The Light Green Machine Institute
Weekly


17 Feb 16: Seeing clearly

 We have talked about substituting plastics for metal here at the Light Green Machine Institute almost from the beginning.  We will continue to do so.
 
What I want to talk about today, however, is the pigments in plastics.  If the plastic components are not exposed to sunlight, and don't need pigments in order to protect them from degradation, why put pigments in them at all?
 
I like to see things when I walk around paper machines (or pulp mills).  The more I can see, the better feel I have for how the process is operating.
 
In some cases, plastics will afford you the opportunity to see more about how the process is operating.
 
Many people think that looking at a screen, gathering lots of data, is the only way to operate a modern high-speed manufacturing process.  
 
I contend that, if you make regular tours of an operating facility and are half awake, you will soon be able to pick up clues as to whether the process is close to being within normal operating parameters. Transparent components can help this.
 
For instance, if the materials existed to make a Fourdrinier of transparent materials, imagine what an instant and complete view of its performance you would have.  You could see exactly where the drainage elements were working effectively and where they were not.
 
We don't have the materials to make these kinds of components transparent, but that does not mean they cannot be developed.
 
We would like to hear from you. Please send an email to jthompson@taii.com 
with "LGMI Frontiers" in the subject line. 

  
As always, your comments will be appreciated.
Think light!

 

Brian Brogdon, Ph.D.
Executive Director

 

or

 

Jim Thompson
Founder
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Send us your comments by emailing Brian Brogdon
or Jim Thompson!
The Light Green Machine Institute is a 501C3 Delaware Registered Corporation. If you are interested in making tax deductible donations to our initiatives, please email jthompson@lightgreenmachine.institute for information.