When an international leader in the food machines and research industry needed functional parts to test its designs, it turned to Thogus for our rapid prototyping capabilities. We have several Stratasys Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) machines that create parts in as little as 24 hours to a few days. Parts are built in layers, providing a real, durable and functional thermoplastic component on demand.  

FDM is the additive technology that produces the most durable and precise thermoplastic parts. Our clients benefit from:

• functional prototypes
• reduced design time
• lowered total cost

The process we used exceeded our customer’s expectations because we were able to assemble the parts into complete product prototypes and test them.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is often used by companies attempting to achieve the same customer and product benefits. While SLS has qualities that fit certain projects, Thogus uses real thermoplastics, which creates truly bonded parts that don’t crumble like some created by SLS. In addition, by applying a smoothing process, our parts are stronger, watertight and better looking.

To compare the various methods of rapid prototyping technology, view our comparison chart.

Thogus first invested in robotics for the plastic injection molding process in 2009 and we continue to see many customer and company benefits, such as:

• reduction in unnecessary labor
• improved quality control
• enhanced accuracy and speed
• increased flexibility

Labor Efficiencies in Plastic Injection Molding
Our three-axis servo robots reduce or eliminate unnecessary labor by easily performing secondary operations before the injection molded product reaches a conveyor (i.e., Sprue Picker vs. floor person sorting). These robots also achieve industry standard repeatability in the part handling stage of production. In addition, cavities producing defective parts can be isolated from the remaining functioning cavities, ensuring that these parts do not intermingle with good product.

The flexibility and reliability of our robotic equipment also produces more consistent cycle times and aids in process optimization.

Customer Benefits
Our customers experience direct benefits through the utilization of robotics during the manufacturing process by receiving a more accurate and repeatable product. Molding machines running with consistent cycle times greatly reduce the opportunity for material temperature variation or degradation.

Along with keeping the molding machine running at an optimal pace, the robots ensure that product does not become contaminated or otherwise defective by dropping haphazardly out of the mold.

Competitive Advantages
The use of robotics at Thogus helps to differentiate us from competitors whose product is uncontrolled after the molding process. This is a critical step towards quality improvement and continuously meeting customers’ expectations.

In addition, the amount of labor allocated to secondary operations is greatly reduced as the robots/end- of-arm tooling is able to de-gate, sort and prepare product for packaging. This labor can be reassigned elsewhere, which boosts the facility’s overall output.

Human Expertise Still Critical
While human contact with our product is minimized with the use of robotics, these robots still require programming, driven by decisions made by our team. The user is able to envision the most efficient method for a production cell to operate and manipulates the robot to allow for this operation.

Whether our customers are in the Consumer Products, Healthcare, Industrial, Food & Beverage, Lawn & Garden, Electronics or Plumbing industries, our commitment to the most advanced technology and top-notch team of people makes Thogus a trusted source for plastic injection molding and medical device development.