Molded Materials Inc. of Plymouth, Mich., devoted this past year and $1.5 million to upgrading and updating its molding and mold-making equipment. And it's not done yet, said Russ Campbell, president and chief operating officer. MMI recently added a J385EII, JSW injection molding press with 385 tons of clamping force. The company now has eight presses, six from JSW, with up to 950 tons of clamping force.
The company also updated its toolmaking department and now operates eight Bridgeport EZ Trak milling machines, four of which are equipped with an automatic Z-axis option. It added a new Fadel 30-inch by 60-inch computer numerically controlled milling machine, the company's second CNC machine.
MMI also pours urethane and added a second Max machine to expand its capabilities in that area. The company upgraded its computer-aided design and manufacturing systems, installing PRO/Engineer for its CAD systems and Master Cam for the CAM system.
Campbell said the expansion and improvements were necessary to improve turnaround time for tools and molded products, and maintain the company's technology edge.
MMI specializes in materials-handling solutions, Campbell said.
The company supplies components in plastics, rubber or urethane for dunnage applications, trays for conveyor systems, pallets and other products for highly specialized industrial applications for the automotive, agricultural, steel processing, railroad and conveyor industries. MMI also manufactures some proprietary products for the materials-handling industry.
MMI began as a rubber company 28 years ago. Eight years ago it broadened its capabilities by adding plastics and urethane.
MMI plans to add a 40,000-square-foot technical center next year to house its design, engineering and toolmaking departments. Currently, the company operates out of two buildings totaling 45,000 square feet and employs 75.
Campbell said when that expansion is complete, MMI plans to add larger injection presses, with clamping forces as great as 1,800 tons, and expand its assembly department.
