Hydrocerol improved productivity up to 20% due to lower cycle times and processability on different injection molding units.

Hydrocerol improved productivity up to 20% due to lower cycle times and processability on different injection molding units.

Hydrocerol improved productivity up to 20% due to lower cycle times and processability on different injection molding units.

Hydrocerol improved productivity up to 20% due to lower cycle times and processability on different injection molding units.

Until that number is zero, we have more work to do. During my rotations, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from different leaders within the organization while working on meaningful work. For Avient, the most material aspect of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is our Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).

High-quality conductive pipette tips must meet a number of demanding performance criteria, including: • Accurate measurement of minute quantities of liquid • Hydrophobic properties to minimize fluid retention • Concentric dimensions and warp resistance • Excellent chemical resistance The manufacturer asked Avient for a specialized solution to meet these exacting needs in a timely and efficient manner so they could capitalize on its market opportunity THE SOLUTION Avient’s sales and technical professionals worked closely with the manufacturer to understand the demanding requirements of the end-use application, manufacturing considerations and cost. Avient determined that the manufacturer required a material with a unique combination of properties, including: • Processing ease – high flow rate, ability to fill multi-cavity molds, thin-wall capabilities • Superior toughness – strength and durability to ensure dimensional integrity of the part • Repeatable performance – consistent conductivity for accurate measurement of liquids While several off-the-shelf compounds were evaluated, a new formulation was developed to meet the manufacturer’s specific needs as well as provide signifi cant benefi ts in reduced cycle time, increased production and reduced scrap rate. THE IMPACT For the manufacturer, Trilliant™ HC specialty engineered materials provided a number of advantages that contributed to the success of the new product line: • Reduced Cycle Time: The high flow properties of the Trilliant HC formulation allowed the manufacturer to produce warp-free parts that require less packing and cooling time, resulting in a 40% cycle time reduction. • Increased Production: Additionally, the high flow properties of the Trilliant HC formulation allowed for an increase in the number of cavities in the mold, resulting in a machine cost-per-part savings of over 30%. • Reduced Scrap Rate: The consistent conductivity, improved warp resistance, reduced flash, and improved durability provided by the Trilliant HC formulation meant less breakage, fewer rejects and a 40% reduction in scrap rate. • Total Manufacturing Cost Savings: Despite an increase I price per pound over the competition, the manufacturer’s total cash costs were reduced by over $45,000 on an annualized basis as a result of the proven, quantified savings in cycle time, productivity and scrap.

The kick-off event featured Jamie Beggs, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, sharing her inspiring story as a working parent, as well as her perspective on the integration of work and family. Joining RAISE gave me the opportunity to network with other working parents and feel like I am truly not alone in this challenging journey of parenthood.” Share knowledge & experiences to learn from each other, connect caregivers and working parents at Avient to facilitate relationship-building

Moreover, performance can also include the functionality of parts towards the end of a product life cycle – such as being recycled or reused. Post-consumption is the idea of determining the sustainable role of parts after a product’s life cycle, whether it be disassembly or recycling. Post-consumption is the idea of creating parts so that a final product cycle can be reused or recycled after its life cycle. 

Moreover, performance can also include the functionality of parts towards the end of a product life cycle – such as being recycled or reused. Post-consumption is the idea of determining the sustainable role of parts after a product’s life cycle, whether it be disassembly or recycling. Post-consumption is the idea of creating parts so that a final product cycle can be reused or recycled after its life cycle. 

GUIDELINES FOR USING CESA CLEAN ADDITIVES • Cesa Clean works best when molded maintaining normal (injection) pressure/shear • For best results, Avient recommends a “Running Color Change” which eliminates breaks in the molding cycle • Since the Cesa Clean concentrate will expand, it is recommended to reduce the shot size by 20% • It is designed for use at a let-down ratio (LDR) of 3.0% or (33:1); however, use rate can vary depending on the severity of the contamination but typically is 2.0–4.0% (a use rate higher than 6.0% may not have any positive affect on the cleaning performance) • Using Cesa Clean as a routine part of your color change rotation will allow faster changes and consume a minimal amount of raw material - Note: If the manifold is not cleaned routinely, this process may be more time consuming and additional material will be required • It is best to process at your normal polymer processing temperatures - For best performance, stock temperature should be at least 400°F - If 400°F is achieved during the purging process, no additional activation will occur during the reprocessing of regrind - All parts produced during the “Running Purge Cycle” should be captured as regrind, resulting in a scrap-free color change - If using sequential gates, open and close all gates at the same time while purging the tool - If contamination appears to be coming from one gate, open and close first, and for an extended period of time, to force more material through this location - When cleaning in this manner, pay close attention to shot size - Parts containing the previous or new color plus any Cesa Clean can be used as regrind INTRODUCING CESA CLEAN TO YOUR PROCESS Hand Blend • Hand weigh enough of the Cesa Clean and natural resin mix to equate to 3–5 times the barrel capacity • Use rate should be 3.0% or 33:1 for routine cleaning • For difficult-to-clean tooling, or tooling which is not routinely cleaned, start at 4.0% or 25:1 • Note: Do not attempt to vacuum load more than 15 feet from source as stratification/separation may occur Volumetric Feeder • Calibrate feeder to dispense 3.0% or 33:1 for routine cleaning • For difficult-to-clean tooling, or tooling which is not routinely cleaned, start at 4.0% or 25:1 • This style of feeder is highly recommended for at-the-throat metering of Cesa Clean Blending Units Most blenders have an extra bin for an additive • Fill the additive bin with Cesa Clean • Set blender to introduce the Cesa Clean at 2.0 to 4.0% • Note: Do not air convey any further than 15 feet as Cesa Clean has a high density and may separate from the mix. GETTING STARTED TIMING IS THE KEY TO A RUNNING COLOR CHANGE Hand Blend • Have the purge blend ready to load • If hopper contains a mixture of resin, color and/ or regrind, it should be run dry or drained before beginning the color change, keeping the screw full so press cycle continues • Run the main resin hopper dry or shut off hopper to hand feed at the throat • Once press is clean, slide hopper in place and proceed with next color-resin blend • The next color can be added while Cesa Clean is still in the barrel • When splay is no longer visible in parts, reset shot size, parts should be ready to pack (Single) Volumetric/Gravimetric Metering Unit at the Throat • Empty and clean feeder while press continues to run • Add Cesa Clean to the feeder color hopper and calibrate to a 3.0% use rate • When press is clean, start next color • When splay is no longer visible in parts, reset shot size, parts should be ready to pack • Note: If an open/unused secondary feeder is installed, use it for the Cesa Clean concentrate Central Blending Unit • Thoroughly clean unit while continuing to mold parts, keeping a resin feed to the press • Using a clean open hopper or regrind hopper, add the Cesa Clean concentrate • Set blender for additive/color to 3.0% • Once press is clean, drain hopper and/or central blending unit while continuing to mold parts • Begin new color and continue to mold parts • When splay is no longer visible in parts, reset shot size, parts should be ready to pack Process Adjustments That Can Help • Increase back pressure • Increase screw speed • Increase injection speed (in some tools maximum injection speed can facilitate cleaning) • Reduce mold close time (faster cycle) • Always remember a stock temperature of 400°F is essential When press and tool are clean, return all settings to standard production process profile. Some of the information arises from laboratory work with small-scale equipment which may not provide a reliable indication of performance or properties obtained or obtainable on larger-scale equipment.