Custom injection molder Artistic Plastics Inc. is investing nearly $500,000 in new equipment and plans to enter rapid prototyping.
The family business expects to add three injection presses, a three-dimensional stereolithography machine for solid imaging of models and patterns, and a second pad-printing machine.
The firm now has 16 presses, with clamping forces of 100-610 tons, and has ordered a 130-ton Sumitomo with 36- and 25-millimeter screws for molding two dissimilar compounds, said Vice President Doug Chadwick. He anticipates ordering two more new molding machines, each no more than 200 tons.
The project should be complete by August.
Artistic also does assembly, hot stamping and ultrasonic and spin welding.
The ISO 9001-2000-registered firm was founded in 1975 and employs 110, including seven mold makers. Chadwick's sister, Diane Mixson, is owner and president of Artistic, which had 2004 sales of $11.8 million.