Cost Management in Plastics Processing: Strategies, Targets, Techniques, and Tools, Fourth Edition, makes readers think about current practices and how to go forward with effective cost management. This is a practical workbook that provides a structured approach to reducing costs in plastics processing for all the major plastics shaping processes (moulding, extrusion, forming) as well as elsewhere in the company (e.g., in factory services and non-manufacturing areas). Competition in all manufacturing sectors is increasing, and there is continuous pressure to drive costs down and to increase cost management. Good cost management improves profits and margins, improves management control and opens the door to becoming a world-class company. The approach throughout this book looks rigorously at where costs are incurred and proposes projects and targets for cost reduction. This book is designed to provide a well-structured map broken down into simple tasks and achievable goals. This book offers a structured approach to the techniques of cost management, from how costs are calculated by accountants, to the effective use of machines and labor, to the minimization of waste. It begins by looking at traditional methods of accounting and costing and whether these are helpful or accurate for project management. Practical examples of cost management in plastics processing are included, together with many useful flow charts and diagrams to illustrate the points under discussion. - Enables plastics processors to institute an effective cost management system, going beyond simply trying to cut costs - Provides a holistic perspective on cost management, shining a light on areas on costs which may not have previously been considered or accounted for, and proposing projects and targets for cost reduction - Serves as a route map to help companies move toward improved margins and greater profitability

Quality Management in Plastics Processing provides a structured approach to the techniques of quality management, also covering topics of relevance to plastics processors. The book's focus isn't just on implementation of formal quality systems, such as ISO 9001, but about real world, practical guidance in establishing good quality management. Ultimately, improved quality management delivers better products, higher customer satisfaction, increased sales, and reduced operation costs. The book helps practitioners who are wondering how to begin implementing quality management techniques in their business focus on key management and technical issues, including raw materials, processing, and operations. It is a roadmap for all company operations, from people, product design, sales/marketing, and production – all of which are impacted by, and involved in, the implementation of an effective quality management system. Readers in the plastics processing industry will find this comprehensive book to be a valuable resource. - Helps readers deliver better products, higher customer satisfaction, and increased profits with easily applicable guidance for the plastics industry - Provides engineers and technical personnel with the tools they need to start a process of continuous improvement in their company - Presents practical guidance to help plastics processing companies organize, stimulate, and complete effective quality improvement projects

Energy Management in Plastics Processing: Strategies, Targets, Techniques, and Tools, Third Edition, addresses energy benchmarking and site surveys, how to understand energy supplies and bills, and how to measure and manage energy usage and carbon footprinting. The book's approach highlights the need to reduce the kWh/kg of materials processed and the resulting permanent reductions in consumption and costs. Every topic is covered in a 2-page spread, providing the reader with clear actions and key tips for success. This revised third edition covers new developments in energy management, power supply considerations, automation, assembly operations, water footprinting, and transport considerations, and more. Users will find a practical workbook that not only shows how to reduce energy consumption in all the major plastics shaping processes (moulding, extrusion, forming), but also provides tactics that will benefit other locations in plants (e.g. in factory services and nonmanufacturing areas). - Enables plastics processors in their desire to institute an effective energy management system, both in processing and elsewhere in the plant - Provides a holistic perspective, shining a light on areas where energy management methods may have not been previously considered - Acts as a roadmap to help companies move towards improved sustainability and cost savings

Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook: Processing, Sustainability, Materials, and Applications, Third Edition presents the fundamentals of plastics engineering, helping bring readers up-to-speed on new plastics, materials, processing and technology. This revised and expanded edition includes the latest developments in plastics, including areas such as biodegradable and biobased plastics, plastic waste, smart polymers, and 3D printing. Sections cover traditional plastics, elastomeric materials, bio-based materials, additives, colorants, fillers and plastics processing, including various key technologies, plastic recycling and waste. The final part of the book examines design and applications, with substantial updates made to reflect advancements in technology, regulations, and commercialization. Throughout the handbook, the focus is on engineering aspects of producing and using plastics. Properties of plastics are explained, along with techniques for testing, measuring, enhancing, and analyzing them. Practical introductions to both core topics and new developments make this work equally valuable for newly qualified plastics engineers seeking the practical rules-of-thumb they don't teach you in school and experienced practitioners evaluating new technologies or getting up-to-speed in a new field. - Offers an ideal reference for new engineers, experienced practitioners and researchers entering a new field or evaluating a new technology - Provides an authoritative source of practical advice, presenting guidance that will lead to cost savings and process improvements - Includes the latest technology, covering 3D printing, smart polymers and thorough coverage of biobased and biodegradable plastics

Practical Regulation-focused Considers machinery and processes as well as the workforce

This is an updated and revised version of a book published by RAPRA in 1985 'Noise in the Plastics Processing Industry'. The original version provided guidance to managers and engineers in the plastics industry on ways to reduce high noise levels in the workplace, in order to reduce risk of noise induced hearing damage to employees. Practical methods for reducing noise from industrial machinery in general were described and then illustrated with 25 case studies all relating to plastics processing machines such a granulators, shredders, extruders and injection moulders.Noise control techniques described include standard noise control measures such as enclosures, silencers and the use of sound insulating, sound absorbing materials, use of vibration isolation and damping. Most of these techniques have not changed since 1985, however one new technique is now available - the use of active noise control methods. The scope of the revised text has been extended to include chapters on environmental noise, European Union machinery noise emission regulations, hearing protection and prediction of noise levels, and the design of quieter workplaces.A new chapter of case studies has been added which reviews many already published case studies and introduces some new ones.

This comprehensive book provides guidelines for maximizing plastics proc essing efficiency in the manufacture of all types of products, using all types of plastics. A practical approach is employed to present fundamental, yet comprehensive, coverage of processing concepts. The information and data presented by the many tables and figures interrelate the different variables that affect injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, compression molding, reinforced plastics molding, rotational molding, re action injection molding, coining, casting, and other processes. The text presents a great number of problems pertaining to different phases of processing. Solutions are provided that will meet product per formance requirements at the lowest cost. Many of the processing variables and their behaviors in the different processes are the same, as they all in volve basic conditions of temperature, time, and pressure. The book begins with information applicable to all processes, on topics such as melt soft ening flow and controls; all processes fit into an overall scheme that re quires the interaction and proper control of systems. Individual processes are reviewed to show the effects of changing different variables to meet the goal of zero defects. The content is arranged to provide a natural progres sion from simple to complex situations, which range from control of a sin gle manual machine to simulation of sophisticated computerized processes that interface with many different processing functions.