See-Through Plastics Plus

Clear Polyester
TECADUR MT TR natural, a clear copolyester plastic (PCT-G) exhibits many new advantages for machined parts from stock shapes for medical and biopharma applications.

This clear copolyester exhibits higher impact priorities than polycarbonate and very high gamma stability, with no color change post exposure. A preliminary screening is performed on specific lots of the material in order to test compatibility with solvents specified in the BioPhorum Operations Group (BPOG) guideline for standardized extractable testing for single use systems in biomanufacturing. It can fit in applications requiring low extractables like diagnostic and chemical analysis equipment. TECADUR MT TR can also fit where chemical resistance and clarity are necessary, and where biocompatible exposure to human tissue, less than 24 hours, is crucial.

TECADUR MT TR fits between TECANAT (polycarbonate) shapes and TECAPEI (Ultem®) on certain key properties, and has excellent chemical resistance. It is better in applications that do not require steam-sterilization, and is therefore more suited for single use applications typical in bio-pharma processing. While it does not have quite the temperature capability of PEI, TECADUR MT TR will nevertheless often be able to replace PC and PEI shapes in many cases.

For more information, contact Mike Ferreira, Ensinger, 365 Meadowlands Blvd., Washington, PA 15301, 800-243-3221/856- 227-0500, Fax: 724-746-9209, E-mail: mferreira@ensingerusa.com, Web: www.ensingerplastics.com.

Crystal Clear Edges
A challenge in the machining of PMMA, acrylic, Plexiglas® or Makrolon® is that these plastics become too hot during processing and may even melt. The efficient machining of this materials is complex. Special tools such as Hufschmied's Plexiglas milling cutter 110FPRV "Raven-V" are needed here.

The innovative cutting-edge geometry allows the 110FPRV milling tool to process these sensitive transparent materials to be machined burr free and with virtually crystalclear cutting edges despite high feed rates. With the roughing and finishing tool, machining is possible in one step without tool change and without re-polishing. Additionally, superior tool life increases efficiency and profitability.

Other tools in the series are the radius cutter 110FPER for 3D machining and the V slot cutter 110V, the tool for lettering, chamfering or profile cuts. You can find more information about these tools in their product flyer.

For more information, contact Erin Marciniak, Hufschmied USA, 42 Ozick Dr., Unit 6, Durham, CT 06422, 239-220-6602, E-mail: sales@hufschmiedusa.com, Web: www.hufschmied-tools.com/en.

Thermoplastic Heating Table
Fabrication Tools and Materials, Inc. (FTM), offers the 56000 series Thermoplastic Heating Table for straight line bending. These new systems are made in the USA and available in three sizes, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" for materials from .040"-.500" thick. The 56000 series tables offer some great new features like the Advanced Touch Quad Control with a Max Heat button and improved timer controls, a new rail system, and leg kit.

Their patented rail system uses a unique alignment plate that fits with the rails and allows the four heating trays and material support/stop to move easily, lock securely, and aids in squaring. The system’s foot print is virtually unchanged from their original heating table, but offers a larger working area created by the new intergraded split fence design. The integrated fence allows more flexibility in an ergonomic design. The 14-gauge steel legs are ridged and strong, with enough weight to keep the system in place, yet light enough for the heating table to be easily moved when needed.

FTM also offers single Free-Standing Heating Trays available in lengths from 2' to 10' in 1/2". Their 4’ models are available in a verity of heated widths from 1/4" to 2", so whether you’re working with 1mm thin material or 1" thick material they have your heating needs covered.

For more information, contact Robert Ashcraft, Fabrication Tools and Materials, Inc., 327 Industrial Dr., Unit 1, Placerville CA 95667, 530-626-1986, Fax: 530-642-2602, E-mail: info@123ftm.com, Web: www.123ftm.com.

Blades for Plastic
Atlas Saw & Tool provides several different types of blades well suited for cutting acrylics and mechanical plastics such as nylon, polypropylene, UHMW and HDPE. Their acrylic RV saw blades range in size from 10” to 450 mm diameter. They are engineered to reduce chipping on thin sheets and have a unique grind pattern that reduces heat and prevents melting. They have sizes ranging from 10” to 20” diameter on their Diamond Grit saw blades and they can customize to suit their customer’s needs. Their blades for cutting nylon, polypropylene, HDPE and UHMW materials have a unique tooth geometry for a smooth, easy cut and feature a ATB-R mod grind with sizes from 255mm to 450mm.

Atlas Saw & Tool also offers customers a Zero Turn Services (ZTS) Program, encompassing Blade Management Services as well as inventory planning. The goal of ZTS is to prevent any production downtime related to saw blade changes and rotations.

For more information, contact Kent Kerns, Atlas Saw & Tool, LLC, a Fletcher Business Group Company, 7801 Industrial Dr., Spring Grove, IL, 60081, 888-484-1488, E-mail: info@atlassaw-tool.com, Web: www.atlassawtool.com.

SHEET
New Paper Masking OPTIX L continuous cast acrylic sheet has exceptional attributes to offer compared to competitive thermoplastics in the industry. It provides a uniform thickness tolerance when compared to cell cast sheet products. It has superior craze and chemical resistance and exceptional UV stability making it ideal for interior and exterior applications.

Plaskolite recognizes the benefits of paper masking for fabricators on this premiere product and is introducing a new masking option for OPTIX L continuous cast sheet. Custom sheet size is not a problem. Typical lead times are 4-6 weeks for custom sizes but contact your Inside Sales Representative for a quote on lead times, minimums and the specific masking required; film, Tufgard® or paper.

Features and benefits include: uniform thickness, excellent optical clarity, exceptional UV stability, superior craze resistance, paper masking resists surface marks and scratching, and it is easy to shape, form, glue, and fabricate.

Plain paper masking is available as a stock item in the following colors and gauges: clear, white 7328, and black 2025, 0.118", 0.177", 0.220" and 0.236", with standard sheet sizes 48" x 96", 51" x 100", 60" x 96", 72" x 96".

For more information, contact Plaskolite, LLC, 400 Nationwide Blvd., Ste. 400 Columbus, OH 43215, 800.848.9124, Fax: 877.538.0754, E-mail: plaskolite@plaskolite.com, Web: www.plaskolite.com.

Portable Acrylic Polishing
Abbeon Cal offers the Box, a portable table top machine that is ideal for polishing acrylic and PMMA workpieces with a highquality finish. A Chips Suction System is included. The Box is perfect for polishing small work pieces. This compact machine, along with its two handles, is easy to carry. It is great either for the end-user to polish small pieces or for the final touch of a technician on-site. One PCD polishing set for clear finish is included in the machine. The diamond tools (polishing set) guarantee a high-quality finishing with a minimum level of maintenance and costs. The cutting angles of the diamond tool have been studied thoroughly to ensure long operating life and effective performance, avoiding excessive tool sharpening and changing costs. Multiply your production capacities with the Box Extender at a minimum cost. Small size, great potential, better results.

Abbeon also supplies the Aquaflame, a safe and efficient acrylic flame polishing system (and micro welding) without gas cylinder storage. The Aquaflame Systems produce hydrogen and oxygen by the electrolysis of deionized water, in the ratio such that the hydrogen can be burnt in the oxygen. This produces a high energy heat source that is highly controllable and efficient. The only other by-product is water, making it truly efficient and environmentally safe.

Visit Abbeon Cal’s website to view the Box and Aquaflame in action.

For more information, contact Jim Early, Abbeon Cal Inc., 1363 Donlon Street, Unit 1, Ventura, CA 93003, 800-922-0977, E-mail: abbeoncal@abbeon.com, Web: www.abbeon.com.