Custom molder R & D Molders Inc. is adding its 15th blow molding line to handle a new consumer product introduction.
The line features a new continuous extrusion shuttle Bekum 155 blow molding machine with a custom servo-driven, in-mold labeling system along with many automated downstream applications, according to Greg Brown II, director of business development at R & D Molders of Georgetown, Texas.
Brown said that the automated assembly line has a 100 percent leak detection system, a 100 percent vision inspection system, automatic flaming and filling, robotic pick and place and an automatic spin welding system. It will produce a consumer product that contains both blow molded and injected mold parts.
He said that the vision system made by Mettler Toledo is particularly impressive in that it inspects the IML system to insure the highest quality to tight tolerances.
He said R&D had room in its 60,000-square-foot facility for the new machine. It was matter of readjustment, but created a better flowing production area.
“We recently created a continuous improvement department to focus on being lean,” Brown said, “and they've sorted things so we are more organized.”
The family-owned company was started in 1974 and blow molding has been its growth driver in recent years, according to Brown — especially for higher volume containers. R & D has 15 blow molding machines as well seven injection molding presses and a full size tool room.
It is located in central Texas, not far from Austin.
More than 50 percent of its business is either medical or health care, but it works in a variety of other industries such as consumer goods, industrial, government and home and garden.
R&D Molders is 82nd in the latest Plastics News ratings of North American blow molders with sales of $11.9 million and overall company sales of $16 million.