Mold maker StackTeck Systems Ltd. managed to deliver a stack mold for medical applications ahead of a very tight schedule to packaging manufacturer Novolex so it could supply protective equipment.
The Brampton, Ontario, company had been challenged by its Hartsville, S.C.-based customer to meet the need for a Class 1 stack mold with a full hot runner for a face shield headband for frontline workers within four weeks. It delivered with a few days to spare.
The project included complete mold design, manufactured molding surface components, assembly and mold qualification, according to StackTeck CEO Vince Travaglini.
"We were able to produce samples molded with customer resin and colorant to final product specification, and we were proud to deliver even faster than requested," Travaglini said in a press release.
Ken Meyers, vice president of operations for Waddington North America, which is part of Novolex, said Stack Teck "delivered for us in the incredibly short timeframe."
"We've worked with and depended on StackTeck technology for many years and our trust in their know-how was renewed yet again on this emergency project," Meyers added.
In addition to the medical market, Novolex provides packaging to the retail, grocery, foodservice, hospitality, institutional and industrial markets from 61 worldwide locations. The company rapidly converted some certified food grade packaging lines to make personal protective equipment (PPE) at more than seven locations in North America, including Polar Pak's Brampton, Ontario, facility.
The StackTeck team pushed everything to the limit to get the PPE job done, according to Lou DiMaulo, StackTeck's senior vice president of manufacturing.
"Everybody had to get creative and work together to make it happen," he said. "In the end, it was very satisfying for the whole team to see the results, and to know we delivered early to a customer who is providing such essential PPE for the people on the front lines."