It was only two years ago that Bright Plastics, a diversified art-to-part custom molder located in Greensboro, NC decided on its first all-electric molding machine, a 60-ton Engel e-motion. That purchase was recently joined in Bright's cleanroom by two new, larger, and different models of all-electric machine.
The two new molding systems are also from Engel, 110- and 200-ton models of that company's more recently introduced e-max series of all-electric presses. The three all-electric presses are housed in a 2000-ft2 Class 8 (100,000) cleanroom and are busy making precision optical products and extremely tight-tolerance electronics components.
After ISO 9001- and 13485-certified Bright Plastics decided on all-electric molding machines for its Class 8 cleanroom, it chose a 60-ton e-motion and two e-max machines (110 and 200 tons) from Engel. |
Vest says that when it came time to add machines in the cleanroom, Bright Plastics decided on all-electrics. "We originally went for the e-motion because of the type of part we were running at that time, and because we needed something that could handle small shot sizes, and a machine that was both repeatable and quick. This machine's performance is excellent-the e-motion can do virtually anything you want it to."
Vest describes the Engel two e-max machines, which occupy a lower price point than the e-motion series, as less complicated and a bit more simplified than the e-motion. "I have to add, though," he says "that, personally, I really like the e-max's controller. It's very easy to use."
Certified to ISO 9001 and 13485, Bright Plastics runs a variety of materials from LDPE and ABS to acrylics and other engineering thermoplastics. Employees number 75 and they are running 25 molding machines spanning 60- to 1100-ton clamps. Markets are just as varied and include consumer products, diagnostics, consumer and technical packaging, and security systems, among others. The company's annual sales average between $9 and $11 million.