ORLANDO, FLA. (May 23, 3 p.m. ET) — Seven seasoned specialists in plastics processes, materials, molds and training have formed a consortium under the moldingHELP.com website.
In their NPE2012 exhibit, members of the group explained how they are “doing a lot with remote support using high-end webcams and remote machine connections,” said Kip Doyle, founder and proprietor. Doyle owns POV Plastic Solutions of Battle Creek, Mich.
“We brought together a group of experts who remain independent but share a common website,” Doyle noted. “The feedback at NPE was outstanding.”
In the order listed on the website, other members are John Bozzelli, CEO of Injection Molding Solutions of Midland, Mich.; Michael Sepe, CEO of Michael P. Sepe LLC of Sedona, Ariz.; Glenn Beall, CEO of Glenn Beall Plastics Ltd. of Libertyville, Ill.; Robin Kent, managing director of Tangram Technology Ltd. of Hitchin, England; Rich Bleck, CEO of Procon Training & Consulting of Phillips, Wis.; and Torsten Kruse, CEO of Kruse Analysis Inc. of Naples, Fla.
At NPE, “it was fun to see people's double-take when they saw the sign listing the ‘dream team' members,” Doyle said. The team can support any company involved in injection molding with solutions often provided though remote interactions.
The group owns two Toshiba and two Panasonic web cameras with pan-tilt-zoom features now in customer plants. As needed, a consultant can take full control of a molding machine and make process changes.
NPE booth demonstrations showed two remote locations. The webcam at an undisclosed injection molder in northern Arizona allows a consultant to view every area of the molding facility. Use of a wireless webcam on a portable tripod at HiTech Plastics & Molds in Chatsworth, Calif., was demonstrated with owner Robert Loranger in the NPE booth sharing his perceptions about the value received.
NPE2012 occurred April 1-5 in Orlando, Fla.