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Bedford Technology is proud to announce our collaboration with AEC Daily on a continuing education course, geared towards educating architects/engineers on the uses of HDPE plastic lumber products. This course, Recycled HDPE Plastic Lumber: Performance Characteristics & Applications, has been designed over the last few months and incorporates all three unique design processes utilized by Bedford Technology, including: Molded (Hard Tool), Continuous Extrusion and Multiple Extrusion (Multi-X).  The course also goes into comparisons between HDPE (High Density Poly Ethylene) plastic lumber and other composite lumbers.

The Bedford Technology continuing education course, Recycled HDPE Plastic Lumber: Performance Characteristics & Applicationswent live May 1^st, on AEC Daily’s Online Learning Center (OLC). The course may be viewed here at www.aecdaily.com/sponsor/bedford.

Bedford Technology’s plastic lumber serves as a replacement to traditional parts made from injection molding, rotational molding, vacuum forming, aluminum extrusion, flow molding, lumber profiles and wood profiles. Bedford Technology can also design a custom plastic lumber product to suit your specific application, so contact us today at (800) 721-9037 and talk with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives. Visit us online at www.plasticboards.com, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bedfordtechnology or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticboards.

Again, Bedford Technology is proud to offer three very uniquely distinct plastic board manufacturing techniques: Molded (Hard Tool), Continuous Extrusion (CE) and Multi Stage Extrusion (Multi-X). Our next process explored in this series of blog postings, is what Bedford Technology refers to as Hard Tool (HT) plastic lumber manufacturing, which is used to produce 100% recycled plastic boards in our SelectForce, FiberForce and BarForce product lines.

The Hard Tool (or molded) process is similar to injection molding. The molten plastic material with additives (UV stabilizers, colorant, strengtheners, etc.) is forced, under pressure, through channel runners and gates into a finite mold. The molten HDPE recycled plastic is pressure packed to the net shape of the mold and allowed to cool until it is solid. Larger molds take hours to cool, so the molds are disconnected and rotated around to the extruder between the fill, cool, and part removal steps. The output typically is a single or multi cavity linear shaped plastic lumber part run in a horizontal line set-up. (See image for diagram)  It can also can be a large custom molded shape (i.e. the leg of an outdoor park bench, cribbing block, etc).

Some of the many advantages to producing 100% recycled plastic lumber (SelectForce, FiberForce and BarForce) in a Hard Tool plastic extrusion process include:

• wide variety of HDPE recycled plastic material may be used and will typically produce higher product strengths than other plastic extrusion processes
• the Hard Tool plastic extrusion process is economical at low order quantities – down to one as long as the desired color is being run
• consistent surface quality with a medium rough texture 
• machinability and color consistency throughout plastic lumber profile
• capability to make medium and large plastic extrusion lumber profile sizes
• structural plastic lumber product capabilities (FiberForce and BarForce) with the addition of glass fiber and full length fiberglass rebar

Hard Tool extruded recycled HDPE plastic lumber is a great alternative to aluminum extrusion, wood profiles, lumber profiles, composite lumber and other plastic extrusion products, where long lasting outdoor durability and low maintenance color consistency is desired.

Bedford Technology’s plastic lumber serves as a replacement to traditional parts made from injection molding, rotational molding, vacuum forming, aluminum extrusion, flow molding, lumber profiles and wood profiles. Bedford Technology can also design a custom plastic lumber product to suit your specific application, so contact us today at (800) 721-9037 and talk with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives. Visit us online at www.plasticboards.com, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bedfordtechnology or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticboards.

The Conexpo/ConnAgg (Construction and Agriculture) tradeshow in Las Vegas, is one of the largest shows in North America and likely the only event in town using more fuel for set up than a volcano fire show at The Mirage!

The vastness of the industrial market is staggering. While attending this event, we learned that there is a myriad of opportunity in the mat and cribbing industry. There is great desire for our product as it is non-porous and is impervious to just about everything (i.e. water, chemicals, termites etc.)

A change is happening friends. Upon our conversations, an encouraging takeaway is the general shift in both understanding and openness to using 100% recycled plastic boards. We are realizing this increase among most companies in their base level knowledge of plastic lumber. Many different companies, in many different applications, are open to see if we can work together in some capacity.

At Bedford Technology, there is much to be excited about!

Though there are many manufacturing processes to produce plastic lumber products, Bedford Technology is proud to offer three very uniquely distinct plastic board manufacturing techniques: Molded (Hard Tool), Continuous Extrusion (CE) and Multi Stage Extrusion (Multi-X). We will start this series of blog postings with what Bedford Technology refers to as Continuous Extrusion (CE) plastic lumber manufacturing to produce 100% recycled plastic boards in our SelectForce and FiberForce product line.

Continuous plastic extrusion is a single stage extrusion process where the molten HDPE recycled plastic material, along with additives (UV stabilizers, colorant, strengtheners, etc.) blended in, are forced through a die. The die forms the molten HDPE recycled plastic to a net shape as it comes out of the extruder. Downstream equipment then supports and refines the shape of the HDPE recycled plastic extrudate during cooling. Single stage continuous plastic extrusion involves a single extruder machine producing a single extruded cross section shape. The output can be in a single or multi cavity plastic lumber part traveling along a horizontal line set-up.  (See image below for diagram)

Some of the many advantages to producing 100% recycled plastic lumber (SelectForce and FiberForce) in a continuous plastic extrusion  process include: economical cost for high volume production runs, long length capabilities, consistent end-cut appearance, smooth consistent surface quality, more complex profiles, machinability and color consistency throughout profile. Continuous extruded recycled HDPE plastic lumber is a great alternative to aluminum extrusion, wood profiles, lumber profiles and other plastic extrusion products, where long lasting outdoor durability and low maintenance color consistency is desired.

Bedford Technology’s plastic lumber serves as a replacement to traditional parts made from injection molding, rotational molding, vacuum forming, aluminum extrusion, lumber profiles and wood profiles. Bedford Technology can also design a custom plastic lumber product to suit your specific application, so contact us today at (800)-721-9037 and talk with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives. Visit us online at www.plasticboards.com, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bedfordtechnology or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/plasticboards.

Bedford Technology is preparing for the largest construction show of the year, coming up March 4-8th in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Conexpo-Con/Agg is going to be a huge event and we are excited to be a part of it! Bedford Technology will be showcasing its full line of 100% recycled HDPE plastic lumber products servicing project and OEM needs in markets such as Industrial, Agriculture, Park and Recreation, and many others. Bedford Technology’s brands include: SelectForce®, FiberForce® and BarForce®, which all provide a full range from non-structural to structural grade plastic lumber. A featured product will be FiberForce® which excels for use as cribbing and in heavy dunnage applications because of its compressive strength perpendicular to the grain direction, greater than most wood species.

Conexpo-Con/Agg will represent an immense unveiling of all the newest equipment, technology and product breakthrough in construction. From earthshaking big iron to groundbreaking innovations, it’s all assembled in one place to help you work smarter. Conexpo-Con/Agg 2014 – If it’s new, it’s here! Visit www.conexpoconagg.com for more information about the show.

Bedford Technology offers its recycled plastic lumber from three distinct manufacturing processes: molded, continuous extrusion and multi-x.  Our plastic lumber serves as a replacement to traditional parts made from injection molding, rotational molding, vacuum forming, aluminum extrusion, lumber profiles and wood profiles. In the marine market our SeaPile® and SeaTimber® brands, produced by our multi-x technology, is superior to traditional wood piles, steel piles, composite piles and concrete piles. Bedford Technology can also design a custom product to suit your specific application, so contact us today at 800-721-9037 and talk with one of our knowledgeable sales reps or visit us online at www.plasticboards.com for more information.

Bedford Technology is excited to announce that they have joined the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). We are looking forward to our partnership with the USGBC and its’ members.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous, healthy and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.

Bedford Technology would like to congratulate Mary Alford of The Sustainable Design Group for being the winner of our iPad Mini giveaway! Mary entered the contest from the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo and we are excited to announce her as the winner of the contest! Thank you to everyone who entered and we’ll be holding more contests during our upcoming 2014 trade shows!

The last of 378 – 70’ and 80’ 13” diameter SeaPile® are loaded via railcar and ready to ship from Bedford Technology’s Winchester, Virginia plant to Port Aransas, Texas. These SeaPile® will be joined together into Dolphin Clusters used to guide ferry barge traffic between the Port Aransas terminals. Both SeaPile® and SeaTimber® are used throughout marine applications worldwide as bridge protection fenders, dolphin clusters, guide-walls, Wales, Navigation Markers, Bullrails and various other applications. SeaPile® is manufactured using 100% recycled plastic through a multiple extrusion process (known as Multi-X). SeaPile® has a cross section with FRP rebar encapsulated through the full length of the product for superior energy absorption characteristics.

Bedford Technology will be exhibiting at the Greenbuild Expo held in Philadelphia this November 20-22, 2013. We are looking forward to presenting our recycled plastic lumber products at this years show. Join us in the City of Brotherly Love for this exciting event!

Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. The ideals and passion of the green building community come alive at Greenbuild. The buzz is contagious.

Greenbuild brings together industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building in their everyday work, and a unique energy is sparked. Participants are invigorated. Inspired. They find themselves equipped to return to their jobs with a renewed passion and purpose.

Greenbuild features three days of inspiring speakers, invaluable networking opportunities, industry showcases, LEED workshops and tours of the host city’s green buildings. Join thousands of other people who agree that green building is a good idea and good for business.

At this year’s 2013 Boy Scout Jamboree, Bedford Tech donated a Gaga Ball pit made of plastic lumber to the event. The inventor of Gaga Ball Pits, Coach Cliff, also donated one made of regular wood.

Attracting more than 50,000 kids and adults each year, the Boy Scout Jamboree encourages active living for families as well as activities to keep kids moving, making Gaga Ball such a great fit for the event.

What is Gaga Ball? Starting in the backyards of friends, Gaga Ball began as a grassroots movement. As Coach Cliff has built his business, the backyard feeling of the game still remains. Sharing the game with church camps, youth camps, and more, Coach Cliff brings entertainment to all ages.

Gaga Ball, a game similar to dodgeball, requires you to stay within an octagonal pit, shuffling around as you try not to get hit by a ball. Gaga Ball is great because anyone can play, and it’s a safe way to be active and have fun.

Coach Cliff was on-site during the week of the Boy Scout Jamboree, teaching attendees how to play Gaga Ball.

The relationship between Gaga Ball and Bedford Tech began when Coach Cliff approached us with several requests for greener, lower-maintenance materials with which to build the pits. Our plastic lumber is lower-maintenance than wood, and more durable as well.

Our plastic lumber is also beneficial for funding because it’s “green”, and fits with sustainability and LEED criteria. Our product is both recycled (made from milk jugs) and recyclable by Bedford Technology (we can take them back and grind them up to use the raw material again).

Plastic lumber is solid, heavy, and durable, making it not only economical and cost friendly but a solution that is beneficial throughout the life of a Gaga Ball Pit.

In addition to Gaga Ball Pits, Bedford Tech’s recycled plastic lumber is great for playgrounds and other outdoor items, including sandboxes, picnic tables, benches, and more.