LoudSPEakerINSIDEEngineers Week Dinner

Engineers Week High School Dinner Invitation

Engineers Week High School Dinner Registration Form

International Council Meeting Report

Education Chair Report

Membership Chair Report

ANTEC 2009

Sponsor Listing

SPE e-LIVE/Recorded Presentations

2008–2009 Board of Directors

Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009

Engineers Week Dinner February 17, 2009 Western Michigan University Fetzer Center

Announcing the 30th Annual Engineers Week Dinner, February 17, 2009, at the Western Michigan University Fetzer Center. Our topic this year is

“Sustainable Energy—Sustainable Communities,” featuring Dr. Jay Newman, Optional Energy Partners.

If you have ever toured a sewage treatment plant, you’ve likely experienced the unique odor created by sewage. The fact is that odor isn’t the only problem. Sewage is loaded with organic chemicals, nitrates and phosphates that pollute our groundwater if not properly captured and treated.

The organics in sewage can feed methane-producing bacteria. This process results in methane gas which can be burned as a fuel in electrical generators that can supplement a community’s electricity needs. Many wastewater treatment plants already generate methane, but have not used it to generate electricity. The other products from the methane production are carbon dioxide and a liquid effluent that contains ammoniates and phosphates: the raw materials needed to promote algae growth in lakes and ponds across the U.S.

Using the right technology, we can grow massive quantities of algae. These algae usually have anywhere from 25% to 50% of their biomass as oils called lipids. The lipids might be able to be separated from the solids and made into a fairly high quality biodiesel; the carbohydrates can easily be fermented into ethanol. The remaining solids are made up of complex carbohydrates and proteins. This algae “flour” is a valuable nutrient that can be added to animal feed.

About the Speaker:Dr. Jay B. Newman received his BA from Augustana College

(Rock Island, IL) in 1972 majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry. He received an M.S. Ed. degree from Northern Illinois University where his primary field of study was environmental assessment with a focus on algae. His doctorate is from Vanderbilt University and focused on Educational Administration.

Jay spent 34 years as a public school educator teaching biology and chemistry and serving as an administrator for the last 20 years of his career. Throughout this time one of his main interests was good, science-based environmental education.

For more information about Engineers Week 2009, please visit the Engineers Week 2009 website at http://www.ceas.wmich.edu/eweek/index.html.

2 Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009

30th Annual Engineers Week Dinner

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

December 8, 2008 Dear Math/Science Instructor: You and your students are invited to attend the 2009 Engineers Week Dinner on Tuesday,

February 17, 2009. This dinner is held each year to celebrate the profession of engineering and promote student interest in engineering careers. Please bring students who are interested in engineering or related technologies. The dinner will be held at the Fetzer Center on the campus of Western Michigan University at 6:30 p.m., with a social hour at 5:30. Parking is available at no charge. Regular admission price is $20. However, corporate and society contributions make it possible for us to offer free admission to you and your students. Space is limited, however, so please submit your registration right away. Following the dinner, Dr. Jay Newman from Optional Energy Partners will be this year’s featured speaker. The topic of Dr. Newman’s presentation is “Bio-fuel From Algae.” Please visit our website at http://www.ceas.wmich.edu/eweek for more information about Dr. Newman’s presentation. You and your students are also invited to attend a pre-dinner program at WMU’s

PARKVIEW CAMPUS. This year’s student program will begin at 4:00 pm and will include demonstrations that highlight various engineering and technology efforts in alternative energies. Students and teachers should register and meet representatives of the Engineers Week

Dinner Steering Committee in the main lobby of the Parkview Campus no later than 4:00

p.m. (See enclosed maps). Please park at the east end of the building in LOT P2. The pre-dinner program will end in time for students and teachers to drive to the Fetzer Center on WMU’s main campus for the evening’s program. Please return the enclosed form no later than February 13, 2009. We look forward to these opportunities for student, faculty, and industry engagement. Please feel free to contact me at 269-276-3272 or scot.conant@wmich.edu with questions. We look forward to seeing you at 4:00 p.m. on February 17, 2009. Sincerely,

Scot Conant, Student Outreach Coordinator Western Michigan University College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009 3

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International Council Meeting Reportby Helen Basso

February, 2009

Greetings! Here is my report on the International SPE Council Meeting held in

Southbury, CT on October 17–18, 2008. This meeting was notable for two reasons. First, in an effort to be cost effective in these difficult economic times, the Council cut back on 1 meeting and combined the Fall meeting generally held in September with the Winter meeting usually held in January. Needless to say, it was a very busy meeting because we had to pack a lot of action in 1 meeting! The other reason it was notable was that we had electronic participation for the first time. Those Councilors participating electronically had a voice, but not a vote in this meeting. Much more needs to be done in order to permit remote voting at the Council meetings, but it was a start!

The combining of the Fall and Winter meetings meant the Council not only had to approve the 2009 calendar-year budget, but also elect officers for the 2009–2010 term.

BudgetRelative to the budget, this was a topic of much concern and discussion. Membership has been declining over the past years and this year, with economics working against us, membership is currently down by more than 6%. While the decrease can be partially explained by economics, SPE has been experiencing a more fundamental erosion of membership as our organization ages and fails to attract and retain younger members.

If the SPE is to survive well into the future, we need to rethink our strategic course and look at how funds must be spent if we are to reposition ourselves over the short and long terms to attract and retain the next generation of plastics professionals. We will continue to devote more funds to upgrade our website’s functionality, to upgrade significantly our online networking, new tools in the career counseling area and more prominent online content in terms of podcasts, video clips and a steady stream of new content.

Much cost cutting has been done in order to maximize the use of our income. Much work has been done on the money-losing Plastics Engineering magazine and the deficits are shrinking every year. Costs for SPE’s European office will be cut in half with the installation of a part-time independent contractor to replace a full-time office function. SPE staff will be cut by 5 positions in 2009.

Despite significant cost cutting, the 2009 budget calls for a reduction in rebates coming back to the individual Sections. We will receive only 1/3 of the usual rebate that we have received in the past. This will make it even more important at our Western Michigan Section level to increase our fundraising efforts.

Membership dues will be increased at the cost-of-living level of 3% over the base 2008 rates.

SPE Western Michigan Calendar

FebruaryTuesday, February 17, 2009National Engineers Week

Location: WMU Kalamazoo (Fetzer Center)

MarchTuesday, March 10, 2009

Topic: Going Green—Green Resins and Green Alternatives to Painting and Plating

Location: Radisson, Grand Rapids

AprilSaturday, April 14, 2009

Topic: Hi-Tech Cooling TowersLocation: Kalamazoo

Continued on pg. 5

4 Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009

SPE Western Michigan March 10 Meeting to Feature 2 SpeakersSPE Western Michigan will be holding a members meeting on March 10 titled “Going Green—Green Resins and Green Alternatives to Painting and Plating.” The evening will feature speakers from two related companies: SPE Western Michigan’s own Len Poole of Soliant; and Mike McCloskey and Kurt Wagoner of Wellman Engineering.

Soliant, a division of AkzoNobel, produces decorative film laminates for use in thermoforming and insert injection molding. These laminates are most often used as a replacement for the painting and chrome plating of plastic parts, including un-plateable plastics like TPO. Soliant’s Paint and Bright Films have each been awarded the Society of Plastics Engineers Environmental Division’s Technology Award (2006 and 2008) for their dramatic reduction in VOC’s and heavy metals compared to painting and plating. Paint Films have been in use on OEM automotive components for over 20 years, and have a proven track record of outstanding performance.

Mike McCloskey is a Manufacturers Representative for Wellman Engineering Resins & Sylvin Technologies. He graduated from the Plastics Technology Program at W.C.C. and his experience includes Painting & Decorating, Blown Film, Molding, Compounding, Plant Management, and Application Development/Sales. Mike has also performed most board positions for SPE Western Michigan, including President and Two Term Councilor.

Kurt Wagoner is Manager of Technical Services at Wellman Engineering Resins. A Detroit-section SPE Member, he has 25 plus years industry experience in Tool Designing, Processing, and Optimizing Material Performance. Kurt has given seminars globally to managers, engineers and processors on material selection and proper handling.

ElectionSeems like we just elected new officers, but we had to do it again because of the elimination of the January meeting! I am pleased to announce the officers for the 2009–2010 term which begins at ANTEC, June 22–24:

President-elect—Ken BraneySenior Vice President—Russell BroomeVice President—Brent Strong

In addition to these formal offices, each year Council also elects a Chair for the Council Committee of the Whole. Yours truly, Helen Basso, will hold this position for the 2009–2010 year.

SummaryThese are difficult times for all of us, both in our professional lives and as members of the Society of Plastics Engineers. While some see their SPE membership as an unnecessary expense, I challenge that view. Where else can you do the following for so little money:

• Answer a technical question about the process or technology you’re using right now.

• Find training and education resources that match your needs and budgets.

• Make valuable business contacts in your community and, indeed, around the world.

• Track the latest plastics technology, best practices and breakthroughs.

• Find a job/hire the best employee/advance your career.Recently, all SPE members were sent a Membership User’s

Guide. Take a minute and review this Guide. There is so much available to you as an SPE member! If you haven’t looked on our newly revamped website—go there now! In this time when your staff and budget is being cut to the bone, use this cost effective resource!

In addition, participate in your local section activities. As you will see in this newsletter, we gave deserving students and educational institutions much needed funds to continue education in the plastics field. Help us support this cause and help yourself and your company at the same time.

Thanks for your support!

Helen BassoCouncilor/Secretary Chairperson

Continued from pg. 4

Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009 5

Education Chair Reportby David Anderson

As education chairman of the Western Michigan Section of the SPE I would like to thank

all the businesses and individuals who have supported this section through sponsorships, donations, attendance at

the golf outing and monthly meeting. Your financial support has been put to good use by providing for grants to area High Schools and scholarships to College and University students.

This year the West Michigan Section granted five scholarships of $500 each. These scholarships went to Madeline McAuley, and Courtney Rawlings both attending Western Michigan University, Jerry Oates from GRCC, Michael Easlik and Andrew Leitz both attending Ferris State University. These students are all active in their SPE student chapters and are planning for a career in Plastics Engineering.

This year the Western Michigan Section was also able to help area schools fund their plastic technology programs. Coopersville Middle and High School were each recipients of a $500 grant to be used to buy supplies for their technology programs. Grand Haven Schools received a grant of $1000 purchase supplies and Ferris State University also received a grant of $900 for the purchase of computer hardware for the Plastics Engineering Program. Many of these schools would not be able to continue with their plastics curriculum without the support of the SPE.

The next activity for the education committee is our annual essay contest. At this time students are completing plastics related essays which will be evaluated by SPE members. The top three papers will be awarded a cash prize of $50 to $250. The top paper will be sent to National to compete with the other Section’s winners.

Please check the website for information on the Engineers Week Dinner. This meeting will be held in conjunction with over ten other engineering societies. This will be a great opportunity for you to extent you network beyond your everyday contacts. The dinner will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at the Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at (269) 674-8001 or dander@vbisd.org.

Sincerely,David AndersonEducation Chairperson

Andrew Leitz

Check out the new SPE National

Web Site!

http://www.4spe.org

6 Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009

Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009 7

Cortney Rawlings

Larry Schult

Melissa Jaeger Laskeshore

Jerry Oats

Madeline McAuley

Michael Easlick

8 Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009

Membership Reportby Len Poole

As President Elect/Membership Chairman for the 2008–2009 year, I would like to welcome the following new members to

the West Michigan Section of the SPE:

Name CompanyBruce Bradford MRI of Ottawa CountyNancy Hall Hallman Group Inc.Tom Hammer Emerald Graphics Corp.Toby Jacobson Net Shape IntlBrian Malkowski Shape CorporationEric Twiest Ranir LLC

I hope to meet you at one of our upcoming meetings this year.

Our current “Active Membership” is now at 227—not bad given our current economic climate, but the more members we have the more fun and beneficial our meetings and events can be. Let’s continue to work at recruiting new members, bringing back lost members, and bringing friends or associates to a meeting. In these interesting economic times, the bigger your professional network, the easier it is to recover from a job loss. We have a lot of great events on the calendar this year, including Engineers Week at Western February 17th and our focus on “Green” solutions for plastics processors on March 10th.

The benefits of SPE membership are numerous. For a detailed listing, please go to the benefits page of the SPE web site http://www.4spe.org/joinspe.htm

If you need an SPE membership application or know of someone who is interested in joining, please call me at (616) 447-2561 or e-mail me at lpoole@paintfilm.com . Membership and renewal applications are also available through our website at www.spewestmichigan.org by going to the membership tab and then clicking on the online application.

Len PoolePresident Elect / Membership Chairman

Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009 9

ANTEC (Annual Technical Conference) is sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers, and is the leading technical forum for providing cutting-edge

technological issues and information pertinent to the needs of the plastics industry. Held only once a year, multiple peer-reviewed technical papers will be presented providing plastics professionals unique inside access to proprietary research and findings.

Who Attends ANTEC and Why?Who Attends:

• Research and Development (34%)• Training and Education (20%)• Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and

Quality Control (18%)• Sales and Marketing (16%)• Management (12%)

Why They Attend:• Hear previously unpublished research and findings• Learn about advances in technology• Find solutions to their challenges• Shop for materials and services• Develop new vendor relationships; reinforce current relationships• Network with peers and industry leaders

Who Should Exhibit:• Technology and Solution Providers• Materials and Equipment Suppliers• Manufacturers• Publishers• YOU!

For more information on this exciting event, check the ANTEC 2009 web site at http://www.4spe.org/conf/antec09/index.php

ANTEC@NPE 2009June 22–24McCormick PlaceChicago, Illinois USA

1

Heath SchmidRegional Account Manager – Michigan C - (616) 304-1680

Heath.Schmid@Sabic-ip.com T - (616) 647-4319

10 Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009

About LoudSPEaker

LoudSPEaker is a 9 month non-profit newsletter, with 3 months off in the summer for the Western Michigan Society of Plastics Engineers.

Mission Statement: SPE will Provide and Promote the Knowledge and Education of Plastics and Polymers World Wide.

Change of Address: If your address has changed or will change shortly, contact SPE’s member services at (203) 775-0471 to change your address. Make sure your section is the Western Michigan Section.

Sponsorship Info: Your sponsorship of the West Michigan Sections newsletter will help defray the cost of producing and distributing the newsletter to over 700 of the Sections members.

Membership Chairperson: Len PooleSponsorship Chairperson: Mike Fassbender

Newsletter and Website Design & Layout: MacKey Composition

SPE Western Michigan Section Web Site:http://www.SPEwestmichigan.org

Do you have a product or service that you are

trying to promote?If you do, many SPE members would like to know more about them!

Trying to get your product or service noticed can be frustrating, costly, and painful.

When you need to network without wasting time and money. SPE Vendor Tables is the solution.

Contact Kris Skinner at 616-363-0863 or by e-mail at kskinner@caeservices.com to sign up for a vendor table at one of our Speaker/Vendor Table Meetings.

Just $50 per table (which includes 1 free dinner) will get you noticed at our next meeting.

Sponsor ListingAction Mold & Machining . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Advanced Elastomer Sys. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

D-M-E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Dupont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Motan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

SABIC Innovative Plastics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

HS Die & Engineering, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Kesler Associates, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

RTP Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Vol. 45, No. 3 • February, 2009 11

President/Awards ChairpersonJody CraigNetShapeEmail: jody.craig@netshapecorp.com

Vice President Elect/ Membership ChairpersonLen PooleSoliant, LLC1975 Rogue River Rd., NEBelmont, MI 49306Phone: (616) 283-9629Fax: (616) 522-3184Email: lpoole@paintfilm.com

Vice President/Program ChairpersonRicardo RamirezMann+Hummel, USA Inc.6400 S. Sprinkle RoadPortage, MI 49002Phone: (269) 329-3906Fax: (269) 329-5004Email: Ricardo.Ramirez@mann-hummel.com

Treasurer ChairpersonMark VliemM. Vliem & Associates LLC

Councilor/Secretary ChairpersonHelen BassoExxonMobile Chemical Company1288 Skyhills Dr.Comstock Park, MI 49321Phone: (616) 784-2535Fax: (616) 784-2663Email: helen.basso@exxonmobil.com

Special Events ChairpersonMatthew YanikIntec Sales1700 Busha HighwayMarysville, MI 48040Phone: (810) 364-4030Fax: (810) 364-5403Email: myanik@comcast.net

Education ChairpersonDave AndersonVanburen Vocational Technical Center250 South StreetLawrence, MI 49064Phone: (269) 674-8001Fax: (269) 674-8954Email: dander@vbisd.org

Sponsorship ChairpersonMike FassbenderAction Mold and Machining, Inc.3120 Ken-O-Sha Industrial Ct. SEGrand Rapids, MI 49508Phone: (616) 452-1580Fax: (616) 452-1470Email: mfassbender@actionmold.net

Newsletter/Website ChairpersonLen PooleSoliant, LLC1975 Rogue River Rd., NEBelmont, MI 49306Phone: (616) 283-9629Fax: (616) 522-3184Email: lpoole@paintfilm.com

Public Interest ChairpersonOPEN

Policy Manual ChairpersonOPEN

Fund Raising ChairpersonOPEN

House ChairpersonOPEN

House Vice–Vendor Table ChairpersonKris SkinnerCAE Services Corporation4536 Bonneville Dr. NEGrand Rapids, MI 49525Phone: 616-363-0863Fax: 616-363-0863Email: kris@caeservices.com

Past-PresidentRobert B. ThompsonNegri Bossi USA330 Hall StreetBelding, MI 48809Phone: (616) 794-1566Fax: (603) 484-8124Email: bob.thompson@negribossiusa.com

SPE West Michigan Board of Directors 2008–2009

Did You Know?SPE e-Live® and Recorded PresentationsSPE’s e-Learning Center offers two simple and convenient ways to gain practical technical and business knowledge about the plastics industry, knowledge you need to improve your performance on the job and to increase your value to your employer—all from the convenience of your home of office! All presentations are reviewed by SPE for quality of content, and are offered by some of the brightest minds in the plastics industry.

SPE’s e-Live Presentations are delivered to your desktop in real time via the Internet. All you need to participate is Internet access and an open phone line. After you register, SPE will email you the web address and phone number you can use to see and hear the presentation and participate in the live question and answer session.

Miss an e-Live Presentation? Multimedia recordings of past presentations are available for purchase on CDROM. Covering more than 15 different plastics processes, past presentations are archived monthly.

For details on e-Live presentations, check www.4spe.org.