Appliance Design - August 2007 - (Page 5)

EDITORIAL ® www.applianceDESIGN.com Winner of the 2005 APEX Awards For Publication Excellence The Promise of Plastic publishing staff Fern Sheinman Publisher Richard J. Babyak Editor Larry Adams Managing Editor Daryl Delano Economics Editor Amy Alef Production Manager MaTT Britcher Art Director (858) 259-4585 sheinmanf@bnpmedia.com (440) 886-1210 babyakr@bnpmedia.com (773) 467-8590 adamsl@bnpmedia.com (508) 746-7986 ddelano@adelphia.net (248) 244-6409 alefa@bnpmedia.com (734) 354-1874 britcherm@bnpmedia.com A circulation Christine Baloga (248) 244-8262 Corporate Audience Development Director balogac@bnpmedia.com Kimberly Harris (248) 244-6435 Audience Development Manager harrisk@bnpmedia.com Alison Illes (248) 244-1730 Corporate Fulfillment Manager Illesa@bnpmedia.com Catherine M. Ronan (248) 244-8259 Audience Audit Manager ronanc@bnpmedia.com Robert Liska 800-223-2194 List Manager robert.liska@edithroman.com marketing Danielle Kimble Marketing Director Paul Dykstra Trade Show Coordinator (248) 244-8257 kimbled@bnpmedia.com (248) 786-1609 dykstrap@bnpmedia.com editorial advisory board Mark Skaer, Senior Editor, The News Susan Sutton, Editor, Ceramic Industry Roy Sakelson, Editor-in-Chief, Circuitree Tom Williams, Publisher/Editor, Quality Magazine Darlene Brezinski, Ph.D., Editor, Paint and Coatings Industry Don Hegland, Editor, Assembly BNP Media 2401 West Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084, (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317; www.bnpmedia.com For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: call (847) 763-9534 • Fax: (847) 763-9538 or email: AD@halldata.com APPLIANCE DESIGN (ISSN 1552-5937) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media, 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $116.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $145.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $156.00 (airmail) payable in U.S. funds. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: APPLIANCE DESIGN, P.O. Box 2148, Skokie, IL 60076. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2007, by BNP Media. GST account: 131263923. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to APPLIANCE DESIGN, P.O. Box 2148, Skokie, IL 60076. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. For single copies or back issues, contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or KalbA@bnpmedia.com. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40026999. Send returns (Canada) to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. mong the significant events of 1969, including the first moon landing, the year also gave birth to an allplastic house, the Futuro. It was a time of wild-eyed enthusiasm about the potential for plastic, with some predicting that eventually everything would be made of plastic, including homes. That optimism was a bit overreaching for the time — only about 60 of the egg-shaped Futuros were built — but the notion that almost anything is possible with plastic has certainly been reignited. One obvious reason is the continued pursuit of innovative materials, including the development of nanocomposites. (See story on page 28.) Additives such as nanoclays and nanotubes are imbuing plastics with a remarkable range of properties, and the field is still in its infancy. In addition to the enhancement of mechanical properties, these research efforts are also yielding the formulation of thermally conductive and electrically conductive compounds with properties previously seen only in metals. All of this comes on the heels of aesthetic advancements in polymers, as the rollout of special-effect resins over the past few years has dramatically expanded the types of visual effects that can be achieved. Other new developments have given us light-emitting polymers, scented polymers, antimicrobial compounds, authentication compounds for anti-counterfeiting measures, and a broader range of elastomers. This progress has not been limited to thermoplastics, either. Newer formulations of thermoset compounds are increasingly finding their way into many demanding applications that were once the sole province of metal. Also emerging from over the horizon are new families of “bioplastics” made from corn, soy, cane, and other plant materials. While there is still much debate over their engineering utility and petroleum-saving potential, there is less argument over their perceived marketing value to environmentally conscious consumers. Furthering the capabilities of plastics are the numerous ongoing innovations for processing them. Advances in insert molding, micromolding, overmolding, multi-material molding, gas-assisted molding, and water injection molding have all stretched the range of possibilities for designers of injection-molded plastic parts. And progress continues in other processes, too. Improvements in thermoforming techniques and materials now make it possible to form large, stylish parts with a level of complexity and precision that previously could only be obtained by injection molding. On top of all that, refinements in decorating plastic parts provide a nearly unlimited array of appearance options for designers. Through either in-mold or postmold techniques, plastic parts can now be wrapped in vibrant colors, patterns, fabrics, leather, and photo images. But, the most important attribute that plastic has finally acquired is intangible — respect. There was a time when the term “plastic” was used in a derogatory fashion to suggest that something or someone was phony, cheap or superficial. This was derived, no doubt, from those early, unpleasant efforts to make plastic simulate wood. But times have changed. Today, for example, the use of plastic solid-surface materials in kitchens and baths is considered an upscale look. Plastic has solved its identity crisis. Finally living up to the original meaning of the term, plastic is free to be itself. And that is essentially anything a designer wants it to be. But that freedom requires designers to take a fresh attitude. Yesterday, one simply asked, “what’s the optimal plastic for this part?” Today’s question is “what do I want to do with plastic?” The new query is both liberating and intimidating. Greater opportunity demands greater imagination. As the boundaries extend, so does the responsibility for exploring them. No limits means no excuses. < Richard Babyak, Editor E-mail: babyakr@bnpmedia.com | HVAC | Majors | Water Processing | Housewares | Commercial Appliances | | Vending | Medical | Lab | Test & Measurement | Lawn & Garden | Electronics | | Computers | Communications | Business Equipment | applianceDESIGN August 2007 5 www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.appliancedesign.com http://www.bnpmedia.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Appliance Design - August 2007

Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch A Reed Switch is Simople, yet Versatile, and Designers are Finding New Uses for this Time-Tested Technology A Novel Actuation and Sensing Technology can Register a Light Touch, but Resist Blows from a Hammer Tracing the Source of Noise is Made Easier with Noise Source Identification Methods Appliance Noise can be Annoying, but Designers have Many Material Choices to Help Rein in the Racket Nanocomposites are No Longer a Technology for the Future. These Plastic Materials are Already on the Job A New High-Strength, Low-Density Glass-Microsphere Additive can Improve Plastic Part and Molding Performance A New Electromagnetic Weld/Bonding Process Helps Ensure Long-Term Integrity of Joints in Plastic Parts Snap-Based Technology Eases Installation and Makes Products More Serviceable Two-Part Silicone Adhesives Provide a Rapid-Cure Alternative to Traditional One-Part Silicones Classified DesignMart Advertiser’s Index Association Report: GAMA

Appliance Design - August 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.