Rolling Power: Urethane Is the Wheel Deal

You might say polyurethane has “reinvented the wheel.” And in this case, that’s a very good thing.

From the most spectacular skateboarding stunts to the world’s fastest roller-coasters, urethane has played a game-changing role in many people’s lives.

And yet, the story of cast polyurethane remains relatively unknown. But at PMA, we’re working to change that.

Here are a two quick snapshots of our material’s success.

n The Skating Sensation. No other elastomer or plastic wheel can meet the high-wear demands of skateboarding, in-line skating and the street luge. For all of these sports, urethane provides the necessary grip, roll and durability allowing for us to marvel at the athletes who defy gravity and air with fearless speed. The material’s superior durability is credited with enabling a skateboarding revolution and spawning an entire movement in the 1970s.
n Incredible Coasters. Racing down the track of one of today’s lightning-fast roller-coasters wouldn’t be half the hair-raising experience it is without urethane wheels. It’s in the chemistry, notes Trevor Hite, general manager of entertainment ride company Chance Morgan. Urethane wheels reduce friction on the steel tracks, wear longer and produce quicker speeds than ever.

And don’t forget a humbler but no less important advancement achieved on urethane wheels—suitcases that glide smoothly through long airport corridors, rather than weighing down weary travelers.

Clearly, urethanes have been on a roll for many years, and the potential for the material remains strong. However, to turn that potential into reality, we must continue to educate the market about these exciting successes.

So let’s all do our part and spread the word.

See any stories we missed? Feel free to share your favorite urethane wheel stories below or as always shoot us an email at rjennings@insideSH.com.

PMA Member Brings Relief to Haiti

Last month, our neighbors in Haiti experienced a harrowing earthquake devastating the small island. We’ve all seen the vivid images come across the screen from the capital Port-au-Prince —the damage and suffering of the people and country is insurmountable. As the people of Haiti pick up the pieces, fellow PMA member Otto Bock has pitched in to help by creating a fundraising campaign, “Children in Need- Help for Haiti”, through the Otto Bock Foundation.

In cooperation with its partners, the Otto Bock Foundation is raising money to provide medical-orthopaedic care for as many seriously injured children as possible and subsequently assuring their future mobility with prostheses, orthoses and wheelchairs. Already, there have been between 2,000 and 4,000 new amputations reported.

Otto Bock is also donating a replacement lab-on wheels to the Ivan R. Sable foundation for the orthotic and prosthetic lab that was destroyed. A new lab is greatly needed as in the next coming weeks there will be an increase in the needs for materials and products as healthcare moves from critical/life-saving initiatives to long-term, sustainable solutions like fitting prosthesis. Throughout this process, Otto Bock will be providing both financial and product support.

As urethane manufacturers, it may not always be clear in which ways we can help those in need, but Otto Bock has found a unique way to combine their skills and services to make a difference. If you haven’t already, please consider taking the time to help with the relief effort. You can assist Otto Bock in its efforts by donating to their foundation. Or you can make either a financial or product donation to the AOPA through the Haitian Amputee Relief Initiative. If none of these organizations fit your company, check out some of the other ways you can help.

Otto Bock HealthCare is a Germany-based company, with offices in the U.S. and Canada, that offers products and services to help people increase and retain their physical independence.

We want to hear your stories on how as manufacturers you make a difference in your community. If you have a story, please either comment below or send it to rjennings@insidesh.com.

Leading the Way

Congrats to Mike Katz, our new President at the PMA!

Mike was the former Vice President and Treasurer and is now in charge of providing leadership and direction to board members and chairing the quarterly and annual meetings. As President, he will be working to continue to grow the organization and advance the cause of cast polyurethane to the benefit of all of its members. He specifically would like to increase the number of suppliers and processors that become members. If you know of someone who truly could benefit from joining, please pass their name and contact information along to us.

In the coming year, Mike will also be expanding educational outreach to technical schools providing engineering students with the opportunity to work with cast polyurethane and learn more about its benefits and challenges as a material.

He is hoping to increase engagement and conversations with members and prospects through social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. If you have not already become a member of our LinkedIn group or a fan on our Facebook Fan Page, join the conversation!

Mike is the President of Molded Dimensions, a manufacturer that engineers and molds custom polyurethane and rubber mechanical parts for both OEMs and aftermarket industries. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

Like all of you, we are excited to see Mike lead the PMA for the next two years!

What changes would you like to see the PMA make in 2010?

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!