Are you compliant?

Save money and time. Protect the environment. Identify issues first. Promote employee safety. This is what we aim for as manufacturers. However, achieving these initiatives is can be a challenge.

But did you know the PMA Regulatory Compliance Self-Certification Program can help?

We have a process that helps manufacturers meet and demonstrate compliance with all applicable health, safety, environmental and transportation regulations.

Our program is divided into four tiers to help you best fit your company’s requirements. At the most basic level, PMA members can state their commitment to meeting the minimum existing regulations already in effect. Best of all, there is no fee or recordkeeping necessary to become certified for two years.

The second level requires compliance standards to be met across the company focusing in specific sections including: management commitment, OSHA compliance, MbOCA and Isocisoyanates monitoring, compliance with environmental regulations, community relations and compliance with community right-to-know requirements. Once again, it’s free.

For the leadership certification, member companies must gain a series of points from Health and Safety and Environmental activities. A minimum of 20 points must be gained in each category. Points can be obtained through attending Health and Safety and Environmental programs. For ideas, visit the Certification Program section on the Web site. An additional 10 points must be earned either from a mix of the above programs or from extensive experience.

The final certification level expects PMA members to meet and exceed the Leadership Level requirements. Members must also participate in one or more ways as a company representative to the PMA Regulatory Affairs programming.

This is a great opportunity to bring your membership to a new level. Certification shows your commitment to your employees, your environment and your industry.

Interested? Check out the Certification Program here.

PMA’s MbOCA Study Reveals Member Companies’ Practices Yield Similar or Better Protection

The PMA MbOCA study is finally out!

Proudly, PMA members are leading best practices in the industry to reduce MbOCA exposure in the workplace. The study showed that voluntary measures by PMA member companies yielded a similar or better level of protection in their MbOCA handling practices than the regulatory approach defined by the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The primary goal of the study was to see if PMA’s voluntary member guidelines were sufficient in reducing the exposure to 4, 4’-methylene-bis (2-chloroaniline) [MbOCA], a chemical curing agent. In recent years, MbOCA has been debatably linked to human carcinogenicity (see our previous post on MbOCA).

Secondly, we looked at the success behind new corporate technology that has dramatically reduced an employees’ risk and exposure to the chemical curing agent. According to historical urinalysis data, member companies who are regularly performing tests have kept their exposure levels below both the British and California recommendations in recent years.
To continue to stay on top of evolving MbOCA handling practices, researchers have recommended the following actions:

· Processors should be educated on the importance of proper spill response and periodic wipe sampling of potentially contaminated surfaces.

· Periodic urinalysis must be done by all processors using MbOCA.

· The PMA Guidance should be updated to reflect the findings of this study and to address changes in technology that have the potential to reduce MbOCA exposure.

· Members should participate in this process to identify industry best practices.

· Additional urinalysis should be done to detect potential MbOCA dermal exposures from handling partially cured polyurethane articles.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the MbOCA study! We appreciate your help in developing best practices to create a safer work environment.

Students: Test Your Design Skills to Win a $1,000 Scholarship!

Ready to rise to the challenge?

PMA has launched a scholarship program, “Surprisingly Versatile Design Competition,” for students enrolled in material sciences, design and engineering programs at technical schools and universities across the nation. The competition will offer three students a chance to win $1,000 based on their ability to exhibit the best use of cast polyurethane to replace a part traditionally made from plastic, rubber or metal. Parts will be judged on the utility of the part in its actual application. Winners will show their work during an expense-paid trip to the PMA Annual Meeting and Supplier Showcase in Las Vegas, Nev.

Some important deadlines:
Project papers must be submitted by January 15, 2010 via the PMA website or email.

Winners will be notified by March 11, 2010.

Scholarships will be given at the PMA’s 2010 Annual Meeting, May 8-11, at Harrah’s Casino, Las Vegas.

Want to learn more?

Find full contest rules and regulations at http://www.pmahome.org/Scholarship.aspx. Or join our Facebook Fan page for regular updates.

Let's Be Friends. PMA Joins Facebook

If you haven’t already heard, we’re on Facebook! We have created a Facebook page to share information and promote cast polyurethane.

Plus, Facebook is a great way for our members to connect with one another, as well as with other industry professional and prospective employees. In many ways, Facebook will become another outlet for information for our members and for people interested in cast polyurethane careers.

We will be posting PMA news, press releases, reminders and event information. You will also see pictures from our latest events. We welcome everyone to start discussions on our Facebook wall, friend each other and ask us questions.

If you’re on Facebook, we’d love to be friends. You can find our fan page by searching Polyurethane Manufacturers Association. If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can sign up for a profile at http://www.facebook.com/.

We’re looking forward to connecting and hearing from you!

Cast Polyurethane Tells Its Story

The benefits of cast polyurethane—as well as the market’s lack of awareness of those benefits—took center stage in a recent Modern Plastics article titled “Polyurethane: Cast Urethane Makes Its Case.”

Mike Katz, VP of the PMA and president of custom urethane and rubber processor Molded Dimensions, emphasized the need for the industry to educate designers, engineers and the market in urethane’s versatile physical properties, including extreme wear and abrasion resistance.

More education would be a good thing—because the more people learn about this material, the more they like it.

As urethane technology becomes more advanced, traditional barriers to using the material are being lifted. Although polyurethane still can’t handle the high heat of automotive engine applications, it can now be used in warmer applications increasing the service life of products from fan belts to tires. Meanwhile, the FDA has even approved cast urethane to be a replacement for stainless steel. Urethane processors are looking ahead to more advances in the higher heat tolerances of the material.

On the machining side, current metering and mixing equipment represent a vast improvement. The new systems offer greater precision and a more consistent product from part to part for customers.

If you have a cast polyurethane success story that needs to be told, let us know! We’d love to hear from you. We are always looking for PMA member stories to share.

Have an idea? Shoot us an email at rjennings@insidesh.com.

Polyurethane’s Great Potential in Medical Products

The prognosis looks good for cast polyurethane in medical device manufacturing. With emerging medical product technology, the material’s versatile properties have a chance to shine.

Surgical drapes, wound dressing, catheter/general tubing and a variety of other injection molded devices are all made of polyurethane materials. Currently, the most common use for polyurethane is in short-term implants, which can remain in the body for 30 days or more.

The multifaceted properties of polyurethane make it a favorite among seasoned engineers and designers. The high stress/strain properties and longevity of polyurethane are particularly beneficial to medical products. Plus, polyurethane can be formulated to be harder than a golf ball and softer than a rubber eraser. Conventional rubbers can’t match this range of hardness. Perhaps best of all, polyurethane is extremely cost-effective to manufacture.

Unfortunately, these benefits are often overlooked in many manufacturers’ material selection process. However, as more medical device designers and manufacturers are discovering PUR, the material is gaining in popularity because it outperforms metals, rubbers and plastics in valuable ways. In today’s economy, value speaks volumes, so look for polyurethane to surface as a leading material in medical product manufacturing.

Are you the Expert We’re Looking for?

It’s that time of year again. In partnership with the Canadian Urethane Manufacturer’s Association (CUMA), PMA is happy to put out the call for Technical Papers for our next Annual Meeting. In case you haven’t heard, our 2010 Annual Meeting will be May 9-11 in Las Vegas!

Our technical paper presentations are a great opportunity for you to showcase your technical developments to industry leaders from around North America. Innovation never stops in this industry—not even during tough times, which can inspire the best and most original research.

We all benefited from a big batch of groundbreaking papers last time and we can’t wait to see what you’ll deliver in 2010. Hard to believe, but deadline for submitting abstracts is already just around the corner.

Below is the information you will need to submit your abstract and/or paper.

Deadlines:
Abstract Deadline: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Selected abstracts will be notified by end of 2009
Completed papers due: March 5, 2010
Presentation will be TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010

Judging Criteria:
Technical Quality
Timeliness of the Subject
Relevance to PMA members and the industry
Award for the Best Technical Paper is selected by meeting attendees.

Interested? You should be—this is your chance to be a leader in this competitive industry!

If you or someone you know would like to present, contact our office at (414) 431-3094 or send the following to info@pmahome.org
-- Company name, address, phone, fax, e-mail, Web site
-- Information on all presenters, including direct phone, extension and e-mail
-- Title of proposed paper
-- A summary of what the paper will discuss

For more information or to submit your technical paper online, visit the PMA Web site: www.pmahome.org.

The Rapid Advance of Rapid Prototyping Technologies

Just as sophisticated urethane dispensing machines and CNC machine centers have found their way into polyurethane facilities, additive fabrication and rapid prototyping are gaining popularity in polyurethane processing, especially with these techniques’ ability to cut down on development time and costs.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most promising rapid prototyping technology.

Stereolithography (SLA) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Both SLA and SLA start with precise 3D CAD data. The SLA machine builds the part layer by layer with a special laser to cure the liquid photopolymer to create a master. With the SLS, there is no liquid photopolymer. The materials range from wax to certain nylons and metals creating a more durable master. Watch for SLA’s latest nickel plating technology, which produces a strong, mirror finish that’s even waterproof.

Polyjet (Objet) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

The key to Polyjet technology is a special inkjet with a built-in UV laser spraying to build each layer. Similarly, FDM feeds a plastic, wire-like filament unwrapped from a supply coil to a heated extrusion nozzle with an on-off valve spraying liquid polymer layer by layer. Polyjet is new and more costly than other processes featured here, but it has a niche for building small parts that require fine details. FDM offers more flexibility in polymers, with tradeoffs between strength and service temperature.

Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

EBM uses a high-energy, precisely focused electron beam to melt fine metal powders layer by layer. The resulting product is solid and doesn’t require any additional thermal treatment. This makes EBM not only faster, but allows it to build high-definition masters and products.

Reminder: Polyurethanes are not metals, so plan accordingly. In fact, urethanes have a thermal expansion coefficient 10 times that of most industrial metals! Be sure to take such factors into account and design smart to avoid big problems and delays in production.

Exploring the Wide World of Cast Polyurethane

What do we mean by “Surprisingly Versatile”? As an all-in-one material, cast polyurethane offers engineers the durability and reliability required for a wide range of critical product applications. Plus, it’s the most economical choice for limited production manufacturing, thanks to its superior response time and low-cost molds.

Celebrate the widespread use of cast polyurethane by checking out these unique and successful applications. See any surprises?

• Sweeper drags. Cast polyurethane lasts seven times longer than rubber when it comes to cleaning up streets. Urethane-based sweeper drags extend working life because of the extreme durability, flexibility and high abrasion and impingement resistance.
• Snowplow blades. Cutting-edge technology allows polyurethane to power through snow and ice buildup while offering the vibration and impact reduction of rubber. The blade’s edge even retains its shape against obstructions.
• Valves. It’s no secret here that cast polyurethane valves outlive metal valves times two.
  Sanitary waste facilities. It’s a dirty task, but something’s got to do it. In this harsh environment, cast polyurethane’s sheer durability and weather resistance make it an industry favorite for guide wheels, easily outperforming other elastomers.
• Gears and sprockets. No one likes a noisy machine. High modulus cast polyurethane gears and sprockets reduce noise while still transmitting full power.
• Paper converting. Here’s a real money-saver. A cast polyurethane log pusher is only 75% of the cost of the steel log pusher it replaced within the industry!
• Skateboard/inline skate wheels. No other elastomer stands a chance against the demanding wear of skateboarding and Rollerblading. From grinding on the half pipe to gravity defying vertical leaps, cast polyurethane protects enthusiasts’ wheels while providing shock and impact resistance.
• Bowling balls. Strike. Cast polyurethane offers a more consistent level of performance, long life and less deflection when hitting pins—all of which puts bowlers at the top of their game.
• Sculpture/art. Possibilities are endless with the versatility of urethane. From cast dolls to intricate shapes and designs, cast polyurethane gives art a new dimension.
  
  What products do you make from cast polyurethane? We’d love to know! Share your favorite uses of cast polyurethane by posting product information, the reason why you chose cast polyurethane versus other materials and pictures right here.
  
  Looking for more uses of cast polyurethane? Check out the PMA website at http://www.pmahome.org/Polyurethane.aspx

There’s a Glut of Job Seekers. How Do You Find the Best Ones?

With so many engineers out of work due to the down economy, and thousands of recent graduates looking for jobs, there has never been a better opportunity to hire great talent.

That’s why now is the time for polyurethane processors and suppliers to take a leadership position as an information resource for job candidates. By doing so, you can heighten interest in cast polyurethane as a great career and your company as a great place to work. It’s a chance to attract a higher caliber of engineer, while fostering the skills of the next generation of polyurethane experts, as well.

Here are a few basic ideas for promoting cast polyurethane for recruiting purposes.

• Point people to this blog and other PMA resources. The point of the SurprisinglyVersatile.com portal is to build community and get people talking about cast polyurethane issues. Get them involved in our conversation here—and chime in yourself! Keep in mind that you can also take advantage of promotional materials PMA is producing, including the Surprisingly Versatile brochure. Need copies? Contact (414) 431-3094 today.
• Develop a strategic partnership with a trade or technical college. By taking this approach, you can build relationships with faculty who may be interested in enhancing their curriculum with polyurethane knowledge and hands-on opportunities. The goal is to get engineers-to-be interested in polyurethane early in their studies. Partnering with a school also opens doors for you and your company to participate in or even host continuing education courses for engineers who are looking for new opportunities due to layoffs or career shifts.
• Experiment with social media. Taking advantage of social media resources such as facebook and LinkedIn can give you access to students and other job seekers across the country. Start, join and monitor groups where you can listen to these audiences while sharing job opportunities, scholarships, new products, and company news.
  
  
  

Has MBOCA Been Getting a Bad Rap?

The curing agent methylene-bis-orthochloroaniline (MBOCA) has been the subject of much speculation about health risks. But a study just released by the British Rubber and Polyurethane Products Association should help straighten out the issue.

BRPPA researchers studied a cohort of 308 male production workers from seven factories. All of the workers had a minimum of 12 months employment and were first employed at one of the participating factories between 1973 and 2000.

The mortality and cancer incidence data for those workers were compared with expected values based on national rates. There was a single death related to bladder cancer in the study group, with two cancer registrants. These figures were only slightly higher than national rates. And because there was no information available about whether the cancer sufferers smoked or had other risk factors, the findings were statistically insignificant, according to the report—meaning the study found no link between exposure to MBOCA and cancer risk.

For all companies and people working with MBOCA, this news comes as a relief. However, MBOCA remains under intensive study—including some research now under way by PMA, which we plan to release in the fall. In the meantime, you can access the full BRPPA study here as a PDF or Word Doc.

There’s More out There than Plastic, Metal and Rubber

Plastic, metal, rubber. Those are the material choices for your part—right?

Not so fast. There are other, equally viable options. And we’re here to make sure you have the knowledge to make the smartest material choice for any given application.

Welcome to the blog of the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association (PMA), the organization that brings together best companies and the most comprehensive knowledge in the cast polyurethane industry.

Visit here often for the latest technology, practices and expertise in cast polyurethane—one of the toughest and most versatile manufacturing materials in the world. As flexible as a rubber band or as rigid as some metals, castable polyurethane elastomers are ideal in a far wider range of applications than you might realize.

If you’re new to cast polyurethane, here are just a few of its key properties:
• High load capacity
• High or low resilience
• Bonding to metals and plastics
• High to low compression modulus
• High or low friction
• Good electrical properties
• Non-marking characteristics
• Machinability

In this space, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the most promising applications of these attributes, along with emerging trends, regulations and other timely topics in manufacturing.

PMA is excited to begin this dialog with you. Questions, comments and tips are greatly appreciated. Join the conversation!