In this issue: 1. RoHS Explained 2. Directory of Plastics Processors 3. John Bozzelli on Back Pressure
Hot Runners ... this week's featured search Universal Setup Sheet by John Bozzelli Property Descriptions on The Plastics Web®

Agency approvals such as UL, FDA, USP, etc. have always been important in material selection. Now RoHs is making its impact felt throughout the plastics industry. Our first topic will explain more about RoHs, how it will impact you, and how you can find materials that are approved.

Warmest wishes,
The IDES Prospector Team

1. RoHS Explained

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is the nickname given to the European Union's directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS is closely related to the European Union's directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). RoHS references Annex 1A of WEEE to specify its scope of coverage (Categories 1-7 and 10).

While closely related, RoHS and WEEE deal with different parts of the product life cycle. RoHS seeks to reduce the amount of hazardous materials entering electronic products while WEEE deals with reducing the amount of electronics entering landfills. RoHS is the beginning, and WEEE is the end. Now is the time to determine the impact of RoHS on one's business because the directive goes into effect on July 1, 2006.

Read the Full Article Here.

2. Directory of Plastics Processors

Thousands of plastics OEM's utilize IDES services. In fact, 46 of the top 50 OEMs that design with plastic material rely on us.*

Due to increased demand from these OEM's to connect with the right Molder to process their applications, we're constructing a searchable Directory of Plastics Processors.

3. John Bozelli on Back Pressure

I do recommend you use 1,000-psi plastic pressure for backpressure unless there is a reason not to. So on electrics it should be 1,000-psi set point. On hydraulic machines divide 1000 by the intensification ratio to find the correct hydraulic pressure setting.

The reasons to use 1,000-psi plastic pressure for backpressure are:

1. Better melt temperature control.
2. Better melt uniformity.
3. If blending in color at the press this should give you good color mixing if you are running a correctly designed screw.
4. Better shot size position control.
5. Better decompression repeatability control, it acts as a brake to stop momentum.
6. Better filling of the flights to prevent black specks and degradation behind screw flights, minimize hot spots.
7. Prevent screw augering due to pellets wedged between flight land and feed throat.

For reasons to use less back pressure, read the complete article here.

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