PMM's 10 most popular stories in August

Readers were interested in interviews with two industry veterans, as well as stories on new equipment, preparing for an OSHA inspection and 3-D printers that use waste plastic.
Sept. 2, 2021
3 min read
Pedro Menezes/Elevate
Elevate's sample kits include shelving systems with slots for contact lens samples.
Elevate's sample kits include shelving systems with slots for contact lens samples.

In August, readers were interested in interviews with two industry veterans, as well as stories on new vision systems, hybrid injection molding machines and sheet extrusion equipment. They also learned how to plan for a visit from OSHA and how the chip shortage is affecting machinery makers. 

1. Tired of getting off-spec parts, Elevate, a maker of contact lens storage systems, set its sights on perfection by building its own manufacturing line from the ground up. Auxiliary equipment selections proved critical to getting the job done right. 

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21231340/ 

2. Artificial intelligence is among the advances that are simplifying vision systems. Inspekto, Cognex, Omron, Zebra Technologies and Datalogic all have recently unveiled new vision-inspection technology offerings. 

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21232415/ 

Getty Images/Portra
Plastics manufacturers should provide OSHA inspectors with any necessary personal protective equipment, such as masks and hard hats.
Plastics manufacturers should provide OSHA inspectors with any necessary personal protective equipment, such as masks and hard hats.
3. Visits from OSHA inspectors often come unannounced. Knowing what may trigger an inspection — and what happens during it — can help keep your plastics operation prepared, according to a Sentry Insurance expert.

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21233504/ 

4. Polylactic acid, a bio-based resin made from sugar, is seeing increased demand for production of sustainable cups, plates and clamshells. Reifenhäuser’s new sheet line can switch from PET to PLA production. 

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21232140/ 

5. Tederic, Arburg, Wilmington, Absolute Haitian and KraussMaffei are among OEMs offering new hybrid injection molding presses promising an array of benefits, including new control technology, sizes and options. 

https://www.plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/injection-molding/article/21231933/injection-molding-machine-makers-roll-out-new-control-technology-sizes-options 

Eastman Chemical Co.
Professional initiatives resonate on a personal level for Holli Alexander, Eastman Chemical Co.'s strategic initiatives manager for sustainability.
Professional initiatives resonate on a personal level for Holli Alexander, Eastman Chemical Co.'s strategic initiatives manager for sustainability.
6. Holli Alexander has a personal and professional passion for the circular economy, and her position as Eastman Chemical Co.’s strategic initiatives manager, sustainability, allows her to help advance this cause. 

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21226949/ 

7. Hekuma is helping to meet pandemic demands by offering its HekuTip modular automation systems for pipette tips in three pre-configured models for different size production runs. 

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21232507/ 

Peter Gardner
Peter Gardner stands outside a train station in Japan. As the business director of LS Mtron, the Mill Valley, Calif., resident now spends much of his time focused on South Korea.
Peter Gardner stands outside a train station in Japan. As the business director of LS Mtron, the Mill Valley, Calif., resident now spends much of his time focused on South Korea.
8. Peter Gardner has navigated the business world, from the dot-com boom to the plastics plant floor. He now serves as the U.S.-based business director of LS Mtron, a Korean maker of injection molding machines.

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21232818/ 

9. Injection molding machine manufacturers who pride themselves on incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies have had to find ways to cope with the global shortage of computer chips.  

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21232344/ 

10. With its affordable large-format 3-D printers, re:3D offers the opportunity for businesses and budding entrepreneurs to create big parts at low cost, using the plastic waste around them. 

https://plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com/21227252/ 

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