Mould Makers Will Have Pavilion at NPE 2006

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Custom moulders, product designers, and OEMs from around the world seeking design and tooling solutions at NPE 2006, the International Plastics Showcase, can expect to see a wide range of alternatives within a single, new multiexhibitor pavilion of US and Canadian mould makers, according to an announcement by The Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI), sponsor of the triennial NPE show. NPE 2006 will take place June 19–23 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The North American Moldmakers Pavilion, an NPE innovation, is jointly sponsored by the SPI Moldmakers Division, American Mold Builders Association, and Canadian Association of Moldmakers.

“The pavilion will expand the range of mould making options available to visitors beyond the already extensive array of tooling-related companies that normally exhibit at NPE,” said Walt Bishop, executive director of the SPI Moldmakers Division. While regular NPE exhibitors in the sector will be participating in the pavilion, it provides an attractive opportunity for newcomers as well, particular smaller companies, added Bishop.

Among the incentives available to prospective pavilion exhibitors are a 25% lower space fee than is normally charged to companies not members of SPI; a high-traffic location in the East Hall; and prominent signs and displays for the pavilion placed in key areas of McCormick Place. A conference on timely business and strategy topics, such as mould market analysis and forecasting, rapid product development, shop management, global issues, and education and training, also will draw interest.

One purpose of the pavilion is to showcase the capabilities of North American mould makers to visitors from overseas. Remarked Cyndi Butcher, president of the Canadian Association of Moldmakers, “A number of our members, particularly the smaller mould shops, do not normally have the opportunity to meet face to face with prospective customers from abroad. The North American Moldmakers Pavilion is a way for these companies to take part in a world-scale trade show.”

NPE 2006 will be the largest international plastics show of the year. At least 2,000 companies are expected to exhibit in more than 93,000 m² of space, one-third of them coming from outside the USA. More than 75,000 industry professionals will attend the exposition.

Composites Experts to Meet at Delcam

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Companies wishing to benefit from the current boom in composites manufacturing can learn more about industry opportunities at a free half-day seminar being hosted by Delcam plc at its Birmingham headquarters on Tuesday, October 11. Supported by the National Composites Network, the seminar will bring those new to composite materials and those hoping to win more business in the field in touch with experts from both the commercial and technical sides of the industry.

The presentations will begin with a market overview by Mike Turner of materials supplier Hexcel. Next, Mary Goertz of Boeing will discuss specific opportunities within her company, which will be using a high proportion of composite materials in its new Dreamliner aircraft.

Other presentations will cover marine applications, low-cost manufacturing techniques, and advances in liquid moulding techniques. In addition, Lee Scott from Unimerco will describe his company’s latest cutting tools for composites machining, and Delcam will show how its range of Power Solution software can help designers and manufacturers of composite components to increase productivity, maximize quality, and shorten delivery times.

Following the presentations, delegates will enjoy a buffet lunch and then have opportunities to hold informal discussions with the speakers and tour Delcam’s toolroom.

The composites industry is growing. These materials are used increasingly to replace metals and wood, and new applications are found, especially in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries, as their properties are developed.

The host company believes that the toolmakers that support component manufacturers and have suffered from the recent decline in UK toolmaking can find new opportunities in the composites area. Skills employed in producing complex injection moulds could be transferred relatively easily to the manufacture of tooling for the compression moulding and reaction injection moulding of composites. Similarly, firms that have been making models and patterns for the metals industry could turn to producing similar items for composites manufacture.

Medical Technology Process Chain To Be a Focus at EuroMold 2005

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At the EuroMold 2005 world fair for tool and mould making, design and application development taking place in Frankfurt November 30–December 3, a highlighted topic will be the growing medical technology market. The German medical technology industry is—after the United States—a leading force in the world market, according to a survey ordered by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and published in April.

This market is characterized by high-quality development and rapid innovation potential: every second product is less than two years old. Market volume is about €18 billion. Experts assume continuing worldwide growth at least until 2010.

EuroMold is the first trade fair ever to present the multidisciplinary field of research and application in medical technology in terms of the complete process chain from design via prototyping to series production. Exhibitors from various areas, including product development, microinjection moulding, medical optics, medical design, cleanroom technology, rapid prototyping, tool and mould making, CE and FDA certification, and other sectors, will be presented in Hall 5.0 of the Frankfurt Exhibition Centre, organized to reflect the process chain. Thirty-two exhibitors had booked by press time.

To accentuate the special topic optically, fair organizer DEMAT GmbH has developed a very attractive booth concept based on a large table that will be exhibition space and meeting point at once. Each booth module will be available from two sides such that visitors can approach selected exhibitors or explore the complete competence network. The idea is to offer an ideal business-to-business atmosphere for both EuroMold visitors and exhibitors.