In this week's episode of the Machinery Minutes podcast, you'll learn about a big financial boost for Entek's new plant for manufacturing battery separator film; a new AMR from automation pioneer Rethink Robotics; and a look at lightweighting, the latest in our series on 10 trends that have shaped the past decade in plastics machinery.

Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing has covered dozens of trends, 120 industry figures, and more than 5,000 new and improved products for plastics processing since its launch in November 2014. Join Ron Shinn, PMM's founding editor, as he looks back at our first decade, the changes we've witnessed, and what we see ahead.

In this week's episode of our Machinery Minutes podcast, learn about a reorganization at thermoformer maker Kiefel, which will include 100 job cuts at it German headquarters; the third-quarter report from PLASTICS' Committee on Equipment Statistics, which showed a significant jump in twin-screw extruder shipments; and the latest in our series examining 10 trends from PMM's first decade, a look at the rise of additive manufacturing.

In this episode of Machinery Minutes, we give you the rundown on these three topics:

Hasco, a supplier for tool and mold making, is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts by opening up its warehouse to store and distribute donations. Learn how you can help.

Artificial intelligence software from EverestLabs is helping robots sort recyclables at California’s Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station in Fresno.

As PMM turns 10, we are looking at people who made significant contributions to the industry during the past decade, as well as the most significant events and movements.

Injection molding machine manufacturer Netstal builds machines that are precise and have a high degree of repeatability: “We do not take shortcuts and we do not do partial solutions,” said Nadeem Amin, president of North and South America for the Swiss company.

In terms of machine cost, the new Netstal top executive said processors need to look at the total value the machine is giving the company to make more money.

Hear the complete interview in this episode of PMM Insight with Editor Ron Shinn.

In this week's Machinery Minutes, learn about these stories from plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com:

No. 1 – The return of Donald J. Trump to the White House has some plastics machinery makers feeling optimistic in the wake of the Nov. 5 election, expecting minimal impact from tariffs and increased confidence among processors to order new equipment. Read more: “Plastics machinery makers express optimism following election.”

No. 2 – Drone maker Unusual Machines Inc. has turned to 3-D printing to meet growing demand for U.S.-made parts. Read more: “Drone maker soars higher with 3D printing.”

No. 3 -- Erica Canaia, the third-generation CEO of Fimic, has grown the recycling machinery company and become an advocate for recycling while also developing a program to help working mothers.

Read more: “Erica Canaia is passionate about recycling, supporting parents.”

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, a quick roundup of three stories from Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing.

No. 1 – Injection molding machine manufacturers can help plastics processors reduce their energy use, leading to lower energy bills and improved competitiveness. OEMs offer advice and new machinery technologies to optimize energy consumption.

Read more: “IMM makers offer help for cutting energy use.”

No. 2 – Extrusion equipment manufacturer Davis-Standard has named Steve Andrews as its new chairman and CEO.

Read more: “Davis-Standard names Steve Andrews as chairman, CEO.”

No. 3 -- Hybrid vs. electric injection molding machines -- which is best for your operation? What kind of machine you choose comes down to balancing factors like energy consumption, price, precision and cleanliness, according to OEMs.

Learn more: “Hybrid vs. electric injection molding machines: Debate continues.”

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, where at the beginning of each week Senior Reporter Bruce Geiselman shares three things you need to know.

No. 1 – Could a microgrid keep your plastics processing operation humming when your electrical power fails? PMM Editor Ron Shinn thinks it's wise to consider one. Read more.

No. 2 – Arburg introduced a slimmer version of its Allrounder Alldrive 630 A injection molding machine at Fakuma. Read more.

No. 3 -- Wittmann recently presented its E-MAX 2 conveyor controller for smaller- to medium-sized conveying systems. Read more.