COLORTEK
"Europe needs training facilities for plastics colourists" / Call for professional status
The lack of training facilities and professional status for plastics colourists, was one of the key points raised by John Hastings-Long, Colortek Vertriebs GmbH (Eichenweg 2, D-21224 Rosengarten-Klecken) at a recent colouring seminar organised by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI, 45-47 Stokes Croft, GB-Bristol BS1 3QP). "Industry should act because plastics colourists have no recognised professional status, and no training facilities in this highly technical subject are available in Europe," he said.
The two-day long seminar led by John Hastings-Long looked in detail at the colouring of plastics and the issues that face processors trying to ensure effective and consistent use of colour. "Correct temperature control during processing is vital", said Mr. Hastings-Long. A thermocouple indication of 240 C may mean that actual melt temperature is 280 C. High screw back pressures and injection speeds raise melt temperatures and degrade colour. Hot runner systems can also cause problems.
When organic colours are used, residence times should not exceed 10 to 15 minutes as colours will degrade and turn brown. The amount of cooling in the mould also affects colour. Materials should be chosen with colourant in mind. Major savings in colouring costs may be achieved if the most suitable combinations of materials and colourant are used at correct temperatures. Better temperature controls would enable processors to use alternative, cheaper colourants. Whilst processors often invest in automation for parts handling few invest to improve colour control. Less than 3 per cent of processors even have a simple light cabinet
A presentation from Mark Reid of Minolta further highlighted ways processors can make savings through investment in spectrophotometer systems. Use of colour match prediction systems enables large savings in masterbatch to be achieved because the optimum amount of pigment can be calculated. However, he also pointed out that such systems need to be serviced and calibrated at least annually.
The seminar also heard from David Fowler, principal designer for Boots Contract Manufacturing, who called for closer links between product designers, specifiers and masterbatch manufacturers. He asked whether the colour industry considered itself to be simply a provider of a technical service to match samples or whether it actively sought to educate and influence the market.
READER SERVICE: Colortek brochures (English / German): PIE-No. 38621.
The two-day long seminar led by John Hastings-Long looked in detail at the colouring of plastics and the issues that face processors trying to ensure effective and consistent use of colour. "Correct temperature control during processing is vital", said Mr. Hastings-Long. A thermocouple indication of 240 C may mean that actual melt temperature is 280 C. High screw back pressures and injection speeds raise melt temperatures and degrade colour. Hot runner systems can also cause problems.
When organic colours are used, residence times should not exceed 10 to 15 minutes as colours will degrade and turn brown. The amount of cooling in the mould also affects colour. Materials should be chosen with colourant in mind. Major savings in colouring costs may be achieved if the most suitable combinations of materials and colourant are used at correct temperatures. Better temperature controls would enable processors to use alternative, cheaper colourants. Whilst processors often invest in automation for parts handling few invest to improve colour control. Less than 3 per cent of processors even have a simple light cabinet
A presentation from Mark Reid of Minolta further highlighted ways processors can make savings through investment in spectrophotometer systems. Use of colour match prediction systems enables large savings in masterbatch to be achieved because the optimum amount of pigment can be calculated. However, he also pointed out that such systems need to be serviced and calibrated at least annually.
The seminar also heard from David Fowler, principal designer for Boots Contract Manufacturing, who called for closer links between product designers, specifiers and masterbatch manufacturers. He asked whether the colour industry considered itself to be simply a provider of a technical service to match samples or whether it actively sought to educate and influence the market.
READER SERVICE: Colortek brochures (English / German): PIE-No. 38621.
29.02.1996 Plasteurope.com [20250]
Published on 29.02.1996