We valued and enjoyed our recent participation at several industry events with our longtime partners at PTI. It gave us a chance to meet with customers and keep up on the always evolving world of injection molding.
Originally named Proto-Tech Industries, PTI was founded in 1984 with a focus on functional prototyping. Since then the company has shortened its name and broadened its offerings and services.
Plastics Machinery Magazine recently published an article highlighting the technology and skills that has made PTI Engineered Plastics the powerhouse injection molder it is today. We wanted to take this opportunity to outline these capabilities that Miles Products and team PTI deliver to the manufacturers we serve.
From prototyping to leaders in manufacturing technologies.
Custom molded thermoplastic prototypes continues to be a part of our portfolio of services. This has developed into a proprietary process called P3 which provides manufacturers completely functional parts that can be tested, validated and refined during product development stages.
To further assist when needed, we have industrial designers and engineers on staff that can work with your team to help develop the very best products. This comprehensive approach comes straight from the company’s mantra ‘From mind to manufacturing’. It also allows us to deliver higher quality parts and components with speed to market.
Using technology to stay ahead.
To stay competitive, every year PTI invests sizable amounts of capital into the latest technology. Company executives, including plant manager and operations manager, look at the newest developments to determine the new equipment that will add the greatest value for our customers.
A large portion of our business is in the medical industry. This requires that we meet very high standards for validation and means we are particularly focused on the developments in metrology equipment.
Currently we have four coordinate measuring machines in our facilities and plans are underway to expand our engineering and metrology department to meet the growth expected in this technology.
Advanced automation.
Automation has become crucial to the injection molding industry and PTI is staying ahead with technology in this area as well. A sister company has been created which uses collaborative robots for low-volume and short runs. This allows the company to competitively reach higher levels of efficiency and demanding validation requirements for the medical and other industries.
The use of automation extends throughout the plant from its five-axis machining center, Hermie C400, to robotics that handle parts requiring inserts and fasteners. Post-mold processes including laser marking, spin welding and machining are also specialties of PTI.
The latest technology is being employed in the injection molding presses as well. The company currently has 50 injection molding machines ranging in size from 12 to 750 ton clamping force with shot capacities of 0.33 ounce to 98 ounce. When new machines are brought in they are electric models that replace older hydraulic presses. Electric machines improve efficiency, repeatability and cleanliness.
High-heat molding specialists.
Many parts needed for the medical device and automotive industries require high-heat molding. The company offers high-heat molding of resins including polyphenylene sulfide, PEEK, polyphenylsulfone and polyphthalamide. This production process is done on five injection molding presses with two of the machines in a separate dedicated area for high safety standards.
Certified RJG mold builders.
PTI has extensive tooling facilities and capabilities. The state-of-the-art 30,000 sq. ft. shop area produces about 600 new injection molds every year on 23 CNC vertical machining centers. The company has the capacity to be making 100 molds at one time in materials including aluminum, mild steel, hardened steels and stainless steel. Prototypes, low-volume, hybrid and production tooling are offered.
Continuing to grow.
This is just a brief overview of the many solutions and capabilities offered by our companies. Plus, PTI has many improvements and expansion plans underway to continue to serve our customers well into the future.
For more detail, see the Plastics Machinery Magazine article here.
