In late October, Creaform, the Québec, Canada–based technology company that offers 3D engineering services and innovative 3D scanners, completed the acquisition of Genicad, a company in Québec City that specializes in engineering, digital and mechanical design, project management and technical drawing.

“The acquisition is part of Creaform’s growth strategies to strengthen regional operations, secure its position as a major player in the industry and expand its range of 3D engineering services to better meet the needs of our clientele,” explains Chief Executive Officer Martin Lamontagne.

Adds Genicad president Michel Cyr: “This is a most significant move for the industry. The synergy between Genicad and Creaform will create the most important 3D engineering services firm in the Québec City area.”

Over the past 20 years, its expertise and quality services have made Genicad a leading player in Quebec’s mechanical design industry. And Creaform, as a 3D engineering partner known for its drive toward innovation and technological development, is expected to build on Genicad’s excellent reputation.

The acquisition of Genicad is the latest in a series of major steps taken by Creaform during the year. Others include the acquisition in January of InSpeck, a world-leading 3D human body digitizing company, the opening of three new offices overseas this summer, and the international launch in October of an all-new product, the MetraScan 3D scanner.

Genicad offices in Québec City will be closed and the existing employees relocated to Creaform’s offices in nearby Lévis. Creaform will keep the Sainte-Claire offices of Genicad open.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene – (ABS) injection molding

What is ABS?

ABS is an opaque thermoplastic amorphous polymer comprised of three monomers; this makes it an excellent engineering material.

ABS material properties

ABS injection molding has great chemical and thermal stability along with toughness and strength properties. The surface finish after molding is high glass making it perfect for cosmetic applications.

ABS common applications

 ABS plastic injection molding material is a great all-round engineering plastic and can be found in wall sockets, automotive trim, printers, vacuum cleaners, hard hats, kitchen utensils, plastic toys, and musical instruments to name a few.

Poly oxy methylene – (POM) injection molding – Often call acetal

What is POM?

Poly oxy methylene, often acetal, is one of the key engineering plastic. Among plastic element, it is one by the most crystalline structure.

POM injection molding material properties

POM is a high strength, low friction engineering plastic that has excellent wear properties in both wet and dry environments. Easy to machine, acetal makes on outstanding choice for applications that require complex, light tolerances.  

POM common applications

Can be found in small gear wheels, eyeglass frames, ball bearings, ski bindings, fasteners, guns, knife, handles, and lock system. The element is widely accepted in the automotive and customer electronics industry.

Nylon 6 & 6-6 polyamide – (PA6 & PA66) injection molding

What is PA6 & PA66 ?

Nylon (PA) 6 & 66 are both plastic polymers called polyamides, most utmost nylons, including 6 & 66, are semi-crystalline and treat good power and durability for demanding applications.

PA material properties

Nylon injection molding material has high mechanical strength, stiffness, hardness and toughness good fatigue resistance, good sliding properties and wears resistance, good machinability characteristics.

PA common application

Can be found in sleeves and bearings, wear pads, hammer heads, gear wheels, seal rings, cutting boards, marine cleats to name a few.

Polycarbonate – (PC) injection molding

What is a PC?

Polycarbonate (PC) plastics area naturally transports amorphous thermoplastic.

PC material properties

PC is a great when impact resistance and/or transparency are a product requirement (e.g. in bullet – proof glass)

PC common applications

PC is usually used for plastic lenses in eyewear, in medicinal devices, automotive elements, protective gear, greenhouse, digital disks (CDs, DVDs and Blu – ray) and exterior lighting accessories.

Polypropylene – (PP) injection molding

What is PP?

Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic “increasing polymer” obtain from the combination of propylene monomers.

PP injection molding material properties

Some of the most significant properties of PP are good chemical resistance, elasticity and toughness, fatigue resistance, good insulation, good impact resistance. PP is one of the most used plastic in the world today.

PP common application

One of the main characteristics of PP is that it can be molded into a living hinge due to its good fatigue resistance. Other applications include food packaging consumer products, car bumpers, toys, container taps.

Polybutylene terephthalate – (PBT) injection molding

What is PBT?

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is semi-crystalline, white or off-white polyester similar in both compositions and properties to polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

PBT injection molding material properties

Resists abrasion temperature moisture effective electrical barrier with superb impact strength Subject to failure if noticed under stress Difficult to mold to extremely tight tolerances

PBT common application

PBT is usually used for food processing machinery purposes when low dampness absorption, resistance to staining or resistance to washing chemicals is required. It can also be found in electronic parts, electronic parts, and auto parts & TV set accessories.

Polymethyl methacrylate – (PMMA) injection molding

What is PMMA?

PMMA or acrylic is a transport thermoplastic homopolymer known more commonly by the trade name “Plexiglas”

PMMA injection molding material properties

PMMA or acrylic is extensively used transparent plastic. it is a tough plastic, easy to shape and a great alternative to the high cost less resilient glass.

PMMA common applications

Its applications in many markets from car windows, smartphone screens to aquariums. Other uses include lenses, acrylic nails, paint, security barriers, medical devices, LCD screens, and furniture.

Thin, light, flexible, and inexpensive plastic electronics are the focus of the Plastic Electronics Conference & Showcase 2005, which will be held October 4 and 5 in Hall 4 at Messe Frankfurt. The international forum and marketplace should attract companies and research institutes active in the field of electrically conductive polymer research and application development.

The international conference programme offers more than 70 presentations by renowned speakers from industry and science who will be introducing the latest developments in organic electronics. Panel discussions with market analysts and representatives from venture capital companies will round out the programme.

Companies such as Bayer, Dai Nippon Printing, Dupont Teijin, MAN Roland, Merck, Nokia, Osram, Plastic Logic, PolyIC, Philips, Siemens, and Xerox will take part in the conference. Additionally, seven symposia will focus on specific aspects of organic electronics research areas, including flexible displays; lighting and signage; photovoltaics; sensors; printed electronics and smart packaging; hybrid systems; and smart textiles.

At the accompanying showcase, a place for information exchange between developers, manufacturers, and users, visitors will be able to receive information about the status of this young technology and rapidly growing new industry and to establish contacts with experts in this sector. The showcase will allow exhibitors to position themselves as first movers in this growth market, where the first products are expected to be introduced in 2006.

Billed as an event “where science and industry meet,” the “Plastic Electronics Conference & Showcase 2005” was initiated by the Plastic Electronics Foundation and is being organized by that group in cooperation with the Organic Electronics Association (OEA) of the German engineering federation VDMA.

The “Plastic Electronics Conference & Showcase” The foundation has set up a science board and an industry board to coordinate the conference programme and select topics. Members are from well-known research institutes, universities, and companies.

OEA, a working group within VDMA, is the information and communication platform for companies and research institutes active in organic electronics. Its goal is to create the basic conditions necessary for the establishment of a competitive infrastructure for organic electronics in Germany and Europe.

The international plastics database CAMPUS is distributed by a group of international resin suppliers, with M-Base Engineering + Software GmbH serving as the software supplier and technology partner of the CAMPUS consortium. Material Data Centre, also run by M-Base, is an Internet platform that offers a broad range of design data for plastics. One part of Material Data Centre, called WebView, contains the complete set of CAMPUS data sheets. Free access to WebView is available at www.materialdatacenter.com or at www.campusplastics.com.

As a consequence of the great success of CAMPUS and Material Data Centre in China, M-Base has developed a Chinese user interface for WebView in order to improve the accessibility of CAMPUS data for those more comfortable working in their native language. Recent studies show that more than 10% of all CAMPUS data requests come from China.

Those interested in using the Chinese version of CAMPUS WebView need only Internet access and a browser that has Chinese fonts.

One of the highlights of EMO 2005 was its Special Youth Show, which was designed to attract new recruits to the mechanical engineering sector. This event was organized jointly by the VDW (Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken, the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) and the DMG-Trainingsakademie in Bielefeld, Germany. Under the motto “Mechanical Engineering: a Power Profession,” the 400-m² show tried to entice prospective engineers with what the profession has to offer, both now and in the future.

Young visitors were able to find out about jobs, key areas of activity, and development prospects in the manufacturing sector. They had the opportunity to talk to exhibitors, trainees and young engineers, and to make useful contacts.

The Special Youth Show was not the only EMO activity with educational goals. On September 15, EMO’s “Teachers’ Day,” teaching staff from colleges of further education were shown the latest technology for use in day-to-day lessons. The German Minister for Education and Research, Edelgard Bulmahn, attended the stand to participate in this special event.

The new 3,000-ft² London showroom of XYZ Machine Tools Ltd. is to be the venue for the third in a series of upcoming open houses offered by the UK company in the next few weeks. The event, scheduled for November 23–24, will introduce a raft of new products to visitors from London, the Home Counties, and the South East. Following similar events at XYZ’s showrooms in Nuneaton, Warwickshire (October 11–12), and Blackburn, Lancashire (November 9–10), the London extravaganza, like its predecessors, will feature ex-demo machine tools available for sale at bargain prices.

Conveniently located off J26 of the M25, the showroom, on the new Waltham Point development 16 miles from the centre of London, is fully equipped for machine demonstrations. Among the attractions planned for the November open house are the BRM range of large-capacity CNC bridge mills; the manual/CNC ProTurn VL 555, XYZ’s largest-bore (104-mm) ProtoTrak-equipped lathe; the ProTurn 1630 SLX variable-speed lathe equipped with the ProtoTrak SLX control; the XL range of extra-large CNC lathes with up to 1,500 mm of swing and 10 m between centres; and the low-cost e range of milling, turning, and grinding machines.

Everyone is welcome, according to Nigel Atherton, XYZ’s managing director, “but a phone call or fax beforehand to preregister would certainly help with the catering.” More important, Atherton noted, with sales currently at record levels, prior notice of arrival will ensure that the machine the visitor most wants to see will be on display.

DEMAT GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany, and Wohlers Associates Inc. of Fort Collins, Colorado, are offering another international conference in conjunction with the EuroMold trade fair. This year’s conference, entitled Future Industrial Applications of Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing,will take place Friday, December 2, in the Exhibition Centre Frankfurt.

The theme of the conference is a forward look at additive fabrication technologies in mainstream and emerging industries. Nine speakers will consider which methods and systems are proving most beneficial now and will discuss what the future seems to hold.

Additive processes in applications such as rapid prototyping are becoming increasingly popular in a growing range of industries, according to Wohlers Associates, an industry and market analysis firm. Pioneered in the automotive and aerospace industry around 15 years ago, the technology next was put to work in handheld electronic, power tools, footwear, sporting goods, and other applications. Lately, medical and dental device, architectural, jewelry, and microsystem firms have benefited from previously unthinkable applications of additive techniques.

“This conference, now in its seventh year, is one of the most important events at EuroMold,” said Diana Schnabel and Dr. Eberhard Döring, chief executives at DEMAT, which organizes EuroMold, in a joint statement. The Global Alliance of Rapid Prototyping Associations, a nonprofit organization cofounded by Wohlers in 1998, has endorsed the conference and is participating in it.

World-class speakers addressing a variety of topics involving additive fabrication techniques in rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing will be Martin Augsburg of BMW Group (Germany), Andy Christensen of Medical Modeling LLC (USA), John Hammond of Airbus (UK), Charles Overy of LGM (USA), Dr. Stephen Schmitt of Dental Implant Technologies (USA), Roger Spielman of Solid Concepts (USA), Ms. Lena Thorsson of Particular AB (Sweden), Graham Tromans of Loughborough University (UK), and Terry Wohlers of Wohlers Associates.

A record number of visitors attended the Productivity Plus Open House hosted by UK machine manufacturer Agie Charmilles Ltd. at its Coventry facility. The electrical discharge machining (EDM) and high-speed/5-axis machining specialist welcomed more than 130 visitors from 65 UK manufacturing companies to the October 11–13 event.

In addition to the large turnout, the company could take satisfaction in the fact that seven new machine tool orders were placed during the open house, which was designed to keep manufacturers up-to-speed with the latest EDM and milling product innovations and technology developments in the Agie, Mikron, Actspark, and Charmilles brands that had been showcased at the EMO exhibition in Hannover a few weeks before.

Many new machine tools were on view, but of particular interest were the new ultraprecision Agiecut duo-wire Vertex EDM machine for imparting superior surface finish especially to small parts and parts with microscale features; the highly flexible and productive Mikron UCP 600 high-performance 5-axis machining centre for complex, high-precision components; and the new Charmilles Roboform 350 GammaTEC spark-erosion machine and Robofil 2050 TW twin-wire EDM machine, high-end performers targeted at the mould tool and die and precision engineering sectors.

Visitors were also informed about the comprehensive non–machine tool business coordinated from Agie Charmilles’ Coventry facility. These services include EDM consumables, original spare and wear parts, System 3R work-holding solutions, and technical, applications, and after-sales service and support.

“Running our event straight after EMO proved to be the right thing to do,” said Tony Steels, managing director at Agie Charmilles. “Because many UK manufacturers do not attend EMO, it was always our intention to bring EMO to them.”

SpecialChem S.A., an Internet-based consultancy focusing on specialty chemicals and plastics, has announced the launch of the new Omnexus on-line platform dedicated to innovation and solutions through plastics and elastomers. The portal provides a continuous feed of reports on industry trends, a “polymer selector” to help engineers pick the right material for their projects, and industrial design support from a network of experts.

“Today, manufacturing industries are under strong pressure from low-cost producers based in emerging countries,” says Christophe Cabarry, founder and COO of SpecialChem. “We have been talking to many industrials recently, and their best way to fight cost competition is to innovate and reduce time to market. With Omnexus, we will provide industrial designers and engineers working in plastics and elastomers with technical services to create innovative products and implement better solutions, much faster.”

SpecialChem acquired Omnexus in December 2003 and has been canvassing the industry since then in preparation for improving, expanding, and relaunching the portal. The services offered through Omnexus are open to all designers and engineers involved in material selection and product design.

SpecialChem says that Omnexus should be especially helpful to those involved in high-tech industries such as automotive, electronics, packaging, appliances, medical, telecom, and audio/video. Membership to the Omnexus community is free of charge and gives access to all innovations and services.

“The new Omnexus is also an excellent way for suppliers serving the plastics and elastomers industry to promote new products and technologies,” Cabarry says. He adds that the port can “accelerate the introduction of their innovations, push complex solutions instead of raw materials, find new customers, or detect emerging market trends.”

SpecialChem, headquartered in Paris, supports a global community of more than 75,000 already registered industry professionals with efficient e-tools such as on-line databases and Web seminars. Through its network of industry experts, the company provides suppliers with marketing and business development services that are based on speed, targeting, global reach, and low-intensity use of resources.

Even if the weather isn’t exceptionally hot, a convention on Amelia Island, off the eastern coast of Florida, sounds quite appealing. And that’s the site of the American Mold Builders Association‘s annual convention, which will be held March 18-23 at the Amelia Island Plantation. The theme for the conference is “Creating the Competitive Edge,” with the goal of helping mold shops recognize their niches, develop strategies to be more competitive, learn better business practices, and updates themselves on the latest technologies.

Speakers include Craig Fitzgerald of Plante & Moran, who will address such issues as rates of return for lower-tier suppliers and the appeal of certain business models; returning speaker Steve LeFever, who will discuss succession planning; attorney Mark S. Mahoney, who will talk about preventing small problems from becoming legal nightmares; and Hommer Tool’s Jim Hommer, who will outline the ABCs of outsourcing. Hommer will focus on how partnering with other companies can help reduce both costs to manufacture and lead times.

AMBA’s annual convention will be further enhanced by speakers from System 3R, Pleasant Precision, and D-M-E.