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.

Senior reporter Bruce Geiselman discusses with Matt Flanigan, director of APenergy, how plastics processors might be able to trim energy costs by undertaking upgrades that could cost them nothing… thanks to energy incentive programs.

The plastics industry is a “target-rich environment” when it comes to energy efficiency, Flanigan said.

APenergy is a consulting business that helps industrial plants not only identify energy savings opportunities, but also apply for and obtain funding assistance.

Flanigan explains a little more about his company, what they do and how to take advantage of incentive programs.

Read the story.