Oct 18, 2019
Even originally used to describe a long thin slat in shipbuilding, the term spline is nowadays used in connection with CAD systems.
In mathematics, a spline is a smooth curve, which runs through (or near) a series of points. These points (also called control points) influence the shape of the resulting spline curve.
If a spline curve can be described in all sections using a linear function, the spline is also called polygon or linear spline.
Similarly, square or cubic splines can be found.
In CAD systems mostly Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) are used for the representation of a curve. Based on spline curces spline surfaces can be created.
For them the term free-form surfaces is very often used. Free form surfaces are needed in particular in automotive engineering.
General: Spline curve with control points created in a
CAD system
Related topics:
Computer Aided Manufacturing (
CAM)
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This glossary of plastic industry is provided by PLEXPERT Canada Inc.
Oct 13, 2020
In printing processes, such as pad printing, an additional thinner (solvent) is added to the printing varnish. The addition of a thinner does not just influence the viscosity and ink dispensing behaviour of the pad printing ink from the pad to the workpiece, but it also has a very particular influence on the drying speed. By adding a thinner, the printing process can therefore be optimally adjusted to the specific local conditions.
A
thinner to set the printing process regarding to the local conditions.
Related topics:
Xscale
This glossary of plastic industry is provided by PLEXPERT Canada Inc.
Oct 8, 2025
Time Tracking refers to the systematic recording, documentation, and evaluation of employees’ working hours within a company. It includes the start and end times of work, breaks, as well as overtime, vacation, and sick leave. Modern electronic systems also enable project-based time tracking and resource management. It supports the optimization of operational processes, compliance with labor regulations, and transparent payroll accounting. Effective time tracking contributes significantly to cost control, productivity improvement, and employee motivation.
Modern
time tracking device
Modern
time tracking device in use
Related Topics:
Manufacturing data collection
Human resource management
This glossary of plastic industry is provided by PLEXPERT Canada Inc.
Oct 20, 2020
Substances exist in solid, liquid and vapor phase – the such a called thermodynamic phases. Under normal conditions, the phases transfer from solid to liquid to gas and the other way around.
At the tripple point a substance can exist in three different thermodynamic phases in parallel (e.g. solid, liquid and gas phase).
The phase diagram shows, that the phase boundaries meet at the tripple point.
Helium is the only known substance, which has no tripple point with solid/liquid and gas phase.
All other materials can exist in these three phases at the same time.
Water (H2O), same as other substances is present at the tripple point in solid, liquid and gas phase, also called the thermodynamic equilibrium.
Below the tripple point water changes its phase directly from gas to solid, also called frost point.
Phase diagram with the
tripple point at the intersection between the phases solid (blue), liquid (purple) and gaseous (gray).
Related topics:
This glossary of plastic industry is provided by PLEXPERT Canada Inc.
Oct 14, 2025
A TTY interface (teletypewriter) provides a text-based communication channel between a user and a computer. Originally, the term referred to physical teleprinters connected via serial lines to send input and receive output. In modern Unix and Linux systems, TTY refers to virtual terminals that serve the same purpose—allowing users to input commands through the keyboard and display system output as text. These interfaces remain fundamental for command-line interaction, system administration, and automated processes, even in environments dominated by graphical user interfaces.
Classic terminal with software for communication via TTY interface
Related topics:
Terminal
Shell
Command line
This glossary of plastic industry is provided by PLEXPERT Canada Inc.
