ERIE — Micro Mold, a precision mold maker headquartered in Erie, PA, is making room for a new Yasda YMC650 high speed 5-Axis milling center along with a 3R Workpartner automation cell. The additional 5-axis milling machine is accurate to 1 Micron (0.000040”), ideal for high volume, ultra-precision tooling work.
Chris Hanes, Micro Mold general manager commented, “The new 5-Axis mill will be used for electrode manufacturing as well as to finish hard mill applications. In addition to efficiency gains due to reduced setup requirements, the new Yasda will offer improved accuracy, the ability to manufacture components of increased complexity, and capacity for larger workpiece sizes over the 3-Axis mills currently employed.”
This latest investment reflects the continuous reinvestment efforts the company strives to maintain in order to keep pace with the every-changing and ever-improving technology advancements the industry has to offer. It also comes as a direct response to sister companies, Plastikos and Plastikos Medical, venturing into new markets since the beginning of the pandemic such as fluid connection for vaccine delivery as well as testing & diagnostics. With new portfolio growth comes new challenges that, in turn, inspire strategic reinvestment phases that include additional machinery to expand tooling and mold making capabilities.
Hanes continued, “A significant renovation project was also undertaken to repurpose existing shop space to accommodate the new equipment. A climate-controlled workspace has been created to properly house the new equipment and maximize its performance. The recent renovation project has also freed up space for future growth and equipment investments.”
Working with both short- and long-term strategic growth plans in mind continues to be a successful strategy, especially when considering Micro Mold’s organic growth throughout the past five years. Overall, Micro Mold has grown 120 percent between FY18 and FY21. In retrospect, this is especially fortunate when one considers the time period and the effect COVID-19 has had on countless businesses and industries on a local, national, and global scale. Today, Micro Mold is on pace to grow an additional 15 percent from FY21 to FY22.
Ryan Katen, Plastikos Medical general manager further adds, “This interior renovation project involved downsizing our grind room by 50 percent. This was a little bittersweet for me to remove 6 surface grinders from service knowing how many pieces and parts they created during their many years of use at Micro Mold. However, the removal of those machines gives us the opportunity to equip ourselves with a brand new, state-of-the-art EDM cell. It also will free up additional shop floor space for future investments in the latest technologies.”
Based in Erie, Pa., Micro Mold & Plastikos specialize in precision mold design & fabrication as well as tight-tolerance injection molding.
For more information, visit https://plastikoserie.com.
