EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK:
Starting in '98:
Six Times the Information
for Plastics Fabricators

Starting next year, Plastics Machining & Fabricating will be published bi-monthly, providing readers with a more comprehensive look at the industry.

BY KAREN M. KOENIG
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I frequently ask readers for their feedback on the magazine. Specifically, are we providing the right kind of information to help plastics fabricators improve their productivity?

The overwhelming response to this question has been, "yes," followed immediately by requests for a greater frequency of issues. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I announce Plastics Machining & Fabricating will be published bi-monthly, starting next year.

New for '98
As we increase the frequency of our publication, we will continue to provide the same types of articles that have proven popular in the past: tooling technology, product focuses and case histories. However, as part of an ongoing effort to improve the magazine, we will be changing the way in which we look at certain topics.

Some of the changes have already begun. For example, beginning with this issue, the material focus has a new format in which we survey members of the industry for their input on the properties, current uses and what they perceive to be future applications of specific materials.

Also new to this issue, Tech Spots offers companies the opportunity to highlight a product or catalog in a four-color format. In addition, the expanded Product Showcase will continue to provide information on more than 100 new and popular machines and materials used in plastics machining and fabricating.

Click here for a detailed listing of the 1998 editorial calendar.

PM&F's Illustrated Buying Guide
Coming in the September-October issue, PM&F's Illustrated Buying Guide is the industry's first-ever comprehensive guide to machining and fabricating plastics. Included in the guide will be photographs and detailed listings of manufacturers and importers of the following:

• Fabrication equipment, including: CNC and manual routers/trimmers, lathes, milling machines, saws, lasers, edge polishing machines, sanding equipment, auxiliary equipment, etc.
• Cutting tools, i.e., bits and blades.
• Forming and molding machines, including: thermoformers, injection molders, extrusion equipment, and auxiliary items such as conveyers and material handling equipment.
• Software programs for production management, CAD/CAM and machine optimization.
• Materials, including: ABS, PETG, acrylics, polycarbonates, nylon, PVC, polyesters, etc.

A separate chapter will be devoted to associations servicing the secondary plastics industry.

If you would like your company to be included in the directory, or in any of the other articles we will be featuring, please send me your name, company name, address, phone and fax number. Information should be sent to:

Karen Koenig, Plastics Machining & Fabricating, P.O. Box 1400/400 Knightsbridge Parkway, Lincolnshire, IL 60069; phone (847) 634-4366; FAX (847) 634-4379, E-mail: kmkoenig96@aol.com.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Plastics Machining & Fabricating
P: (847) 634-4347 F: (847) 634-4379 EMAIL: hfrankurba@aol.com	P.O. BOX 1400 LINCOLNSHIRE ILLINOIS 60069