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June 7-9
PLASTEC East, MD&M East, Automation Technology Expo, East Pack, Atlantic Design & Mfg. East, Green Mfg. Expo, New York, NY, 310.445.4200, www.plasteceast.com
June 28-30
HBA Global Expo, New York, NY, 609.759.4700, www.hbaexpo.com
September 20-22
PLASTEC Midwest, Chicago, IL, 310.445.4200, www.canontradeshows.com/expo/plastm11/
October 12
Plastics Finishing & Decorating Symposium, Cleveland, OH, 440.570.5228, www.plasticsdecoratingevent.com
October 19-21
SGIA, New Orleans, LA, www.sgia.org
Copyright 2010 Peterson Publications, Inc.
Plastics Decorating Magazine
2150 SW Westport Dr., Suite 101
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 271-5801 Fax (785) 271-6404
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The SPE Decorating & Assembly Division 2010 Topical Conference (TopCon) “Tune into Innovation” kicked off June 15-16 with a strong showing of attendees and suppliers to the plastics decorating industry. Whether drawing valuable information from more than 20 technical papers on trends in decorating and assembly or exploring machinery, supplies, and services at the supplier trade fair, attendees had numerous opportunities to gather information on new technologies, investigate solutions to tough challenges, and network with peers from across the country.
Located at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn., the biennial event focused on emerging technologies in plastics decorating, with a special track devoted solely to trends in assembly processes. Packed with programming addressing a wide range of topics, the 1½-day event covered topics such as surface modification, green solutions in pad printing, laser marking, in-mold decorating, chrome plating, painting methods, welding of bio-plastics, ultrasonic welding, and much more.
According to SPE Decorating & Assembly Chairman Rory Wolf with Enercon Industries, “Attendance at the SPE Decorating & Assembly Division TopCon was outstanding. The program was extremely well received by attendees, providing professionals in the automotive, medical, and electronics industries exactly what they wanted – insight into the latest in surface decorating and assembly technologies.”
For those who missed this information-packed event, the TopCon 2010 conference manual is available on CD for purchase. The CD features the entire conference line-up of technical papers – valuable information to utilize and pass on to co-workers. To see details on all 2010 TopCon session abstracts, click here. If you are interested in purchasing a CD, contact Peterson Publications at (785) 271-5801 or email publish@petersonpublications.com.
By Jeff Peterson
Not long ago, the only real choice for creating a pad printing cliché was to chemically etch a steel plate. However, new innovations and advancements with photopolymer technology and laser-based CTP systems have created more choices for pad printing operations to consider.
Steel Clichés
Steel clichés for pad printing continue to be the mainstay for large runs, especially for automotive, medical, or consumer electronic applications. Steel clichés are chemically etched and available in either 10 mm (3/8″) or 0.5 mm (0.02) thicknesses. Thinner plates are used for runs up to 500,000; thicker plates are most commonly used for runs over 500,000.
- Advantages: They can last as long as 1 million impressions or more, eliminating machine downtime to change out the cliché.
- Disadvantages: High cost and extended lead times to manufacture the clichés as well as the environmental issues resulting from the chemicals used.
Laser-Etched Computer-to-Plate Systems
Computer-to-plate (CTP) laser systems for creating pad printing clichés are the newest technology on the market. “This technology provides a great advantage for pad printing companies that want to improve efficiencies, reduce plate-making time, and standardize the pad printing process,” stated Ben Adner, president of Inkcups Now. “It can be an excellent choice for manufacturing clichés for both short-run and long-run applications.”
- Advantages: Graphics are first-generation, with no loss of resolution, and there are no film, developing, or etching material costs. In addition, they can be made in three to five minutes.
- Disadvantages: CTP laser systems can run several times the cost of setting up photopolymer cliché exposure, development, and post-exposure/drying equipment. Another drawback is the need for a capable operator. “The key to creating consistent, laser-etched clichés is having proper training and a good operator running the system,” said Michael Chaney, vice president of Diversified Printing Techniques.
YAG laser systems were the first generation of CTP laser systems on the market and are more expensive systems. However, one large advantage of a YAG laser system is the potential ability to perform industrial laser marking as well. There are now CO2-based laser plate making systems that have been recently introduced that sell for as little as $10,000-$25,000.
When using the YAG laser technology, aluminum-based plates are used. The advantage of aluminum plates is that they are double-sided, so an image can be etched in both sides of the plate. However, they are non-magnetic, so additional sub-plates typically are used to properly seal the magnetic cup with the plate. The CO2 system has a steel-backed coated plate of a special polymer, allowing the cliché to work with magnetic ink cups and providing a more durable plate.
Photopolymer Clichés
A growing trend in pad printing is to utilize photopolymer clichés exclusively instead of metal clichés. Single-exposure photopolymer cliché materials are exposed only once, using the image film; double-exposure materials are exposed once with the image film and a second time with a line screen film.
- Advantages: They are relatively low cost, can be produced in-house with a relatively small investment, and are excellent for short- to medium-sized runs – from several hundred to several thousand. Quality images can be produced by using a film positive where the image is exposed and developed with a water or alcohol wash.
- Disadvantages: Not the best choice for runs of hundreds of thousands or over a million. Another concern is the number of steps involved in producing a plate, which involves more opportunity for error and for producing a low quality cliché.
Before choosing the type of cliché for a particular application, contact your supplier and explain the types of work and images you are printing. For example, is the image small with a lot of detail, large with bold areas, or a combination of both? Also, sending samples of the artwork you are working with is recommended. Finally, discuss the run lengths and turnaround times under which you most commonly work. And if you are considering manufacturing clichés in-house, make sure that proper training and service is available from the supplier.
To read the full article – or other topics in the Plastics Decorating archives – click here.
 Make plans to attend the largest product development event for the cosmetic, fragrance, personal care, skin care, and wellness industries at the HBA Global Expo & Conference, Sept. 28-30, 2010, at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, N.Y. The 18th annual trade event for the beauty industry will feature inspiring speakers, thought-provoking educational conferences and full-day business programs, a comprehensive exhibit floor, and hundreds of new products and innovations. The HBA educational conference focuses on both the marketing and technical drivers in the health and beauty space and provides proven strategies for business growth. Co-located with HBA will be The Spa & Resort/Medical Aesthetics Expo, showcasing the convergence of the traditional and medical segments of the spa and resort industry. Additional offerings include the HBA Trends Conference, covering the top trends for 2011; the HBA Green Conference on the business and marketing decisions that make sustainability profitable; and a new Global Perspectives program, a two-day conference focused on the best methods for forming global partnerships. For registration information, visit www.hbaexpo.com, email john.morabito@ubm.com, or call (203) 846-0083.
By The HR Specialist
When President Obama signed health care reform legislation on March 23 (and related amendments on March 30), the clock started ticking on a series of changes that HR professionals will be dealing with for at least the next eight years.
Complying with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will demand close coordination between HR, insurance companies, and Uncle Sam.
Don’t panic if you’re not fully conversant on all the details of health care reform. The Department of Labor, the IRS, and other federal agencies will spend the next months and years publishing regulations that will put meat on the bones of this often confusing law.
“We expect a lot of changes to this law through the regulations that will be coming out in the next few years,” said Melissa Listug Klick, attorney of the Paul Plevin law firm, at the HR Specialist Labor & Employment Law Advanced Practices (LEAP) Symposium in April.
The provisions of the PPACA take effect over the next eight years. Here’s your reference for what to expect.
2010: First things first
June 29
- Temporary reinsurance program created for employers that provide health insurance for retirees over age 55 who aren’t eligible for Medicare.
Oct. 1
- Coverage for adult children. Individual and group policies must provide coverage for adult children of covered employees up to age 26. Note: The law requires this coverage for plan years that begin on or after Oct. 1, so if your group policy does not renew until Jan. 1, 2011, for example, the insurer won’t be required to cover adult children until then. However, many insurance companies have already begun offering coverage to adult children to avoid paperwork hassles.
- No lifetime limits. Health insurers can no longer impose lifetime limits on an individual’s coverage.
- Coverage denial. “Rescission” – the practice of denying coverage based on the discovery of a pre-existing condition – is now prohibited except in cases of fraud.
2011: Details take shape
- Reporting. Beginning Jan. 1, employers must begin reporting employees’ health benefits on W-2s.
- FSA limits. Individuals may no longer use flexible spending account (or health savings account) funds to buy nonprescribed items, including over-the-counter medication.
- Wellness support. Government grants are created for small employers to establish wellness programs.
2013: Calm before the storm
- FSA limits. Beginning Jan. 1, employee health care flexible spending account contributions are limited to $2,500.
- Nonprofit plans. Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) program begins, a crucial step toward creating nonprofit, state-based health insurance exchanges designed to cover individuals who can’t buy insurance elsewhere.
To learn about big changes in the law beginning in 2014, read the full article.
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Dukane Expands Servo-Controlled Ultrasonic Welding Line for Medical Market
Dukane Corp.’s Ultrasonics Division, St. Charles, Ill., has expanded its line of iQ servo-controlled ultrasonic welding systems for medical applications and other high-value components. The new higher-frequency welders (30, 40, and 50 kHz units) are targeted for smaller medical parts such as valves, ports, filters, and implant components. These welders also employ the company’s new Melt Match technology, which delivers greater repeatability, stronger welds, easier validation calibration, and lower manufacturing cost versus standard pneumatic welders. “Our latest iQ servo welders reduce the opportunity to create stress in small, thin-wall components and facilitate optimum welding,” said Michael Johnston, national sales and marketing manager. For precision parts and more delicate components, the new products weld under lower force and thrust capacity. The new welder also features a stack positive index mechanism that locks in a programmable home position for reduced cycle time and set-up optimization. For more information, call (630) 797-4902 or visit www.dukane.com/us.
Romo Durable Graphics Announces Acquisition of Chicago Decal
Romo Durable Graphics, De Pere, Wis., has announced the acquisition of Chicago Decal, a Chicago, Ill.-based manufacturer of custom decals. “Chicago Decal and Romo Durable Graphics have been competing respectfully for years with similar products and capabilities,” said Jonathan Darling, president of Romo Durable Graphics. “The opportunity for the acquisition presented itself when Chicago Decal’s parent company, Chicago Freight Car, made a strategic business redirection that did not include the printing industry. We are grateful for the opportunity this has given both companies and look forward to expanding.” During the transition, all products will be shipped from Romo Durable Graphics’ De Pere facility until August. Chicago Decal will retain a Chicago-based sales office but will close its production facility in Burr Ridge, Ill. For more information, call (920) 712-4083 or go to www.romoinc.com.
Standard Register, Industramark™ Acquire IML Firm Fusion Graphics
Standard Register, Dayton, Ohio, has purchased the assets of Fusion Graphics, Inc., an Englewood, Ohio-based leader in in-mold labeling (IML) and decorating technology. The assets consist primarily of intellectual property and will become part of the company’s Industramark™ business unit, which is focused on product marking and other solutions for industrial manufacturers. “The acquisition of Fusion’s patented IML products and intellectual property will enable us to help manufacturers label and brand their products with more permanence and durability,” said Tom Furey, Industramark president. The acquisition includes Fusion’s Grafilm® In-Mold Labeling System, which offers conformability to irregular product surfaces and durable, fade-resistant product marking. “Through this acquisition, Standard Register can now help a much broader group of customers worldwide in using Grafilm to enhance their products,” said Bob Freund, founder and co-owner of Fusion Graphics and inventor of Grafilm. For more information, visit www.standardregister.com or call (937) 221-1770.
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