Entries by Kim

Choosing the Right Extrusion / Injection Screw Material for Fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers are among the most chemically resistant and thermally stable materials used in modern manufacturing. However, their unique properties come with processing challenges that demand the right equipment. One of the most critical factors in successfully working with fluoropolymers is selecting the correct screw and barrel materials for your injection or extrusion machinery. Choosing incorrectly […]

Restoring Precision and Extending The Service Life of Your Barrel

Barrel refurbishment and relining offer practical, cost-efficient ways to restore performance for plastics processing equipment while preserving existing machine features. For large or elaborately equipped extrusion and injection barrels, refurbishment often accounts for a substantial fraction of the cost of new equipment. Repair can reduce expenditure by roughly 25 to 50 percent compared with purchasing […]

Mastering Material, Process, and Design Variables to Eliminate Defects and Downtime

In high-performance plastic extrusion and polymer processing, defects such as melt fracture, shark skin, die swell, warpage, fish eyes, surging, and voids are not minor inconveniences. They are costly disruptions that directly impact yield, product quality, and production efficiency. Each defect originates from complex variables, including material behavior, mold design, machinery, process parameters, human input, […]

5 Little-Known Factors That Could Affect Your Plastic Extrusions

When troubleshooting performance issues in plastic extrusion, most engineers start by examining process parameters, polymer grades, or die design. However, several overlooked variables rooted in the screw and barrel – and their interaction with each other – can dramatically impact output quality, consistency, and line efficiency. As a manufacturer of custom screws and barrels for […]

Engineering Analysis of Plastic Manufacturing Challenges in Mexico and South America, 2026

So far this year, plastic manufacturing across Mexico and South America has been confronting layered operational pressures where engineering constraints, market dynamics, and regulations intersect. From tariff-driven supply chain disruptions to sustainability mandates and shifting consumer demand, manufacturers are recalibrating processes, materials, and systems to remain competitive. Tariff Dynamics and Sourcing Engineering Trade policy changes […]

Key Technical and Operational Issues Shaping Injection Molding Manufacturing in 2026

Injection molding plastic manufacturing in 2026 is operating under a set of converging technical, economic, and regulatory pressures that directly affect part quality, production stability, and long-term program viability. Engineers, process managers, and manufacturing leaders are increasingly required to balance material science constraints, equipment capability, and supply continuity while maintaining dimensional control and cost predictability. […]