Press release submitted on behalf of Flambeau.
Flambeau’s plastic blow-molding manufacturing facility in Baraboo was busy this past
summer commissioning an additional press, which will be making a difference in the efficiency and production levels of the plant. Next door, Flambeau’s companion injection-molding facility commissioned its own additional press in the same period, bringing specific improvements and advantages to that facility. They are both revving up production this fall and, together, are boosting Flambeau’s on-going efforts to invest in customer service capabilities and work environments.
The Sterling blow-molding machine is a rebuilt twin-barrel 8-pound machine with 60×60-inch platens and 30-inch head centers. New control valves and safety-compliant wiring improve reliability and repeatability in the machine’s functions. With these enhancements, serviceability and troubleshooting is improved with remote communication that allows technicians to diagnose electric relay errors or adjust high and low temperature limits, for example.
An upgraded barrel heating system features cool-to-the-touch heaters with solid-state relays, eliminating older technology mercury contactors. The machine’s resurfaced platens have new bushings and tie bars to ensure parallel movement and better clamping conditions, and its rebuilt heads improve parison delivery.
This new blow molding machine also facilitates the pairing of tools, which improves overall throughput while reducing machine run hours. Typical parts the machine will produce include muffler assemblies for boat engines, heavy truck air ducts, and nylon surge tanks for fluids systems requirements.
Flambeau’s new injection-molding machine is a 720-ton press with a 99-ounce shot size, with 51×52-inch platens and a 41×46-inch clamping area. A true powerhouse, this Wintec machine is built for the highly efficient production of large-molded parts, such as large-scale containers and sophisticated automotive parts – products such as vehicle wheel covers, fuel tanks, large tool box lids and drawers, and filtration components for industrial customers.
With a relatively small footprint, the dual platen compact clamping design creates a compact, space-saving machine. Its two diagonally acting high-speed cylinders allow for ultra-short cycle times, with fast synchronous locking and minimal pressure build-up time. Stable platen control, precision parallelism, and sensitive mold protection translates to safe operations and high-quality parts.
Energy savings is another valued feature of the machine, allowed by its reduced power consumption and low-friction platen guidance on moving carriages. The machine’s high energy efficiency is enhanced by intelligent eco-drive servo hydraulics.
Flambeau’s engineers performed thorough and exhaustive research that led Flambeau to invest in these specific presses. Customers will benefit from other significant long-run savings due to the machine’s energy efficient processing, its precision engineering and high-performance technologies, and its efficiencies relating to set-up and performance.
With capabilities in blow molding, high-pressure injection molding, and tool making, Flambeau’s Baraboo facilities serve many retail, commercial, and industrial markets, including contract manufacturing, for key sectors of the automotive, fluids, and packaging industries. Flambeau continually strives to maintain its role as one of North America’s top thermoplastic manufacturers. These latest improvements keep Flambeau’s diverse customer base at the forefront of their related markets.
Always investing in its future and its customer’s needs, Flambeau’s Baraboo facilities are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 certified, with injection molding capacity ranging from 24- to 1,100-ton, and blow molding from 2- to 35-pound. For further information, please visit flambeau.com or call 800-352-6266.
About Flambeau
Flambeau, Inc., a Nordic Group company established in 1947, is a manufacturer of highly engineered thermoplastic products and tooling headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin. With certified facilities and sales offices throughout the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, and in China, Flambeau serves many retail, commercial, and industrial markets, including contract manufacturing for key sectors of the automotive, medical, fluids, and packaging industries. For further information on Flambeau’s capabilities, please visit www.flambeau.com.
