Alpha Technologies Spring Webinar Series (April 13 – 15)
February 18, 2021
Starting Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Alpha Technologies is hosting a three-day live webinar series on a wide variety of rubber testing topics.
These modern courses will give participants the opportunity to hear directly from elastomer professionals, gain insights on the rheology behind these instruments, and how to troubleshoot material and process issues.
The cost to attend is $100 per course. Click on the titles below to learn more and register for each webinar of interest to you.
About the Webinars
“Molecular Characterization of Raw Elastomers”
Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 8:00 AM 10:00 AM (ET)
Presented by Henry Pawlowski
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Explore the Various Instruments and Test Methods
Discuss the various instruments (MV, RPA, ARC2020) and test methods that can be used to measure key variables of raw elastomers such as molecular weight, MWD, and long chain branching. - Practical Applications
Discuss the practical application of these different test variables and test methods.
“Characterizing Mixed Compounds”
Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM (ET)
Presented by Richard Hanzlik
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Processability of Uncured Compounds
Discuss the causes of process variation and processability testing. - Instruments and Test Methods
Discuss the instruments and test methods used to determine key variables like dispersion and modulus. - ISO and ASTM Standards
ASTM 6204AB and D8059, including high strain sweeps. - Impact to Your Process
Discuss how these test methods and results can impact your process.
“Cure, Modeling Mold Profiles, and Blowing Reactions”
Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (ET)
Presented by Richard Hanzlik
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Curing Reactions
Discuss the various types of curing reactions. - Instruments and Test Methods
Discuss cure, VTA, and mold profiling tests. - Troubleshooting
Discuss how this information can be used for troubleshooting. - Optimize Curing Cycles
Discuss how this information can be used to optimize curing cycles.
“Measuring Final Product Properties”
Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM (ET)
Presented by Henry Pawlowski
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Versatility of the RPA
Discuss using the RPA to quantify after-cure properties such as modulus, heat buildup, and abrasion resistance.
“Basic Rubber Testing”
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (ET)
Presented by John Dick
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Troubleshooting Processing
Discuss the causes of process variation and processability testing - Stress Strain Testing
This section will include tensile testers such as the AT10, O-Ring tests, and tensile break stress. - ISO and ASTM Standards
Discuss a variety of rubber testing standards ranging from density to dispersion. - Miniature Internal Mixers and Extruders
This section will discuss the operation and application of instruments such as the Lab Extruder and the Garvey Die. - Rotational Viscometers
This section will highlight the Mooney Viscometer and how to interpret curves and data points. - Dispersion Testing
Determine percent filler dispersion measured with an optical method via the Alpha View Dispergrader.
“Rheological Applications (Processability)”
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM (ET)
Presented by John Dick
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Rheological Theories
Discuss the theory behind processability testing and how to apply these theories.
“Rubber Characterization for Computer Aided Design”
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (ET)
Presented by Rick Ziebell
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn about RPA’s data collection capabilities:
- Provides mold designs and process parameters tailored to the rheological properties of the elastomer.
- Allows accurate cost estimation for quotes of a new part design.
- Designs in part quality.
- Shortens time to market.
“Advanced Rheological Topics (Time, Temperature, Super Position)”
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, from 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM (ET)
Presented by John Dick
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Advanced Rheological Concepts
Discuss concepts like time, temperature, super position, spring constants, and vector analysis.
“Enterprise Software Overview”
Thursday, April 15, 2021, from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (ET)
Presented by Joe Cronin
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Learn the basic features of Alpha’s Enterprise Software.
- Hands-on experience.
- Learn to create customer reports.
- Learn data collection techniques from any instrument.
“Creating Custom Data Reports (Enterprise Software)”
Thursday, April 15, 2021, from 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM (ET)
Presented by Joe Cronin
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Hands-on demonstration.
- Create custom reports from data collected from any instrument in Alpha’s Enterprise Software.
“Controlling Process Manufacturing with a SQL Server”
Thursday, April 15, 2021, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (ET)
Presented by Darin Myers
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Hands-on demonstration.
- Features and functions, Including process manager functionalities.
“Compounders Package (Enterprise Software Add-On)”
Thursday, April 15, 2021, from 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM (ET)
Presented by Darin Myers
Cost: $100
What you can expect to learn:
- Hands-On Demonstration
Darin will walk you through each screen of the process. - Features and Functions of the Compounders Package
Discuss an add-on package to Alpha’s Enterprise Software - Optimizing the Formulating Process
See how this add-on can improve your formulation process.
About the Presenters
Henry Pawlowski
After graduating from Case Western Reserve University and serving in the Army, Henry spent over forty years developing test equipment used in the biochemical and materials science industries. He attended the Polymer Engineering program at the University of Akron after receiving his MS Degree in Chemistry from Cleveland State University. He worked on the development of instruments as diverse as spectrophotometers and rheometers. His most significant accomplishment was the development of systems to measure properties of rubber using dynamic mechanical methods while at Monsanto Instruments & Equipment, currently known as Alpha Technologies. These instruments are used all over the world today in the rubber industry as an integral part of their testing. They include the MDR 2000 curemeter and the Rubber Process Analyzer or RPA 2000. Due to the progress made by the rubber industry to improve compounds with these instruments, he was honored in 2001 by the Society of Plastics Engineers, Akron Section, with induction into their Hall of Honor. In 2013, he received the national Banbury Award for his rheometer developments. He is a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American Chemical Society (ACS), and Rubber Division, ACS. His articles on rubber and plastics testing introduced many to the capabilities of a new class of rheometers. He is married with three children and several grandchildren. When not working, he enjoys golfing, bicycling and camping.
Richard Hanzlik
Richard Hanzlik is a Chemical Engineer from Cleveland State University with over 5 years of experience in the polymer industry. Formerly a Formulations Chemist, dealing with UV curable thermosets, he is now an Application Engineer with Alpha Technologies. This includes helping customers in the rubber and composite industry by providing solutions and analysis to issues relating to compounding, processing, and R&D. Richard has several publications in both the United States and Latin America and hosts rheology training courses across the continental states.
Rick Ziebell
Rick is the VP of Technology for RDAbbott and a Technical Fellow at large with more than 35 years of experience in the rubber industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering (BS) from California State Polytechnic University, plus has advanced training in Materials Science. He has worked for both raw material suppliers and fabricators. He holds several patents in rubber technology and has an ongoing instructorship in rubber technology with the ACS and local rubber groups.
John Dick
John Dick has over forty years of experience in the rubber industry. John has authored over 80 journal and magazine publications, including four books on rubber technology. He has consulted and presented technical papers, or given seminars, in over 40 countries. Some of John’s publications have been translated into ten languages. He received the Monsanto “Master Technical Service Award,” the Rubber Division, ASC “Best Paper Award,” and the University of Akron and University of Wisconsin “Appreciation Awards” for Teaching rubber compounding and testing courses in their continuing education programs. He is a Fellow in the ASTM, receiving the “Award of Merit” in 1990 and “Distinguished Service Award” in 2005. He has also represented the United States as a delegate to the International Standards Organization (ISO) for the last 30 years. John was appointed in 1992 to be Leader of the U.S.A. Delegation to ISO TC-45 on Rubber. He teaches ten rubber technology courses at the University of Akron and University of Wisconsin continuing education departments. He is a member of the ACS, Society of Rheology, and ASQ with a CQE and CQA. He has been a delegate to the RMA and has Recognition in “Who’s Who in America.” John received his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a Master’s Degree from the University of Akron. He is married with a son and a daughter, and his hobbies include photography and amateur radio.
Joe Cronin
Joe Cronin is a Software Applications Engineer with Alpha Technologies. He joined Alpha in 2018. Prior to joining Alpha, he worked for both the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball in digital media and web programming, before joining a consulting firm specializing in the customization of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Since joining Alpha, Joe has worked with customers on customizing the Enterprise software to best fit their needs and training them on its use.
Darin Myers
Darin Myers is an Electronic Engineer from Cleveland State Devry Institute of Technology with over 20 years in the Rubber Polymer industry. He was previously in the semiconductor industry working in machine integration and controls systems. He then moved back to Ohio and started in the software support group at Alpha Technologies. Darin advanced into leading the software support group globally and is now the Product Manager. Darin has many years of customer experience and feedback, along with his hands on knowledge of Alpha’s software. Darin leads Alpha’s next generation of software technology. He also continues to provide demos and support to their sales team, along with his development responsibilities. Darin works with Alpha’s customers to determine their needs and how to achieve integrated quality testing lab environments globally.
