SPE Library

Strategies for Flexible Package Integrity and Seal Inspection

Oliver Stauffer, August 2019

The field of flexible packaging continues to evolve with new and unique packaging designs. With the shift into new materials and formats, the means for assuring package quality and integrity introduce unique challenges. Creative application of new technology allows for more effective inspection of seal quality and the detection of microleaks. The webinar will cover technologies deployed for on-line seal inspection of pouch seals as well as off-line microleak detection. Practical case studies of implementation of each technology will be presented with key factors of success for deploying each solution. The path to assuring seal quality and package integrity requires multiple strategies to achieve the necessary results. The webinar will cover:

• Principles behind flexible package integrity.
• Questions to ask of you package and process.
• Strategizing around practicality and requirements.
• Two ISO recognized test methods to assure quality.
• Cases for effective implementation.

Integrating Injection Molding Machine Response into Mold Filling Analysis

Srikar Vallury, August 2019

Simulation is playing an increasingly important role in manufacturing. However, engineers still face challenges in bridging the gap between simulation and manufacturing. Join us for this webinar to learn how to maximize simulation utility with Moldex3D, where we integrate real-world conditions to more accurately take into account crucial information from the physical world, including considering the dynamic machine response of an injection molding machine, ensuring the optimized processing conditions obtained from simulations can be directly applied on the production floor.  

What You Will Learn:

• Understand the gaps between simulation and real-world manufacturing
• How to capture real-world machine response
• How to import real-world injection molding machine data into virtual simulations
• How to maximize the value of uniting real-world data and virtual simulations

Five Myths About Material Recycling

Kelvin Okamoto, July 2019

The debate about plastics recycling has entered the public arena, with implications for processors, material scientists, business owners, and policy makers. We have seen plastic bans and the introduction of alternative packaging materials, some of which have larger environmental footprints of the plastics they are replacing. Can paper be recycled indefinitely? Is foam impossible to recycle? In this webinar, Kelvin Okamoto, will identify 5 myths of materials recycling and present real-world examples and case studies to illuminate the complex truths of this increasingly important topic.

Enhancing Cross Functional Team Performance

Rick Lepsinger, June 2019

Today, more and more companies are adopting cross-functional team structures that reward collaborators over "lone wolves." Members of these teams often have complex reporting relationships, rather than a single boss, which makes it essential for goals to be aligned across departments or teams. In matrix organizations, where team members represent various departments/functions, the lines of decision-making are often blurred; it’s not always clear who is in charge, or who has the ultimate decision-making authority. In many cases, team leaders lack the skills to boost cooperation and communication within their teams, and team members often lack the skills to collaborate effectively. Join Rick Lepsinger, Managing Partner of OnPoint Consulting for an exciting webinar during which you will:

• Learn how cross functional teaming has evolved over the past 10 years
• Understand the benefits and challenges of cross functional teamwork
• Learn the four prerequisites for effective cross-functional teamwork
• Learn how Hyundai Capital overcame the challenges of cross-functional teamwork and built a powerful global business

How to Use SPE's Material Database

Catherine Bouhier, June 2019

Join us and learn:

• How things have changed in the industry and why you need to leverage online material search
• Essential things you need to know about Material Database available on SPE
• Different ways to search for a plastic or a polymer additive
• Moving ahead with your project

• Compounders, converters, OEMs / Engineers, R&D staff involved in plastic development with a need to better leverage online search tool in order to gain in efficiency in their day-to-day
• Plastics & Polymer Additive suppliers who need to understand how their customer search their material online, and how they can adapt to this digitalization

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

Jeffrey Jansen, June 2019

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is a thermoanalytical technique that measures the stiffness (modulus) and damping (tan delta) of polymeric materials to assess the viscoelastic properties as a function of time, temperature, and frequency. Polymeric materials display both elastic and viscous behavior simultaneously, and DMA can separate these responses. Polymers, composed of long molecular chains, have unique viscoelastic properties, which combine the characteristics of elastic solids and Newtonian fluids. As part of the DMA evaluation, a small deformation is applied to a sample in a cyclic manner. This allows the material’s response to stress, temperature, and frequency to be studied. The analysis can be in several modes, including tension, shear, compression, torsion, and flexure. DMA is a very powerful tool for the analysis of plastics and can provide information regarding:

• Modulus
• Damping
• Glass Transition
• Softening Temperature
• Creep Behavior
• Stress Relaxation
• Degree of Cure

Take A Look at This: Using Visual Comparison to Evaluate and Control Appearance

Eric Larson, June 2019

The appearance of a molded plastic part is often an important design element. Appearance involves color, and also texture and gloss, lighting and viewing conditions, and the perspective of the viewer. While each of these can be defined and controlled, the methods can be expensive, and the terminology is often confusing. This paper presents a method for specifying and evaluating appearance in a simple and easy to understand manner. The method and can be used at any phase of the development process, from initial concept to the factory floor. Properly implemented, it provides a practical and cost effective means to ensure consistent appearance in molded plastic parts.

The Challenges With Digitally Printing on Flexible Films With Water Based Ink

Douglas Bugner, June 2019

For a variety of reasons, including health, safety, environment and cost, the printing industry, especially in flexible food packaging, has been trending toward water-based printing systems. Unlike most paper-based substrates, flexible films tend to be hydrophobic and water-impermeable, which makes it a challenge to achieve adequate wetting and adhesion of water-based inks, not to mention the subsequent removal of the water and any co-solvents that are in the inks. In this webinar, we will briefly review the market trends in package printing, including common multilayer package structures, and provide an overview of the various digital printing technologies that are available today for printing on thin, flexible films. We will describe an all-aqueous system of primer, printing inks, and post-coatings that can be used for either surface or reverse printing of plastic labels, flexible packages, and vinyl wall coverings at production speeds of up to 300 meters per minute.

Patent Law Fundamentals for Scientists, Engineers and Managers - Part 4

Robert Migliorini, May 2019

This webinar is intended as an introductory primer in patent law and practice for scientists, engineers and managers involved in business and technology. The webinar provides an overview of patent protection and trade secret protection. The webinar also covers the fundamentals of how to identify, and document an invention, search for patents related to the invention, and apply for a patent application. In particular, attendees will become familiar with the types of patent applications, patentability requirements, the parts of a patent application, and the prosecution process for getting a patent application allowed before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Attendees will also become familiar with foreign filing of patent applications, post grant patent options including mechanisms for challenging a U.S. patent before the USPTO, the various types of patent opinions and patent litigation. No prior knowledge of patent law is required.

Sandwich Panel Design and Thermoplastic Honeycomb Technology Overview — Extending the Weight and Cost Reduction Opportunities

Tomasz Czarnecki, May 2019

The seminar is a review of available sandwich panel technologies, with the focus on configuration with thermoplastic honeycomb core being accepted in more and more applications today. The principles and benefits of sandwich panel design will be presented, along to post-processing techniques and examples of applications starting from a lower end of industrial packaging, through building and transportation, including but not limited to automotive.

Patent Law Fundamentals for Scientists, Engineers and Managers - Part 3

Robert Migliorini, May 2019

This webinar is intended as an introductory primer in patent law and practice for scientists, engineers and managers involved in business and technology. The webinar provides an overview of patent protection and trade secret protection. The webinar also covers the fundamentals of how to identify, and document an invention, search for patents related to the invention, and apply for a patent application. In particular, attendees will become familiar with the types of patent applications, patentability requirements, the parts of a patent application, and the prosecution process for getting a patent application allowed before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Attendees will also become familiar with foreign filing of patent applications, post grant patent options including mechanisms for challenging a U.S. patent before the USPTO, the various types of patent opinions and patent litigation. No prior knowledge of patent law is required.

Managing Up: Building a Healthy Relationship with your Employer

Matthew Grandbois, May 2019

Are you content with your work relationships with your managers or do have a “case of the Mondays” with every new week? Reaching your personal goals and growing throughout your career are the signs of a true professional, yet we often misunderstand the role that others have during this process. Join Matt Grandbois of DuPont Electronics & Imaging in this interactive broadcast where you will learn how to work with your stakeholders in a manner that achieves mutual success and will ultimately lead to your long-lasting growth as professional scientists.

Patent Law Fundamentals For Scientists, Engineers and Managers - Part 2

Robert Migliorini, May 2019

This webinar is intended as an introductory primer in patent law and practice for scientists, engineers and managers involved in business and technology. The webinar provides an overview of patent protection and trade secret protection. The webinar also covers the fundamentals of how to identify, and document an invention, search for patents related to the invention, and apply for a patent application. In particular, attendees will become familiar with the types of patent applications, patentability requirements, the parts of a patent application, and the prosecution process for getting a patent application allowed before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Attendees will also become familiar with foreign filing of patent applications, post grant patent options including mechanisms for challenging a U.S. patent before the USPTO, the various types of patent opinions and patent litigation. No prior knowledge of patent law is required.

Infusing Your Designs With Emotion

Jeevak Badve, May 2019

What makes a product successful? It’s always a blend of both functional and emotional attributes that together create beauty in a product. Let’s discuss these attributes and their proper application in the entire spectrum of the product design and development process. This webinar focuses on the forces influencing a product, including the ecosystem in which it exists, the unspoken needs and unarticulated desires of the end users, and the demands of the multiple stakeholders along the creative supply chain. Only with an understanding of all these elements can we determine what beauty means in a product and how it can solve the right problem beautifully.

Patent Law Fundamentals For Scientists, Engineers and Managers - Part 1

Robert Migliorini, April 2019

This webinar is intended as an introductory primer in patent law and practice for scientists, engineers and managers involved in business and technology. The webinar provides an overview of patent protection and trade secret protection. The webinar also covers the fundamentals of how to identify, and document an invention, search for patents related to the invention, and apply for a patent application. In particular, attendees will become familiar with the types of patent applications, patentability requirements, the parts of a patent application, and the prosecution process for getting a patent application allowed before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Attendees will also become familiar with foreign filing of patent applications, post grant patent options including mechanisms for challenging a U.S. patent before the USPTO, the various types of patent opinions and patent litigation. No prior knowledge of patent law is required.

Resumes 101 – You’ve Written Your Resume, Now What!

David Peterson, April 2019

This webinar will focus on resume development, looking for job opportunities, networking, interview types and tips, getting offers and more.

Conversations That Matter: Managing Accountability - Expecting and Getting Top Performance

Rick Lepsinger, February 2019

An organization’s ability to manage accountability is key to its success. Among top-performing organizations, 77 percent of leaders reported employees of all levels are held accountable for results, according to an OnPoint Consulting survey. Only 44 percent of leaders said this was true at less successful organizations. Learn how to recognize and measure accountability, manage accountability more effectively and evaluate how well your team or organization is performing in this area. Many leaders would say they want to create a culture of accountability, but what does this look like when it’s put into practice? How can you measure accountability within your team or organization? What are some challenges that keep you from holding others accountable? How do you respond to someone who makes excuses?

How Data Driven Automation Can Help You Diagnose and Solve Production Quality in 20 Minutes

Peter Brand, February 2019

For manufacturers, the value of production data analytics is clear: better process improvement, increased operational efficiency, and reduced cost. Yet, some plastics manufacturers are still skeptical of digital transformation. They're unsure how intelligent industrial automation solutions provide immediate benefits to the factory floor. In this webinar, you will learn how the latest intelligent solutions not only break down the path to Industry 4.0 success, but also how the data provided by these solutions can help you solve your production problems in a matter of minutes.

Budgeting 101 - Can I Afford That?

Jeremy K. Dworshak, January 2019

You’re nearing graduation; Yeah!
Cannot wait to start getting multiple job offers; double Yeah!
Now you have multiple job offers; oh Crap!
How do you choose which one to pick; double Crap! Hopefully this webinar will help put some quantitative decision making around a very complex choice: what job offer will you choose to start your career and how do you know you’ll make enough money to thrive?!

Strengthening Your Emotional and Social Intelligence

Jackie Kindall, January 2019

Studies show that higher levels of emotional intelligence and social intelligence are what separates top performers from average performers. And emotional and social intelligence impacts almost everything we say and do! When professionals build and leverage their emotional and social intelligence, they are better equipped to develop rewarding strategic partnerships, increase their influence and boost their performance. In this webinar, we will cover what emotional and social intelligence (EQ) is, why it is critical, and, most importantly, a few tips on how to increase it. Discover what it takes to boost your performance and build and maintain extraordinary relationships at work and at home.