SPE Library

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.

How Cooling Line Layout and Mold Design Influence Plastic Part Cost and Performance

Erik Foltz, January 2019

Cycle time optimization is often one of the main objectives when designing and constructing the mold. However, the majority of a molding cycle is often dictated by the cooling time. Therefore, it is strange that in the mold design process the integration and design of the cooling line layout and high conductivity inserts is often left toward the end of the design process where the design envelops has been drastically reduced. It is also commonly believed that the placement of the cooling lines is the only driver for properly cooling the part, and its design only influences the manufacturability of the part. This presentation will highlight the importance of all aspects of the mold cooling design on molding efficiency, and will also highlight how decisions on this design aspect of your mold actually influence the end performance of your plastic part. These points will be illustrated through practical engineer calculations and validated through case studies. Erik Foltz is a Senior Managing Engineer at The Madison Group, an independent plastics consulting firm located in Madison, WI. At The Madison Group, Erik assists designers, engineers, and molders with optimizing their plastic part design for manufacturability and performance. 

Materials for Medical Applications

Dr. Vipul Davé, December 2018

SPE Webinar Materials for Medical Applications presented by Dr. Vipul Davé on December 13, 2018. Development of novel polymer systems has led to several innovations that have profoundly influenced the future of medicine. Polymers are widely used in many medical devices for short-term and long-term applications and the properties of these materials must be tailored for the intended use. There is always a need to modify existing materials or develop new materials to meet the challenging demands of new medical devices. The presentation will provide an overview of the selection criteria of materials that are used for medical applications, and examples will include materials that are used in cardiovascular, orthopedic, surgical and drug delivery devices.

Thermal Analysis in Failure and Compositional Analysis

Jeff Jansen, December 2018

SPE Webinar Series - Thermal Analysis in Failure and Compositional Analysis, presented by Jeff Jansen on December 6, 2018. Thermal analysis is an important group of tests used in the analysis of plastics and other polymeric materials. It consists of a family of well-established techniques that evaluate material properties as they change with temperature, time, and ambient environment under conditions of thermal programming. The results of thermal analysis tests provide qualitative and quantitative information about the material being evaluated. In particular, this information is important to address plastic failures or in characterization of the material composition and physical properties. The webinar on thermal analysis will introduce the four primary techniques:

• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)
• Thermomechancial Analysis (TMA)
• Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

Feel Good, Look Good, For Life ... as You Excel in Business

Angela Gaffney, November 2018

SPE Webinar Series - Feel Good, Look Good, For Life ... As You Excel in Business, presented by Angela Gaffney on 11/7/2018.  Angela is the best-selling author of Feel Good, Look Good, For Life, a Certified Health Coach and Professional Speaker, who’s inspired thousands to achieve health as they excel in their career. Her story of perseverance will inspire you, and her simple strategies will have you on the path to achieving your health goals with ease. More information at www.angelagaffney.com.