Mack Molding (Gardner, Mass.) announced that its Mack Prototype subsidiary has invested in five new Milacron Roboshot all-electric presses.
“This represents a major upgrade as we retire several 25-year-old machines,” Ric Perry, Mack Prototype’s president, said in a news release yesterday.
“Making the shift from hydraulic to electric increases our efficiency, accuracy and process repeatability,” Perry said. “Additionally, these machines will be quieter and cleaner, improving the working environment for our team members.”
Mack Prototype has acquired a 50 ton, 1 oz. shot machine; three 110 ton machines with 3.4 oz., 4.9 oz. and 6 oz. shot capacities; and a 165-ton press with a 10.6 oz. shot capacity. The new units are replacing two Van Dorn 85 ton, 6 oz. machines; one Van Dorn 170 ton, 20 oz. machine; and one Demag 50 ton, 3.4 oz. machine. Mack will see a net gain of one press — for eight total presses — and increased flexibility.
“The sizes of these machines will be more beneficial to our business in that the tonnage and shot sizes pair well with the parts we are molding,” said Steve Fidrych, Mack Prototype’s director of molding operations.
“With electric ball screws the same amount of material is used every time, the shot size is very consistent and repeatable,” Fidrych said. “We will be able to tailor jobs specifically for machines, reducing variability and improving part quality.”