Siebolt Hettinga, whose Hettinga Technologies Inc., was known for its low-pressure injection molding machines, died March 27. He was 90.
He had a 50 year career in the plastics industry.
An inventor and advocate for low-pressure molding, Hettinga devised large machines that molded parts on multiple stations. He was passionate about the technology, and Hettinga Technologies of Des Moines, Iowa, exhibited at major trade shows. Siebolt and his wife, Jeanine Hettinga worked together in their booth.
Jeanine Hettinga survives.
Hettinga was born in Balk, the Netherlands. He immigrated to the United States in 1948. He lived in Pella, Iowa, for 25 years, then moved to Van Meter, where he spent the rest of his life.
Low-pressure molding advocate Milko Gergov was always impressed by Siebolt Hettinga.
"The way that he designed some of his equipment was unique — very brave technological solutions that he gave to the industry," Gergov said.
In 1986, Hettinga Technologies developed computer-based control — one of the first. At Germany's K show in 1998, the company began offering the PC-based control to other machinery manufacturers.
