"We're excited to add the CNC machine to our in-house capabilities," said Joel Sieber, New Product Development Manager for Currier. "The CNC will be used company-wide for a variety of applications by both the injection and blow molding departments for new-product development, upgrades on equipment to manufacture parts fixtures for the QA lab. The mill will increase our in-house capabilities for tool repair and to make spare parts, which means less dependence on outside resources. The addition of the CNC machining center will also benefit our clients, who are looking for cost-effective solutions for rapid prototyping and single-cavity tooling."
The selection process for a CNC mill was extensive and many factors were considered. The driving force for Currier in choosing Haas was the ability to interface with Mastercam, the leading CNC programming software and an integrated Gold Partner with Solidworks. With the built-in tool paths, the CAD designers will be able to program directly in Solidworks. The Haas mill has high-speed vector drive spindles and a 20-station automatic tool changer, along with an intuitive programming software package that simplifies set-up and operation.
Another benefit is the large presence Haas has in educational institutions. Since Currier recruits from several campuses that offer plastics degree programs, it is likely the students will already have practical or hands-on experience with the operation of the equipment, noted Currier's release.
In other news, Currier Plastics announced it will be among the plastics industry leaders presenting at the 25th International Molding Conference in Rosemont, IL. The conference is considered one of the most recognized forums for technical innovations in the manufacturing of consumer and industrial products. Co-presenting for Currier Plastics will be Sriraj Patel, Injection Molding Engineering Manager, and Diane Pisciotti, Director of Finance, speaking on the "Pursuit of a Technical Workforce."
Both Patel and Pisciotti have been key players in the recruitment efforts at area colleges that offer plastics degree programs, and have been instrumental in directing local Cayuga Community College (CCC) with its new plastics technology program, which begins the fall of 2016. Currier Plastics has been heavily involved with the program from the start and has assisted not only by sharing from its talent pool but also through equipment donations that include a small-tonnage injection molding machine. Currier Plastics negotiated with Yushin America to donate a robot and with Niigata for another injection molding machine.
"There is a growing need for local talent that has increased significantly over the last few years," said Patel. "The equipment will aid tremendously in the understanding of injection molding processes."
Currier recently announced a scholarship program open to all Currier employees to attend CCC to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity. The qualifying programs for this scholarship are a one-year certificate course in either advanced manufacturing or plastics manufacturing and an A.A.S. degree in mechanical technology and plastics technology.
Located in the heart of central New York, Currier Plastics has been providing custom injection molding and blowmolding services to a variety of industries including packaging, beauty and cosmetics, amenities, household consumables, electronic connectors and medical measuring devices since 1982.
