MPI Exhibits Technological Innovations at 2024 ICI Technical Conference & Expo
MPI, the worldwide leader in wax-room and ceramic-core injection, assembly, and automation equipment, once again impressed at this year’s ICI Technical Conference & Exposition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MPI demonstrated its latest successes in product development and innovation as conference goers were treated to an impressive display of MPI’s latest technological achievements.
A highlight of the technical portion of the conference was the presentation of “Versatility and Cost Savings Through the Modernization of the Wax Room,” authored and delivered by MPI President, Aaron Phipps. His paper demonstrated the significant gains all foundries can realize utilizing MPI’s automation solutions and was instrumental in generating a significant amount of interest and activity at the MPI booth throughout the show.
This year’s ICI Conference was the largest in several years for both attendees and exhibitors. “Seeing the conference return to pre-pandemic levels is a sure indicator that the industry is back on an upward trajectory,” said Aaron Phipps, President of MPI. We were thrilled to connect with such a large and enthusiastic crowd.” The MPI booth buzzed with activity as clients from France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Japan, Mexico, India, and the US, met to discuss existing projects and/or to request new quotes. New international customers from Taiwan, Japan and India were very engaged and requested quotes.
While great attention was paid to so many of MPI’s latest innovations, interest was particularly high for the MPI 20-12 Automated Pattern Assembly System (APAS). This sticky wax version of its highly regarded MPI 20-14 APAS is designed for lower volume job-shop foundries. This new adaptable machine is designed for single-piece flow, offers flexible low-cost tooling accommodating a customer part changeover in minutes. The 20-12’s small profile and reduced footprint, allows for a very economical solution for the commercial foundries. MPI received at least four requests for formal quotes for the 20-12 during the show.
Interest was also high for another MPI innovation, the MPI 5X Crossover Injector. The 5X has all the performance capabilities of a standard MPI injector including Smart Controls but is the first one capable of injecting pattern wax, runner wax, soluble wax, and ceramic materials; all equally well. It allows for rapid and easy changeover from one material to another in only 15 minutes utilizing a hot swappable reservoir system that allows for off-machine melting, preparing, and conditioning of materials.
One of the more impressive innovations on display was MPI’s 3-robot Automated Pattern Assembly System (APAS) designed for highly complex assemblies such as those required by the aerospace industry. A third robot can take the runner assembly and move it to whatever angle is required to make perfect welds on any plane. It enables complex, non-planer, multi-part, multi-level assemblies to be completed effortlessly and with no variation. This is another major stride for MPI automation and their ability to address the customers’ wax-room demands.
As an additional layer of excitement, MPI co-hosted a memorable customer appreciation event at the Harley Davidson Museum. With museum tours, a live band, and an exciting evening of food and drinks, it brought a festive touch to the whole conference experience.
MPI extends its gratitude to the Investment Casting Institute for putting on an amazing conference. We look forward to next year’s ICI Technical Conference & Expo in Pittsburgh, as well as the EICF International Conference & Expo in Liverpool, and the World Conference on Investment Casting in Kobe, Japan, where MPI will again be presenting a paper. Our sincere thanks goes out to everyone who stopped by to learn more about MPI products and services.
