Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : The Evolution of Shut-Off Nozzles

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

💥 From Leaky Beginnings to Precision Flow — The Evolution of Shut-Off Nozzles 💥

Back in the early days of injection molding (1940s–50s 🕰️), machines used simple open nozzles — manual operation, low automation, and lots of unwanted material drooling between cycles 💧😅.

As production speed and automation grew (especially from the 1970s onward ⚙️🤖), manufacturers faced new challenges:

➡️ material stringing,

➡️ unstable shot weights,

➡️ and messy mold surfaces.

🎯 That’s when the shut-off nozzle was born!

This clever innovation transformed molding precision and cleanliness — and over time, several designs emerged:

🔹 Spring-loaded shut-off nozzles — the pioneers! ⚙️

Simple and reliable, automatically closing when injection stops. Still popular for basic applications today.

🔹 Hydraulic shut-off nozzles 💧

Introduced in the 1980s–90s, offering strong closing force — ideal for high-viscosity materials and large parts.

🔹 Pneumatic shut-off nozzles 💨

Fast, clean, and automation-ready — the modern choice for high-speed and multi-component molding.

Today, shut-off nozzles are a must-have in advanced applications like:

🧩 multi-shot and sandwich molding

🚗 automotive precision components

💉 medical & cleanroom molding

♻️ sustainable, waste-reduced production

Their impact?

✅ No drooling or stringing

✅ Faster color changes

✅ Cleaner molds

✅ Better process control

From the first mechanical concepts to today’s smart, pneumatic precision — shut-off nozzles have shaped the evolution of injection molding 🌍💚

source : Tivadar Hamzók

#InjectionMolding #ShutOffNozzle #PlasticsEngineering

Syensqo partners with Moyuum to launch Korea's first baby bottles made from certified circular materials

Syensqo, a leading global provider of high-performance materials and chemical solutions, is pleased to announce that #Moyuum, a premium innovator in baby care products, has selected its circular Duradex™ #polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) ECHO for Moyuum’s new baby bottles. This marks the first time in Korea that #babybottles will be made from certified circular materials, underscoring Moyuum’s commitment to both safety and environmental responsibility.

Duradex™ PPSU ECHO is a high-purity, food-contact PPSU polymer produced with certified circular1 feedstock, attributed by mass balance and verified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS System. The material offers exceptional durability, clarity, and safety, being BPA-free and free from artificial pigments, phthalates, and bisphenols. Its outstanding resistance to discoloration, stains, and scratches ensures bottles remain clear and hygienic even after more than 1,000 sterilization cycles. By utilizing circular feedstocks, Duradex™ PPSU ECHO also significantly reduces reliance on fossil resources and lowers carbon emissions. This aligns with the Syensqo One Planet roadmap and its ambition to reach 18% of net sales enabling circularity by 2030.

Moyuum’s new PPSU baby bottles made with #Duradex™ PPSU ECHO will launch in February 2026 and be available in Korea and global markets including Vietnam, the United States, Canada, Chinese Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. Moyuum also plans to expand the use of Duradex™ PPSU ECHO to a broader range of infant and children’s food and beverage containers.

Duradex™ is a trademark of #Syensqo.

source : Syensqo.

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Why Gate Design Matters in Injection Molding

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

🔹 Why Gate Design Matters in Injection Molding

The gate is a small but critical feature in every injection mold—it’s the entry point where molten plastic flows into the cavity.

The type, size, and location of the gate all influence:

✅ Flow pattern – affects how well the cavity fills

✅ Cycle time – smaller gates cool faster

✅ Surface quality – poor placement may cause blemishes

✅ Part strength – improper flow can create internal stress

From pin gates to edge gates to hot runners, each option has its place—depending on part geometry, material, and quality requirements.

Smart gate design = fewer defects, faster production, better parts.

source : SCSplastic

#InjectionMolding #GateDesign

OEE & the 7 Major Losses – Turning Equipment Data into Performance

 🔧 OEE & the 7 Major Losses – Turning Equipment Data into Performance 📊

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) is a powerful metric that reveals how effectively manufacturing equipment is utilized. It highlights hidden losses and drives focused improvement.

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⚙️ The 7 Major Equipment Losses

Availability Losses

⏱️ Equipment Breakdowns

🔄 Setup & Adjustment

🛑 Tool Change / Shutdown

Performance Losses

⏳ Minor Stoppages

🐢 Speed Losses

Quality Losses

❌ Defects

🔁 Rework & Startup Losses

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📐 How OEE is Calculated

1️⃣ Availability

«Measures equipment uptime»

Formula:

Availability = (Loading Time – Downtime) ÷ Loading Time × 100

Example:

(460 min – 60 min) ÷ 460 min × 100 = 87%

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2️⃣ Performance Rate

«Measures speed efficiency»

Formula:

(Standard Cycle Time × Total Units Produced) ÷ Operating Time × 100

Example:

100 units ÷ 200 units × 100 = 50%

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3️⃣ Quality Rate

«Measures good output»

Formula:

(Good Units ÷ Total Units Produced) × 100

Example:

(400 – 8) ÷ 400 × 100 = 98%

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📊 Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

OEE = Availability × Performance × Quality

👉 OEE = 0.87 × 0.50 × 0.98 × 100

✅ OEE = 42.6%

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🎯 Key Takeaway

A low OEE is not a failure—it is an opportunity.

Break down losses, attack the biggest gaps, and drive Lean, TPM, and Continuous Improvement initiatives with data-driven focus.

source : Six Sigma Manufacturing