ARTICLES BY TOPIC

Plastics Decorating brings you the latest information about the trends affecting your industry and answers the questions you have. We've chosen articles from each issue to share with the public. To see an article, click on its title.

TOPICS

Assembly • Business Strategies • Digital Printing • Environmental Issues

Heat Transfers • Hot Stamping • In-Mold Decorating • Ink Jet Printing

Laser Marking • Laser Welding • Pad Printing

Paints/Coatings • Screen Printing • Surface Treatment

Water Transfer • Wear Testing

ASSEMBLY (back to top)

October-November 2012 - Ask the Expert
Adhesives for Assembly by: Edward A.Y. Fisher, engineering manager, Henkel Corp.

July-August 2012 - Assembly
Ultrasonic Welding: The Need for Speed Control by: Tom Kirkland, Tributek

April-May 2012 - Assembly
NPE2012 Launch Pad for New Assembly Products by: Staff

October-November 2011 - Assembly
Technology Offers Options for RF Welding of Green Materials by: Amy Bauer

April-May 2011 - Assembly
The Great Ultrasonic Stack Joint Debate: Who should you listen to? by: Tom Kirkland, Tributek

January-February 2011 - Assembly
Weldability of Bioplastics by: Julius Vogel and David Grewell, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University

July-August 2010 - Assembly Update
Adhesive Selection for Effective Plastic Bonding by: Anne Forcum, Christine Marotta, Mike Williams, and Nicole Laput, Henkel Corporation

April-May 2010 - Assembly Update
Exploring the Ultrasonic Welding Stack by: Ken Holt, Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.

January-February 2010 - Assembly Update
New v. Used - Points to Ponder by: Tom Kirkland, www.tributek.biz

October-November 2009 - Assembly Update
Choosing the Best Plastic Joining Process for the Application by: Bill Heatherwick, Branson Ultrasonics Corporation

January/February 2009 - Assembly Update
Recent Advances in the Laser Welding of Plastics by: Bill Cawley, GENTEX Corporation

October/November 2008 - Ask the Expert
Questions about Ultrasonic Welding by: Ken Holt, Hermann Ultrasonics, Inc.

July-August 2008 - Assembly Update
The InfraStake Process - Seeing the Light by: Scott Beute, Extol, Inc.

April-May 2008 - Assembly Update
All Vibration Welding Applications Are Not Created Equal by: Bill Heatherwick, Automotive Market Manager, Branson Ultrasonics Corporation

January-February 2008 - Assembly Update
Ultrasonic Welding - Which Frequency by: Tom Kirkland

January-February 2008 - Ask the Expert
Water Transfer Printing Technology by: Mike Richards, TWN Industries, Inc.

October-November 2007 - Ask the Expert
Ask the Expert by: Ken Holt, Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.

January-February 2007 - Assembly Update
Three-Dimensional Laser Welding by: Jerry Zybko, LEISTER Technologies, LLC and J.W. Chen, LEISTER Process Technologies

October-November 2006 - Assembly Update
Plastic Welding: Optimal Joint Strength is Rare in the Real World by: Tom Kirkland

July-August 2006 - Assembly Update
Ultrasonic Plastic Welding: Weld Processing Modes, their Descriptions, Functions, and Applications by: Kenneth A. Holt, Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.

April-May 2006 - Assembly Update
Staking & Insertion - Why Heat is the Better Choice by: Michael J. Brunetti

January-February 2006 - Assembly Update
Heatstaking in a Nutshell by: Eric Gregorich, Plastic Assembly Systems

July-August 2005 - Assembly Update
The Process of Vibration Welding by: Jordan Rotheiser, Rotheiser Design Inc.

April-May 2005 - Assembly Update
Thermal Processing - An Overview by: Paul Hurley and Tony Ward, Turnkey Technologies, Inc.

October-November 2004 - Assembly Update
Molded Part Considerations: Troubleshooting the Ultrasonic Welding Process by: Kenneth A. Holt, Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.

January-February 2004 - Assembly Update
Straight Talk About Laser Welding of Thermoplastics by: Tom Kirkland, Dukane Intelligent Assembly Solutions, St. Charles, Illinois, USA

October-November 2002 - Assembly Update
Zeroing in on a Moving Target by: Jordan Rotheiser

April-May 2002 - Assembly Update
The Basics in Joint Design for Ultrasonic Assembly by: Staff

April-May 2001 - Assembly Update
Ultrasonic Welding: Set-up Parameters by: Staff

April-May 2000 - Assembly Update
Ultrasonic Welding by: Carla Davenport

October-November 2012 - Strategies
Trend Analysis to Acquire Knowledge at Increased Volumes by: Perry Parendo, Perry’s Solutions, Inc.

October-November 2011 - Management
Understanding Transactional Costs by: Scott Walton, Harbour Results, Inc.

April/May 2009 - Business Strategies
Surviving in an Economic Downturn by: Staff

April-May 2008 - Special Focus
To Decorate or Not to Decorate... That is the Question! by: Jeff Peterson

July-August 2004 - Special Report
Global Trends in Automotive Electronics Plastic Decoration by: Paul Uglum

October-November 2003 - Business Strategies
Time Management - Directing the One Resource You Can Control by: Kym Conis

January-February 2003 - Special Focus
Better, Faster, Cheaper - Trends in Plastic Nameplates by: Bob Trkovsky, VP Sales and Marketing, Spartanics

January-February 2000 - Business Strategies
Marketing on the Web by: Carla Davenport

July-August 2011 - Technology
When is it Time to Digitally Decorate? by: Craig Smith and Darlene Putz, Innovative Digital Systems, LLC

October-November 2011 - Assembly
Technology Offers Options for RF Welding of Green Materials by: Amy Bauer

January-February 2011 - Focus
Greener Solutions for Pad Printing by: John Kaverman, Tampoprint International Corporation

January-February 2011 - Assembly
Weldability of Bioplastics by: Julius Vogel and David Grewell, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University

April-May 2012 - Ask the Expert
Heat Transfers by: Eric Steinwachs, United Silicone

April-May 2011 - Ask the Expert
Digital Heat Transfers by: Matt Regan and Chris Blanken

April/May 2009 - Special Focus
Ins and Outs of Hot Stamping v. Heat Transfer by: Keith Hillestad, United Silicone

April-May 2004 - Decorating Workshop
Overcoming Challenges when Applying Heat Transfers by: Staff

April-May 2003 - Decorating Workshop
Die Mounting System Choices by: Staff

January-February 2002 - Decorating Workshop
Fixturing Key to Hot Stamped Parts by: Jeff Peterson

July-August 2001 - Special Focus
Decorating Hollow Parts by: Jordan Rotheiser

April-May 2001 - Technology Feature
Selecting the Right Hot Stamping Equipment by: Jeff Peterson

October-November 2000 - Decorating Workshop
Mixing and Matching Pad Printing Inks by: Jeff Peterson

October-November 2000 - Technology Feature
Heat Transfers - More Than an Image on a Roll by: Jeff Peterson

April/May 2009 - Special Focus
Ins and Outs of Hot Stamping v. Heat Transfer by: Keith Hillestad, United Silicone

April-May 2008 - Ask the Expert
Questions on Servo-Driven Hotstamping Machines, Heat Transfer v. Foil Stamping, and Rainbows and Blushing by: Neil Meador, Permadur Industries, Inc.

April-May 2007 - Special Focus
Roll On Hot Stamping by: Neil Meador

April-May 2005 - Special Focus
Hot Stamp/Heat Transfer Decorating and Tooling by: Brenda Denny, United Silicone

October-November 2004 - Decorating Workshop
Hot Stamping Basics by: Neil Meador

April-May 2004 - Decorating Workshop
Overcoming Challenges when Applying Heat Transfers by: Staff

April-May 2003 - Decorating Workshop
Die Mounting System Choices by: Staff

January-February 2002 - Decorating Workshop
Fixturing Key to Hot Stamped Parts by: Jeff Peterson

July-August 2001 - Special Focus
Decorating Hollow Parts by: Jordan Rotheiser

April-May 2001 - Technology Feature
Selecting the Right Hot Stamping Equipment by: Jeff Peterson

October-November 2000 - Decorating Workshop
Mixing and Matching Pad Printing Inks by: Jeff Peterson

October-November 2000 - Technology Feature
Heat Transfers - More Than an Image on a Roll by: Jeff Peterson

April-May 2000 - Technology Feature
Foil Choices Crucial to Successful Job by: Jeff Peterson

July-August2000 - Technology Feature
In-Mold Decorating - What are the Options? by: Jordan Rotheiser

October-November2001 - Technology Feature
New Innovations in 3D Curved Parts Decorating by: Jeff Peterson

October-November2003 - Special Focus
In-Mold Labeling - Where to Begin? by: Jonathan Lim of Avery Dennison Industrial Products Division

April-May2004 - Technology Feature
Finding Quantity and Quality by: Norton Kaplan, Automated Assemblies Corporation

January-February2005 - Special Report
In-mold Labeling Standards by: Ron Schultz

October-November2005 - Special Focus
Electrostatics Advantageous for In-Mold Labeling by: Jay Perry

October-November2007 - Special Report
In-mold Labeling - Product Decorating with a Future by: Dr. William Llewellyn, Vice President, AWA Alexander Watson Associates BV

April-May2008 - Technology Feature
Inks for IML: Proper Choices for Premium Results by: Tom Hammer, Product Manager, North America, Flint Group Narrow Web

October/November2008 - Special Focus
Applying Lean Manufacturing to In-Mold Decoration by: Bob Travis, Vibrant Graphics

April-May2010 - Special Report
IML Solutions: Five Experts Share Advice by: Renée Varella

October-November2010 - Special Focus
In-Mold Decorating with Pre-Printed Film Inserts by: Ann Marie Lentz, Technical Launch Manager, Serigraph Inc.

July/August  2009 - Ask the Expert
Inkjet Printing by: Scott Sabreen, the Sabreen Group

April-May  2007 - Industry Report
The Direction of State-of-the-Art Inkjet Technology by: Annette M. Sharon

April-May  2007 - Technology Feature
UV Color Inkjet Printing for Plastics: Technology Developments for Digital Applications by: Scott R. Sabreen

October-November  2006 - Ask the Expert
UV Curable Inks and Special Effect Decorative Pigments by: Scott Sabreen

April-May  2006 - Technology Feature
Advances in UV-curable Ink Jet by: Mario Carluccio

July-August  2003 - Technology Feature
UV Screen Printing Inks for Plastics by: Jeff Morris

January/February  2009 - Technology Focus
Basic Material Science for Plastics Laser Marking by: Scott R. Sabreen, The Sabreen Group, Inc.

January-February  2008 - Technology Feature
Laser Marking and Machine Vision Codes for Product Security & Traceability by: Scott R. Sabreen

January-February  2007 - Technology Feature
Advancements in Laser Marking of Plastics by: Scott R. Sabreen

January/February2009 - Assembly Update
Recent Advances in the Laser Welding of Plastics by: Bill Cawley, GENTEX Corporation

January-February2007 - Assembly Update
Three-Dimensional Laser Welding by: Jerry Zybko, LEISTER Technologies, LLC and J.W. Chen, LEISTER Process Technologies

January-February2004 - Assembly Update
Straight Talk About Laser Welding of Thermoplastics by: Tom Kirkland, Dukane Intelligent Assembly Solutions, St. Charles, Illinois, USA

January-February  2012 - Focus
Stepper Motor Technology in Pad Printing by: John Kaverman, Pad Print Pros

July-August  2011 - Ask the Expert
Polymer Clichés for Pad Printing by: John Kaverman, Tampoprint

January-February  2011 - Focus
Greener Solutions for Pad Printing by: John Kaverman, Tampoprint International Corporation

January/February  2009 - Special Focus
The Components of a Quality Pad by: John Kaverman

July-August  2008 - Technology Feature
The Perception of Color by: John Kaverman, Innovative Marking Systems

January-February  2008 - Special Focus
Understanding the Pad in Pad Printing by: Peter Kiddell, PDS Consulting

July-August  2007 - Technology Feature
Pad Printing on Textured Surfaces by: John Kaverman, Innovative Marking Systems

January-February  2007 - Special Focus
Cliché Choices Not So Cut and Dried by: Jeff Peterson

October-November  2006 - Ask the Expert
UV Curable Inks and Special Effect Decorative Pigments by: Scott Sabreen

January-February  2006 - Technology Feature
Multi-color Pad Printing with Automation by: Christopher Connell, ITW Trans Tech

July-August  2005 - Decorating Workshop
Pad Printing Tips - Increase Efficiency AND Profitability by: Steve Smith - Diversified Printing Technologies

January-February  2005 - Special Focus
Computer-to-Plate - The Future for Pad Printing by: Benjamin Adner

July-August  2004 - Decorating Workshop
Common Problems Associated with Pad Printing by: Liam Clancy

January-February  2004 - Technology Feature
Estimating Pad Printing Costs by: John Kaverman, Innovative Marking Systems

July-August  2003 - Decorating Workshop
Minimizing Set-Up and Changeover Times by: John Kaverman

July-August  2003 - Technology Feature
UV Screen Printing Inks for Plastics by: Jeff Morris

January-February  2003 - Decorating Workshop
Working Through Common Pad Printing Challenges by: Steve Costner, Tampoprint International

October-November  2002 - Decorating Workshop
Troubleshooting the Polymer Cliché Making Process by: John Kaverman

January-February  2002 - Special Focus
Making the Right Choice - Pad Printing Machinery by: John Kaverman

October-November  2001 - Decorating Workshop
Open Well versus Sealed Ink Cups by: Staff

July-August  2001 - Special Focus
Decorating Hollow Parts by: Jordan Rotheiser

January-February  2001 - Technology Feature
Optimal Conditions for Pad Printing by: John Kaverman

July-August  2012 - Focus
Innovation and Sustainability Drive UV-Cured Powder Coating Developments by: Michael Knoblauch and Ryan Schwarb, Keyland Polymer Ltd.

October-November  2010 - Techology Feature
Exterior UV-Curable Topcoat For Physical Vapor Deposition Applications by: Kristy Wagner and Jennifer R. Smith, Red Spot Paint and Varnish Company, Inc.

Jul-Aug  2010 - Technology Feature
Industrial Direct to Product Decorating in the Digital Age by: Sigi Knappik, New Business Development Manager, ITW Trans Tech

July/August  2009 - Technology Feature
Beyond the Bling - PVD/UV Coating Systems that offer more than Beauty and Brawn by: Paul Mills and Jake Adams, Kalcor Coatings Company

October/November  2008 - Technology Feature
Advancements in Paint System Design by: Dominic Zerilli, Thierica Equipment Company

October-November  2007 - Special Focus
Modern Flexible Coating Lines - Optimized for Demanding Coatings by: John Lowens B.Sc. M.InstMC SPRIMAG Spritzmaschinenbau Gmbh & Co KG, Kirchheim-Teck

October-November  2007 - Technology Feature
Powder Coating - Recent Advancements for Industrial Plastics Applications by: Scott Sabreen, The Sabreen Group, Inc.

July-August  2007 - Ask the Expert
Ask the Expert by: Scott Sabreen, The Sabreen Group, Inc.

April-May  2003 - Special Focus
Preparing Plastics for Painting by: Scott Sabreen and Norman Roobol

July-August  2002 - Technology Feature
Breaking Down UV Curable Coatings by: Scott Sabreen and Norman Robool

January-February  2012 - Ask the Expert
Technology for Bottle Screen Printing by: Tim Berenda, OMSO North America, Inc.

July/August  2009 - Special Focus
Screen Preparation - A Cornerstone for Successful Screenprinting by: Denise Breard, Contract Associate, SGIA

July-August  2008 - Ask the Expert
Ask the Expert by: Henry L. Newman, Newman Printing Equipment, Inc.

July-August  2007 - Question and Answer
Multi-color Screenprinting for Cylindrical Plastic Parts by: Staff

October-November  2006 - Ask the Expert
UV Curable Inks and Special Effect Decorative Pigments by: Scott Sabreen

July-August  2006 - Special Focus
Screen Printing Application Technique - The Value of Using High(er) Screen Tension by: Scott R. Sabreen and Mike Young, The Sabreen Group, Inc.

July-August  2003 - Technology Feature
UV Screen Printing Inks for Plastics by: Jeff Morris

July-August  2002 - Decorating Workshop
Container Decorating Challenges by: Henry L Newman

July-August  2001 - Decorating Workshop
UV Inks For Screen Printing Offers Many Advantages by: Staff

July-August  2001 - Special Focus
Decorating Hollow Parts by: Jordan Rotheiser

January-February  2001 - Decorating Workshop
Is Making Your Own Screens the Right Choice for You? by: Jeff Peterson

July-August  2000 - Decorating Workshop
Tooling for Screen Printing Plastic Containers by: Jeff Peterson

January-February  2000 - Decorating Workshop
Challenges with Screen Printing Polyethylene and Polypropylene by: Staff

January-February  2012 - Ask the Expert
Technology for Bottle Screen Printing by: Tim Berenda, OMSO North America, Inc.

April-May   2010 - Technology Feature
The Science of Solving Plastics Adhesion Problems: Contact Angles – Surface Wetting – Chemical Activation by: Scott R. Sabreen, The Sabreen Group, Inc.

January-February   2010 - Technology Feature
Cold Gas Plasma Surface Modification - Optimize Plastics Bonding Adhesion by: Scott R. Sabreen, The Sabreen Group, Inc.

April/May   2009 - Technology Focus
Surface Activation Systems for Optimizing Adhesion to Polymers by: Rory A. Wolf, Enercon Industries Corporation

October-November   2005 - Technology Feature
Flame Plasma Surface Treatment Improves Adhesion of Polymers by: Joseph DiGiacomo and Scott Sabreen

October-November  2001 - Technology Feature
New Innovations in 3D Curved Parts Decorating by: Jeff Peterson

October-November  2009 - Technology Feature
Wear Damage of Decorated Parts - Techniques to Understand and Improve Testing by: By Alan D. Jaenecke, TABER® Industries