Automated Injection Cell Added to MPI Pattern Production and Assembly Facility

Poughkeepise, NY, March 1, 2014: MPI, the worldwide leader and innovator of wax-room equipment has incorporated a fully automated injection cell into their state-of-the-art pattern production and assembly facility.

The automated injection cell is equipped with an MPI wax injector, pattern/core conveyor, automatic tool change station and 6-axis robot. MPI’s automated injection cell can produce wax patterns from the simplest commercial parts to complex patterns required by the medical and aerospace industries including single crystal turbine blades. The Automated Injection Cell also features Cell Central Control system, which combines MPI’s most advanced Smart Controls™ and all robot controls into a single screen, which provides the operator with the world’s most intuitive and user-friendly process controls, even with no robot programming experience.

MPI has incorporated the most advanced process controls in the market into every automated function from inserting ceramic cores, wax injection and pattern removal, to pattern setting, injection runner trimming and inspection. The robotic end of arm tooling has been specifically designed for automation and allows for rapid and seamless tool changes from a tooling library.

“I am very excited to have this new capability in our department,” said Aaron Phipps, Pattern Production Manager. “The addition of our new automated injection cell allows us to partner with customers to create innovative solutions that will support their specific growth strategies. It also allows them to see firsthand how realistic automation is and how it produces better quality and higher yield assemblies than customers can produce in-house.”

By combining the highest levels of automation into our pattern and assembly facility, MPI is able to consistently and cost effectively produce high-quality wax patterns and assemblies. MPI can then pass those savings along to their customers.

“The fact of the matter is that more and more organizations struggle to keep up with capacity or are simply looking for a way to improve quality and productivity,” said Bruce Phipps, President of MPI. “MPI’s pattern and assembly services allow a customer to experience all the benefits of automation without the capital expenditure.”

Operating a fully automated pattern production facility has given MPI the unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge and experience making wax patterns and assemblies on their own equipment.

Jeff Rich, VP/GM stated, “MPI made this investment in our pattern production facility for two important reasons. First, we wanted to offer our customers the best possible pattern and assembly services. Just as importantly, we wanted to be in a position to gather real data on how our equipment is used in a production environment. This allows us to constantly evaluate and improve our performance levels. Another incredible value is the fact that customers can come to MPI and test our equipment so they can make the best possible purchasing decision.”

Outsourcing pattern production and assembly services takes the stress out of wax-room operations and helps to meet production demands. MPI’s fully automated pattern and assembly facility means that MPI customers will have peace of mind knowing that they will always receive the highest quality product at a cost effective price.