Lew Ferguson

September 16, 2019

Plastics 101 - Session 6

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Blow molded parts are expanding into new markets and applications to replace existing materials such as metal, wood and thermoset materials. Design options, parts consolidation and part cost are some of the factors driving the conversions. Traditional materials, such as HDPE, are leading the way for industrial blow molding conversions from other materials and processes. However, blow molding conversions are often limited by the end use properties of the application.

Recent advances in Engineering Thermoplastics Materials [ETP] for blow molding offer enhanced properties like use temperature, impact performance, chemical resistance, compared with HDPE and other traditional blow molding materials.

This presentation will focus on the properties and processing of several ETPs. Most industrial blow molding equipment is designed to process HDPE efficiently and the processing is well understood. The processing methods and equipment used for HDPE will be compared with the requirements for several ETPs.

Participants are encouraged to bring pictures or examples of ETP parts to discuss the processing and ask questions about molding issues, during or after the presentation.

Lew Ferguson has over 40 years of experience in the plastics industry. He works in the blow molding industry with machinery manufacturers, material suppliers, designers, manufacturers, market developers, and end-users. 

Lew has extensive experience processing engineering thermoplastics with extrusion, intermittent and injection blow molding equipment. 

Lew retired from GE Plastics in 1997 and established PARISONS to provide processing and training consulting services to the plastics blow molding industry. 

Lew conducts hands-on processing and classroom training in client facilities.  He serves customers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.  Lew is the instructor for the Paulson Plastics Academy “ProEx Extrusion Blow Molding” course.  

Lew has more than 30 published papers and presentations related to blow molding, impact modifiers, and plastic alloys.  

As a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) since 1966, Lew is a Fellow of the Society and an Honored Service Member, currently a member of the Blow Molding Division Board of Directors, and a past Chairman of the Division. Lew established and is active in the Blow Molding Parts Competition. 

Lew Ferguson earned a Bachelor Degree in Chemistry from Rutgers University and an MBA in Marketing from West Virginia University.