In mould painting using thermoset powder coating and thermoplastic substrate in closed tool injection moulding

In mould decoration (IMD) is attractive because a fully, or partially, decorated component is produced directly from the moulding process, with reduced emissions at lower process costs when compared to traditional techniques. A new IMD process has been developed to produce a painted component direct from the injection moulding tool. This incorporates the pressure spraying of thermoset powders through a valve into a closed mould. The residual heat of the tool initially softens the thermoset. The high temperature of thermoplastic polymer injected in a standard injection moulding subsequently cures the thermoset. The resultant product combines both thermoplastic and thermoset in a single injection moulding cycle. This paper presents frames from high speed video capture of powder mould filling and the results of INSPIRE ( in mould spray painting, impact reduced on the environment) initial injection moulding using thermoset polyester and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The parameters that affect material distribution are examined and discussed. Similarities to the coinjection moulding process are noted

EURObservational Research Programme: Regional differences and 1-year follow-up results of the Heart Failure Pilot Survey (ESC-HF Pilot)

AimsThe ESC-HF Pilot survey was aimed to describe clinical epidemiology and 1-year outcomes of outpatients and inpatients with heart failure (HF). The pilot phase was also specifically aimed at validating structure, performance, and quality of the data set for continuing the survey into a permanent Registry.MethodsThe ESC-HF Pilot study is a prospective, multicentre, observational survey conducted in 136 Cardiology Centres in 12 European countries selected to represent the different health systems across Europe. All outpatients with HF and patients admitted for acute HF on 1 day per week for eight consecutive months were included. From October 2009 to May 2010, 5118 patients were included: 1892 (37%) admitted for acute HF and 3226 (63%) patients with chronic HF. The all-cause mortality rate at 1 year was 17.4% in acute HF and 7.2% in chronic stable HF. One-year hospitalization rates were 43.9% and 31.9%, respectively, in hospitalized acute and chronic HF patients. Major regional differences in 1-year mortality were observed that could be explained by differences in characteristics and treatment of the patients.ConclusionThe ESC-HF Pilot survey confirmed that acute HF is still associated with a very poor medium-term prognosis, while the widespread adoption of evidence-based treatments in patients with chronic HF seems to have improved their outcome profile. Differences across countries may be due to different local medical practice as well to differences in healthcare systems. This pilot study also offered the opportunity to refine the organizational structure for a long-term extended European network