the customer advanced processing control to help fine-tune the injection process. The reconditioning program is said to add years of productive service to the life of a press. This is said to give customers the possibility to add longevity and improve the performance of a piece of equipment purchased years ago, with a relatively small investment. A typical overhaul takes about four to eight weeks, depending on the overall condition of the press.
Desma/KDE Sales and Service
www.desma-usa.com |
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| Rubber-To-Metal Bonding |
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Bonding of diverse polymers with metals, fabrics and composites, some of which are known to be extremely resistant to bonding, is one of the specialties of this rubber products manufacturer. Unlike molders which focus largely on the mass production of standard items from traditional elastomers, this company focuses its highly specialized capabilities on the custom development and production of precision-finished small parts distinguished by complex geometries and tight tolerances. Although the company works routinely with traditional natural and synthetic rubber compounds, such as urethane or polychoroprene, this firm is often called on to mold products from exotic elastomers, such as fluoroelastomers and fluorosilicones. From its 8,500 square foot plant in suburban Philadelphia, PA, this company manufactures a wide range of parts varying in size, shape, color and durometer hardnesses. Capabilities include injection, transfer and compression molding, robotic processing, post-production trimming and cryogenic deflashing. This company is also said to be unique in performing, under one roof, every phase of product development, from formulation and mixing of the rubber compound through design and machining of tools, dies and molds to construction of a prototype and full production.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| Thermoset Resin Information |
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The Thermoset Resin Formulators Association (TRFA) invites the industry to "Ask TRFA" technical, logistics and management questions related to the thermoset resin industry. Questions may be posed on the association web site at www.trfa.org and will be assigned to one of TRFA's market-focused committees: Adhesives and Sealants; Coatings, Civil Engineering, Flooring; Composites and Tooling; and Potting, Encapsulation and Electrical. Question submitters will remain anonymous. Answers to general technical questions will not involve confidential information or trade secrets. "Ask TRFA" is one of a handful of initiatives the association has launched to better serve its growing membership as well as the larger thermoset resin industry. TRFA is said to be the only organization dedicated to serving the needs and interests of all thermoset formulators and has a broader focus than just epoxy. In addition to "Ask TRFA," the association has compiled a substantial library of technical presentations, all of them available free-of-charge to association members via a members-only web site, and to other interested individuals within the industry for purchase. An important list of more than 160 regulatory acronyms is also available on the public web site. TRFA's Regulatory Committee publishes fact sheets covering regulations that have been passed by governments, and issue alerts covering new issues, trends, etc., that are not yet regulations. These are available on the members-only web site. TRFA is comprised of thermoset formulators and fabricators, raw material suppliers, distributors, equipment manufacturers, manufacturer sales representatives of materials or equipment, importers of raw materials or processing or other equipment, consulting firms and academic institutions serving industries which include adhesives, coatings, civil engineering applications, electrical laminates, composites, tooling, castings and moldings.
Thermoset Resin Formulators Association
www.trfa.org |
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| Virtual Prototyping |
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Literature describes the company's real world virtual prototyping services. Modern product development standards integrate materials and computer-based technologies. A product concept can be fully evaluated on the screen prior to tooling and prototyping. This way, materials, design, processing, assembly and/or functionality can be altered at will until an optimal solution is achieved, according to the literature. Such a virtual approach, based on FEA and CFD (finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics), is said to allow the generation of rich, detailed and revealing behaviors of complex materials for performance and manufacturing.
Windsor Industrial Development Laboratory
www.widl.ca |
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| Five-Axis Milling Center |
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This company recently ordered a new DMU 100 Monoblock five-axis milling machine from Deckel Maho. The DMU 100 gives the firm yet another large machining center capable of producing tooling for their vertical and horizontal injection press sized up to 630 U.S. tons of clamp force. The DMU 100 milling center can machine mold plates and inserts sized up to 45” x 28” x 28”. The 24,000 rpm spindle speed is ideal for machining “mirror-like” finishes in pre-hardened tool steel, including stainless steel. The DMU 100 Monoblock also offers true five-axis capability. This feature allows for the production of very complex geometrical shapes such as cavity cores. A tilting head on the machine allows for cavity engraving of large cavity inserts and mold plates. The company has also expanded operations by hiring two additional mold makers/CNC equipment operators. This company is said to be a leading provider of injection molding machinery for the automotive, medical, infrastructure and energy markets. The firm is a pioneer in providing complete molding solutions (packages), including machinery, tooling and automation to the rubber molding community. In early 2008, the firm expanded its North American operations to include domestic mold and cold runner production. The company now has design, manufacturing and subsequent testing services centrally located in its Hebron, KY (greater Cincinnati region) facility.
Desma/KDE Sales and Service
www.desma-usa.com |
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| IRSG Offers Latest Rubber Statistical Bulletin |
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The Secretariat of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) publishes comprehensive data on production, consumption, trade and prices, covering both natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubber (SR), on a quarterly basis in its flagship documents, the Rubber Statistical Bulletin and the Rubber Industry Report, with the latter also containing the latest analysis and short-term forecasts. Concurrently, the Secretariat’s biannual World Rubber Industry Outlook presents the latest long-term forecasts for the next ten years, covering the world economy as well as the vehicle, tire and rubber sectors, while the impact of a number of alternative scenarios on future rubber consumption and production is also considered. The October-December editions of the Rubber Statistical Bulletin and the Rubber Industry Report, as well as the December edition of the World Rubber Industry Outlook, are now available from the IRSG. Global rubber consumption remained below a moving annual total of 20.8 million metric tons throughout the third quarter of 2009, with the year-on-year decline in consumption slowing marginally to -12.0 percent in September 2009, compared to a low of -12.8 percent reached in July. Global rubber production (both NR and SR) appeared to level off at 21.1 million metric tons during the third quarter, at which point the decline in output reached -10.9 percent; the last time a fall of this magnitude was recorded was in August 1975. In the short term, following the declines seen in 2009, and assuming a relatively strong recovery in the world economy, global rubber consumption (both NR and SR) is forecast to reach 23.9 million metric tons in 2010, with NR production of 10.4 million metric tons. In the longer term, global rubber consumption is forecast to reach 30.4 million metric tons by 2019, with NR production of 14.0 million metric tons. All IRSG publications are available free of charge for member governments and members of the Panel of Associates. Annual subscriptions and single copies can be purchased by non-members via the web site of the IRSG (www.rubberstudy.com).
International Rubber Study Group
www.rubberstudy.com |
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| 2009 Tire Shipments To Post Thirteen Percent Decline |
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Tire shipments are projected to drop by approximately 13 percent in 2009 primarily due to sharp decreases in demand for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) passenger and commercial truck tires, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Total 2009 tire shipments are projected to decline approximately 36 million units to 246 million units. This decrease reflects the difficult economic environment for automotive manufacturers over the past year, continued low consumer confidence and high unemployment. Tire shipments peaked at 321 million in 2000. Vehicle miles traveled is on par with 2008 levels as the domestic economic conditions for both the consumer and commercial sectors appears to have stabilized and are poised for a rebound in 2010. As a result, the tire industry is expected to realize a nearly 6 percent growth in 2010 reaching the 260 million unit level. RMA’s Tire Market Analysis Committee forecast for key categories and their respective segments for 2009 include: Original Equipment (OE) Passenger Tires - Large decreases in domestic vehicle production due to plant shutdowns will result in a nearly 43 percent decrease in 2009 OE tire shipments to approximately 22 million units. The federal government’s “cash for clunkers” program pulled forward future years’ vehicle sales into 2009, which mitigated an even steeper drop in OE tire shipments. An improving economy and a rebound in vehicle production and sales are anticipated in 2010 resulting in a nearly 8 million unit increase projected for OE tire shipments. This projection does not account for any possible changes to the auto industry from further federal intervention or consumer incentive programs; Original Equipment Light Truck (LT) Tires - This category will experience an approximate 9 percent decrease, or 300,000 units, in 2009 to nearly 2.7 million units due to slower economic conditions and its impact on the commercial sectors which utilize light truck vehicles. Little or no growth is anticipated for 2010 as domestic vehicle production is projected to remain weak; Original Equipment Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires - A nearly 41 percent decline to approximately 2.3 million units is anticipated for 2009 – a decrease of approximately 1.6 million units. The economic rebound anticipated for 2010 along with pent up demand for vehicles is projected to result in a net gain of approximately 350,000 units; Replacement Passenger Tires - Shipments will decrease approximately 12 million units to nearly 180 million units for an approximate 6 percent decline. Growth is anticipated to resume in 2010 with the replacement sector estimated to increase by approximately 4 million units, or about 3 percent, as economic conditions improve. Non-RMA imports accelerated in July and August prior to imposition of a three year Chinese import tariff on Sept. 26th. These imports are anticipated to drop off dramatically in October and remain at depressed levels through the three year period; Replacement Light Truck Tires - This segment represents a core group of consumers and the small commercial vehicle market – mainly “class 3” trucks. The onset of the economic recovery has limited the impact of the decline in LT tire shipments to nearly 3 million units, or 11 percent, for a total of approximately 26 million units. Little or no increase is anticipated in 2010 in keeping with commercial economic forecasts and the impact of the Chinese tire tariff; Replacement Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires - The market is anticipated to decrease by approximately 2.3 million units in 2009 to nearly 12.6 million units. Given the uneven economic rebound forecast for 2010, this market is expected to increase by less than 1 million units to nearly 13 million units.
Rubber Manufacturers Association
www.rma.org |
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| Thermal Analysis For Rubber Research |
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The Ztherm modulated local thermal analysis option is available for the company's MFP-3D and Cypher AFMs (atomic force microscopes). The Ztherm provides highly localized heating with sensitivity to materials property changes, more than an order of magnitude improvement in volume over that previously available with commercial systems, according to the company. A standing problem with existing AFM-based thermal analysis systems is said to be thermally induced bending of the cantilever that results in spurious deflection signals and variable loads being applied during heating. The company has developed a patent-pending cantilever compensation and control solution that corrects this problem, providing constant-load detection of thermally induced melting, phase transitions and other morphological and compliance effects for materials studies and material identification. In addition to standard thermal analysis capabilities, the Ztherm package can also be used to evaluate contact stiffness and dissipation as a function of temperature with advanced techniques.
Asylum Research
www.asylumresearch.com |
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| Linear Position Sensors |
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Magnetostrictive Temposonics linear position sensors are now available with a faster update rate option that allows for updated measurements every 100 microseconds, providing even greater accuracy for demanding industrial applications such as injection molding machines, extruders and thermoforming machines, according to the company. The fast update rate option, available for SSI and EtherCAT protocols, is said to fulfill high, dynamic requirements by shortening the cycle time for a measured value so the controller can read the absolute position values with an update frequency of up to 10 kHz (independent of measuring length) synchronized with an external control clock to provide 26-bit absolute position data every 100 microseconds.
MTS Systems
www.mtssensors.com |
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| Rubber Analysis By Pyrolysis GC/MS |
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Routine analysis requires automation due to the increasing demand for shorter analysis times, higher throughput and cost reduction. The Pyromat allows users to load up to 24 samples for unattended analysis. All parameters such as temperature, pyrolysis times and GC conditions can be defined for each sample, if required. The Curie-Point-Pyrolyser can be installed or removed from the GC in just a few minutes, allowing for easy change between pyrolysis and liquid injection. The advantage of Curie-Point-Pyrolysis is said to be the use of ferromagnetic material which heats up in a very short time inside a magnetic field to a defined Curie-Point temperature. With increasing temperature, the permeability of ferromagnetic materials decreases. At the Curie-Point the relative permeability of the sample carrier falls suddenly and the status changes instantaneously from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic. Applications for pyrolysis include polymers, copolymers, elastomers, synthetics, rubber, and more.
GSG Mess- Und Analysengerate
www.gsg-analytical.com |
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| Lump Detection System |
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With the Lump 2000 Series, the firm is said to offer outstanding dimensions for the detection of lumps and neckdowns in two or three measuring planes. The heart of the Lump 2000 devices is said to be advanced double sensor technology. The systems detect non-conformities in the product surface, even at a line speed of up to 9,800 fpm (3,000 m/min.). The outcome of this technology is said to be precise fault detection and analysis for the smallest non-conformities of 0.0004 inch (0.01 mm). Simultaneously, the lump detectors stand out for highest reliability and comprehensive functionality, according to the manufacturer.
Sikora
www.sikora-usa.com |
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| Specialty Elastomers |
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Three grades of Vistamaxx specialty elastomers have been introduced that are said to exhibit a very low gel count, making them ideal for high performance film and fiber applications. Like all Vistamaxx specialty elastomers, these grades can be blended with polyethylene and polypropylene, or used as interfacing layers with PE and PP structures to deliver excellent tie layer and lamination performance, according to the company. Offering very low seal initiation temperatures combined with high seal strength, they are said to be ideal for use as a sealing layer in coextruded structures. Easy to process and available as free-flowing pellets, Vistamaxx 3020FL, Vistamaxx 3980FL and Vistamaxx 6102FL elastomers are also said to offer good optical properties and good chemical structures.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Expanded Rubber Chemicals Product Line |
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An expanded line of private label rubber chemicals is offered by the company. The portfolio includes Stangard antioxidants, antiozonants and scorch protection additives, as well as a complete line of accelerator curatives. The company's sources are ISO certified chemical companies that combine world class production facilities with globally competitive prices. The firm's Stangard and accelerator products are said to benefit customers with value and quality backed by the company's renowned service and technical support.
Harwick Standard Distribution
www.harwickstandard.com |
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| Water-Based Mandrel Lubricant |
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Water-based mandrel lubricants for flexible, rigid and bent/formed mandrel built hose, antistick coatings for pan-cured hose products, and coatings for cure tape are available for in-house testing or customer sampling. Products are operator- and environmetnall-friendly, and are suitable for use in automotive, hydraulic, industrial, chemical and food hose applications. They are designed to provide superior mandrel ejection and removal of finished cured hose. Benefits are said to include ease of mandrel ejection, low blow-off pressure, no pinholing, elimination of i.d. contamination and improved coupling retention. The company's products are thermally stable and chemically inert. Antistick coatings are said to provide superior hose appearance, improved processing and ease of application.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Spark Detection/Extinguishing Systems |
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Spark and ember generation is said to be a constant danger in facilities where combustible materials are being worked, processed, transported, dried, filtered or exhausted. The insurance company statistics point out that silos, dust collection filters, bins and even complete production lines are the areas of greatest risk, according to the company. OSHA is currently working on a Combustible Dust Standard that will also affect the rubber industry. Be prepared by checking NFPA 69, 654 and local codes for safety guidelines. The company's spark detection and extinguishing systems, as a preventative measure, can reduce the risk of fires and dust explosions in production equipment, dust collectors and pneumatic conveying systems by extinguishing sparks and embers before they reach the dust collection filters, silos or bins.
GreCon
www.grecon-us.com |
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| Precipitated Silica |
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Rubber grade precipitated silica (reinforcing fill for rubber) is available from the company. Reinforcing precipitated silicas are used in tires, hoses, belt conveyors, thermoplastic elastomer compounds and other rubber applications.
Alternative Rubber & Plastics
www.altrubber.com |
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| Bench Press Retrofits |
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Retrofit kits are now available for all of the company's 20-50 ton manual bench presses. These manual presses are the benchmark for short run rubber and plastics molding, batch testing, material development and evaluation, adhesive bonding, composite lamination and development and numerous other laboratory and light production applications. This company offers this retrofit/refurbishment/upgrade for its older model presses in kit form so that previous buyers can update their presses to match a current model, extending the older machines' useful service lives.
PHI
www.phi-tulip.com |
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| Horizontal Injection Molding Machines |
This company manufacturers a wide range of horizontal injection molding machines for rubber in tie-bar and tie-bar-free configurations. These machines can also be fitted with customized demolding automation and can be easily converted to run HCR. The smallest machine in the range is the 15 ton “15HG3” horizontal press with a standard platen size of 200 mm x 200 mm and standard injection volume of 100 cc. Designed for accurate, volume production of smaller parts, this press incorporates all the advanced controls and features found on larger injection presses.
Sanyu USA
www.sanyu-sti.com |
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| Inline Tubing Dies |
The Series 900 of inline tubing dies is said to offer improved extrusion performance and capabilities to customize at standard, off-the-shelf prices. The series is applicable to extrusion of hose or pipe ranging from 0.005" (0.127 mm) to 8.0" (635 mm) in diameter for all types of OEM, food service, automotive, industrial, telecom and medical applications in polymer or rubber. The Series 900 technology offers these key benefits: Achieves concentricity or “product roundness” which greatly reduces material usage compared with other types of extrusion tooling; spiderlesss inline-designed heads results in no spider lines and allows room for more air, thus eliminating cold legs, which can inhibit product output; runs one to five layers simultaneously; and is engineered for a multitude of applications, including special fluropolymer applications. The Series 900 features a patent-pending FeatherTouch adjustment in the die holder and a cartridge-style ball assembly that does not require the loosening of retaining screws to make adjustments. Additional benefits of the Series 900 are said to include the company's Seal Right Systems, a positive seal, which eliminates leakage between deflectors, along with easy self-alignment that reduces operator error during assembly and is adaptable to a variety of specific extruder layout configurations.
Guill Tool & Engineering
www.guill.com |
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| Patented Rotor |
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Literature is available from the company describing its NST rotors. These patented rotors utilize the shear intensive wing design of the company's ST rotor in combination with a distributive wing designed to circulate material axially within the mixing chamber. The result is said to be the perfect combination of material flow and shear intensity that creates uniformity in the mix very early in the cycle.
Farrel
www.farrel.com |
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| Materials handling motors |
The CB1120 motor replaces the company's Marathon MB1150. The Compact CA AND CB motors are said to have been very successful since the CA was launched in the mid-1990s. The CB motor, which came out in 2002, replaced the smaller Marathon motors rated at up to 800 Nm/bar, and this spurred on the development of replacements for the remaining, larger Marathon motors, known within the company as Magnum. It was this CBM study that led to the development of the CB1120. So far, the new motor has been tested for more than 2,900 hours in the company's laboratory, with excellent results. The motor is based on proven technology, but because it is produced in a larger capacity there are additional piston forces acting on components such as the connection block. This has therefore been strengthened and a new casting developed to cope with the higher loads the motor is subjected to. The number of components has been reduced considerably compared with the MB1150, in line with Hägglunds’ commitment to modular motor construction. Besides the advantages of lower weight and smaller diameter, the new motor is also more versatile, since it can be built with smaller steps in torque capacity.
Hagglunds Drives AB
www.hagglunds.com |
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| Industrial Equipment Re-Seller |
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This online auctioneer announced the launch of its latest website. As a leading re-seller of used industrial equipment, the new site has improved functionality giving a more focused customer experience. The site lists all of the equipment sales that are live at any time plus details of all services offered from asset management to valuations. The firm has sales daily in all parts of the world selling the entire range of industrial equipment. To assist buyers, the site can be viewed in seven different languages, which assists in the fulfillment of any sale. Thousands of lots are sold every day.
GoIndustry DoveBid
www.go-dove.com |
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| Reburbish And Retrofit Services |
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In the current economic climate, new capital equipment spending is becoming increasingly difficult to justify and this company is providing weighing upgrade and equipment refurbishment solutions to enable customers to make the most of their existing weighing equipment. Some customers even have old pieces of equipment they thought to have been beyond repair; or they have purchased a second-hand unit that needs a bit of attention to get it working. This company can provide cost-effective upgrade/refurbishment solutions, which can be implemented with minimum impact on current operations. The recent refurbishment of a Richard Simon weigh-belt feeder illustrates what can be achieved. This weigh-belt feeder was previously surplus to requirements and when originally removed from a blending operation it had not been cleaned down. Congealed product had jammed most of the belt drive mechanisms and had started to rot away some of the electrical control boxes. Despite being in a poor condition, a survey revealed that the structural framework and major components were in a good condition and it was suitable and economically viable for refurbishment. The unit was carefully stripped down and those structural items to be reused [feeder casing, weigh frame and belt carriage] were shot blasted and re-sprayed. Once this work had been completed, the feeder was reassembled. Where appropriate, new parts were incorporated into the rebuild, including a belt, scrapers, bearings, springs, loadcell, terminal boxes and wiring. Once the feeder had been reassembled, it was retested and recalibrated prior to dispatch back to the customer. Other equipment refurbished by the company includes weighers, feeders, controllers, bag holders, bag placers and palletizers.
Chronos Richardson
www.chronosrichardson.com |
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| Custom Fabricated O-Rings |
Custom fabricated O-rings made from specialty materials for use in a wide range of pumps, valves, compressors and devices used in medical instruments and other critical sealing applications are being introduced by the company. The specialty o-rings can be made from perfluoroelastomer (PTFE), Viton, polychloroprene, nitrile, EPDM, solid and cellular urethane or silicone, and Santoprene. Designed to match specific application requirements, they can be spliced, vulcanized and supplied in sizes from 1/32” to 48” I.D. with 1/16” to 1/4” cross sections, depending upon material and construction. Material selection for the company's specialty o-rings depends upon customer requirements with regard to fluid compatibility, temperature and differential pressure, abrasion and tear resistance, configuration, service conditions, installation considerations and other factors. They are available in hardness from supersoft to 90 durometer. These specialty o-rings are priced according to material, configuration, and quantity. Representative samples and price quotations are provided upon request.
Interstate Specialty Products
www.interstatesp.com |
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| Custom Rubber Mixing |
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The custom formulation and mixing of traditional and advanced rubber compounds is a specialty of this company. Since its founding in 1956, the company's research and development staff has mixed all of the most common natural and synthetic elastomers in use today, as well as many advanced elastomers, such as fluoroelastomer and fluorosilicone. The company also offers cost efficient custom mixing in a variety of batch sizes, including small batches for testing and larger batches for molding and extrusion production runs. To ensure thorough dispersal, uniformity and superior quality throughout the mixing process, the company maintains a full range of testing and measuring instruments, such as Monsanto's computer-driven moving die rheometer. Because of its extensive mixing experience, the company is often called on to mix compounds formulated from the more costly and difficult-to-handle modern elastomers.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| Mixing Room Information Systems |
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In the field of rubber compound production, the increased demands on quality, output, efficiency, adherence to delivery dates and flexibility require fast and efficient decisions by the persons responsible in the mixing room, according to the company. Well-founded information is said to be required as a basis for decisions. This means that it is of vital significance to have the “right” information at one’s disposal for being able to make the “right” decisions. For the process of acquiring decision-relevant information, this company and its partners have developed the software product Advise. This software solution for the mixing room makes use of technologies being in use successfully for several years in the field of controlling and finances. With the so-called data warehousing, all available data in the mixing room are in principle prepared by means of special calculatory processes (data mining) and are stored into a database in multidimensional data structures. For the analytic evaluation of the so stored data, it makes use of business intelligence technologies (BI). Practically, the different analysis results are displayed in so-called dashboards in tabular and graphical form. The only thing required for the access to the dashboards is a web-browser. Predefined analyses with regard to output, cycle times, process data, material weighing data, material consumption, histograms (frequency distribution), down times, OEE and laboratory data are available. It is possible to implement special customized analyses to the system. This kind of system will become an indispensable tool for decision-makers, being responsible for controlling and ensuring a sustainable future and success in the mixing room, to justify and document decisions, according to the company.
HF Rubber Machinery
www.hfrmusa.com |
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| Thickness/Distance Measurement Software |
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Measure Tracks is a software package that is designed to measure thickness or distance to a product. It is designed to be used with any of the company's non-contact laser displacement sensors for in-process operation. The user can measure up to six tracks across the width of a web. Real time thickness results are displayed on the PC monitor, as well as trending results. Measure Tracks provides process regulation to control the height of a skiving knife, the gap between rollers, etc.
Freedom Technologies, LLC
www.measurementtechnologygroup.com |
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| Modular Vision Sensor Platform |
A complete modular vision sensor platform of hardware and software components has been developed under the company's FireSync brand. The system allows fast and easy integration of components into a scalable machine vision system, along with microsecond synchronization. The FireSync platform allows developing a single unified design for building vision applications ranging from smart sensors to complex web scanning systems anywhere from specification to final assembly. FireSync is said to solve the classic problem of synchronization between lighting, camera and processing components and allows developing a fully scalable design. The FireSync platform consists of a number of tightly integrated OEM hardware and software components. Components include sensor controllers, camera and embedded sensors, machine vision software, industrial computers, lighting and others. Components selected can be configured in a number of different ways, depending on the need and application. With high performance image streaming, these components are combined with
proportional/functional control of sub-components, the synchronization of image collection to within microsecond accuracy, simple cabling and impressive stitching. The FireSync platform includes a number of machine vision firsts. For example, use of high speed Serdes chipsets gives the sensor controller the capability to offer images of up to four CMOS-camera channels to stream data to the FireSync M200 sensor controller at speeds up to 320 Mbytes/s.
LMI Technologies
www.lmitechnologies.com |
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| Instantaneous Dispense Feedback |
Two feedback processes, the AdShot and TopShot feedback systems, have been introduced to ensure proper material delivery every time. The AdShot feedback system is designed for the Advantage Dispensing Solution. The AdShot provides immediate communication feedback from the controller to the pump motors. Should the controller sense a feedback that is not consistent between the two, the dispense will immediately shut down and notify the operator. This acts as a fail-safe to ensure products are dispensed on ratio and according to the specifications set forth. The AdShot system can be retrofitted into most existing Advantage dispensing solutions, or can be integrated into new Advantage machines as they are built. The company has also introduced the TopShot feedback system, designed for the Signature Series dispensing systems. The TopShot offers continuous feedback for all aspects of metering, mixing and dispensing. The company's diagnostic components provide rapid identification of any problems within the system. Automatic continuous data logging of process conditions records data for both baseline and changing component efficiency comparisons, and potential need for shut-down or maintenance. Users can input set tolerances for alarm conditions and system shut-down in the event of off-ratio dispensing. Standard data logs include all error messages, start times, programs selected, number of shots taken and periodic pressure, voltage, current draw and air supply. A network connection is also included to allow remote access. By automatically notifying the operator if any of these symptoms occur, TopShot will not allow off ratio dispenses.
Fluid Research
www.fluidresearch.com |
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| Tabletop Universal Testers |
The Autograph AGS-X Series tabletop universal testers deliver efficient, precise tensile and compression tests for the rubber, plastic and film industries. With the AGS-X, users can perform a three- or four-point bending test, peeling test and tear tests on various materials, including thermostatic resins. The AGS-X crosshead achieves 1,500 mm/minute return speed, significantly reducing the time required to conduct repetitive testing. An optional jog controller allows handheld control of the crosshead position, making fine positioning simple. The high level of precision (±0.5 percent of the indicated value), wide application range of the self-recognized load cell (1/1 to 1/500 load cell rating) and newly designed electronics provide a high-class tool at an affordable price. Operators will find using the AGS-X easy because the heights of the multipurpose tray and table for jig mounting have been significantly lowered. This ergonomic design provides comfort to operators during daily operation. In addition, the open design of the multipurpose tray surface can accommodate a large number of test specimens and jigs. The AGS-X provides users with comprehensive safety measures, including one-touch stroke limiters and a safety guard. Stroke limiters offer one-touch adjustment and firm locking of the crosshead stroke limit positions. The vertically sliding safety guard opens easily with one hand and comes equipped with an interlock function. The AGS-X utilizes the new and easy-to-use Trapezium Lite X software. A refined interface provides easy one-touch method selection. The company has automated many tedious operations using macros so that a sequence of operations frequently conducted after testing is now fully automated. The “Quick List Method” makes frequently used tests easy to find, and many built-in functions test in accordance with JIS, ISO and ASTM methods.
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
www.ssi.shimadzu.com |
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| Precise Length Measuring System |
The Length 6000 measuring system is offered for non-contact online measurement of produced lengths of hoses and tubes. The Length 6000 is suitable for length measurement at extruded round products. For this method, the product profile and its movement are defined and thus the speed and the produced length calculated. The technology of the Length 6000 is based on an optical measuring principle. In combination with two laser diodes, two image sensors are positioned next to each other. The product passes the first image sensor, which defines the shadow of the product shape. The exposure of the second image sensor occurs when the product shape, which has been recorded by the first image sensor, passes the second sensor. Hence, the characteristics of the shapes of both sensors are identical. The delay time for the exposure of the second image sensor is calculated and controlled adequately by the result of the correlation of both characteristics of the contours. Thus, the Length 6000 exactly determines the produced length of the hose or tube. Conventional length measuring devices using the principle of frequency shift, the so-called “Doppler-effect," are suitable for the measurement of flat materials such as paper, steel sheet or textile. However, this technology bears difficulties for length measurement of profiles with round or blank surfaces. The technology of the Length 6000, which defines the length through comparison of image patterns, is also reliable for round products and for products with blank surfaces. The system calculates the length independent from whether the product is going forward or backward. Moreover, the measurements already start at zero line speed. The use of length measuring devices in hose and tube extrusion lines contributes to extreme cost savings, assuming an extrusion line produces hoses amounting to approximately $42.390 million/year. Any savings associated to the production length results in an additional value. If the delivery length is reduced by as little as 0.1 percent, $42,390 can be saved.
Sikora
www.sikora-usa.com |
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| High Resolution Flow Meters |
Two new variations of the Model 294 microprocessor-based transmitter have been added to the company's flow meter product line. This firm has leveraged its state-of-the-art meter encoding software to include analog output options in both +/-10 Vdc and +/-20 mA configurations. Based on the same platform as their ultra high resolution frequency transmitters, the analog versions similarly offer 16 point linearization to hold accuracy within 0.2 percent of reading, digital filtering for precise repeatable smoothing of the output signal, and user selectable anti-dither adjustment from 1 to 100 percent of a meter rotation to prevent erroneous counting under vibrating or flow pulsing conditions. When combined with the company's line of positive displacement flow meters, the Model 294 transmitters cover difficult applications involving wide ranges, low flow rates and full +/-10 Vdc and +/-20 mA outputs for bi-directional flow indication.
Max Machinery
www.maxmachinery.com |
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| Spark Detection Systems |
Spark detection systems available from the company reduce the risk of fires and dust explosions in production equipment, pneumatic conveying and dust collection systems by extinguishing sparks before they reach the filter. Sensors detect a spark's infrared radiation and trigger a fine mist of water, extinguishing the spark without interrupting production and greatly reduce the risk of personnel injury, equipment damage and downtime, according to the company. The firm also offers control consoles and extinguishment manifold assemblies. The company's redesigned web site features a video on the principle of spark detection systems.
GreCon
www.grecon-us.com |
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| Ozone Climate Simulator |
The SIM 6050-T ozone climate simulator offers an ozone test chamber that allows for freely adjustable ozone test ranges of up to 300 pphm and testing temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. The integrated high quality ozone analyzer MP 6060 provides stable values of ozone which is generated from thoroughly filtered ambient air, using an ozone generator of the company's Ozomat COM product range. The device provides for gas exchange rates of more than 200 l/h and can be ordered with integrated data recording facilities.
Anseros Klaus Nonnenmacher GmbH
www.anseros.de |
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| Miniature Dial Durometer |
The Model H-1000 Mini-Dial durometer is said to be both compact and easy to use. Its small dial face and included leather clip-on carrying case make it easy to carry around the shop or out in the field, according to the company. The H-1000 durometer holds the maximum reading until reset by pressing the button on the top of the gauge. The max-hold feature and small dial size make the H-1000 a good choice for hard to reach places, or for out of sight testing. The Model H-1000 conforms to the ASTM D-2240 standard and is available in Types A, D, B, C, DO, E and O.
Rex Gauge
www.durometer.com |
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| Tire Cavity Lubricants |
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This global manufacturer of mold release agents has introduced DiamondKote tire mold cavity lube. In keeping with the company's core philosophy of formulating products that increase production efficiency, DiamondKote cavity lube was developed specifically to enhance the tire molding process. This water-based formulation exhibits durability as much as three times higher than its competition, which is said to bring a significant reduction in overall cavity lube consumption. Such reduced spray frequency also allows for higher output in between applications, minimum downtime and maximum productivity. Additionally, DiamondKote reduces build-up of lube, rubber remnants and other contaminants on the mold surface and therefore allows for longer intervals between scheduled mold cleanings. The ease of tire removal from the mold shortens open press time by up to 60 percent.
Franklynn Industries
www.franklynnusa.com |
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| Advanced Performance Fibers |
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Kevlar Advanced Performance fibers have been developed to serve an ongoing need for higher performing materials in industrial applications. The Kevlar AP product line is based on a new technology platform that increases performance compared to standard Kevlar fibers and can result in cost savings and greater design flexibility for manufacturers supplying automotive, construction, oil and gas, ropes, fiber optic cables and utility customers. The first offering in the new line is Kevlar K29 AP. Kevlar AP fibers are said to provide higher performance and cost-effective reinforcement solutions for industrial applications, including automotive, construction, oil and gas, ropes and fiber optic cables. Kevlar AP applications include tires, belts and hoses for the automotive industry, and cables and ropes used in the construction, oil and gas, and utility industries. The company estimates the global demand for high-strength materials in automotive applications such as tires, hoses and belts alone will double within the next five years, driven by the need for reduced weight, fuel economy and higher performance at elevated temperatures. Kevlar K29 AP is available in a range of deniers with up to 15 percent higher strength than standard K29, giving manufacturers greater design flexibility. It now is available for new product testing and development applications globally.
DuPont
www.dupont.com |
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| Water-Based Rubber Lubricant |
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McLube has developed a new water-based rubber lubricant. This product provides a durable, dry, colorless film coating that bonds tenaciously to the applied surface. It has proven to provide excellent lubricity, a low coefficient of friction and superior slip/stick properties, according to the company. McLube can be used as an assembly lubricant, insertion lubricant and as a dry film lubricant coating on cured, uncured and extruded parts. This product is environmentally- and user-friendly, containing no hazardous ingredients of any kind. The lubricant is thermally and chemically stable. This product will provide lubricity, stick/slip and antistick properties in one product. Being a dry film coating, McLube water-based lubricants will not attract dirt and dust like wet, oily or greasy lubricants. McLube is currently being used in the automotive, aerospace, electrical, industrial and medical industries.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Plasticizer Optimization Webinar |
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This free, on-demand webinar demonstrates the Paraplex Approach, an innovative way for compounders to develop new PVC and nitrile rubber products based on end-use properties they select. These custom-engineered plasticizers offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional “off-the-shelf” products by optimizing the performance composition for each application. Using a computer-aided response surface map, the Paraplex Approach webinar shows how ideal performance levels vary in different applications based on critical properties selected by the compounder. The maps demonstrate how to adjust the plasticizer’s composition to maintain optimal performance while reducing raw material costs.
HallStar
www.hallstar.com |
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| Thermoplastic Vulcanizate For Automotive Interiors |
Santoprene TPV 8211-85 M350 is a high-flow thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) providing a unique “comfort touch” and excellent surface qualities for automotive interiors while offering significant cost reduction opportunities. The “comfort touch” provided by Santoprene TPV M350 prevents the cushion-like indentation that is often associated with alternative foamed material structures when pressed. Santoprene TPV M350 meets the needs of automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers looking for cost-effective solutions to enhance the appearance, style and feel of a range of automotive interiors, according to the company. It offers a range of benefits including high “comfort touch," low and stable gloss level, high scratch and mar resistance, good abrasion and chemical resistance, and low fogging and odor emission. Also colorable, Santoprene TPV M350 is said to be ideal for door panels, center consoles, B-C pillars, lower instrument panels and the back cover of seats. Santoprene TPV M350 can be processed using two-component injection molding or mono-sandwich molding onto a rigid PP substrate to produce an unfoamed structure that does not indent. Either process provides an over-molded TPV skin with a high “comfort-touch." Providing an excellent cost/performance balance, Santoprene TPV M350 is said to be an ideal alternative to materials currently being used such as rigid polypropylene (PP), PP with soft-touch paint, and in some cases PVC or TPO skins.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Precipitated Silicas |
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Mansil 130 (sprayed dried) and Mansil 130G (granules) are white precipitated silicas. They are reinforcing fillers for use in synthetic and natural rubber compounding. The spray-dried silicas have a larger particle size than the milled type silicas. Advantages are said to include faster incorporation time and less viscosity buildup while maintaining excellent dispersion. The granulated form greatly reduces irritating dust for all applications where powdery material cannot by tolerated. Precipitated silica increases hardness, tensile strength, abrasion and tear resistance. For mechanical rubber goods, the silicas can be used as the primary filler or in combination with carbon black. In tire applications, these silicas improve rolling resistance, flex fatigue and enhance traction. In adhesives compounding, silica provides an additional method of promoting improved adhesion, as well as providing reinforcement. Silicas are universally applied to provide increased abrasion resistance, green strength and translucence in the formulating of shoe sole compounds. Lightly loaded compounds are prepared using 5-20 phr while highly loaded, oil extended compounds can use 75-100 phr.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Specialty Nitrile (NBR) Powder Products |
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Specialty types of NBR powder are now offered by this company. These powders are said to be particularly suitable for processing from solution to adhesives; seals; abrasion applications and friction lining; and modifying resins such as PVC, EVA, PUR and more. Many particulate sizes are available to meet customer's needs.
Alternative Rubber & Plastics
www.altrubber.com |
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| Cold Runner System |
The patent pending Vario cold runner system is said to be the first cold runner which allows
easy adjustment of the nozzle positions and thus is adaptable to most molds. On one model, the nozzle distances could be continuously adjusted from 240 mm to 460 mm without changing balancing. The Vario cold runner system can be delivered with a varying number of nozzles and with a customized designed adjusting range. The main advantage is that this cold runner can be used for complete groups of molds, and thus its usage is quickly refinanced because of the material savings even in case of small quantities per mold. Especially as far as the seal production and in particular the article arrangement is concerned, one is no longer tied to fixed nozzle positions that often entailed compromises concerning the maximally possible number of cavities. The adjustment of the nozzle position is made from outside by means of a socket wrench. Each nozzle can be adjusted individually which is additionally advantageous for the production of large seals with several injection gates. The different nozzle positions in the adjusting range are either totally flexibly adjustable or, if requested, indexed. As an alternative, all possible positions can be pictured through a template enabling an easy and fast changing of the nozzle position. After adjusting the nozzle, it only needs to be secured from outside against being twisted. This is realized by means of a locking screw.
Desma
www.desma.biz |
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| Two-Component Elastomer And Thermoplastic Processing |
This automation solution is built around an energy-efficient electric Allrounder 470 A with two horizontal injection units in an L-configuration and a vertically-operating Multilift V robotic system. With its electric two-component Allrounder 470 A, the company offers a machine for the processing of elastomer and thermoplastic. In order to manufacture the molded parts precisely and energy-efficiently in automated production, the combination of an electric Allrounder 470 A with a clamping force of 1,000 kN and a Multilift V robotic system has been selected. In addition, the machine is equipped for elastomer processing and features two injection units in sizes 400 and 170. The larger of the two injection units operates conventionally, injecting horizontally through the fixed platen, while the smaller one, in an L-configuration, injects centrally into the parting line from the rear of the machine. The size 400 injection unit is responsible for processing the thermoplastic, and the size 170 unit, featuring elastomer equipment, is responsible for the final injection of the soft component. The 15.4 gram coolant pipe with three integrated seals is produced from elastomer in a cycle time of 135 seconds. The component, which is used in the automotive sector, has a length of approximately 50 millimeters and an overall diameter of 32.5 millimeters. The machines of the electric Alldrive series are suitable for a very wide range of applications. With this two-component application, the main focus is on the precise operation of the electric series. This results in high reproducibility and part quality being ensured by the excellent positioning accuracy of the electric movement axes. Thanks to the precision of the axis movements, synchronous entry into the mold can be performed quickly and precisely, optimizing cycle times. Depending on requirements, the auxiliary axes can either be driven electrically like the main axes, or hydraulically by means of an integrated small-accumulator hydraulic system.
A further advantage of these electric machines is their low energy consumption. The company's range features a special equipment package for elastomer processing. This includes a cylinder assembly specially optimized for the processing of elastomers, as the material is plasticized at relatively low temperatures and is only vulcanized in the electrically-heated mold. For this reason, a precise and constant temperature profile must be maintained in order to prevent premature vulcanization in the plasticizing cylinder. In order to dissipate the shear energy created during the plastification of this highly-viscous material, the elastomer cylinder is temperature-controlled via liquid medium temperature-control jackets. Careful material preparation is guaranteed by plasticizing screws. Open nozzles are employed as standard for elastomer processing. The simple geometry and low shearing in this nozzle system reduce the risk of premature crosslinking. Usually, the elastomer cylinder module is equipped with a specially shaped material inlet (feed yoke). The strip or band material is fed into the yoke in such a manner that it can be gripped and drawn easily by the screw. A 1-plus-1-cavity mold is used. Especially with the two-component processing of elastomer and thermoplastic, special demands are made on the mold design, as hot and cold areas must be reliably separated from one another. The challenge is, on the one hand, to ensure an optimal mold temperature for both materials, and on the other hand, to guarantee optimal heat separation between the elastomer cold runner and thermoplastic hot runner systems. The Multilift V used for turning the pre-molded parts in the mold and for removing and setting down the finished parts on a conveyor belt enters the mold vertically. It features a maximum load weight of 15 kilograms and a special rotating and swivelling axis. The Multilift V is fully integrated in the Selogica machine control system, allowing convenient programming. All three servo-electric axes are designed to enable quick and precise execution of complex set-down tasks. In addition, the robotic system features a special gripper design, which was specially developed and implemented to perform the required tasks. Mold heating takes place using adaptive heating circuits which can be directly programmed and regulated via the machine’s Selogica control system. Furthermore, up to six temperature control devices can be operated directly by the control system via the interface. Vulcanization times and dosage delays can also be entered via the Selogica system, and venting and compression injection can be controlled. Finished, injection molded elastomer parts are frequently ejected using brush or mold ejection devices. These are also integrated into the Selogica machine control system via a flexible interface and have their own unique symbols. Thus, all of the typical elastomer processing sequences can be easily implemented by the machine operator without costly special programs.
Arburg GmbH
www.arburg.com |
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| Air Aging Ovens For Polymers |
This company began 22 years ago with a range of cell aging ovens for polymers which offered major improvements in the control of temperature (uniformly throughout the complete chamber) and precise control of air velocity and exchange rates. Improvements in performance such as these have permitted the preparation of International Standards with tighter specifications which has improved test accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility within the industry. This company has since designed and manufactured an extended range of testing instruments for rubbers and plastics, one particular specialization being a continuous stress relaxation apparatus whose performance is enhanced by utilizing the precision aging ovens. Control of precise temperature over long periods has been found to be critical when determining product lifetime predictions from test periods lasting for more than 1,000 hours. The firm has now launched a new range of cell aging ovens which incorporate a number of improvements based on the knowledge gained from selling over 200 cell ovens since the company began. The ovens are manufactured in four or six cell configurations with either single or individual cell temperature control. Improved insulation for lower energy consumption results in lower external surface temperatures. Lower surface temperature is provided.
A new touch screen control utilizes a micro PLC, featuring individual cell count down timers and alarm history. Each cell can get a test name. Reduced height versions are offered specifically for stress relaxation tests with an integrated draught hood. A version for temperature cycling from -40 degrees C to 200 degrees C will follow shortly.
Elastocon AB
www.elastocon.se |
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| Automatic Hydraulic Laboratory Presses |
Auto Series automatic hydraulic laboratory presses feature the enhanced “NE” digital control system. Offering 15 to 30 tons of clamping force and 6" x 6" to 15” x 15” platens, these benchtop presses are used in quality control and research and development for test sample preparation, destructive testing, molding, laminating and fluid extraction. The new “NE” controls feature a full touch screen interface, a proximity switch for adjustable slowdown position, and all heat is controlled through a PLC and interface. The “NE” controls can easily switch between degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius and between pounds, kilograms, tons and metric tons. Auto reheat at the end of a cycle and automatic bump sequence can be programmed.
Carver
www.carverpress.com |
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| Electric Cabinet Oven |
The No. 1013 is an electrically-heated, 350 degrees F (~177 degrees C) cabinet oven, currently used for curing rubber parts at the customer’s facility. Eight workspace openings with roller supported shelves each measure 36” wide x 6-1/4” high x 24” deep. 45 KW are installed in Incoloy-sheathed tubular heating elements, while a 7,800 CFM, 5-HP recirculating blower provides horizontal airflow to the common central duct of the oven to heat the load. This Grieve cabinet oven features 4” thick insulated walls, an aluminized steel interior and exterior, a top mounted heat chamber with access doors and 200 lb. capacity shelves that extend 24” in front of the oven for easier loading. The No. 1013 is also equipped with a digital indicating temperature controller, manual reset excess temperature controller with separate contactors, recirculating blower airflow safety switch and all required safety equipment for handling flammable solvents, including explosion venting door hardware. A programmable timer, interlocked to each door via a proximity switch, plus green lights for each door to indicate when curing time is completed are also onboard this oven.
Grieve
www.grievecorp.com |
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| Pelletizing Technology |
Pelletizing technology has been added to the company's Black Clawson Converting Machinery brand
offering. This includes a new air ring pelletizer, a pelletizer retrofit design to increase pelletizing capacity, a new die plate design and a conversion kit to double the life of the knife assembly on existing Black Clawson Converting Machinery pelletizers. The new air ring pelletizing system design complements the company’s full line of underwater and water ring equipment. This design enables cutting of materials that should not come into contact with water quench media or those with a low enthalpy (heat removal) requirement. The air ring system can be applied to almost any pelletizing process application. Pelletizer debottlenecking retrofits are available to increase production capacity utilizing an “X” model version, which denotes extra capability. This model design can increase throughput by up to 25 percent while minimizing cost and keeping the equipment footprint the same. The latest pelletizer die plate design can increase product throughput rate proportional to an increase of die plate orifice holes in a given die model size. This technology also improves cutting face longevity, internal heat media distribution, and allows ease of cleaning. In addition, a newly available conversion kit makes it possible to double the life of the cutting knife assembly on Black Clawson Converting Machinery pelletizers. This technology has a fast payback while improving the on-stream factor, reducing scrap and reducing maintenance costs.
Davis-Standard
www.davis-standard.com |
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| Research Report On Chinese Rubber Industry, 2008-2009 |
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According to a research report available from ReportLinker, "In the first half of 2009, the growth rate of Chinese rubber industry scale decreased compared with that in the same period of 2008. From January to May, the sales of Chinese rubber products was RMB 163.951 billion, rising by 3.81 percent year on year; the growth rate declined by 22.45 percent year on year. The growth rates of various costs saw obvious decrease compared with those in the same period of the last year. From January to May of 2009, the total cost of Chinese rubber products was RMB 153.514 billion, increasing by RMB 6.763 billion year on year. Among that, the cost of sales was RMB 140.467 billion, rising by 1.85 percent year on year; the growth rate declined by 25.65 percent year on year. The selling expense was RMB 4.965 billion, rising by 14.18 percent year on year; the growth rate decreased by 12.73 percent year on year. The cost of administration was RMB 5.72 billion, increasing by 4.1 percent year on year; the growth rate fell by 14.28 percent year on year. The financial cost was RMB 2.361 billion, rising by 22.56 percent year on year; the growth rate rose by 4.27 percent year on year. In the first half of 2009, the total investment in fixed assets of the Chinese rubber industry was RMB 28.461 billion, rising by 30.6 percent year on year; the growth rate rose by 20.7 percent year on year, 1.3 percent higher than that of the entire manufacture in the same period. The investment in the rubber industry took up 1.14 percent of that in the entire manufacture; the proportion rose by 0.01 percent year on year. In the first half of 2009, the outputs of Chinese radial ply outer tires, outer tires and galoshes were 134.7 million, 304.166 million and 953.286 million pairs, respectively. The outputs of radial outer tires, outer tires rose by 1.21 percent year on year and 10.10 percent year on year, respectively, while the output of galoshes decreased by 1.93 percent year on year. In the first half of 2009, the export value of Chinese rubber products totaled $4.617 billion, decreasing by 16.9 percent year on year; the import value was $4.251 billion, decreasing by 28.4 percent year on year; there was a surplus of $366 million in Chinese rubber industry, rising by $753 million year on year. There are many favorable factors for the Chinese rubber industry. The Chinese government has issued a series of policies to stimulate the economy, such as Plan on Adjusting and Revitalizing the Auto Industry, the improvement of tire export rebates, duty-free import of composite tires, etc. This is beneficial to the development of the entire industry. The improvement in the industries of transportation, coal, electricity, building materials and machinery will promote the development of related rubber products. The optimization of product structure in large tire groups and the rapid development of high performance tires will averse risks in the future development of the rubber industry. Rational increase in the productivity and output of domestic composite rubber will provide a guarantee for the development of downstream industries. However, there are unfavorable factors for the Chinese rubber industry such as the international output decrease of natural rubber and the export decline. As a result, the Chinese natural rubber industry and the global rubber industry display a trend of slow growth with violent fluctuation. It is predicted that the Chinese natural rubber industry will see violent fluctuation regionally in the first half of 2009.
ReportLinker
www.reportlinker.com |
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| 2009 Tire Shipments Revised To Drop 16 Percent |
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Tire shipments are projected to drop by approximately 16 percent in 2009, mainly as a result of a nearly 45 percent decline in original equipment manufacturer (OEM) passenger tires and almost 43 percent drop in OEM commercial truck tires, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Total 2009 tire shipments are projected to decline approximately 45 million units to 237 million units. This level is approximately 84 million units less than the peak of 321 million units in 2000. The decrease in tire shipments reflects the recent struggles of automotive manufacturers, low consumer confidence, high unemployment and depressed home values. Vehicle miles traveled seem to have stabilized and domestic economic conditions for both the consumer and commercial sectors appear to have bottomed and are poised for a rebound in 2010. The tire industry is expected to realize a nearly 8 percent growth in 2010, reaching the 260 million unit level. RMA’s Tire Market Analysis Committee forecast for key categories and their respective segments for 2008 includes: Original Equipment Passenger Tires: Large decreases in domestic vehicle production as a result of auto manufacturer production shutdowns and bankruptcy reorganizations will result in a nearly 46 percent decrease in 2009 shipments to approximately 21 million units. With the economy predicted to emerge from the recession in 2010, a rebound in vehicle sales and subsequent vehicle production is anticipated, which will result in a nearly 11 million increase in OE tire shipments in 2010. Note that this projection does not account for any changes to the auto industry as a result of further federal intervention or consumer incentive programs. Original Equipment Light Truck (LT) Tires: This category will experience an approximate 12 percent decrease, or 400,000 units, in 2009 to nearly 2.6 million units due to slower economic conditions and its impact on the commercial sectors which utilize light truck vehicles. There is continued consumer demand for vehicle fitments with p-metric passenger tires in place of LT tires, and as the economy gradually recovers in 2010, a nearly 100,000 unit gain is anticipated. Original Equipment Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires: Given the downward revisions in the economic conditions in the commercial sector, a nearly 44 percent decline to approximately 2.2 million units is anticipated for 2009, a decrease of over 1.6 million units. The economic rebound anticipated for 2010, along with pent up demand for vehicles, is projected to result in a net gain of approximately 500,000 units increase in shipments. Replacement Passenger Tires: As a result of the protracted economic downturn and the onset of economic recovery pushed closer to 2010, the market will realize another decrease of nearly 9 percent, or approximately 18 million units, reaching a level of 176 million units. Growth is anticipated to resume in 2010 with the replacement sector estimated to increase by approximately 5 million units, or slightly better than 3 percent, in tandem with the projected economic growth in the consumer sector. Replacement Light Truck Tires: Although the number of vehicles for this market remains steady and largely represented by small commercial vehicles, further declines in economic conditions are forecasted to contribute to a nearly 18 percent decline in replacement LT tire shipments in 2009 to the 24 million unit level. An increase of nearly 8 percent is anticipated in 2010 in keeping with commercial economic forecasts. Replacement Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires: The market will realize another decrease of over 3 million units in 2009 to approximately 12 million units as a result of the protracted recovery. Given the uneven economic rebound forecast for 2010, this market is expected to increase by less than 1 million units to nearly 13 million units. The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods and other finished rubber products.
Rubber Manufacturers Association
www.rma.org |
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| NR Supply Heading Into A Historical Fall - Review Of 12 Months Ended June 2009 |
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Global production of natural rubber (NR) is heading into a historical fall. Data for the 12 months ended June revealed a 4.5 percent drop in 2009, the steepest after 1952. More than 93 percent of the global supply of NR comes from the seven countries - Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, China and Sri Lanka. The total production in these seven countries in the 12 months ended June 2009 dipped to 8,703 thousand metric tons from 9,116 thousand metric tons in 2008 (January to December). NR production in Thailand fell by annualized 18.0 percent or 230 thousand metric tons in the first five months of 2009, according to preliminary estimates of the Rubber Research Institute of Thailand. An estimate for June is not available. Rubber trees in 64 thousand hectares were replanted this year. The resultant reduction in tappable area, adverse weather, relatively lower price and export reduction commitments under the IRCo’s Agreed Export Tonnage Scheme have affected the supply this year. Production during the 12 months ended May 2009 was only 2,860 thousand metric tons as against 3,090 thousand metric tons in 2008 (January to December). Thailand has revised down the average annual yield data for 2007 and 2008. However, the country’s future production capacity of NR has increased substantially by extensive cultivation taken place in the past few years. An extent of 615 thousand hectares was additionally brought under rubber cultivation during the period 2005-2008, according to revised estimates of the Rubber Research Institute of Thailand, reported in the first week of July. This will not impact on the supply until 2011. In Indonesia, NR output contracted 6.0 percent in the first half of this year from a year earlier due to shrinkage in tappable area by 76 thousand hectares, weather factors, fall
in export, reduced harvesting intensity and a decline in average yield. According to revised forecasts of the Directorate General of Perennial Crops in the first week of July, the average annual yield per tapped area is anticipated to decline to 937 kg/ha this year from 994 kg/ha in the year before. Under the government’s Estate Crops Revitalization Program, rubber trees in 55 thousand hectares were replanted this year. The revised forecasts show that the production would fall to 2,522 thousand metric tons in 2009, but marginally improve to 2,681 thousand metric tons in 2010. Indonesia produced 2,751 thousand metric tons of NR in 2008. During 2005-09 an area of 172
thousand hectares was newly planted with rubber which would start yielding after 2011. Production of NR in Malaysia dropped 25.4 percent year-to-year during the first half of this year as the tappable area shrank 20,000 ha and export dropped 32.0 percent. The production during the 12 months ended June 2009 was 930 thousand metric tons as compared to 1,072 thousand metric tons in 2008 January to December, according to preliminary data from the Malaysian Rubber Board. Rubber area in the country came down by 49 thousand hectares during the period 2005-2009 in spite of 11
thousand hectares newplanted during the same period. NR output in India dropped 9.4 percent in the
first half of this year, according to Rubber Board of India’s preliminary estimates. The southwest monsoon in the State of Kerala was unusually weak during June this year, for the second consecutive year, helping to continue harvesting without interruption. However, the resultant gain
in output could not fully offset the previous months’ output fall caused by severe drought in the state. The Rubber Board anticipates that the production fall would moderate to 1.9 percent in the third quarter of this year. According to the Board’s revised forecasts in the first week of July, the production during 2009 (January to December) would be 848 thousand metric tons, or 3.7 percent lower compared with the previous year. While tappable area would improve marginally, average
annual yield is anticipated to come down this year to 1,820 kg from 1,903 kg in the year before. India has scaled down the average yield anticipated for this year. During the period 2005-09, an area of 97 thousand hectares was newly planted in the country. In Vietnam, the production fell 7.2 percent in the first half of 2009 from a year earlier due to the ongoing replanting program which
reduced the tappable area by 16 thousand hectares. The country produced 651 thousand metric tons of NR in the 12 months ended June 2009, against 663 thousand metric tons in 2008 January to December. A 5.8 percent output fall is anticipated for the third quarter of this year, according to the Vietnam Rubber Association and the Vietnam Rubber Group. The average annual yield is anticipated improve this year to 1,700 kg/ha from 1,661 kg/ha in 2008. Vietnam expanded rubber area to an additional area of 195 thousand hectares by newplanting during 2005-2009. In sharp contrast to other NR producing countries, China and Sri Lanka witnessed a substantial rise in NR output in the first half of 2009. The production in China rose an annualized 78.0 percent in the first half of 2009, as per preliminary estimates of the China Rubber Research Institute in Hainan. This sharp rise largely shadows the previous year’s drastic fall in output due to adverse weather. The production during the 12 months ended June 2009 was 619 thousand metric tons as compared with 530 thousand metric tons in 2008 (January to December). A 7.6 percent rise in production is anticipated for the third quarter of this year. The production during January to December 2009 is anticipated to be 610 thousand metric tons which is 15.0% higher than the previous year. Although the expansion in tapped area in 2009 would be marginal, favorable weather and the resultant improvement in average yield is anticipated to bolster the output. China’s rubber area expanded by 214 thousand hectares during 2005-09 due to intensive newplanting during the period. In Sri Lanka, the production rose 5.4 percent year-to-year in the first half of this year, as per provisional estimates of the Rubber Development Department. The country produced 133 thousand metric tons of NR during the 12 months ended June 2009, posting a 3.1 percent rise from 2008 (January-
December). However, the production is anticipated to drop an annualized 1.8 percent in the third quarter this year. According to a revised forecast of the Rubber Development Department in the first week of July, the production would rise to 136 thousand metric tons in 2009 (January to December), by 5.2 percent from the year before. Newplanting undertaken during 2005-08 expanded the country’s rubber area by 10 thousand hectares.
Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries
www.anrpc.org |
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| Natural Rubber Supply And Demand Forecast And Price Outlook |
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The Rubber Economist Ltd. expects that the trough of total world rubber consumption may not hit bottom until the end of 2009. This means the decline this year, which is forecast at -9.6 percent, will be even worse than last year and the worst since 1942. Rubber forecasts have been scaled down steadily since the second half of last year. A fall off in 2009 is expected for most countries. However, the sharp decline globally depends significantly on the performance of China, which is expected to show a recovery in the second half of this year to show a positive growth by the end of the year. However, positive growth rates in world rubber consumption of 8.8 percent and 5.1 percent are expected for 2010 and 2011, respectively. Despite a return of a sharp growth rate, the average annual growth rate for 2009-2011 will only reach 1.0 percent, and much of the growth will mainly be in Asia/Pacific. This means rubber consumption may only rise to 22.97 million metric tons in 2011, which is lower than that of 23.04 million metric tons in 2007. Consumption of natural rubber (NR) is expected to show a sharper increase than for synthetic rubber (SR), i.e., an annual growth rate of 1.1 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively. The relatively lower price of NR when compared with SR helped to increase NR shares last year and is expected to do so again this year before the trend reverses in 2010 and 2011. Hence the world percentage of SR is forecast to decline only marginally to 56.2 percent by 2011 as compared to 56.3 percent in 2008. The increasing SR shares in Europe will balance out the decline in North America, leaving the world share relatively stable. Despite a slowdown in demand, NR output is expected to continue to increase by an average of 1.1 percent over the next three year period. The growth rate, particularly in major producing countries, may be a lot lower than during recent years; however, the relatively fast increase in production in Indonesia means it will move to a closer position to overtake Thailand as the number one producing country. The continued increase in production in India will also mean it may overtake Malaysia to become the third largest NR producer by 2011. Despite weaker prices than the first half of 2008, many smaller producing countries may find the price levels profitable enough with their lower cost of production. The steady rise in rubber prices since 2002 has resulted in an increase in new planting during this period in many smaller producing countries, which have lower price elasticity than the major producing countries. Unlike NR, many SR consumers are also producers, allowing them some flexibility. Hence, SR output is forecast to show a marginal decline by only -0.2 percent/year. Furthermore, there may be an increase of SR output in Asia in relation to other regions. The continued increase in rubber output in China means it may overtake Thailand as the largest rubber, NR plus SR, supplier. The world rubber economy, i.e., the total combined NR and SR consumption and production, has and will be increasingly dominated by Asian countries. In 2008, Asian countries comprised 7 of the 10 largest rubber economies. Furthermore, by 2011 Indonesia will overtake Japan for fourth place behind China, the USA and Thailand. A sharp slowdown in demand in relation to supply means NR stocks may continue to increase during the next few years. Compared to NR, SR stocks have and will continue to rise steadily, but not so sharply. Our forecasts indicate that the SR stocks to consumption ratio, which may increase relatively sharply in 2009 before a fall, will leave only a slight increase for the following three year period. This is in contrast to the global consumption to stock ratio for NR, which is expected to increase from less than three months to four months, a return to the level reached in 2000. Despite the rising stocks both in absolute terms and relative to consumption, NR prices may increase during 2009-2011. The important assumption is that the exchange rate of US$ to SDR will gradually weaken during this period. The change in the value of the U.S. dollar can influence both consumers and producers. In general, a weaker U.S. dollar results in higher commodity prices and vice versa. This certainly is true for NR, and in particular in 2008 when the U.S. dollar weakened in July, whereas previously it had been appreciating sharply against many currencies. So far in 2009, US$ has been fluctuating around a gradual depreciation trend, hence prices have been relatively stable, but show a gradual rise from the trough reached last December. In conclusion, after six years of growth, rubber consumption declined in 2008 and is expected to fall further this year. Even though a rise is expected in 2010 and 2011, growth may only reach 1 percent a year. Despite a slowdown in demand, NR output is expected to continue to increase. SR suppliers can simply turn off the tap as demand slows and hence there will be a gradual rise in stocks. Despite declining sharply in the second half, NR prices rose to a record high in 2008. Rising stocks will have a negative impact on NR prices, but they may not decline as much if the U.S. dollar is weakened.
The Rubber Economist Ltd.
www.therubbereconomist.com |
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| More Old Tires Put To New Uses; Scrap Tire Piles Receding |
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Nearly 90 percent of tires that are replaced and thrown away every year are put to a new productive use. The reuse rate of scrap tires tops most recovered waste materials, including glass bottles, paper and aluminum cans. The ninth report on scrap tire markets issued by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) since 1994 shows continued progress in scrap tire management practices across the nation resulting in significant reduction of scrap tire stockpiles and continued progress in putting waste tires to new uses. “Scrap tire management in the U.S. is a huge environmental success story,” said Michael Blumenthal, RMA vice president. “Markets for scrap tires are growing and old piles of scrap tires are shrinking.” In 2007, 89.3 percent of the scrap tires generated in the U.S. by weight were consumed in end-use markets. The total volume of scrap tires consumed in end-use markets in the U.S. reached approximately 4,105.8 thousand tons of tires – the largest amount ever since the RMA began tabulating scrap tire statistics. RMA estimates that about 4,595.7 thousand tons of tires were generated in the U.S. in 2007. By comparison, in 2005, about 82 percent of tires were consumed by weight. In 1990, only eleven percent of tires were consumed on a per tire basis. The percentage of scrap tires consumed by markets increased 13.5 percent, while the volume of tires utilized increased by about 489.7 thousand tons. The market percentage is affected not only by the volume of scrap tires consumed, but also by the volume of scrap tires generated. The scrap tire generation rate has steadily increased along with the population in the United States, which tempers the increase in market percentage. This has been a consistent trend since RMA began to chronicle scrap tire markets in 1990. Scrap tires were consumed by a variety of scrap tire markets, including tire-derived fuel, civil engineering and ground rubber applications. Other smaller markets and legal landfilling consume the remaining annually-generated tires, which indicates that new stockpile production should be negligible. In tire-derived fuel (TDF), scrap tires are used as a cleaner and more economical alternative to coal as fuel in cement kilns, pulp and paper mills, and industrial and utility boilers. TDF accounted for about 2,484.4 thousand tons of scrap tires in the U.S. in 2007, or about 54 percent of the total scrap tires generated. Due to increasing fuel prices and improvements in the quality and reliable delivery of TDF, this market is anticipated to experience strong demand for the next two years. The ground rubber market consumed 789.1 thousand tons of scrap tires, or about 17 percent of the volume of scrap tires generated. Ground rubber applications include new rubber products, playground and other sports surfacing and rubber-modified asphalt. The sports surfacing market remained the most dynamic segment in the ground rubber market during this period. The ground rubber market is expected to experience modest growth in the next two years. The civil engineering market consumed 561.6 thousand tons of tires in 2007, about 12 percent of the total tires to market and consisted of tire shreds used in road and landfill construction, septic tank leach fields and other construction applications. Tires add beneficial properties in these applications, such as vibration and sound control, lightweight fill to prevent erosion and landslides and facilitate drainage in leachate systems. This market experienced a continued decrease since from its peak in 2003, due to competition from TDF markets. At the end of 2007, about 128 million scrap tires remained in stockpiles in the United States, a reduction of over 87 percent since 1990. “The success of cleaning scrap tires is due to state efforts to abate stockpiled tires, develop sustainable scrap tire markets and enforce existing scrap tire laws and regulations,” Blumenthal said. The remaining stockpiles are concentrated in seven states, including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York and Texas. These states contain over 85 percent of the scrap tires remaining in stockpiles. Of these states, Alabama, Michigan and New York have ongoing abatement programs. Texas completed an abatement effort in 2007. RMA continues to work with legislators and regulators in these states to develop and implement effective scrap tire programs to address these stockpiles. The RMA publication, “Scrap Tire Markets in the U.S.; 9th Biennial Report,” is available free for download at www.rma.org. The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 80 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods and other finished rubber products.
Rubber Manufacturers Association
www.rma.org |
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| Boiler Technical Support |
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This company formulates and mixes its own rubber, and is said to manufacture superior molded rubber handhole and manhole gaskets for steam, hot water boilers, water heaters, softeners, deaerators, make-up tanks and other selected pressure vessels. The company's gaskets are said to seal quickly and completely, preventing seepage, corrosion and pitting. They are said to peel off easily, leaving clean surfaces for inspection. This company offers a free technical specification and usage guide containing useful information about boiler maintenance safety, along with a pocket slide rule that charts steam temperature versus pressure.
Topog-E Gasket
www.topog-e.com |
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| Compounding Line Remanufacturing And Repair |
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In the current economic climate, many companies that need to maintain their compounding lines but are not in a position to make the large capital investment necessary to purchase new, are said to look to remanufacture their existing equipment as a viable, cost-effective solution. Through the process of remanufacturing, customer equipment is restored to original specifications. Mixers and other components are upgraded by retrofitting them with the latest technology, providing higher levels of performance and productivity. The remanufacturing process provides technology and productivity updates at a significantly lower investment than purchasing new capital equipment. The process returns the equipment to original tolerances, increasing productivity and quality. For assurance, this company provides a warranty on all remanufacturing work. Remanufacturing is normally a savings of 20% to 50% versus purchasing new. The company's North American remanufacturing and repair facility is located at its corporate headquarters in Ansonia, CT. The firm also maintains an inventory of reconditioned and used parts enabling some remanufacture or repair projects to be completed in a minimal amount of time and often with an even more significant cost savings. This company is said to have helped thousands of processing facilities worldwide increase productivity and be more successful with its remanufacturing and repair services. In addition to the U.S. facility, the company has remanufacturing facilities in the U.K., Spain and China. This company's products include Intermix and Banbury mixers, continuous mixers, single and twin screw extruders, plastic compounders, pelletizers, gear pumps and mills.
Farrel
www.farrel.com |
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| Compounding And Formulating Webinars |
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This specialty chemistry company has launched a series of free, on-demand webinars to teach compounders and formulators how to integrate new chemical technologies into plasticizer and personal care applications. The educational series is available from any computer with an internet connection. The system is designed to help technical audiences anywhere in the world keep pace with industry innovations. Each webinar is crafted to address specific issues in personal care and polymer additives sectors. For example, the sun care webinars cover the theories and solutions to photostabilize sun protection products. The Paraplex Approach webinar explains when and how to use this technology to develop new PVC and nitrile rubber products based on end-use properties. A scientist from the company presents each webinar. He or she discusses technical properties, and demonstrates how they can be put to work in real-world products to solve problems and optimize performance. Current titles for personal care formulators include: Patented Photostabilizing Strategies for Sun Care: HallBrite BHB and Spectrasolv DMDA; Patented Photostabilizing Strategies for Sun Care: Polycrylene; Patented Photostabilizing Strategies for Sun Care: SolaStay S1; and HallBrite BHB for Color Cosmetics. Titles for polymer additive compounders include: Improved Performance Properties in Vamac: TegMeR 812; and Paraplex Approach: Custom Engineered Plasticizers.
HallStar
www.hallstar.com |
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| Composites Manufacturing |
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Composites manufacturers are said to have additional options that can improve their environmental performance thanks to this company's program. In alliance with JHM Technologies, New Boston RTM and SR Composites, LLC, this company is introducing The Green Connection to offer customers a program for closed-molding processes focused on improving productivity and environmental performance. Through The Green Connection, customers interested in transitioning production to resin transfer molding (RTM) and light RTM have access to the broad capabilities of JHM Technologies and New Boston RTM. Additionally, the SR Composites’ sprayable vacuum bag technology provides a powerful, production-proven solution to the vacuum assisted resin Ttransfer molding (VARTM) process. Composites manufacturers will be able to obtain the specialized skills, training and equipment for closed-molding processes all from one source. Closed-molding processes are said to have proven reliability and improved cost efficiency, and it is the company’s intent to ease the customer transition process for closed molding by bringing this connection together. A vital part of the VARTM process is vacuum bagging technology. This company exclusively offers a reusable, water-based sprayable infusion bag technology called Sprayomer elastomers from SR Composites, LLC. The proven durability of the bag allows manufacturers to reuse it for many cycles, which reduces the solid waste associated with disposable bagging technology.
Ashland Distribution
www.ashland.com |
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| Global Quality Management Software |
Version 3.0 for the company's Synergy 3000 statistical process control (SPC) software is now shipping. The software release incorporates a number of new features to help users work more efficiently with production data as they strive for quality improvement and cost containment. Synergy 3000 is designed for companies that need to implement a consistent global quality management strategy across multiple manufacturing locations and their supply chain partners. The software features a Microsoft SQL Server database engine. Among the new software features in Version 3.0 are creation of SPC data banks and data tables at the same time; a tree view of data bank/data table relationships with access functionality; three additional calculator functions, including short run, net weight and custom formula; streamlined Pareto data entry window; support for Crystal Reports; print to PDF for reports and charts; enhanced "auto data export" command; e-mail command for reports and charts; and performance options for spreadsheet display. The Synergy 3000 system consists of a comprehensive series of real-time SPC software applications that run on both Windows networks and web browsers. The dual-platform architecture allows companies to customize the way they allocate the system among users. The optional Synergy 3000 web applications extend data access and SPC functionality via an internet connection and any standard web browser. They enable the manufacturer to enforce uniform quality procedures among their entire supplier community and give mobile employees the ability to log in to the database from remote locations. Two Synergy 3000 web applications are available, including the Web Operator for on-line data entry, charting, corrective action, document retrieval and e-mail and text message notification for process violations; and the Web Manager for on-line process monitoring and report generation. In addition to workstation and laptop PC connectivity, the Synergy 3000 web applications are fully compatible with the Apple iPhone 3G. The Synergy 3000 system is rounded out by the multi-function toolbox, a plug-and-play data integration program that interfaces with a variety of multi-vendor hardware platforms and manufacturing systems such as ERP, MES, LIMS, SCADA, PLCs, CMMs, OPC servers and legacy data.
Zontec
www.zontec-spc.com |
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| Compact Control System Retrofits |
MACO Compact control system retrofits are said to enhance the performance of any injection molding machine while keeping costs low. For molders looking to avoid the high costs of total machine replacement, retrofitting outdated existing controls with the MACO Compact system is said to offer a solid return on investment through improved machine reliability, reduced downtime and better performance overall, re-energizing injection molding machines to work like new. An analysis of production levels and scrap rates after installing the cost-competitive MACO Compact control system to a 700-ton injection molding machine showed significant ROI based on increased production and reduced scrap in as little as five and one-half months. MACO Compact control system retrofits are said to offer complete machine control with long-term reliability for a fraction of the cost to replace an entire machine. In many cases, the return is high and within months the system can pay for itself through improved product quality and increased productivity, making it an extremely valuable investment, especially in today’s ultra-competitive market, according to the company. Injection molders who install MACO Compact control systems can also expect more precise temperature control, RLD diagnostics for improved troubleshooting and web-based communication capability. High performance Ethernet communications allow the MACO Compact system to interface with the HMI or other devices, while built-in diagnostics and process monitoring permit shot monitoring, shot-to-shot data storage, “reference/signature” shot and “snap shot” functions. Every MACO Compact system is available with standard process control features including Impact II injection process control. The Impact II control feature is an advanced type of closed loop process control that creates a theoretical model of the injection molding process to be used along with hundreds of rules to compensate for deviations, thus allowing the machine to control the process even better than before. Simple set-up and display-board help screens make installation easy and improve overall function. Another standard option, the iPact with Intellimold, uses the patented Intellimold melt pressure control system to bring real-time, automated closed-loop control to the molding process by actively monitoring and adjusting for a steady, evenly controlled injection throughout the process. As an add-on option, remote diagnostics software allows users to remotely access the MACO Compact machine controller for examination of set points, SPC graphs and other system information.
Eurotherm
www.eurotherm.com |
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| Mixing, Extrusion Simulation Software |
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This company has created simulation software applied to product transformation processes, including mixing and extrusion. The software offerings share many common features. They are all dedicated to extrusion and mixing processes, and simulate the complete system. They also incorporate advanced physical phenomena models (reactive extrusion, dispersive/distributive mixing) as well as provide an inside understanding of raw material evolution. Ludovic software is dedicated to co-rotating twin screw extruders. It gives a full picture of the thermo-mechanical state of the equipment/product. Based on an intuitive graphical user interface, Ludovic is the universal software to simulate all kinds of extruders. With its “less than one minute” computation time, the main benefits of using Ludovic are include shortening the iterative trial process, decreasing the time to market of new products and securing the production line by identifying the best operating domain. This software is useful for many areas such as research and development, production, and teaching and training issues. As 3-D Software, XimeX analyzes any kind of equipment, including classic (such as single or twin screw, batch, planetary or static mixer, Buss kneader), as well as custom-built equipment. XimeX's unique features consist of providing meso-scale results correlated to the whole macro-mechanical state of the process. Its three-step approach assures fast setup time and easy use, underlined by a mesh-free innovative technology, according to the company. XimeX handles an innovative particles model which quantifies mixing efficiency and residence time, and quantifies the particles' properties evolution (size, shape, etc.). This software is designed on a fully parallel numerical layer which guarantees a high level of scalability.
Sciences Computers Consultants
www.scconsultants.com |
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| Ozone Chambers/Testers |
The QT-0500 ozone tester is designed to provide an automatically controlled ozone concentration environment for determining the ozone resistance of rubber. The tester adopts the ultraviolet ray absorption principle and is based on the Beer-Lambert law to inspect the ozone concentration without the use of chemicals. Ozone testing is an accelerated test method used primarily for evaluating the resistance of rubber products to cracking during service life. Samples are placed in a fixture so that the surface is in tension and placed in the exposure chamber for a time period specified by either the ASTM method or the user. One of three ASTM methods is commonly followed in the evaluation of rubber products, including ASTM D 470, test methods for crosslinked insulations and jackets for wire and cable; ASTM D 1171, test method for rubber deterioration surface ozone cracking outdoors or chamber (triangular specimen); and ASTM D 3395, test methods for rubber deterioration and dynamic ozone cracking in a chamber, ASTM D 4575 and ASTM D 1149. The required ozone concentration and temperature are set on the touch screen display and the set values are maintained by a PLC control system. The ozone is generated by a 185 nm UV-lamp and can be controlled between 0-1,000 pphm for the model QT-0500 or 200-30,000 pphm for the model QT-0500AC. The temperature can be controlled between 68 and 194 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 90 degrees Celsius) with an accuracy of +/- 2 degrees.
Qualitest
www.worldoftest.com |
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| Tire Measurement Sensor |
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For the first time in the history of tire inspection, an innovative measurement solution using binocular laser line profiling and sampling at 4 kHz has been combined with standardized networking components, according to the company. The EyeCON series of sensors is built on an award winning vision system platform called FireSync. The platform utilizes TCP/IP protocol over Gigabit Ethernet to provide their customers’ engineers with a high speed link to the local host computer while enabling a remote link with the EyeCON vision system from anywhere in the world via an internet connection. A core system communications tool of the platform combines Ethernet with sensor-to-sensor global synchronization down to the microsecond. This is said to guarantee a repeatable and accurate map of the tire surface with multiple sensors synchronized to a master encoder. Four thousand 3D laser profiles are returned from each sensor in one revolution of the tire. The 3D laser profiles from each sensor are combined into a full 3D surface map of the tire and delivered to the customer's computer via gigabit ethernet. Built on industry standard ethernet with synchronization and power in one cable, the EyeCon system is said to minimize the integrator's ramp up time, delivers full 3D datasets and offers unprecedented system flexibility, now and into the future.
LMI Technologies
www.lmitechnologies.com |
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| Portable Rheometer |
The RS Portable coaxial cylinder rheometer can operate in the laboratory, on the production floor (115 or 230 volts) or in the field (with a rechargeable battery). The built-in battery pack is recharged by simply plugging the instrument into a power receptacle. The RS Portable comes with a heavy duty lab stand. It also has a convenient handle for easily moving the instrument whenever necessary.
The rugged design is said to be ideal for use by multiple operators. The RS Portable is a dynamic, rotational rheometer capable of viscosity, yield stress and creep measurements. It offers both controlled stress (when used with optional Rheo3000 software) and controlled rate test modes (in stand-alone or under PC control with Rheo3000 software). A cone/plate accessory is an available option for the RS Portable, allowing the instrument to measure small sample volumes while extending range capability for shear rate and viscosity.
Brookfield Engineering
www.brookfieldengineering.com |
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| Automatic Rope Tensioner |
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An integral automatic rope tensioning, monitoring and adjustment system for aero-mechanical conveyors (AMC) is now available. The patented AMC AutoTensioner automatically measures and adjusts rope tension and indicates when the rope is worn and needs to be replaced. As a result, rope life is increased by up to 40% due to continuous monitoring, according to the company. Time and labor costs are also said to be significantly reduced since operations are checked automatically instead of manually, downtime for maintenance is reduced and productivity is increased. For high altitude applications, automatic monitoring eliminates the need to use scaffolding or long ladders to check tensioning and rope wear. The flexibility of the AMC AutoTensioner allows retrofitting to competitive aero-mechanical systems. The new and improved automatic tensioning system applies a constant pre-load to the conveyor’s rope and disc assembly. This compensates for the natural change in rope length while the conveyor is operating. A pneumatic actuator is anchored at one end of the conveyor and applies a linear force to the free moving return sprocket housing. The housing is mounted on two linear bearings, fitted with o-ring seal assemblies and interfaces with the two conveyor tubes. A manually adjustable precision filter regulator protects the pneumatic actuator from over pressure and limits the linear tension applied to the conveyor rope. In the event of a malfunction in the air supply, a pneumatic circuit prevents the total loss of linear force and tension. A pressure switch provides a feedback signal to the conveyor controls, assuring the conveyor will not operate until restoration of the air supply. Optional position switches indicate when the rope needs to be inspected or replaced. An air purge linear seal is also optional and recommended for conveying fine, abrasive materials.
Spiroflow Systems
www.spiroflowsystems.com |
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| Knoop/Vickers Hardness Testers |
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The 400 Series of Knoop/Vickers testers with Minuteman ELT automatic traversing and reading options is offered by the company. Said to provide an affordable, dependable automatic microhardness testing solution, the 400 Minuteman ELT Series is said to be ideal for fully- or semi-automatic Knoop and Vickers testing of metals, ceramics and other non-metallic materials. Featuring standard automatic turret and eight dial-selectable test forces ranging from 10 g to 1,000 g (with optional 2,000 g available), the system can easily be set to the proper test configuration, according to the company. Equipped with crisp optics that have a total magnification of 100x and 400x, measurements are automatically made through the high-resolution USB digital video camera system. Productivity and efficiency are said to be increased due to the elimination of time consuming, stage and eyepiece manual intervention typically associated with high quantity pattern testing. A fully-automatic stage provides 100 x 100 mm travel for multi-sample testing. The 400 Minuteman is ASTM and ISO compliant.
Wilson Instruments
www.wilsoninstruments.com |
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| Precision Bag Weighing Controller |
The SpeedAC NXT weighing controller is an advanced controller that provides precision bag filling weights across the company's bagging weigher portfolio. With an integral user-friendly graphical interface, the SpeedAC NXT provides a range of weighing data and performance statistics and can be utilized to fine-tune the performance of bagging operations. The SpeedAC NXT is said to provide high precision weighing with dynamic weighment accuracies, which conform to OIML R61; and static accuracies that comply with class III as per OIML R76 or EN45501. A further enhancement to the SpeedAC NXT has just been secured with the controller being awarded the Measuring Instrument Directive (MID) certificate. This internationally recognized certificate is accepted by 32 countries for a period of 10 years. Current features of the SpeedAC NXT include a password protected audit trail function that allows the company's technicians to download user programs without affecting the seal approval. This allows the user program to be simply upgraded without affecting the controller’s approval. Enhanced feeder options are now incorporated in the certificate, including a high speed gravity feeder (GHS), a high speed gravity feeder with agitator (AHS) and a high speed belt feeder (BHS).
Chronos Richardson Ltd.
www.chronosrichardson.com |
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| Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer |
The EDX-GP is said to offer fast, high-sensitivity measurements optimized for RoHS/ELV hazardous element screening with easy, automatic operation for first-time users. The EDX-GP uses the same proprietary semiconductor detector as the company’s EDX-720 to deliver high sensitivity, high resolution and precision measurement of all light to heavy elements. The optical system, special filters and high count-rate circuit are said to deliver ideal performance for RoHS/ELV screening. Optimal filters are automatically selected, and high-speed mode conditions are now installed by default to allow batch measurements of RoHS/ELV hazardous elements using a single filter. Users can complete a single-filter, high-speed analysis in 30 seconds, or a high-sensitivity analysis with a special filter in 300 seconds. With the EDX-GP, operations that previously relied on a user’s judgment are now automated, including instrument start-up and calibration, and the selection of analytical conditions. The software also features a measurement time reduction function for high concentrations of hazardous elements and for samples containing no hazardous elements. This eliminates wasted measurements and achieves more efficient analysis. In contrast to its compact size, the EDX-GP has a large sample chamber to accommodate as-is measurements of any sample shape or size. Users can load samples quickly and easily with a semiautomatic chamber door for high throughput with less workload, according to the company. Other standard functions include pre-measurement instrument check to determine if calibration is necessary; automatic material evaluation to pre-measure sample materials and select analytical conditions; shape correction to eliminate the effect of shape and thickness on results; and thin-film analysis for single- and multi-layer samples.
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
www.ssi.shimadzu.com |
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| Automatic Hydraulic Laboratory Presses |
Auto Series automatic hydraulic laboratory presses, featuring the enhanced NE digital control system, offer 15 to 30 tons of clamping force and 6" x 6" to 15" x 15" platens. These benchtop presses are used in quality control and research and development for test sample preparations, destructive testing, molding, laminating and fluid extraction. The NE controls feature a full touchscreen interface, a proximity switch for adjustable slowdown position and are all heat controlled through the PLC and interface. The NE controls can be easily switched between degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celsius, and between pounds, kilograms, tons and metric tons. Auto reheat at the end of a cycle and automatic bump sequence can be programmed.
Carver
www.carverpress.com |
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| Visual Inspection Machine |
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The Lited HD is a visual inspection machine for the quality control of flat gaskets from 5 mm to 90 mm (OD). The parts are conveyed, one by one, to the different inspection units. The machine consists of two revolving tables, an independent sorting system for each station, a low consumption light system, a manual optical zoom for the optimization of the images and available 5 Megapx cameras. The management of the vision (elaboration of the images, parameters) is carried out by a PC. It is possible to check the flow of rejects and good parts at any time and to obtain detailed reports on the type of defects. Circular and non-circular parts can be checked for dimensional and attribute parameters. Complete quality reports are available from the installed software.
Doss srl
www.doss.it |
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| Performance Polyolefin |
An Exxtral performance polyolefin has been specified for the front and rear bumper fasciae of the VW Golf VI. Exxtral BMU130 polyolefin was developed specifically to meet the performance targets set by Volkswagen. The TPO is said to be characterized by a unique impact strength at low temperatures that provides the essential balance between stiffness and toughness required for bumper applications. Exxtral BMU130 performance polyolefin is designed for tight tolerances and excellent dimensional stability. Its low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) allows parts to be designed with narrow gap dimensions for an aesthetic and stylish appearance. This grade also meets part shrinkage requirements specified by VW and provides good surface appearance due to its fluidity. The product has a broad operating window, which helps to eliminate processing problems. A ready-to-inject, fully-stabilized, colored compound, Exxtral BMU130 polyolefin can improve productivity and deliver cost savings as it requires no mixing or blending at the molding presses, according to the company. Available in black or gray, it is also said to offer good paintability and has high UV resistance.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Zinc Oxide |
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ZnO FP-CN (E-19577) is a specially treated zinc oxide made from high purity zinc designed to improve scorch time in carboxylated nitriles. It can replace zinc peroxide dispersions at a much lower cost (use part-for-part on an active material basis). Typical dosage is 5.0 phr in carboxylated formulas. The ZnO FP-CN can also improve shelf life and scorch of ZnO-crosslinkable polymers like polychloroprene, chlorobutyl or bromobutyl. ZnO FP-CN is also available as Akrosperse ZnO/CN-80/NBR. This polymeric masterbatch contains 80% ZnO FP-CN and has a specific gravity of 2.89. Polymer bound or encapsulated dispersions are said to be a proven means of upgrading plant safety, efficiency, quality and raw material control.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Fluoroelastomer Activator, Curative Dispersions |
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This company offers dispersions of calcium hydroxide, magnesium and calcium oxides and curatives within fluoroelastomer polymers. Chemicals are dispersed using a refiner mill for best incorporation and increased activity. Using these chemicals in dispersion form is said to greatly increase shelf life by protecting against moisture, and is said to improve dispersion and mix time by being pre-dispersed into fluoroelastomer polymers. Products are offered in various concentrations and combinations. The company also offers customer dispersions of any difficult ingredient in fluoroelastomers.
Pinnacle Elastomeric Technology
www.pinnacleelastomers.com |
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| Highly Dispersible Silica |
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Ultrasil 5000 GR extends the company's highly dispersible product line. Excellent hysteresis performance and high reinforcement are said to be combined with improved processing characteristics by this low surface area silica. The highly dispersible Ultrasil 5000 GR is designed for the rubber industry in such applications as tire treads and mechanical rubber goods.
Evonik Degussa GmbH
www.evonik.com |
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| Elastomer Compounds For Medical Manufacturers |
This resource guide in an expandable ring binder features extensive data on each of 33 Medalist high-purity elastomer compounds for healthcare applications. This company is offering the binder to qualified OEMs, designers and plastics processors in the medical device and healthcare product industries. Each binder is registered to a specific recipient, who will receive updates with new test results and data on new Medalist grades as they become available. The tabbed sections of the binder include a grade selector plus data on toxicology, sterilization, chemical resistance, physical properties, processing parameters, process guidelines and design considerations. Complete information in all of these categories is available for each of the 33 Medalist elastomer grades currently available. This initial range of 33 Medalist compounds includes grades with durometer A hardness from 5 to 87. Clear, translucent and opaque formulations are available. The compounds fall into three series, including the Versatile Series (MD-100), whose widely differing grades meet many requirements encountered in medical manufacturing, the Resilient Series (MD-200), formulated for enhanced toughness, oil-resistance or heat-resistance, and the Bondable Series (MD-300), for over-molding onto a variety of thermoplastic substrates.
Teknor Apex
www.teknorapex.com |
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| White Precipitated Silicas |
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Mansil 130 (sprayed dried) and Mansil 130G (granules) are white precipitated silicas. They are reinforcing fillers for use in synthetic and natural rubber compounding. The spray-dried silicas have a larger particle size than the milled type silicas. Advantages are said to include faster incorporation time and less viscosity buildup while maintaining excellent dispersion. The granulated form is said to greatly reduce irritating dust for all applications where powdery material cannot by tolerated. Precipitated silica increases hardness, tensile strength, abrasion and tear resistance. For mechanical rubber goods, the silicas can be used as the primary filler or in combination with carbon black. In tire applications, these silicas improve rolling resistance, flex fatigue and enhance traction. In adhesives compounding, silica provides an additional method of promoting improved adhesion, as well as providing reinforcement. Silicas are universally applied to provide increased abrasion resistance, green strength and translucence in the formulating of shoe sole compounds. Lightly loaded compounds are prepared using 5-20 phr, while highly loaded, oil extended compounds can use 75-100 phr.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Polymer Modifiers |
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Elevast polymer modifiers are specialty hydrocarbon fluids that can help formulators create innovative solutions for polyolefin elastomer technical applications requiring improved mechanical properties across an extended range of service temperatures. Engineered to efficiently upgrade key performance attributes and processing, Elevast polymer modifiers do not interfere with ingredients commonly used in elastomer compounds, according to the company. As a result, Elevast polymer modifiers can enable the use of lower peroxide levels which may reduce cost and undesirable residuals. Products manufactured from Elevast PM can also benefit from enhanced performance and extended product life, providing opportunities to differentiate products and lengthen operating periods. Elevast PM is said to improvde polymer performance in applications ranging from wire and cable to automotive and industrial belts, weatherstrip, hoses and mechanical goods such as seals, gaskets and wiper blades.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Initiators Add Stability To Photovoltaic Manufacturing |
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The silicon wafer is said to be where the action is in a photovoltaic module, and it requires special protection to ensure it performs at maximum levels for an extended period of time. This company specializes in manufacturing and supplying crosslinking agents to compounders and manufacturers of PVM encapsulates. Crosslinking with peroxide initiators is said to add many product and performance advantages, chief of which is the improvement in stability of the encapsulate films produced in PV manufacturing. Stabilizing PVM encapsulates is said to improve their performance, and stabilizes their color and cure characteristics. Solar encapsulates are typically made with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which in sheet form is used to surround and protect silicon wafers and the PVM's circuitry. PV manufacturers are said to rely on a special formulation of EVA to achieve dimensional and UV stability through crosslinking. Adding stability to the EVA results in a reduction in the tendency for discoloration - yellowing or hazing - of EVA over the long term. Other benefits of the increased stability of the current generation of EVA encapsulates are said to include better adhesion, reduced cell breakage and tailored flexibility.
United Intiators
www.pvmencapsulates.com |
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| Chlorinated Polyethylene Products |
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This company has partnered with Hangzhou Keli Chemical to become its authorized distributor for chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) products in the U.S. This company is an ISO 9001 registered distribution and development firm with a strong focus on rubber, plastics and specialty polymers. CPE is currently used in such applications as wire and cable, hose, sponge, as an impact modifier for PVC and many other rubber and plastics related applications, such as flame retardant ABS applications.
Alternative Rubber & Plastics
www.altrubber.com |
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| Global rubber consumption drops to lowest level since 2006 |
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According to the International Rubber Study Group's quarterly Rubber Industry Report, "Driven down by the rapidly deteriorating state of the world economy, global rubber consumption reached 21.1 million metric tons in the year to March 2009, its lowest level since April 2006; year-on-year consumption growth plunged to -9.4 percent, compared to growth rates of -3.2 percent at the end of 2008 and (providing a stark illustration of how markets have evolved over the last twelve months) 6.9 percent in March 2008. Global natural rubber (NR) consumption declined by over 0.4 million metric tons between the end of 2008 and March 2009, with the rate of decline in consumption accelerating from -1.6 percent to -6.8 percent in year-on-year terms over the period; global synthetic rubber (SR) consumption fell by over 0.7 million metric tons over the same period, with year-on-year consumption growth declining from -4.5 percent to -11.3 percent. Global rubber output fell from 22.7 million metric tons at the end of 2008 to 21.8 million metric tons in March 2009, while the rate of decline in production in year-on-year terms accelerated from -2.0 percent to -6.5 percent over the same period. The sharp reduction is mainly due to a steep decline in SR output, which fell to 12.2 million metric tons in March 2009 compared to over 12.8 million metric tons in December 2008; over the period, the rate of decline in SR production accelerated from -4.6 percent to -9.8 percent. Global NR production is also estimated to have fallen (albeit less markedly than for SR) from 9.9 million metric tons at the end of 2008 to 9.6 million metric tons in March 2009; over the period, NR production growth slowed from 1.8 percent to -1.9 percent.
Despite lower production, the more pronounced decline in consumption resulted in a widening of the global NR surplus from 150,000 metric tons at the end of 2008 to 290,000 metric tons in the year to March 2009. SR consumption is estimated to have plunged by -11.3 percent in the twelve months to March 2009, compared to a production decline of -4.6 percent; this follows contractions in both production and consumption of around -5 percent in 2008. Global stocks of both NR and SR are estimated to have risen steeply in relation to the level of consumption in early 2009. World NR exports fell back to 6.29 million metric tons in the year to March 2009, compared to 6.60 million metric tons at the end of 2008. A sharp fall in the exports of the major NR producers, except in the case of Vietnam, contributed to the overall trend. Among the five major NR importers, the decline in imports continued in the first quarter reflecting the continuing slump in demand. The inexhaustible rise in SR exports seen between 2000 and 2007 was halted in 2008 as the bottom fell out of world demand; exports peaked in the year to April 2008 at 7.77 million metric tons, before crashing down to 7.12 million metric tons by the end of the year, and falling further to 6.55 million metric tons by March 2009. For the first three months of 2009, SR imports by the major importers, except China, have fallen, reflecting the sharp drop in demand as a result of the world recession and falling exports. NR prices increased by 57 percent at the end of May 2009 from their low of $1.10 per kg reached on December 9, 2008. The fundamental factors contributing to the upsurge in prices, amid low underlying global demand, included slow production after wintering (mainly due to heavy rains in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam) as well as buying demand from China and India; prices also advanced on market sentiment over signs of an easing of the recession and improving oil prices. NR latex prices broadly followed the same trend as solid NR prices. The price of light crude has been on an upward move again, rising from its lowest level in over five years of $31.41/barrel in late December 2008 to the current price of $61.02/barrel in late May. With the customary time-lag the upward movement of the oil price fed through to the monomer prices, rising in February for styrene and later still in May for butadiene. The latest series of synthetic rubber prices, however, was more influenced by the movements of the respective markets’ butadiene prices, meaning that elastomer prices did not recover until April/May. The latest data on export volumes of selected latex general rubber products (GRP) from the four leading exporters suggest that the overall downward trend of the industry may have eased further still over the first quarter of 2009, led, mainly, by the against the grain performance of the leading exporters (China and Thailand in all cases) of each of the five sectors, expanding export volumes when others were contracting. The outlook for the production of passenger cars and commercial vehicles is bleak, with all regions forecast to see a substantial reduction in output levels in 2009; meanwhile, the world recovery in 2010 is expected to be slow, reflecting the tentative upturn in the economy. Sales of passenger car tires are expected to suffer from a greater rate of fall in 2009 and a slower rate of recovery in 2010 relative to the commercial vehicle tires sector. The outlook for total rubber consumption in 2009 is, not unexpectedly, bleak; the two leading contributors towards the demise are North America and Europe, where consumption is projected to fall by 15.2 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively. The subsequent recovery is expected to come from Asia, where demand is forecast to increase by 4 percent (or around 500,000 metric tons) in 2010. World NR consumption is projected to fall by around 500,000 metric tons in 2009, while the demand for SR is forecast to decline by 7.9 percent; the subsequent recovery will be slower for SR as compared to NR. World NR production is projected to fall by 2.3 percent (or 229,000 metric tons) in 2009, with the three major producers - Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia – all contributing to the forecast decline in supply.
International Rubber Study Group
www.rubberstudy.com |
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| Molding Automation Equipment |
The Apex SC-W Series is the latest addition to the company’s extensive line of automation equipment. Said to be ideal for high-speed applications, the SC-W provides less friction and smooth movement with its all moving axes that ride on a hardened steel rail with bearing guide. Also equipped with AC brushless motors and individual control, three axes can be synchronized to move to a designated point at the same time. The SC-W series is equipped for molding machines from 50-220 tons, and provides greater flexibility during pre- and post-molding applications. A ridged steel traverse beam and sub-weldment are said to provide for near deflection-free travel. The SC-W features 14 spare inputs, and 14 spare outputs, C-90 degree pneumatic wrist rotate, full color 8.4” touch screen control pendant and an SPI interface that includes a 32-pin 10-amp robot side connector. Control features include a Windows-based PC operating system, AMD 500 Mhz CPU—512 meg. DDR memory, compact flash memory, stores up to 10,000 programs, a USB port equipped for additional off-line data storage and file transfer between like robots, and it is fully end-user programmable with an easy-to-use touch-screen interface. In addition to material handling products, this company always offers full support from start-up to training, and 24-hour on-call service. Further product offerings include heating and cooling, blending and reclaim, size reduction, automation, downstream extrusion and systems contracting.
AEC
www.aecinternet.com |
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| Precision Extrusion And Straining |
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The compact Planetruder XL combines a single screw extruder with a direct driven gear pump for high pressure build and precise profile extrusion. The Planetruder XL is a new machine size just developed based on the company's Planetruder single drive technology utilizing a direct driven gear pump. A planetary gear pump located at the screw tip inside the extruder barrel is driven by the screw. This combination is said to offer significant advantages such as high pressure build up and extremely precise output. Furthermore, Planetruders are considerably more compact compared to standard extruder gear pump systems, along with the added benefit that the planetary gear pump operates without any outside rubber leakage, according to the company. The Planetruder XL features a 75 mm screw diameter and is available with a long 12D PIN screw for extrusion of tough compounds such as those found in the tire industry. Additionally, the Planetruder XL can also be used as a very compact strainer unit when equipped with an optional small 5D conveying screw.
VMI-AZ Extrusion
www.vmi-az.com |
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| Steam Vulcanizing Autoclave |
This steam vulcanizing autoclave is designed for the rapid curing of high pressure rubber hoses. Interior capacity of the unit measures 72 inches ID by 10 feet in length. The autoclave is equipped with the company’s vertical lift Rapidoor, allowing the opening and closing of the door in seconds to facilitate fast loading and unloading via a special rolling cart carrier.
WSF Industries
www.wsf-industries.com |
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| Liquid Injection Molding Machines |
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The Micro Shot line of liquid injection molding machines uses a patented injection molding technology originally developed to meet the rigorous standards and directives of human implant grade intraocular lens manufacturing. LIM machines are specifically designed for molding micro silicone rubber (LSR) parts for optimal cleanliness and performance, offering an effective approach for the production of large-sized parts, as well. The compact, patented injection head allows for a simpler, quicker change-out and clean-up than conventional injection machines, according to the company. No barrel screws are used in the presses. Clean room ready models, horizontal and vertical, with multiple standard features and custom options are available. Whether it is for research and development or medium to large scale production runs, customers are said to count on this company for precise, custom design and manufacture backed by 40 years of experience and expertise.
Kuntz Automation
www.kuntzautomation.com |
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| Carbon Black Batching System |
A technical rubber manufacturer required a clean, accurate method of batching out specific amounts of various carbon black materials. This company's engineers have developed a unique gain-in-weight bulk-bag unloading station. Frequent changes of carbon blacks led the firm's engineers to design an interchangeable-frame system complete with unloader assembly. After closing a butterfly valve, the original frame is lifted out of the stationary feeding station. A second frame with different material is then placed into the feeding station. Its butterfly valve is opened, and the material change is complete. For gain-in-weight batching, carbon black is metered out of the unloading station into a plastic bin, which is indexed onto a scale. When initiated, the system automatically dispenses the proper amount of material, accurate to +/- 0.1 lbs. on a 75 lb. batch. The complete process is accomplished in a dust-free environment.
Metso Minerals Industries
www.bestvibes.com |
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| Adjustable Center Crosshead |
The redesigned 700 Series is an adjustable center crosshead with proprietary precision engineering that holds close tolerance walls for those specialized applications including electronic, medical tubing, rubber and plastics, wire and cable, and other advanced types of high technology precision products. The 700 Series crosshead is adaptable to all extruders and compatible with all styles and brands of tooling on the market today. The company’s proprietary quick change tooling feature can be added with most other tooling styles and brands. Also, the 700 Series houses an adjustment mode that has been significantly improved with a new feather-touch concentricity adjustment option, according to the company. All of the firm's 700 Series crossheads include the patented Flow Splitter with an optional Taperlock version. This Flow Splitter provides a reduced extrudate memory set, low material inventory, balanced material flow distribution and elimination of dead spots. In addition, the optional Taperlock helps to eliminate leaking and enables faster assembly and disassembly with less chance of damage to the system, according to the company. This is also said to ensure less downtime and a fast turnaround for maintenance and cleaning. The company also manufactures tips, dies and breaker plates using state-of-the-art computerized CNC machining and EDM equipment. Engineering services using the latest CAD systems are available for custom designing extrusion tooling products, including crossheads, tips, clamps, flanges, air wipes, forming rolls, spiderless inline dies, dies, swing gates, breaker plates, special equipment and sizing dies.
Guill Tool and Engineering
www.guill.com |
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| Bulk Bag Discharging Brochure |
This brochure details technical descriptions and features of the company's full line of bulk bag discharging equipment and accessories. Titled, “A definitive guide to bulk bag discharging,” the 12-page, four-color brochure provides details of the nine different models available, along with various options such as bag dump stations, bag hoist designs, loss in weight load cells and other accessories. The brochure begins with an overview of the types of bulk bag dischargers available. It then gives the benefits of bulk bags in handling solids and the benefits of the company's line. This is followed by details, features and options of each of the company’s nine different models, including the Universal Type 2 model that discharges by volume and the Type 9 model that provides a total solution for total dust containment. Other models described include the Type 3 model that provides total control over the amount of product dispensed from the bag, the Type 4 knife model for single-trip bags requiring a dust-free and controllable emptying method, and the Type 5 low loader model for areas with any type of height restriction. Other models detailed include the Type 6 integral hoist model which does not require the use of a fork lift for unloading, the Type 7 multi-discharger model for emptying rigid bins, bags, bulk bags and gaylords, and the Type 9 bulk bag discharger model which offers total containment during unloading. The brochure goes on to provide a description of optional equipment such as bag massagers, bag dump doors, liner remover, mobile frames and a mobile trolley. The brochure concludes with a brief description of the company's conveying equipment available to integrate with the bulk bag discharger. Conveying equipment varies from flexible screw to pneumatic, aeromechanical, rigid screw, belt and feeder systems.
Spiroflow Systems
www.spiroflowsystems.com |
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| Twin Rotary Vibratory Feeders/Screens |
Use of two vibratory motors to power the company's line of small and large capacity twin rotary vibratory feeders/screens is said to assure economical and energy efficient operation for added reliability, gentler handling and optimum flexibility. Vibration energy is said to be one of the most economical methods of conveying and storage, if applied correctly. The result is said to be added savings in productivity, as well as energy efficient operation. The company's twin rotary vibrator screens are said to be ideal for a variety of applications, including rubber and a variety of other materials. The company's feeder vibratory screens are typically used when applications are beyond the scope of an electromagnetic drive, and in particular when units require lengths in excess of five feet and widths greater than 18 inches. Material is processed at speeds that vary from 50 to 3,500 cubic feet per hour. Four coil springs located on the frame assembly minimize vibration transfer and assure gentle handling of the material. Since product weight is typically in suspension, self-propulsion energy is used in the operation for added efficiency. The motors operate using minimum amps. Since no major foundation is required, installation is said to be easy and inexpensive.
Gough Econ
www.goughecon.com |
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| Natural Rubber Production Dropped Drastically During January To April 2009 |
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According to a report from the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), the first four months of the current year witnessed a drastic drop in production of natural rubber (NR) across countries. With the notable exception of China, production dropped in all the ANRPC member countries which together account for about 94 percent of the commodity’s global supply. Thailand, which accounts for a third of the global production of NR, registered a 19.3 percent fall in production and a 14.4 percent fall in exports during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter in the previous year, according to estimates from the Rubber
Research Institute of Thailand. Indonesia has not revised its anticipated production for 2009. As reported in the last month, the production anticipated for 2009 depicts a 6.0 percent decline from the previous year. However, the country’s export of NR posted a 31.3 percent decrease during the first quarter of the current year (year-on-year) due to reduced demand. The lower export also reflects the country’s commitment to support global rubber prices, according to the Directorate
General of Estate Crops, Ministry of Agriculture. Malaysia’s production of NR declined by 28.3 percent during January-April 2009 as compared to the same period in the previous year, according to estimates from the Malaysian Rubber Board. Production had fallen during the years 2007 and 2008
by 6.5 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively. The period January-April 2009 witnessed a 33.5 percent year-on-year drop in the country’s export of NR. In India, the fourth largest NR producing country, production declined by 8.0 percent during January-April 2009 as compared to the same period in the previous year due to an unusually severe drought in the state of Kerala, which is the latex bowl of the country. The Rubber Board of India anticipates that the declining trend in production would be extended to a few more months. A 3.2 percent year-on-year fall in output is
anticipated for May-July 2009. Vietnam’s NR output during January-April 2009 was lower by 5.4 percent from the same period in the previous year. According to the Vietnam Rubber Association’s anticipated data endorsed by the Vietnam Rubber Group, the production during May-July would be lower by 2.0 percent from the same period in the previous year. As a measure towards supporting rubber prices, the government policy is to check NR supply by promoting replantation and delayed opening of new areas for tapping. However, export of NR from the country increased by 3.9 percent during January-April 2009 (year-on-year). Export is anticipated to increase by 3.8 percent during May-July 2009. In sharp contrast to other producing countries, China’s natural rubber production posted a more than five-fold increase during January-April 2009, according to estimates from the Rubber Research Institute in Hainan Province. As per the revised forecasts, the country’s NR production during 2009 would be 610,000 metric tons, or 15.1 percent higher than the output in 2008. This substantial increase largely shadows the drastic fall in output in the previous year caused by weather-related calamities. Production had dropped by 9.9 percent during 2008.
Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries
www.anrpc.org |
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| High Growth Forecasted For The Global And China Tire Market, 2008-2009 |
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According to a report available from ReportLinker.com, "The global tire market scale was about $130 billion in 2008. According to the report, the tire market can be divided into three categories, including the non-heavy-duty tires for passenger cars and light trucks, the heavy-duty tires for heavy vehicles and the tires for two-wheel vehicle, agricultural machinery, OTR, etc. The market share for the above mentioned three categories were 59 percent, 28 percent and 13 percent, respectively, in 2008. In addition, the tire market can be divided into the OE (original equipment) market and the RT (replacement) market. In 2008, taking the non-heavy-duty tire market as a whole, 25 percent was shared by OE and 75 percent by RT, and taking the heavy-duty tire market as a whole, 21 percent was shared by OE and 79 percent by RT. The global tire OE market was seriously impacted by the financial crisis, while the RT market had a small impact benefitting from its rigid demands. Therefore, the global tire market still achieved a slight growth in 2008, and the year of 2009 is expected to be equal, driven by the Chinese tire OE market. With the slight leading advantage, Bridgestone ranked first, and Michelin tightly followed. Goodyear extended its gap from the previous two due to the shrinkage of its North American market. Continental retained its considerable performance in the European high-end passenger car market; however, it experienced a disappointment in the Chinese market. Pirelli maintained its top position in the markets of South Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Latin America. Sumitomo Rubber also maintained its leading position in the Japanese high-end market, especially high-end SUVs. Hankook was one of the outstanding players who maintained continue rapid growth; it had a good performance in the OE market. Similar to Hankook, Kumho also had a good performance in the OE market, particularly in China, but with a lower price. Yokohama was mainly targeted at the Japanese RT market. Cooper also focused on the RT market, and due to its high market channel cost and high business ratio in North America, its performance was not considerable. Cheng Shin was targeted at the Chinese market and had a good performance in the two-wheel vehicle market. As one of the members of the Nokia Group, Nokian is well known for snow tires, and it enjoys the highest profit. MRF and Apollo Tires are both from India; MRF is mainly relying on exports with a low price strategy, while Apollo is just the opposite. As the world’s largest tire production base, China had produced 546.14 million tires in 2008, up 6.7 percent from last year. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, up until February 2009, there were 577 tire manufacturers in China. The Chinese tire industry is having a comparatively low concentration degree, and the competition is relatively in disorder. The market share of the top three tire manufacturers in the world was together over 50 percent, and the share for the top ten was together 72.52 percent, while the market share of top ten was together less than 40 percent in China. In 2008, the proportion of radial tires reached 75 percent in China, but was different for various sectors: 99.9 percent for passenger car tires, 75.8 percent for heavy-duty tires, 16.5 percent for engineering tires and nearly 0 percent for agricultural tires. Although the Chinese car market started recovering in 2009, it was still difficult for Chinese domestic tire manufacturers, considering the passenger car OE market was still monopolized by foreign brands and a lack of competitiveness in the radial tire market. GITI and Cheng Shin had better performance. GITI locally supplied Chery, Jianghuai and Soueast; based on cooperation with Toyo, Cheng Shin had obtained the OE market for the Ford Focus."
ReportLinker.com
www.reportlinker.com |
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| Colorable TPV Slip Compounds |
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Two versions of a fully colorable TPV slip compound have been developed for extrusion applications. The products are offered in a 45 durometer D hardness and a 65 durometer A hardness. Each product provides processors with an abrasion resistant, low friction, high gloss material. Furthermore, as a natural, fully colorable compound, these materials can be used for visible parts where meeting aesthetic properties is essential. The company can also manufacture these compounds as a custom matched precolor. These compounds are also designed to exhibit the dimensional stability necessary for most industry standard extrusion and weatherstripping processes.
Lancer Dispersions
www.lancerdispersions.com |
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| Fluorosilicone Extrusions For Hostile Industrial Environments |
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Gaskets and sealing components, custom extruded from high-performance fluorosilicone, are offered by this company for use in hostile service conditions. The extruded products withstand extreme temperatures of 150 degrees to +600 degrees F, resist attack by over 750 corrosive chemicals and liquids, including oil, gasoline, hydraulic fluids, hydrocarbon solvents and sulfuric acid, and resist the effects of thermal cycling. Other properties include hardness of 20-80 durometer A, maximum tensile strength of 1,500 psi, good compression set and resilience, and resistance to ozone, sunlight, UV radiation, salt spray and fungal growth. Ideal applications are said to include electrical, automotive, aerospace, chemical processing, pulp and paper processing and other industrial applications distinguished by aggressive environments. Fluorosilicones are among a class of exotic elastomers finding increased use today because of their high-performance properties. Compared with traditional elastomers, such as silicone, urethane and nitrile, fluorosilicones and other advanced elastomers are costly and require meticulous care in processing to minimize waste, according to the company. Because of the cost and specialized applications, this company is said to be one of the few rubber products manufacturers that specializes in the custom extrusion and molding of these advanced elastomers.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| Preventative Maintenance Programs |
This company's Engineered Field Service (EFS) division now offers preventative maintenance programs for internal mixers, mills, twin screw dump roller dies and all related equipment. These programs are custom tailored to suit individual customer needs in helping to prevent major down time occurrences on their equipment. These preventative maintenance programs typically include both internal inspection with measurements of clearances and external running inspections of a firm's equipment/support systems, followed by a detailed written report. This information can also be very useful in determining component replacement, remaining life of installed equipment and in predicting when equipment must be budgeted for replacement. The company performs this service on all their competitors' equipment, as well as on their own line of equipment.
HF Rubber Machinery
www.hfrmusa.com |
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| Waterjet Cutting Services |
This manufacturer of ultra-high pressure waterjet and abrasivejet systems for precision cutting, coating removal and surface preparation announced that Arro-Jet Engineering and Consulting of Camarillo, CA, is offering waterjet cutting services using its state-of-the-art waterjet cutting technology. Arro-Jet specializes in handling complicated jobs that other waterjet shops cannot undertake. Arro-Jet can cut virtually any material on its three waterjets, including stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, Hastelloy and laminated woods. The company works with materials of all sizes, including plates up to 12' x 30'. Arro-Jet cuts parts without injecting heat into them, eliminating heat-affected zones (HAZ) and the need for secondary finishing. This company's waterjets are said to have saved time and money by enabling Arro-Jet to cut with multiple cutting heads and to tightly nest parts.
Jet Edge
www.jetedge.com |
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| Custom Manufacturing Services |
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This company offers a full range of in-house custom services related to the manufacture of natural and synthetic rubber parts. As a molder of rubber parts, this company operates injection, transfer and compression molding presses in various tonnage capacities. The company also extrudes specialty shapes and profiles from a variety of elastomeric compounds. Robotic processing, post-production trimming, custom compounding and mixing, cryogenic deflashing, and a prototype and production machine shop round out the firm's in-house facilities. The company, which began its corporate life in 1956 as a laboratory for testing and development of rubber compounds, is said to have accumulated unexcelled experience in formulating, mixing and forming exotic as well as traditional rubber materials, notably fluoroelastomers. Another area where the company's custom capabilities come into play is in the creation of molded products requiring the bonding of rubber with metals, plastics, fabrics or composites.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| Tire Recycling Process |
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This environmental solutions provider to the tire industry has commercialized the first cry-ambient processing system to recycle old tires. This processing system is said to enable manufacturers to jump the economic hurdle to going green. Companies are said to be able to incorporate recycled, sustainable materials into the manufacturing of green products at a price that is affordable and with the quality they expect, according to this firm. This company processes in excess of 6 million waste tires, which equates to roughly one out of every three waste tires generated in the state of Florida every year. These waste tires are processed at the company's 32-acre recycling facility, where they are recycled into a variety of value-added products, including mats, plastic and rubber molded products and VeriFlex crumb rubber which is utilized in landscaping, construction, industrial and athletic field applications. With the adoption of this new processing system, the company can now recycle tires cryogenically, ambiently or cry-ambiently, making the recycled material both affordable and easy to incorporate into a myriad of manufacturing applications, according to the firm. A key advantage of employing a cry-ambient system to recycle old tires is said to be the flexibility to alter the rubber particle's physical characteristics and impart the desired surface morphology required by the application.
Florida Tire Recycling
www.ftri.net |
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| Touch Panel Control System |
Additional temperature control features and an option for historical data collection have been added to the company's DS-eTPC touch-panel control system. The improved system, which offers processors coordinated line control, supports more customers across all product lines while maintaining pricing comparable to discrete controls. These advantages are included in the DS-eTPC, now available for elastomer extruders. The system’s temperature control has been augmented to allow control of up to eight barrel heating and cooling zones per extruder. This enables the system to be used on larger extruders, sheet extruder systems and for the majority of recycling/reclaim applications. Customers can also name the system’s temperature zones and drives for a more user-friendly operator interface. This augmented temperature control system is widely used on the company's 4-1/2-inch (114 mm), 100 mm and Super Blue extruder models. It offers coordinated drive control to an one-line drive for the same base price as other discrete devices, such as discrete temperature controllers, pressure indicators/controllers and drive operators/indicators. Features include cold start inhibit, high and high-high alarms for each pressure point, recipe creation and storage, and a provision for system networking to a supervisory computer via Ethernet LAN. The DS-eTPC “Historian” option package enables the controller to be connected to any PC running Windows Internet Explorer. Customers can capture, view and store process variables such as temperature profiles, drive conditions and pressure conditions in a report format for future analysis.
Davis-Standard
www.davis-standard.com |
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| Sensors, Instrumentation, Control and Analysis Products |
From analyzing raw materials, to gathering pressure and temperature data, to providing integrated extruder control, to testing finished product properties, new product introductions from this company allow it to provide customers with a complete extrusion-control solution from pellet to part. This firm is a supplier of discrete pressure and temperature sensors and controls for extrusion and other plastics processes. Recently, the company has begun supplying complete, integrated process and quality control solutions. The firm has introduced several products that can help customers achieve better control over the extrusion process, reduce downtime and minimize scrap. The centerpiece of the product offerings is the affordable, modular Opt-Trol system, which integrates control of most extrusion lines. It offers adaptive, autotuned temperature, pressure and speed control, as well as differential control and process-variable trending from a user-friendly color touchscreen operator interface. The system can be used on new extruders or retrofitted to provide advanced control features on existing equipment. On the sensors and instrumentation side, the company continues to refine and expand its line of sensors and process data measurement solutions, and offers such products as SPX-L pressure sensors that employ a new technique to reduce the error brought on by conditions in and around the process. By applying a unique algorithm to a non-linear signal, the SPX-L improves linearity by 80 percent and reduces the combined error by 25 percent to +0.20 percent FSO (full scale output). The SPX-T pressure sensor has an RTD temperature sensor built in to allow for a temperature compensation function that reduces pressure-reading drift due to changes in ambient temperature by as much as 80%. These same temperature readings can be output to a controller display, giving the user the convenience of both pressure and temperature sensing in a single instrument. UPR800 temperature/pressure panel indicators are said to pack a great deal of information in a small, 1/4-DIN industry-standard package. In addition to the primary input measurement (pressure, voltage, current), an optional secondary input makes it possible for the user to display pressure and temperature simultaneously, or to display two differential pressure readings at the same time. UPR800 Series indicators are fully touch-button configurable. The ATC880 self-tuning controller is said to be ideal for managing critical process parameters such as polymer melt pressure or temperature. Software-based configuration, using touch buttons on the face of the unit, gives users almost unlimited design options in a very cost-effective device. The user can choose from simple range and alarm settings to complex security codes and update speeds, depending on the sensitive nature of the application. The SPXD is an intrinsically-safe, loop-powered digital display. The SPXD takes a 4-20 mA signal from the company's SPX pressure sensor or any 4-20 mA transmitter and displays the value on a large 1-inch LCD. Upstream from the extruder, the company offers a family of polymer analyzers including the latest addition, the VTM dynamic mechanical laboratory analyzer for polyolefins. Advanced software is used to gather a wider range of rheological data more easily and more quickly than similar systems previously available. It employs large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) testing, a new method that uses rheological techniques to measure long chain branching. The VTM analyzer measures properties in a pressurized sample chamber, instead of a more conventional open cavity. This reduces edge effects and potential contamination, and improves repeatability. The instruments gather standard data points such as dynamic viscosity, elastic modulus, viscous modulus and tangent delta. Completing the system solution, the company offers a range of end-product testing instruments, including units for evaluating physical, mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of polymers.
Dynisco Instruments
www.dynisco.com |
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| Modular Vision Sensor Platform |
A complete modular vision sensor platform of hardware and software components has been developed under the company's FireSync brand. The system is said to allow fast and easy integration of components into a scalable machine vision system along with microsecond synchronization. The FireSync platform allows developing a single unified design for building vision applications ranging from smart sensors to complex web scanning systems anywhere from specification to final assembly. FireSync is said to solve the classic problem of synchronization between lighting, camera and processing components, and allows developing a fully scalable design. The FireSync platform consists of a number of tightly integrated OEM hardware and software components. Components include sensor controllers, camera and embedded sensors, machine vision software, industrial computers, lighting and others. Components selected can be configured in a number of different ways, depending on the need and application. With high performance image streaming, these components are combined with proportional/functional control of sub-components, the synchronization of image collection to within microsecond accuracy, simple cabling and impressive stitching. The FireSync platform includes a number of machine vision firsts. For example, use of high speed Serdes chipsets gives the sensor controller the capability to offer images of up to four CMOS-camera channels to stream data to the FireSync M200 sensor controller at speeds up to 320 Mbytes/s. Besides the four different independent camera channels, the FireSync system includes support for pre-processing, DSP algorithms and Gigabit networking. The sensor controller precisely controls the camera light and DSP functions. Once de-serialized, image data are transferred directly to host memory, compressed through processing by the DSP and transferred to PC systems over Gigabit Ethernet for further distribution and reduction. High speed CMOS cameras have from VGA to mexapixel resolution, the pulsed laser and LED sources provide for maximum lumen output at low duty cycles for long life, and the network routing control allows for flexible control of large scale and distributed topography.
LMI Technologies
www.lmitechnologies.com |
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| Humidity Sensor Evaluator |
The Model HSE humidity sensor evaluator displays, monitors and logs RH, dry bulb and dew point temperature readings of resistive and hybrid capacitive humidity sensors via a computer’s USB port. The software includes RH sensor response curves for hybrid capacitive sensors such as the company's HC-610. The unit has selectable temperature in degrees C, degrees F, degrees K or degrees R chart display and logging features. The Model HSE works with Windows 2000, XP or Vista and requires a USB 2.0 or USB 1.2 port. Also included are a humidity/dewpoint calculator, two relative humidity sensors and a thermistor. The software on the enclosed disc includes an extensive help section.
Ohmic Instruments
www.ohmicinstruments.com |
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| Compounding Control Systems |
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A brochure describes this supplier of compounding control systems to the rubber and plastics industries. The company's compounding control systems are said to provide the best combination of advanced technology, quality, service and support. Mix Vision mixing control systems are used for such floor operations as mixing, weighing, milling, batch-off, information displays and alarm handling. Supervisory operations include recipe management, inventory, scheduling and security. Mix Vision mixing control systems are said to increase profitability, improve quality and reduce scrap, and provide tighter inventory control, reliable tracking and accurate data collection. Inventory tracking, usage, production, scheduling and recipe information can be exchanged between Mixing Vision and a company's business information systems. Mix Vision is designed with industry standard hardware and software, providing a cost-effective solution for a facility.
Mesabi Control Engineering
www.mesabicontrol.com |
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| Motorized Pendulum Impact Test System |
The SI Series motorized pendulum impact testing machine (Model SI-1M) with Fracta software is available for simple data acquisition and calculation of energy. Said to be ideal for testing metals to Charpy and Izod standards, the SI-1M has available energy up to 450 Joule. The Model SI-1M features motor-driven raising of the hammer with auto-return after the test and a dual latched hammer to avoid accidental release or test execution. The safety enclosure includes interlocks which prevent the hammer from dropping when the specimen door is open and stop movement while any door is open. ASTM-E23 Charpy striker, anvils and shrouds are included with the system. The SI-1M is designed to meet the following standards when used with proper accessories: ASTM E23 Standard Test Methods for Notched Bar Impact Testing of Metallic Materials; EN 10045 Charpy Impact Test on Metallic Materials; ISO 148 Metallic Materials – Charpy Pendulum Impact Test; and GOST 9454-78 Impact Bending Test Method at Low, Room and High Temperatures. It is also CE Certified. Optional features include Charpy strikers to non-ASTM specifications, instrumented Charpy strikers, and a non-instrumented Izod striker and fixture. The system is also designed for easy upgrading to Dynatup Impulse data acquisition software which uses load and velocity transducers to provide data collection, analysis and reporting results.
Instron
www.instron.com |
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| Rubber Process Analyzer |
The RPA 8000 rubber process analyzer is an advanced dynamic mechanical rheological test instrument designed to measure the properties of polymer and rubber compounds before, during and after the cure. The RPA 8000 features an impressive range in oscillation angle, oscillation frequency, torque and temperature. The RPA 8000 has many advantages over traditional rubber test methods due to the ability to test under conditions of variable strain frequency and temperature which reveal important differences in rheological, rheometric and dynamic viscoelastic properties. The versatility of this instrument allows for polymers and compounds to be comprehensively characterized, especially in terms of intrinsic material properties, processability characteristics and end product performance. This advanced rubber process analyzer meets the full range of testing requirements of the rubber and polymer manufacturing process and complies with ASTM D6204, D5289 and D6601. Common application areas include incoming polymer and raw material characterization, masterbatch testing, and final and cured compound testing. The included software has pre-programmed test methods allowing the user to rapidly exploit this powerful rubber process analyzer. The advanced software control eliminates operator interference from the time that the sample is loaded until the test sequence is complete and required data collected. An optional automatic sample loading system allows for up to 100 samples to be tested without operator intervention.
Qualitest
www.worldoftest.com |
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| Tire Hardness Durometer |
Tire hardness can be a critical factor in setting up a race car, according to the company. A tire that is too hard may sacrifice traction, while a tire that is too soft may give great traction, but wear too quickly; and an unmatched set of tires may result in an ill handling car. To properly set up a car, a measure of tire hardness is necessary, and the easiest and most cost-effective way to obtain such a measure is said to be to use a durometer. The Type A durometer as specified by ASTM D-2240 is the gauge used by tire manufacturers to measure hardness of tire rubber. The gauge gives readings of hardness in durometer points on a scale of 0-100, with 100 being the hardest reading. Some race tires come from the factory with the durometer hardness noted on the sidewall, but factors such as ambient temperature, track temperature, usage and age of the tire can change the actual hardness of the tire from the factory hardness. The company's 2100 tire durometer is said to allow racers to quickly and accurately make checks of tire hardness. Unlike other "racing durometers" (which are just relative hardness gauges), the 2100 is calibrated to the ASTM D-2240 standard for durometer hardness and is traceable to NIST. Thus, the 2100 allows comparison with the factory tire specifications. The 2100 is a handheld gauge weighing only 4.2 oz. The indicator case, bezel and barrel are all billet machined aluminum. Because of its billet construction, and the fact that the durometer is manufactured in the USA, the craftsmanship that goes into the 2100 is said to be unsurpassed. The gauge is furnished with a carrying case and a one-year warranty.
Rex Gauge
www.durometer.com |
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| Rubber Thickness Measurement |
The Selcom SLS 5000 sensor is designed with high frequency and accuracy measurements for mat surfaces and shiny black materials, such as rubber. This sensor is ideal for thickness measurement of calendered rubber, profile measurement of the tread extrusion, ply overlap and splice detection, radial and lateral run-out of green or cured tires, tire sidewall inspection and tread wear analysis. In addition to the measurement features available on the Selcom SLS 5000 sensor, the internal processor allows the user to program unique application software which can be used to find seams, radial run-out, apply texture adjustment, as well as time trigger software to the profile data collected. These unique software components are said to provide the user with the flexibility to make adjustments to the sensor’s functionality to accommodate their specific needs. Functionality is also extended to the durability of the sensor housing. The thickness measurement of calendered rubber requires a sensor that can work in extreme temperatures. Built for a hostile environment, the accuracy of the Selcom SLS 5000 sensor is never jeopardized, providing users with a high performing sensor for the measurement of difficult target materials in hot and humid plant conditions, according to the company. The Selcom SLS 5000 sensor is available in various models with a field of view up to 1,250 mm.
LMI Technologies
www.lmitechnologies.com |
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| Precision Dimensional Measurement |
Modular, single axis ODAC laser gauges are available either mounted on a rail or as components, i.e., with separate sender and receiver units for flexible installation facilitating custom configurations. Depending on the application, multiple sender/receiver pairs can be arranged in any position, offering a multi-axis measurement for large configurable product clearance through the use of high precision, telecentric optics. The gauges are based on the latest laser scanning technology from the company's experience in this field. With the unlimited installation and configuration possibilities, these gauges can be used in all manufacturing processes, including extrusion of cables, hoses, profiles etc.; steel and metal industries such as drawing, grinding, cold and hot rolling of rods, tubes etc.; NDT lines for any product; the food industry for packaging, sausage skins and more; and large pipe and conduit extrusions. Advantages are said to include a high scan rate of up to 2,000/s; high accuracy and repeatability; compact and rugged design; various measurement modes, e.g., for diameter, gap width, depth penetration, multiple products, etc.; special beam geometries are available (depending on the model), including contour measurements and profiles; and models are offered with an integrated processor (RS, Ethernet, Profibus DP) or connection to a wide range of remote processors for process control SPC and SQC data collection.
Zumbach Electronics
www.zumbach.com |
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| Specialty Elastomers And Resins |
Vistamaxx specialty elastomers and resins are targeted at flexible and rigid food packaging applications and have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food Contact Notification process. These grades, used in compounding and films, are also compliant with the compositional requirements of the EU-Directive 2002/72/EC for use in contact with food.
Based on proprietary Exxpol metallocene technology, Vistamaxx specialty elastomers and resins are said to offer a unique combination of sealability, adhesion, elasticity, flexibility, clarity and toughness. They also exhibit excellent compatibility with both polyethylene and polypropylene, and are used as blend partners. Food packaging applications can benefit from Vistamaxx resins’ outstanding film sealing performance stemming from broad compatibility, very low seal initiation temperature and high hot-tack, according to the company. Typical applications for Vistamaxx specialty elastomers include food containers, kitchen tools and utensils, and toys. As Vistamaxx polymers improve flexibility and impact resistance without affecting tensile strength, they are said to help prevent cracking in these types of applications.
ExxonMobil Chemical
www.exxonmobilchemical.com |
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| Precipitated Synthetic Sodium Aluminosilicate |
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Zeolex is a precipitated, synthetic sodium aluminosilicate and the first synthetic non-black filler. These silicates are semi-reinforcing fillers utilized in all types of elastomeric compounds to provide a broad range of elastomeric properties at a reasonable cost. They are available as powders with a range of surface areas from 75m2/gm to 115 m2/gm. Many compounders consider Zeolex products as the “go between” filler amid low structure silicas and hard clays. Zeolex products fill this gap nicely, acting as a semi-reinforcing filler with moderate abrasion resistance and good processing properties at a reasonable cost. Low surface area grades are well accepted in the production of extruded goods where surface smoothness is required such as hoses, gaskets and flooring materials. The higher surface area grade has more reinforcing capability and has replaced precipitated silica in many rubber applications by improving cost, processing and hysteretic properties. Other typical applications include footwear, belts, rollers, wire and cable, sponge, tires, molded parts and calendered goods. In addition, the high whiteness of Zeolex is said to be ideal for non-black or color rubber articles. Typical loading range is from a low of 10 phr to high of 150 phr.
Akrochem
www.akrochem.com |
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| Water-Based Mold Release |
MoldWiz WB-2700 water-based mold release is said to have proven to be highly effective in compression and RTM molding of polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy parts. The 10 percent active MoldWiz product contains no hazardous materials, making it friendly to both the user and the environment. One manufacturer employs aluminum filled epoxy tooling to produce equipment housings, wheel wells and other industrial parts for transportation and heavy equipment. High filler loading, quick cycle times and the requirement for continuous productivity with minimal downtime for mold prep or cleaning have presented a challenge in keeping molds releasing well. A number of different mold releases had been tested and used, including solvent-based semi-permanents and fluoropolymer type release agents, both with minimal success. Buildup from constant re-application of mold release during production proved both costly and detrimental to the surface appearance of the molded parts. By spraying on a light coating of MoldWiz WB-2700 at the beginning of each shift, and subsequently every 3-5 parts, the equipment parts manufacturer was able to achieve good release, maintain cleaner molds and recognize cost savings, according to the company. Another manufacturer uses the RTM process to mold various types of industrial housings. Aluminum molds, and both epoxy and vinyl ester resins are used to produce the non gel-coated parts. In order to achieve adequate release, the manufacturer found that it was necessary to mix two types of water/ alcohol based mold releases together. The release mixture also required the use of compressed air tanks as a delivery system. The manufacturer’s goal was to eliminate all solvents (including alcohol) from the mold release, and to find an easier release delivery system for application.
Today, 100 percent water-based MoldWiz WB-2700 has replaced the two component release system at this manufacturing location. The use of MoldWiz WB-2700 has simplified the application and reduced costs, because the MoldWiz release can simply be sprayed on with a hand-pump spray bottle. In addition, parts have been found to release easier from molds and there has been no impediment to painting parts.
Axel Plastics Research Laboratories
www.axelplastics.com |
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| Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Elastomers |
Innovative compounding technology is said to have yielded a series of elastomers that exhibit the superior end-use performance of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), while providing dramatically improved surface properties and processability. The compounds are the first vulcanizate products in the Telcar OBC family of thermoplastic olefin elastomers. Telcar OBC thermoplastic vulcanizates can be formulated to exhibit a smooth and silky surface rather than the rubber-like touch of conventional TPVs. They process much more readily in extrusion that line speeds can increase by 20 to 30 percent, making them ideal for intricate die profiles for consumer and industrial applications, according to the company. While the company can produce Telcar OBC TPVs with the same "grippy" surface as conventional TPVs, these "smooth and silky" compounds are particularly promising for kitchen appliances and other consumer products where a bright, clean appearance and pleasant tactile properties add real value. In addition, the smooth surface makes it easier to replicate fine detail in tiny or delicate molded parts, according to the company. Also in injection molding, somewhat improved productivity versus conventional TPVs is possible as a result of lower processing temperatures required for the Telcar compounds. Like other Telcar OBC products, these TPVs are blends of a polyolefin and Dow Chemical's Infuse olefin block copolymers (OBCs). The company achieves the enhanced toughness, chemical resistance and heat resistance characteristic of TPVs by crosslinking the OBC copolymers. The OBCs, in turn, account for the improved surface and processing properties in comparison with conventional TPVs, whose rubber phase consists of EPDM or other crosslinkable elastomers. These TPVs are recommended for use in door and window seals, appliance seals and gaskets, and diverse consumer products. The chemical resistance of TPVs makes the new compounds applicable in washing machine and other components that come into contact with detergents, chlorine and other aggressive substances. Available grades include Telcar OBC 4755A, 4764A and 4773A, differing in durometer A hardness as designated by the last two numerals.
Teknor Apex
www.teknorapex.com |
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| High Performance Elastomer Compounds |
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In addition to offering compounds in slab and strip forms, this company offers fluoroelastomer, HNBR and Aflas compounds pre-formed into a rope or cord for ease of feeding injection presses and for making molding pre-forms. In some manufacturing methods, a cord is preferred over a strip when molding an o-ring-type seal or feeding an injection molding machine.
Pinnacle Elastomeric Technology
www.pinnacleelastomers.com |
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| Tire Oils |
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In view of the EU legislation that will ban tires and other products containing aromatic extract from 2010, this company has strengthened its presence in Asia. With the tailor-made tire oil Nytex 4700 and previous extensive developments, this company is said to be positioned as the only global tire oil producer that can fulfill all regional tire oil requirements from the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia.
Nynas
www.nynas.com |
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| Fluoroelastomer Chemical Resistance Chart |
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This six-page chart rates the resistance of fluoroelastomer synthetic rubber to over 750 chemicals and corrosive liquids. Fluoroelastomers, which are fluorine-containing hydrocarbon polymers, are often used in those industrial applications where exceptional resistance to heat and corrosion are required. This company specializes in the custom molding and extruding of advanced elastomers, such as fluoroelastomers and ethylene/acrylic elastomers, as well as traditional materials, such as nitrile, EPDM and polychloroprene. The chart, called "General Chemical Resistance of a Fluoroelastomer," lists each chemical alphabetically and assigns one of six ratings to each. Ratings are based on extensive laboratory tests and experiments that have been performed on fluoroelastomers by outside organizations and are believed to be reliable. The ratings assigned to these chemicals/substances include excellent resistance, good resistance, fair resistance and not recommended. For those chemicals which lack sufficient confirming data, a conditional opinion has been assigned.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| Rubber Presses |
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This technical bulletin details the company's line of Vision Series presses. The addition of Isoplaten heat technology, together with advanced hydraulic components and the latest in PLC controls, give the molding presses a shorter return on investment than conventional press designs. The Vision Series technical bulletin is immediately available in both printed and pdf formats. The bulletin details enough information to allow the viewer to select the size that would meet the process requirements.
French Oil Mill Machinery
www.frenchoil.com |
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| Tire Cap Strip Line |
State-of-the-art high-speed tires are said to be designed for speeds of over 300 km/h. The faster the rotation speed of the tire, the higher the resulting centrifugal acceleration will be. In order to avoid the risk of smoky tread scraps appearing sooner or later in the rear mirror, these high-speed tires must be rated for extreme centrifugal forces. For this reason, tire treads are provided with jointless bandages composed of rubberized nylon or hybrid cords to absorb extremely high forces. Traditionally, tire producers manufacture these bandages by calendering. During the subsequent cutting process, however, the longitudinal knives damage or even partly sever the outer cords of the bandage, which substantially affects the tire quality. An innovative concept has been designed for the production of jointless bandages. The cap strip line is delivered ready to plug in and composed of a rubber processing extruder with downstream gear pump and a hydraulic crosshead die. The die is designed for coating 128 cords at a time with a rubber compound and to combine them to 16 cap strips that are subsequently wound around the belt during the tire assembly. A control package covers the creel designed to take 128 spools with nylon or hybrid cords, the extrusion line with gear pump and hydraulic crosshead die up to the downstream equipment such as cooling drum assembly, material accumulator and the 16-station winding system. The line achieves a throughput capacity of 40 m/min. at constant output and excellent extrudate homogeneity, according to the company. The hydraulic crosshead die ensures shorter tooling times as compared to the conventional die version with screw connections, according to the company. As the final die is fixed by means of a hydraulic clamp, it can easily be replaced when changing the material. The crosshead is also equipped with a hydraulic system for opening and closing, which substantially facilitates cleaning operations. A creel change takes just 30 minutes. The wound-up spools can be changed at full line speed. Thanks to the high degree of automation, the line can be operated continuously for up to ten hours.
KraussMaffei Berstorff
www.kraussmaffei.com |
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| Line Diverter For Pneumatic Conveying Systems |
The patented Quantum Series 4-Way wye line diverter is specifically engineered to handle dry bulk solids in pneumatic conveying systems with vacuum or positive pressures up to 15 psig (1 barg). The Quantum Series 4-Way wye line diverter, available in 2” to 6” (50 mm to 150 mm) pipe or tube, can direct dry bulk material from one source to four destinations, or converge from four sources to one destination. This company utilizes precision laser cutting and bending technology to manufacture this diverter valve. It is said to provide a number of advantages over traditional flapper and rotating tunnel style diverters and eliminates trouble spots inherent in these conventional diverters. The wye line diverter is said to provide superior sealing, low installation weight, fast in-line maintenance and long-term, reliable service. The Quantum Series wye line diverter provides positive shutoff of air and material, improving process efficiency, minimizes cross contamination and eliminates material buildup beyond the closed port. Adapting the Vortex Quantum Series wye line diverter to meet system requirements is said to be made easy with a wide selection of actuators, position indication switches, flanges and tube stubs. The Quantum Series 4-Way wye line diverter also offers a wide variety of modifications to accommodate high or low temperatures, and corrosive, humid and hazardous environments.
Vortex Valves North America
www.vortexvalves.com |
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| Rubber Injection Molding Machine |
The Edition injection molding machine series is said to offer European machine quality with an excellent price/performance ratio. Each machine is designed and developed in Europe, along with each machine component. The optimum configuration of the machine models results in a very small footprint. The fully hydraulic clamping system of the Edition series provides support of nearly the whole cavity area. The clamp unit is designed to be fully hydraulic. The solid main clamping piston supports nearly the whole cavity area and guarantees the stability of the machine. With the optimum parallel clamping of the mold, optimum part quality is said to be reached, also at high precision requirements. The clamping unit is available with 160 mt, 250 mt and 400 mt clamping force. The Edition series is equipped with the company's FIFO injection unit. This unit works to the well proven first in/first out principle. This means that the material first plasticized will be injected first. A constant L/D ratio guarantees the homogenous preparation of the compound. Another benefit is the very short distance from the pot chamber to the nozzle. This means that very little injection pressure is lost during the injection. The nozzle is permanently cooled so it is not necessary to use a nozzle lift, thus taking away the risk of nozzle leakage. The FIFO injection unit is said to guarantee precise shot accuracy and perfect repeatability. The easy cleaning of the MAPLAN FIFO injection unit simplifies necessary changing of compounds and minimizes the resulting down time.
Maplan
www.maplanstarlinger.com |
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| Testing Solutions |
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This leading provider of testing equipment solutions designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components offers its online technical resource. The Testing Solutions section of its web site is rich with content to help answer materials testing questions, and it is easily searchable by standard, material or industry. The growing database of more than 135 solutions consists of content that walks the user through the test process, related testing tips and recommendations. The site includes images of the test set up and sample test curves. Additionally, the new section incorporates PDFs of associated literature, as well as links to ASTM, ISO and other international standards. The company's solutions are based on questions from its customers. If a customer poses a new question, the company can post the solution on its site quickly.
Instron
www.instron.com |
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| Heavy Duty Walk-In Ovens |
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This four-page, four-color brochure describes the company's heavy duty walk-in ovens. Gas or electric models are offered, featuring uniform temperature (450-850 degrees fahrenheit) under heavy loads. Standard features listed in the brochure include quality components throughout, digital temperature control, over-temperature backup control, uniform temperature, adjustable air ducts, a painted enamel exterior, an aluminized steel interior, structural reinforcement, welded steel panel construction, gasketed door openings, multiple hinged non-sag welded steel doors, pressure release door latches, magnetic motor starters, large diameter low watt density incoloy sheathed heating elements, multiple bank wiring for greater temperature controllability and more. Horizontal-vertical air flow is said to be best for applications where product configuration allows air supplied from both sides of the oven to pass freely from supply ducts to the return opening at the top back or optional overhead return duct. Full horizontal air flow is said to be most appropriate when a cart with several shelves is used, allowing the air to pass freely over and below the materials in process. Air is supplied from one side of the oven work area and returned to ductwork on the opposite wall. Oven floor configurations are illustrated. This company is said to build custom walk-in ovens at standard oven prices.
Precision Quincy
www.precisionquincy.com |
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| Ergonomic Handle For Square Point Knives |
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This company's ergonomic grip square point knives for use in tire plants are said to provide two benefits in one tool, including increased comfort and control, yielding a safer work environment, plus reducing or eliminating contamination from wood handled knives. The cushioned, ergonomic grip adds comfort and reduces hand fatigue, according to the company. Its contoured shape and thumb bolster are said to maximize control of the blade. The company's plastic-based, ergonomic grip handles also remove the risk of contamination inside the plant, something that can be caused by using wood handled tools.
The company makes square point knife models available for use with or without Everhard’s knife heaters.
Everhard Products
www.everhard.com |
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| Global Production Of Natural Rubber On The Decline |
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Production of natural rubber (NR) entered into a declining phase in all producing countries, according to estimates at the end of March 2009. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, China and Sri Lanka accounted for around 94 percent of the global production of NR during 2008. Total production in these seven countries is anticipated to decline by 2.2 percent in 2009, further to the 0.4 percent dip in 2008. In Thailand, the largest NR producing country accounting for about 33 percent of the global supply, production dropped by 13.9 percent during the first two months of 2009 on a year-over-year basis. The Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand anticipates the production during the year 2009 to be lower by 0.5 percent from 2008. Production in Indonesia is anticipated to decline during 2009 by 6.0 percent, in spite of the expected expansion in tappable area by 30,000 hectare, according to estimates of the Directorate of Perennial Crops, Ministry of Agriculture. Being the second largest producing country accounting for around 29 percent of the global supply, this 6 percent decline would bring down the global supply by 165,000 metric tons. In Malaysia, where the production had declined by 10.7 percent during 2008, a further decline by 4.6 percent is anticipated for 2009. Estimates of the Malaysian Rubber Board reveal a 43.5 percent decline in output during January 2009 as compared to January 2008. Tapped area, which came down by 173,000 ha in 2008, is anticipated to come down further by 20,000 ha in 2009. India has scaled down the production forecasts for 2009 in the backdrop of an unusually severe drought experienced during the first quarter of the year in the country’s major rubber growing region. Production declined by 11.2 percent during the first quarter, according to the estimates of the Rubber Board of India. Production during the year 2009 is anticipated to decline by 2.7 percent to 857,000 metric tons. Although tapped area could marginally expand by 2,000 ha, average yield is anticipated to come down to 1,850 kg/ha in 2009 from 1,912 kg/ha in 2008. Vietnam had witnessed a 1.8 percent decline in production during the first quarter of 2009, according to the Vietnam Rubber Association’s estimates endorsed by the Vietnam Rubber Group. The production during the year 2009 is anticipated to decline by 2.0 percent due to shrinkage in tappable area by 16,700 ha coupled with a decline in average yield to 1,661 kg/ha from 1,700 kg/ha in 2008. In China, although production is anticipated to increase by 13.7 percent in 2009, this is only a return to the normal production after the drastic fall in the previous year. Production had fallen by 13.3 percent during 2008 due to an adverse climate. Even with this anticipated 13.7 percent increase, production would still be marginally lower than the pre-2008 level. The Rubber Research Institute under the China Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences in Hainan Province anticipates that the production would be 580,000 metrio tons in 2009 as compared to 510,000 metric tons in 2008 and 588,000 metric tons in 2007. Production in Sri Lanka is anticipated to decline during 2009 by 2.3 percent to 126,000 metric tons from 129,000 metric tons in 2008, according to estimates of the ANRPC Monthly Bulletin of Rubber Statistics, Volume 1, No .2, March 2009. This is due to a reduction in tappable area by 2,000 ha and a decline in average yield from 1,360 kg/ha
in 2008 to 1,319 kg/ha in 2009.
Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries
www.anrpc.org |
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| U.S. Demand For Specialty Silicas To Reach $1.7 Billion In 2013 |
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U.S. specialty silica demand is projected to increase 3.7 percent per year to $1.7 billion in 2013, led by healthy advances in the large precipitated silica segment. Overall volume gains are forecast to accelerate from the pace of the 2003-2008 period, benefiting from an expected rebound in nondurable goods output through 2013. Advances in market value will be limited by a significant moderation in specialty silica pricing. These and other trends are presented in Specialty Silicas, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland, OH-based industry research firm. Precipitated silica accounts for the largest share of specialty silica demand in both volume and value terms. This silica type will also constitute the fastest-growing segment of the market, aided by above-average gains in its primary market, tire rubber. Increasing use of precipitated silica as a replacement for carbon black in tire reinforcement applications in the U.S. will offer significant opportunities for growth. Fumed silica represents the second largest product type in value terms, owing to its higher price relative to other silica types. Demand for fumed silica is expected to be healthy, benefiting from gains in small volume markets such as plastics, adhesives and sealants, cosmetics and toiletries, and food and beverages. However, growth in the large electronics market, where fumed silica finds use in chemical mechanical planarization slurries, will slow significantly from the pace of the previous decade, restrained by changes in electronics technology, competition from nonsilica materials and greater electronics production in Asia. The rubber industry is projected to remain the largest specialty silica market through 2013. All types of silica are used in rubber applications, but demand is dominated by precipitated silica, with fumed and fused types also accounting for appreciable shares of demand. Above-average advances will reflect greater use of precipitated silica in the production of “green” tires, which offer increased fuel efficiency and enhanced performance relative to conventional carbon black tires. The cosmetics and toiletries market, which represents the second largest market in value terms, will also advance at an above-average pace through 2013.
The Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| World Natural Rubber Output To See Biggest Fall Since 1993 |
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Singapore - Global natural rubber output will fall 2.2 percent to 8.9 million metric tons this year, its biggest drop in 16 years, as Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia produce less, the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) said yesterday. "The 2.2 percent decline in natural rubber production anticipated in 2009 is the biggest decline in the past 16 years," the group said. "Global production of natural rubber had declined by 2.6 percent during 1993." The ANRPC accounts for 94 percent of global natural rubber production. Other members are India, Vietnam, China and Sri Lanka. "(In) Thailand, the largest natural rubber producing country accounting for about 33 percent of the global supply, production dropped by 13.9 percent during the first two months of this year on a year-over-year basis," it said in its March report. Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia agreed in December to take 915,000 metric tons of rubber out of the market this year or a sixth of their 2007 combined exports of 5.5 million metric tons, to support prices as a global economic downturn cut demand for tires. Cash rubber prices have more than halved from July's 56-year peak around $3.20 (RM11.58) a kg. "It's the right time for the old trees to be replanted. Farmers think this is the best time to cut the trees, while waiting for the economy to bounce back," said a dealer in Kuala Lumpur. "It's their own initiative." In its March report, the ANRPC pegged Thailand's output at 3.075 million metric tons in 2009, down from 3.090 million last year. The group offered no estimates for this year's Thai production in its February report, issued last month, but revised down output for Indonesia and India from that report. Indonesia's was forecast to produce 2.586 million metric tons of rubber this year, down from 2.751 million metric tons last year. ANRPC had earlier put the country's production at 2.852 million metric tons this year. "Being the second largest producing country accounting for around 29 percent of the global supply, this 6 percent decline would bring down the global supply by 165,000 metric tons," said the ANRPC. Output in Malaysia, the world's third-largest producer, was forecast at 1.023 million metric tons this year, down from 1.072 million last year. "Tapped area which came down by 173,000 ha in 2008 is anticipated to come down further by 20,000 ha in 2009," said the group. "India has scaled down the production forecasts for 2009 in the backdrop of an unusually severe drought experienced during the first quarter of the year in the country's major rubber growing region," it added.
Business Times
www.btimes.com.my |
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| China Holds Key To Rubber Production Rebound |
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Singapore/Shanghai - Rubber dealers expect China's appetite for the commodity to bounce back and pull their industry from the doldrums even as demand shrinks elsewhere, but recent defaults have made suppliers cautious, according to a report in the Business Times. As the global financial crisis puts the skids under the car sector, dealers are eyeing China, despite lingering distrust after it scrapped deals for as much as 200,000 metric tons last year, costing suppliers in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia millions of dollars. "If you look at the trend, China will have the quickest recovery," said Djoko Said Damardjati, secretary-general of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries, which accounts for 90 percent of global output. "This opens up an opportunity for us, the producers." The association groups Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, China and Sri Lanka. China will offset demand declines from Europe and North America and is likely to help cash prices stay above current levels over $1 (RM3.63) a kg, with its consumption expected to take up 30 percent of global natural rubber output in 2009, analysts say. "In 2009, the Chinese rubber industry will still maintain a rapid development," Fan Rende, president of the China Rubber Industry Association, said. "The overall growth rate of the rubber industry is expected to be about 10 percent in 2009." Global demand for natural and synthetic rubber could fall as much as 8 percent this year, but could rebound by 4 percent in 2010, the International Rubber Study Group says. About 70 percent of global natural rubber is used to make tires. China is the world's largest rubber consumer and tire maker, devouring up to a quarter of global natural rubber output each year, but it is also the industry's most fickle customer. The country's tire output is forecast to rise 8 percent in 2009 from a year earlier, to 378 million units, with exports worth $7.3 billion in 2008. Production could reach 404 million units in 2010, the China Rubber Industry Association said, with demand for natural and synthetic rubber expected to rise 7.3 percent this year to 5.9 million metric tons. But the growth comes against a backdrop of Chinese defaults that have upset suppliers. Chinese buyers stunned the market late last year when they refused to pay for their cargoes after prices plunged more than half in the wake of the global economic meltdown that has brought automakers in Europe, North America and Japan to their knees. As tire-grade rubber fell to around $1 a kg from July's 56-year peak at $3.25, Chinese buyers refused to take the cargoes, forcing sellers to cut prices. Dealers said the Chinese buyers had earlier agreed to buy the rubber at $2 per kg. Even so, suppliers realize they have no option but to deal with China. Some of the defaults are being settled through arbitration, with the Singapore Commodity Exchange now handling 10 cases - its highest figure in the last decade. There are signs China is keen to shake off its bad reputation as it strives to keep afloat its tire manufacturing industry, which employs 200,000 people. "They find that if they want a reliable source of rubber, they have to earn the trust of the suppliers," said Avtar Sandu, manager of Asian commodities at Phillip Futures in Singapore. "The default thing is a lose-lose situation for everybody." Wild price swings are a curse for Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, which normally sell rubber to China in a document against payment scheme that allows sellers to ship the cargo to China before payments are settled.
Business Times
www.btimes.com.my |
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| World Demand For Nonwovens To Approach 8 Million Metric Tons In 2012 |
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Global demand for nonwoven fabrics is forecast to climb 6.9 percent annually through 2012 to eight million metric tons. Product sales will grow somewhat faster in area terms reflecting a modest decrease in average nonwovens weight. The medical/surgical product market for nonwoven fabrics will record the most rapid advances. The personal hygiene market, which includes adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and infant diapers and training pants, will continue to account for the single largest share of nonwovens demand in 2012. Market gains in developing parts of Asia/Pacific, Eastern Europe, Africa/Mideast and Latin America will outpace demand in the U.S., Western Europe and Japan. Product sales in developing areas will be fueled by above-average economic growth, ongoing industrialization efforts and rising living standards. China alone will account for 38 percent of all additional demand through 2012 and will surpass the U.S. to become the largest nonwoven fabric market in the world. Advances are also expected to be
healthy in lower-volume markets such as India, Turkey, Russia and Brazil. Sales of roll goods in developed parts of the world will expand as well. Nonwovens demand will be stimulated by improved economic climates and higher per capita income, resulting in increased manufacturing output and consumer spending, which will boost product sales through 2012. However, new housing starts are
expected to remain well below earlier peaks in the U.S. and Japan, and the same will be true for motor vehicle output in most developed nations, limiting associated nonwoven fabric demand. Spunmelt nonwoven fabrics, which accounted for the single largest share of total demand in 2007, will also post the strongest gains through 2012, driven by growth in the use of disposable medical garments and textiles, rising consumption of composite spunbonded/meltblown nonwoven fabrics that combine the performance advantages of each, and greater penetration of markets now served by competitive products. Demand for airlaid nonwovens will also expand at an above-average pace. Airlaid products are generally less expensive than competitive materials, and suppliers will benefit from increased use in absorbent food pads, adult incontinence products, filters, hospital bed pads, napkins and tablecloths, sanitary pads and wipes.
The Freedonia Group
www.freedoniagroup.com |
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| Tire X-Ray Machine |
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This company has designed and built a completely new passenger car, and truck and bus tire x-ray machine that is said to look quite different from all existing x-ray machinery. The x-ray machine has a similar layout and operation for passenger car tires (13”- 24”) and for bus, light truck and truck tires (15”-27”). The company's x-ray image quality with a pitch of 0.4 mm is also implemented in this design. Conveyors at the inlet and outlet assure in-line operation, while the operator operates in an air-conditioned cabin. The testing machine is constructed on one base-frame and is designed to fit in a 20 ft. container and can be started up at a site in one day.
The VerTiX machine loads, measures and unloads a single tire in less then 20 seconds, even in mixed operation. This realizes a 20 precent higher capacity then machines currently available on the market, according to the company. Recently, the in-house testing of the prototype VerTiX in truck-execution was successfully completed, and this machine is available for customer testing. At the end of 2008, the first machine in PCR-execution was sold to an Asian customer who is convinced of the high throughput and the superior image quality, according to the company. The VerTiX can also be supplied with the automatic defect recognition software CI (CollmannInspector), which supports the operator to find defects in the tire as kinked beads, off-center breakers, body ply misarrangements or foreign objects. Real distance measurements, without the requirement of calibration, can also be executed.
Collmann
www.collmann.com |
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| Custom Rubber Extrusions |
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Informational literature describes the extrusion services and capabilities of this rubber products manufacturer. Unlike other extruders which focus largely on the mass production of standard items, the literature explains that this company concentrates on the custom extrusion of complex profiles from traditional elastomers, such as nitrile, EPDM and polychloroprene, and from high performance materials, such as fluoroelastomers and ethylene/acrylic elastomers. At its 15,000 square foot plant in suburban Philadelphia, PA, this company operates an advanced extrusion line, featuring a 3 inch cold-feed extruder with multi-range temperature controls, a horizontal in-line electric curing oven and an electric autoclave with programmable controls. Capabilities of the extrusion line include large diameter extrusions in complex profiles, tolerances as close as +/- 0.015 inches, tighter controls over temperature and pressure, improved productivity, and virtual freedom from talc and other impurities. This company is also said to be unique in maintaining, under one roof, a full array of complementary services, including rubber compound testing and development, custom mixing, design and machining of dies and molds, custom molding and cryogenic deflashing.
Pelmor Laboratories
www.pelmor.com |
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| Mold Making |
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Cutting edge mold making techniques are said to be the defining factor in choosing this company as the ideal mold supplier for many clients. The firm's comprehensive mold making line ranges from plastic injection molds, die casting molds, silicone rubber molds, LSR molds, rubber molds, to press molds. Among the variety, plastic injection molds and LSR molds are the prominent technical features of this company. Plastic injection molds can be divided into thermoforming and thermosetting, according to its processing methods. In the current market, the majority of suppliers is incapable of supporting thermosetting molds due to incomplete manufacturing equipment or immature techniques. The liquid silicone rubber mold (LSR) is said to be a unique molding skill of this company. Main applications of LSR molds are diving equipment, baby bottle nipples, medical items, sporting goods and products that will directly contact the human body. Due to its applications, the standard for LSR molds is said to be higher than ordinary silicone rubber molds, requiring finer FDA qualified material and better manufacturing conditions. This company can manufacture one mold with two color injected mold structure designs, without the need to produce two molds or rotate two times.
Intertech
www.intertech.net.tw |
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| Vibratory Feeding And Screening Laboratory |
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The company's technical center, located in Erie, PA, has more than 100 types of permanent magnetic, electromagnetic, vibratory, screening, electronic metal detecting, hydraulic and flotation equipment to handle a wide variety of materials. The firm provides a complete laboratory facility to evaluate and assess material samples and establish the most efficient and profitable ways for customers to process or handle these materials. The technical center offers both expertise and state-of-the-art testing equipment for flowsheet development, determination of potential use, characterization of product, best handling procedures or best separation approach for sample materials submitted from all over the world. Visual inspection and basic assessment of each sample are standard. If a positive assessment of the sample is made, the company may recommend additional testing. Each year at this technical center, more than 400 material tests are conducted on customer-supplied samples. Tests range from evaluating material flow on a vibratory feeder to classifying minerals through flotation technology and identifying contaminants in products through the use of x-ray equipment. In addition to these routine material tests, pilot scale tests are also conducted in the technical center to evaluate various equipment combinations to provide the best processing solutions. The technical center also offers flowsheet development on a contract basis. When required, independent laboratories can be contracted to perform assays. Sieve analyses and Davis tube analyses are also available.
Eriez
www.eriez.com |
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| Process Control System |
The expandable Maco compact control system for injection molding machines features the company’s Impact II closed loop process control. For improved optimization in closed loop systems, the Impact II closed loop process control creates a theoretical model of the injection molding process after only a few cycles and uses that model along with hundreds of rules to compensate for any deviations. Operator interfaces are now available in a sleek, flexible design with a full range of cost-effective HMIs. Features include high speed display updates, Ethernet communications, recipe storage ability, online and web browsable RLD diagnostics, closed loop control updates at less than 1.0 ms, statistical process control and large color touch screens.
Eurotherm
www.eurotherm.com |
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| Vision Software |
Updated software expands the powerful toolset of the company's hardware-independent VisionPro software. The VisionPro 5.2 release provides an easier to use version of the patented PatMax technology, enhanced color tools and an enhanced architecture to harness the power of multicore PCs. The release includes new SearchMax and Color Extractor color tools. SearchMax uses color features to search for objects. It is extremely powerful in applications where geometrical data are insufficient to align the part. Color Extractor locates colored regions in complex scenes, with very minimal training. It is optimized for high speed applications such as those required in the food and packaging industries. Additionally, the new release includes multicore support for image filtering tools, as well as for PatMax and PatInspect. Customers can manually adjust the way cores are used, or rely on the operating system to get the best application speed, regardless of the number of cores available. VisionPro 5.2 also simplifies the acquisition from any imaging source. Now, any combination of frame grabbers or direct connect cameras can be used in a single application. The Acquisition Alliance program is said to provide customers with best-in-class, integrated machine vision solutions through access to major camera vendors.
Cognex
www.cognex.com |
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| Water-Based Rubber Lubricant |
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This water-based rubber lubricant can be used as an insertion and assembly lubricant. This product is said to provide a clear, inert, thermally stable lubricant coating with a low coefficient of friction and superior lubricity. Currently being used with a variety of rubber and plastic parts, such as o-rings, diaphragms, hoses, seals, bushings and gaskets, this product is said to provide an inert coating that will not harm the applied surface. This product is said to be environmentally- and operator-friendly, containing no VOCs or hazardous ingredients.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| Thermoset Compounds |
Aeroform thermoset molding products are said to be designed specifically for demanding small wind energy applications, where exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, durability, UV resistance and low specific gravity are required. Thermoset sheet molding compounds (SMC) are comprised of fiber reinforcement in a polymer resin. Once molded, the materials are said to be exceptionally strong, able to absorb both shock and vibration. They are also resistant to a variety of corrosive and natural forces, such as UV light and moisture, and maintain their shape and performance attributes for decades. Components can be molded in color, or color can be applied after molding.
IDI Composites International
www.idicomposites.com |
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| Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Polyurethane |
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Elastollan 1190 A 10 FHF is a halogen-free, flame retardant grade of TPU for wire and cable applications. Additional benefits of this TPU are said to include excellent abrasion resistance, low temperature properties, hydrolytic stability and fungus resistance. The TPU series can be formulated for extruded profile, sheet and film applications. This halogen-free TPU is said to complement the company's current line of halogen-free materials that are available in a broad range of hardnesses (80 durometer A to 54 durometer D), has a tensile strength of 25 MPa and elongation at a break of 550 percent. This TPU can be used in wire and cable applications for transportation, agricultural equipment, electronics, recreational vehicles and more.
BASF
www.basf.com |
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| Perfluoroelastomers |
With sealings, molded parts and o-rings of FFKM (perfluorelastomer), this company is said to offer application-oriented solutions at an excellent proficiency level. Almost universally resistant against all chemicals, with the exception of flour-containing compounds and alkali metals, FFKM can be applied in critical environments of organic and inorganic acids, alkaline substances, ester, alcohol, fuel and hot water. The famous resistance against oxygen, ozone, atmospheric influences and aging shows the fullness of the possible fields of applications. FFKM also has, depending of the type, an extreme high thermal stability combined with temperature stability. During long-term stress there appears a softening instead of a characteristic hardening. The low loss of weight under high-vacuum among high temperatures also characterizes FFKM. FFKM is said to find application everywhere there is a demand for an extreme high thermal stability together with chemical resistance, e.g., aviation, aerospace, high-vacuum technology, medical technology, chemical and oil industry, chemical analysis, pharmaceuticals industry, food processing technology and the industry of semiconductors.
Cimaka International GmbH
www.cimaka.ch |
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| Flame Retardant TPE Compounds |
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DecaBDE-free, flame retardant thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds are RoHS compliant. These products address the needs of electrical and electronics and other component manufacturers following the European Union's repeal of the decaBDE exemption under the RoHS Directive.
These decaBDE-free flame retardant compounds are offered in all major TPE resins. Flame retardant TPEs are said to commonly be used in the electronics industry for components such as overmolded connectors and strain reliefs. The company's flame retardant TPEs are said to offer superior bondability and can be used with multi-shot or overmolding techniques, providing two key properties in one material. UL94 flammability ratings for these compounds are predominately V-0 @
1/16 inch (1.5 mm) with some grades extending down to 1/32 inch (0.8 mm). Many of the company's TPE compounds are fully UL Recognized with yellow cards. Additionally, the company's flame retardant TPE compounds can to be combined with additional compounding technologies, from color to conductivity, while maintaining the material's RoHS compliance. RoHS compliant, flame retardant TPEs from the company are available in thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPUR - RTP 1200 Series), polyether-ester block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer (TEEE - RTP 1500 Series), styrenic block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer (TES - RTP 2700 S Series), and thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TEO - RTP 2800 Series) resins at durometers ranging from 45A to 65D.
RTP
www.rtpcompany.com |
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| Semi-Permanent Mold Release Agent |
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A water-based, semi-permanent mold release has been developed for organic rubber compounds and parts. MAC-973 will reduce mold release usage by allowing for the maximum number of parts to be released per application of the mold release. Thus, molders will improve their molding efficiency, resulting in a lower operating cost. Proven benefits are said to include reduced mold fouling and build-up, no transfer of the mold release to the molded part, increased mold flow while eliminating non-fills, superior release performance and reduced part rejection rate. MAC-973 is environmentally- and operator-friendly, containing no hazardous material. This product is said to perform well with rubber-to-metal bonded parts, medical parts, seals, boots and bellows. Samples and supervised plant trials are available.
McLube Division, McGee Industries
www.mclube.com |
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| China Is Leading Rubber Importer From Viet Nam |
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China was Viet Nam's leading rubber importer among 70 countries and territories, and this is set to continue this year, said the national rubber industry's annual report for 2008. Mainland China last year imported $952.7 million worth of rubber products, accounting for 56 percent of the country's total rubber exports. Other importers like South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan accounted for an average of 3 to 5 percent. Last year also saw a sharp increase in rubber exports to Italy and Germany, up 38 percent and 14.7 percent, respectively, over 2007. The Czech Republic last year posted the highest increase in rubber imports from Viet Nam at $8.3 million, a 50 percent increase over 2007. However, Viet Nam's rubber exports to the U.S., the world's second biggest rubber market, fell 20 percent year-on-year to $30.5 million. Industry officials attribute the fall in the U.S. market to shrinking demand in the troubled automobile industry, the quality of Vietnamese rubber products and an ineffective distribution system. World demand for rubber in 2009 was forecast to be lower than last year because of the global economic crisis that has reduced consumption of industrial and agricultural products including rubber. China will continue to be the world's biggest rubber importer. Over the last two years, China has seen the highest growth rate of 39.27 percent in rubber imports, and its imports from Viet Nam have also risen by 26.59 percent. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), China's economy was expected to grow by 6.7 percent this year. At this growth rate, China will still be seen as a potential market for rubber exports. Next comes South Korea with an expected GDP growth rate of 3.4 percent in 2009. South Korea's imports were set to grow 28.72 percent this year, making it another promising buyer of rubber from Viet Nam. The Czech Republic was another potential market for this year. Although its import value has been small at $8.3 million in 2008, it has recorded the highest increase in imports of Vietnamese rubber over the last two years. This European country's economy is forecast to increase by 3.3 percent in 2009. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development plans to expand the country's rubber plantations to 640,000 hectares with an output of 680,000 metric tons this year. Viet Nam now becomes the world's fifth biggest rubber producer after Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and India.
VietNamNet Bridge
www.vietnamnet.vn |
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| Materials Testing Accessories Catalog |
This provider of testing equipment designed to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components offers its updated materials testing accessories catalog. This fourth edition details, in full color images, a broad range of accessories to enhance materials testing systems. Designed with a new look and feel for easier navigation, the 375-page catalog features detailed product information on hundreds of grips, extensometers, fixtures, environmental chambers, load cells, furnaces and other materials testing accessories. Many items in the catalog can be easily adapted to suit testing equipment from other manufacturers. Catalog highlights include the company's range of screw side-action grips, specimen alignment systems, and the latest software products, such as WaveMatrix. In addition to showcasing materials testing accessories, this updated catalog contains valuable information on how to select the appropriate accessories based on particular applications, as well as various technical tips for general materials testing.
Instron
www.instron.com |
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| Viscometer |
The DV-II+Pro Extra features the company’s ball bearing suspension system which delivers extended durability for instruments that experience exceptionally heavy use, multiple operators, or dusty and dirty work environments. An EZ-Lock spindle coupling was added, another productivity booster that allows technicians to quickly and easily attach/detach spindles in busy laboratory environments. The company also included its quick action lab stand which allows users to easily move the viscometer up and down the stand with a press of a button. Quicker positioning and rapid sample changes are said to improve efficiency and save money. For a limited time, the company is offering free Rheocalc software with every new DV-II+Pro Extra. With Rheocalc, customers can control the instrument from a PC and collect test data, analyze the data, generate multiple plot overlays, print tabular data, run math models and perform other timesaving routines. Data can be saved in the Rheocalc or exported to Excel. A variety of additional accessories is available to suit customers specific requirements.
Brookfield Engineering
www.brookfieldengineering.com |
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| Poor Car Sales May Curb Global Demand For Rubber |
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Singapore - Global rubber demand could fall more sharply than expected this year, dropping as much as 8 percent if the recession that has slashed demand for cars worsens, industry officials said yesterday. Carmakers have cut output, laid off workers and sought government aid during the economic downturn, cutting the price of natural rubber. Physical rubber prices have more than halved from July's peak above $3 (RM11) a kg. "Our best scenario is still 6.4 percent down (in 2009), but it may even fall to 8 percent if the recession is worse than the IMF predicted in January," said Hidde Smit, secretary-general of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG). "If the economy is a bit worse this year, then the rebound next year may be about 3 or 4 percent," he said. The International Monetary Fund forecast global economic growth of 0.5 percent in January. The IRSG, which compiles data and issues forecasts for global supply and demand, has already revised down its global rubber demand forecast once, to 6.4 percent, on March 3, versus an initial projection of 5 percent made in January. It is forecasting global rubber consumption at 20.4 million metric tons in 2009, down from 22.179 million metric tons last year. "The fate of rubber is determined by the tire sector. There's such high dependency," said Djoko Said Damardjati, secretary-general of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries. "There's a need for a quick recovery in the economy. While the economy is in its current condition, what we can do is to do our best so that we won't fall apart," he said. The automobile sector accounts for around 70 percent of demand for rubber. Worries over falling demand sent Tokyo rubber futures to their weakest in six years in December, prompting main producers Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to trim exports. The key Tokyo rubber contract for August delivery stood at 149.7 yen recently. It is down nearly 60 percent from its peaks last June, but up around 50 percent from the December lows. "There is always hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel definitely, but it isn't clear how long the tunnel is. The important factors, of course, are the economies of the U.S. and Europe," said Smit. "If they get their act together, and of course, if China and India continue to do well, then all will be better." In January, Beijing unveiled support measures for the automobile industry that included halving to 5 percent the sales tax on purchases of cars with engines smaller than 1.6 litres.
Business Times
www.btimes.com.my |
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| Extensional Rheometer |
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Expanded measurement options are available on the Haake Caber extensional rheometer. With the only commercially available extensional rheometer, this company is said to make it possible to quantify the extensional properties of fluids using normal force measurement. The measuring principle of the easy-to-use, software-controlled extensional rheometer involves placing a sample between two plates and moving the upper plate upwards at very high speed in order to produce a fluid filament. A laser micrometer is used to determine the decrease in filament diameter as a function of time. Physical effects such as surface tension, elasticity, viscosity and mass transfer determine the extensional flow and can be quantified using model fitting analysis. In this way, important insights can be gained for such processes as fluid filling behavior, the hardening of adhesives or the spray behavior and misting of printing inks and wall paints. The measuring principle is said to be ideally suited for viscoelastic samples which form cylindrical filaments on extension. The expanded measuring concept now also permits the measurement of samples with non-cylindrical filament formation and is based on a highly sensitive, fast, normal force measurement in the sub-milli-Newton range which is integrated in the lower measuring geometry of the instrument and combined with modern data-recording technology. The normal force which acts on the lower plate is determined while the upper plate is already moving upwards. In this way, information regarding filament formation and extensional properties is determined, which is not available from the classic Haake Caber experiment.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
www.thermofisher.com |
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| Temperature Calibration Instrumentation |
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This product guide on temperature calibration instrumentation provides information on the company's temperature sensors, precision pyrometers, temperature controllers, process control sensors, process control assemblies, and cases and accessories.
Electronic Development Labs
www.edl-inc.com |
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| Durometers |
Model 306L.5 precision durometers are said to offer excellent calibration curves. An NIST/ISO 17025 accredited (A2LA) calibration is included with each unit. As newer, more uniform elastomers have become available, there is said to be an increasing demand for durometers with a ±0.5 point calibration curve in lieu of the standard ±1.0 point curve. The Model 306L.5, coupled with an accredited certification, is said to leave no room for doubt in determining product hardness. The 306L.5 is currently being provided to several companies producing critical medical components of silicone rubber. The Model 306L.5 maybe combined with a test stand to further improve gauge R&R, including reduced operator influence. It has a memory hand to simplify data taking and conforms to ASTM D2240 Type A standard on durometers.
PTC Instruments
www.ptc1.com |
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| Rotational Rheometer |
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Kinexus is a rotational rheometer platform that is said to incorporate technological innovations in the most critical areas of rheometer design, from sample preparation and loading, through measurement set-up and operation, to data analysis and reporting. Adaptive intelligence allows Kinexus to actively guide users at every stage.
Malvern Instruments
www.malvern.com |
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| Insert Molding of LSR Parts |
The all-electric eight ton Micro-Molder has been specifically designed and built for insert molding of LSR (liquid silicone rubber) parts. The Micro-Molder has a vertical clamp and a vertical injection unit and a two-station rotary table, said to be ideal for loading inserts and removing molded parts. The plunger injection unit can be fed from 12 ounce cartridges or a commercially available mixing and metering system. Air pressure will push the material from the cartridges into the metering block. The metering block will have two pneumatically driven cylinders (A and B) that will push the material through a static mixer and into the injection cylinder. The electric injection cylinder will fill to a set position at a set back pressure until the proper shot size is achieved. At that point, it will be ready to inject a very accurate shot into the LSR mold. Users can choose among three injection units that deliver shot sizes from 3 cc to 20 cc. The injection unit can be removed in a few minutes for cleaning or material changes. Spare injection units are available. All process parameters can be entered in the menu driven color touch screen. Other features of the control system include process monitoring displays, alarm displays and recipes for several molds.
Lawton Machinery Group
www.lmgpresses.com |
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| Rubber Injection Molding Machines |
The Edition machine series injection molding machines are said to offer European machine quality at an excellent price/performance relation. The optimum configuration of the machine models results in a very small footprint. So use of the Edition is said to result in a high output per m2 hall space. The fully hydraulic clamping system of the series provides support of nearly the whole cavity area. The clamp unit is fully hydraulic. The solid main clamping piston supports nearly the whole cavity area and guarantees the stability of the machine. By the optimum parallel clamping of the mould, an optimum part quality is said to be reached, also at high precision requirements. The clamping unit is available with 160 mt, 250 mt and 400 mt clamping force. The Edition series is equipped with the company's FIFO injection unit. This unit works to the proven first in/first out principle. This means that the material first plasticized will be injected first. A constant L/D ratio guarantees the homogenous preparation of the compound. Another benefit is the very short distance from the pot chamber to the nozzle; this means that very little injection pressure is lost during the injection. The nozzle is permanently cooled so it is not necessary to use a nozzle lift, removing the risk of nozzle leakage. The injection unit is said to guarantee precise shot accuracy and perfect repeatability. The easy cleaning of the FIFO injection unit simplifies necessary changing of compounds and minimizes the resulting down time. Edition series injection units with volumes of 750 cm3 up to 3,200 cm3 are available.
Maplan
www.maplan.at |
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| Basic Bulk Bag Filler |
The Model BFB basic bulk bag filler performs low capacity filling operations at minimal cost, and can be upgraded with performance enhancements, including a material delivery system integrated with the user's process equipment or bulk storage vessels. The Model BFB filler is a lighter-duty version of the company's heavy-gauge Twin-Centerpost filler, a patented design with two on-center posts said to offer the structural integrity of four-post fillers, but at significantly lower material and fabrication costs and with less weight. It also affords easier access to the bag spout and loops, according to the company. The filler is equipped as standard with fill head height adjustment via fork truck to accommodate all popular bag sizes, an inflatable cuff to seal the bag inlet spout, and a feed chute vent port for dust-free air displacement during filling.
Performance can be enhanced by adding an inflator to expand the bag prior to filling, and a programmable scale system with flow control valve for automated filling by weight. The filler is also available with the company's own flexible screw or pneumatic conveyor delivery system integrated with the user's upstream process equipment or other material source. The company also manufactures Swing-Down fillers that lower and pivot the fill head to vertical for connecting bags at floor level, rear-post fillers, flexible screw conveyors, pneumatic conveying systems, bulk bag unloaders, bulk bag conditioners, bag dump stations, drum dumpers, weigh batching and blending systems, and engineered plant-wide bulk handling systems with automated controls.
Flexicon
www.flexicon.com |
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| Waterjet Cutting Machines |
The 5-foot series Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet System is available in 5' x 5’, 5’ x 13', 8’ x 5’ and 21’ x 5’ work envelopes. The Mid Rail Gantry Waterjet System features an exposed tank that easily accommodates overhead loading. It comes standard with one abrasivejet cutting head; a second cutting head can be added to increase productivity. The Mid Rail Gantry is ball-screw driven for higher accuracy. Its sturdy heavy-wall tubular steel construction eliminates vibration and increases longevity. The Mid Rail Gantry utilizes an industrial PC controller and can be configured so that all three axes are fully programmable. It also features direct-couple AC brushless digital servo motors and single or double carriages. Critical bearing components are protected with heavy metal covers with brush seals. The Mid Rail Gantry waterjet machine also is available in 8’ x 13’ and 21’ x 13’ sizes.
Jet Edge
www.jetedge.com |
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| Dry Bulk Solids, Powder Handling Solutions |
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This company has updated its web site to give customers fast and simple access to its comprehensive line of dry bulk solids and ingredients handling systems. This firm is a worldwide supplier of a wide range of both standard and custom powder handling equipment, specializing in bulk bag dischargers and fillers, mechanical and pneumatic conveyors, bag packing and emptying equipment and flexible storage silos. With over 35 years of experience and thousands of installations worldwide, the company is said to offer a wide range of innovative designs and design options, including complete turnkey conveying and bulk bag systems to meet specific handling requirements. A short overview of the company's product range is given which is said to encompass the most advanced storage, conveying, weighing, filling and discharge systems, as well as a variety of material to meet the growing demands of users of bulk bags and IBCs. Clicking on a specific product will profile the product in detail and give visitors the opportunity to link through to learn about the uses of such equipment in their industry. Products profiled include the company’s new “Spirostore” flexible silos, flexible screws, aero-mechanical and vacuum conveyors, and bulk bag dischargers.
Spiroflow Systems
www.spiroflowsystems.com |
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| Gas-Fired Infrared Heaters |
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This company's web site allows industrial and commercial customers fast and simple access to its extensive line of radiant infrared gas tube heaters with over 180 heating configurations, high intensity ceramic heaters and over 35 applications. The company is said to offer one of the most complete lines of radiant heaters in the industry, allowing customers to meet their exact gas heating solution. Among highlights of the site is a handy reference map to the various sections, easy access and maneuverability and the ability for the customer to determine approximate heating requirements and request a quote. The website begins with a general overview of infrared radiant
gas heating, including comparisons with forced air heating and its up to 70% fuel savings. This is followed by primary line features such as a common operating principle and details such as emitter tube, reflector material and monitoring lights. Technical specifications and applications are described in terms of features, specifications, dimensions, supply requirements, clearance information and accessories. The line includes low intensity U-tube and unitized straight radiant tube heaters, ceramic heaters and the Cold Blocker series, said to be ideal for small area and low ceiling height applications.
Space-Ray Infrared Gas Heaters
www.spaceray.com |
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| 2009 Tire Shipments To Drop Seven Percent |
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Washington, D.C., March 16, 2009 - Tire shipments are projected to drop more than 7 percent in 2009 following a nearly 9 percent drop in 2008, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Total 2009 tire shipments are projected to decline approximately 21 million units to 261 million, a level last experienced in 1993 and approximately 60 million units fewer than the 321 million unit peak in 2000. The decrease in tire shipments reflects the continued erosion of consumer confidence, higher unemployment, depressed auto sales, a decline in vehicle miles traveled and downward revisions in domestic economic conditions for both the consumer and commercial sectors. A turnaround is projected to begin in 2010, in line with economic forecasts, where the industry is expected to realize a modest recovery nearing the 270 million unit level. RMA’s Tire Market Analysis Committee forecast for key categories and their respective segments for 2008 include: Original Equipment Passenger Tires - Decreases in domestic vehicle production led an 18.7 percent decline to 37.6 million units in 2008. Further decreases in domestic vehicle production will result in a nearly 22 percent decrease in 2009 shipments to approximately 29 million units. However, as the economy emerges from the recession in 2010, a rebound in vehicle sales and subsequent vehicle production is anticipated, which will result in a nearly 6 million unit recovery in this category. Note that this projection does not account for any changes to the auto industry as a result of recent federal intervention and/or the potential for bankruptcy. Original Equipment Light Truck (LT) Tires - The combination of consumer demand for vehicles with higher fuel economy, a shift in vehicle fitments to P-Metric passenger tires and market share increases by import vehicle manufacturers, will all continue to significantly impact light truck vehicles fitted with LT tires. As a result, this category experienced a decrease of 34.5 percent in 2008 for a total of 2.9 million OE units. For 2009, another 900,000 unit decrease is anticipated owing to the slower economic conditions and its impact on the commercial sectors that utilize light truck vehicles. However, a nearly 300,000 unit gain is anticipated in 2010. Original Equipment Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires - For 2008, this category decreased by 17.6 percent to 3.8 million units, attributable to the larger than anticipated economic slowdown in the commercial sector. Given the further decreases in economic activity forecasted for this sector in 2009, another nearly 30 percent decline to approximately 2.6 million units is anticipated. However, the economic rebound projected for 2010 along with pent up demand for vehicles is projected to result in a net gain of approximately 600,000 units increase in shipments. Replacement Passenger Tire - The slowing economy, decline in vehicle miles traveled and consumers squeezing more miles out of their tires, all contributed to a 10.2 million unit decline, a decrease of 5 percent, for a total of 193.8 million units in 2008. Furthermore, given the expected soft economic conditions for 2009, the market will realize another decrease of nearly 3.5 percent, or approximately 7 million units, reaching a level of 187 million units, a figure that approximates passenger replacement shipments of a decade ago. Growth is anticipated to resume in 2010 with the replacement sector estimated to increase by approximately 3 million units, or less than 2 percent, mirroring the projected measured growth in the consumer sector. Replacement Light Truck Tire - This market segment realized a drop of 14 percent, or 4.8 million units, for a total of 29.4 million units in 2008. Although the number of vehicles for this market remains steady and largely represented by small commercial vehicles, declining economic conditions and fewer vehicle miles traveled will contribute to a nearly 8 percent decline in replacement LT tire shipments in 2009. However, an increase of nearly 6 percent is anticipated in 2010 in step with commercial economic forecasts. Replacement Medium/Wide-Base/Heavy On-Highway Commercial Truck Tires - This market declined to 14.8 million units in 2008, a decrease of nearly 1.7 million units or 10.4 percent. The market will realize another decrease of 1.6 million units in 2009 as fewer goods will be transported as a result of the economic slowdown and protracted recovery. But given the economic rebound forecast for 2010, this market is expected to increase to nearly 14 million units. The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 80 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods, and other finished rubber products. RMA's Tire Market Analysis Committee is comprised of tire market professionals representing the major U.S. tire manufacturers, which account for over 90 percent of all U.S. tire shipments. Their analyses and forecasts of current and future industry activity include a review of RMA tire industry and economic data, government trade figures, and vehicle sales and production. TMAC develops its consensus view for tire demand from this process.
Rubber Manufacturers Association
www.rma.org |
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| Dubai Rubber Imports And Exports Hit AED 7.8 Billion In 2008 |
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Rubber imports and exports into Dubai have hit Dhs 7.8 billion in 2008, according to recent reports, which is consistent with the trend of continuous growth in the demand for rubber products being seen across the globe. In line with this, Rubber World Industries (RWI), the leading manufacturer of closed-cell rubber insulation 'Gulf-O-flex' in the Gulf and South East Asia, and part of the international business conglomerate, the Memon Group of Companies, has announced plans to reinforce its current production capacity, amidst projections of a continuous rise in global demand for rubber products by 4% annually to reach 26.5 million metric tons by 2011. The move follows a previously announced Dhs 30 million expansion plan outline focused on tripling its production capacity to 3,600 containers per year by 2013. At present, RWI accounts for 86% of the Middle East rubber insulation market share, supplying the majority of the region's requirements for rubber insulation pipes, sheets and other rubber-derived products. In addition, the company's success is exemplified by its excellent sales revenues, which peaked at over Dhs 10 million in 2007. The company's success stems from the esteemed repute of its products, which have been identified as the preferred brand in the region against top competitors from China, Germany and the rest of the world. "Increasing the quantity and augmenting the quality of our products are our foremost goals for 2009. We have strategically planned to elevate our production, and we are optimistic that we will see further growth in the region, especially in Dubai. Given the bullish projections on the demand for top quality rubber and rubber insulation products in the emirate, we are fully committed to continuously meeting the requirements of our valued customers," said Abu Baker Shaikhani, managing director, Rubber World Industries, and chairman of the Memon Group. As a major player in the construction industry, RWI has delivered high quality products to major property developments by real estate leaders in the UAE. Among its largest undertakings in the emirates include a residential project, "The Villa" in "Dubailand," the "Motor City" project, a Dhs 418,000 contract for the "Traders Hotel" project, and a half million dirham deal for the "Horizon Tower" project. Furthermore, the company has also recently announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply top quality rubber insulation products worth Dhs 875,000 for the "Green Community West Villas and Apartments," a high profile themed community development by Union Properties (UP), located in Dubai Investment Park. In addition, the company also delivers its products to more than 90 countries, including the U.S., Germany, Russia, Canada and Singapore. "For our products to be a part of some of the most revered structures in Dubai and across the globe is truly a remarkable feat, which further motivates us to drive our association with the most prestigious projects by continuously providing them with top quality rubber products. While increasing our production is very much our focus, we are also allocating a considerable part of our resources to further enhance our products' performance by utilizing the latest manufacturing technologies," concluded Shaikhani. With modern plants located in the Ajman Industrial Area in the UAE, RWI is the only producer of rubber insulation in the Middle East region that manufactures a versatile range of rubber insulation products to meet the requirements in the oil and gas fields, construction, shipping and automobile industries. Since its inception in 1993, the company has delivered high quality products to major property developments by real estate leaders in the UAE and across the globe.
AME Info
www.ameinfo.com |
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| IRSG Forecast:: Rubber Consumption Will Decline |
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Global rubber consumption will fall 6.4 percent in 2009 to 20.73 million metric tons (mt), according to the International Rubber Study Group, which forecast a bigger drop than the 5 percent it had previously forecast. Rubber consumption could recover in 2010 to 22.04 million mt, which would be a rise of 6.3 percent from 2009. Global carmakers have scaled back production, cut jobs and closed factories due to declining demand, causing rubber futures to dip to six-year lows in December, and prompting rubber producers in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam to cut exports. In January, the IRSG placed global rubber consumption at 21.2 million mt for 2009, down from 22.18 million mt in 2008. Natural rubber consumption in 2009 is forecast to drop 2.3 percent from 2008 to 9.24 million mt, or 44.6 percent of the total consumption, according to the IRSG report. With the world economy heading towards recession, the decline in global rubber consumption accelerated in the final quarter of 2008. Between September and December, total global consumption declined by over 1 million mt to a moving annual total of 22.2 million mt, while the year-on-year growth rate plunged from 2.1 percent to -4.1 percent, a more abrupt fall in consumption than that seen in the 2001-02 global economic slowdown. Global natural rubber (NR) consumption declined by over 0.3 million mt between September and December, with consumption growth reversing from 2.1 percent to -3.4 percent over the period, while global synthetic rubber (SR) consumption fell back by approaching 0.7 million mt, with consumption growth moving from 2.0 percent to -4.7 percent.
Global rubber production was 22.7 million mt in 2008, compared to 23.3 million mt in 2007, following a pronounced decline in output in the final quarter of 2008. The decline is attributed to a sharp reduction in world SR output, which fell below 12.8 million mt in 2008 compared to output of over 13.5 million mt in 2007; in the last quarter of 2008, production growth plunged to -5.6 percent from 1.0 percent in the previous quarter. World NR output reached 9.9 million mt in 2008, an increase of 0.2 million mt compared to 2007; production growth only started to slow in the final two months of the year, although it was still running at around 2.0 percent at the end of the period. With lower consumption and higher output in 2008, the global NR balance is estimated to have moved to a surplus of 392,000 mt from a deficit of 157,000 mt in 2007. SR consumption and production are estimated to have fallen abruptly (by -4.7 percent and -5.6 percent, respectively) in 2008 compared to 2007, in contrast to growth rates of over 6 percent seen in the previous year. Estimated global rubber stocks rose modestly in actual terms, but more steeply in relation to the level of consumption, at the end of 2008. NR prices recovered in mid-December 2008, after plunging 65 percent from their peak recorded price in July 2008. Prices continued tracking crude oil prices over the fourth quarter of 2008 and into early 2009. A combination of the global economic slowdown, a deepening slump in the global auto industry raising concern over demand, and continuing low oil prices augurs badly for the market. NR latex prices followed the same trend as solid NR prices. The price of light crude fell to its lowest level in over five years to US$31.41/barrel in late December 2008, before making a slight recovery and remaining, since then, range bound with a US$45/barrel ceiling. Displaying a time-lag in some markets, butadiene prices fell continuously in the three months to February. Ultimately, the upstream producers felt the impact of the falling cost of feedstock, along with the reduction in demand, and prices of synthetic rubber fell to their lowest level since 2004 in the first quarter of 2009. The overall downward trend in export volumes of selected latex general rubber products (GRPs) from the five leading exporters may have eased over the fourth quarter, mainly due to a deceleration in the negative growth rates of exports of other gloves from China and Thailand. NR latex consumption was stable in 2008 compared to the previous year, while Malaysian and Thai NR latex production decelerated by 16 percent and 8 percent, respectively.
International Rubber Study Group
www.rubberstudy.com |
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| Carbon Blacks |
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The Sidcon product line of conductive blacks is available. Initially consisting of Sidcon 159, Sidcon 119 and Sidcon 419, this new line will offer a range of conductivity depending on customers’ needs. Sidcon 159 is a highly conductive carbon black. In trials, this grade showed better conductivity than the competition, and has even been shown to replace competitive grades at reduced loadings, providing a cost savings to the customer. Sidcon 119 is a semi-conductive carbon black grade that offers good conductivity while processing better then traditional conductive grades. Sidcon 419 is for products requiring more conductivity than standard non-reinforcing grades of carbon black can offer, while maintaining excellent processability and dispersion required in extruded, calendered and thin molded parts.
Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy
www.sidrich.com |
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| REACH Registration Support |
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With the pre-registration period for REACH now completed, this firm is assisting companies as they begin the process of registering their chemical substances to be in compliance with the European regulation on chemicals and their safe use. The company's REACH Services group provides clients with chemical safety assessments, data gap analysis and candidate list management. The group will have two offices, one in Shropshire, U.K., and the other in Wareham, MA. As REACH enters the registration phase, companies are said to face new challenges. Today one of the concerns is with the industry's ability to meet the demand for annex testing. This company's clients have available, through one company, both testing and consulting services. Chemical analysis, materials testing, exposure testing, exposure modeling and ecotoxicology testing are provided by member companies. The impact of REACH is said to already be evident worldwide.
The Smithers Group
www.smithersscientific.com |
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| Ultra Clean Compounding Center |
This global custom engineered thermoplastic compounder has established a controlled manufacturing environment dedicated to the production of clean compounds for sensitive applications in medical, electronic and other industries. Currently operational with two extrusion lines, the 3,300 sq. ft. self-contained Ultra Clean Compounding Center has capacity for four lines and is capable of producing almost any product in the company's portfolio. Extrusion and post-extrusion operations (cooling, pelletizing, classifying and packaging) are conducted inside a climate-controlled, positive pressure environment with interlocks to limit access. Extruders are fully automated with touchscreen controls that allow complete process monitoring and data acquisition. Stringent operating and finished product testing protocols are used to minimize any potential for cross contamination during manufacture. Good manufacturing practices are utilized in management and operation of the new center. Initial demand for clean materials has primarily been driven by the medical and electronics industries, but applications requiring improved cleanliness are quickly spreading to other industries where the cost of contamination in rejected parts is extremely high, according to the company.
RTP Company
www.rtpcompany.com |
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| FIBC Bag Refurbishing Program |
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Said to be smart for companies, good for the environment and logistically simple, this company has crafted a program designed to extend the lifecycle of used FIBCs in good shape. The process begins when used FIBCs are picked up at a designated end-user location. Each bag is then thoroughly inspected domestically to determine if it is fit for refurbishing – or if it is ready for recycling. (Bags beyond refurbishing are 100% recyclable.) Bags qualified for refurbishing are cleaned, repaired and restored to their original quality and appearance. After final inspection, refurbished bags are returned to the customer’s designated location. This timely refurbishing program offers complete lifecycle service processing for the bags. An FIBC in good condition can be refurbished, repaired and used as many as four to six times. Producing a safe, clean bag ready for reuse through refurbishing is sa | |
