In The Hopper

Advancements for 3-Plate Molds

Although there has been a steady trend toward the use of Hot Runner molds, in some cases the best approach is with a 3-plate mold. Progressive has simplified the process for building and maintaining these tools by leading with off-the-shelf standards.

Traditionally manufactured out of standard ejector pins on a “one up” basis, Progressive’s exclusive Puller Pins are ready-made and available for standard plate thicknesses.  Puller Pin undercuts are machined and case hardened to provide added durability that homemade varieties can’t match, and corrosion-resistant Puller Pin Bushings save mold maker time, but more importantly offer better performance and ease of replacement for those who will later live with the tool.

Progressive’s Roller Puller makes controlling the sequence of openings for parting lines within a mold easier than ever and features these advantages:   

• Friction Free™ action, no mechanical latches to break

• Ideal for cleanroom operations

• Mounting hole pattern is compatible with others

• Competitively priced

Compared to a mechanical latch lock, Roller Pullers are more forgiving and are very straightforward to use.  They can easily be installed on new tools or stocked in the molder’s tool room to use as replacements for other devices. 

Extended Sprue Bushings, which are commonly used in 3-plate molds, reduce the sprue length, helping to reduce cycle time and shot size.  Progressive offers six sizes that are interchangeable with other brands.    

To begin reducing mold making costs and ship customers an easier to maintain mold, design in these components utilizing 2D and 3D CAD Geometry available online at www.procomps.com.

Distribution Expansion

It's Been Said...

Whether it is for applications where only a C-Core™ will do, or it is chosen as a replacement for the ‘gear and rack’ approach, progressive minded mold builders report now turning to standards. 

Glen Casetta of CDM Tool & Manufacturing related a recent mold project where they were building a tool to manufacture a clutch cover for an off-road recreational vehicle in glass-filled nylon.  He told us that Collapsible Cores were a tremendous time-saver for his team.  

“This was a unique circumstance in that it involved molding not a thread but an undercut groove on a round bearing bore with a diameter measuring less than two inches,” he explains.  “So from the beginning the only consideration was the C-Core because, as a mold builder, the time savings was significant.  If I had to build some sort of retracting mechanism it would have taken us hours and hours.  This was an off-the-shelf product that, with some minor adjustments, fit the project and saved us a lot of time.”  

Dan Ebert at A J Tool Company concurred on the time saving factor, telling Progressive the following: “We have used both C-Cores and Expandable cavities.  We love the pre-engineered, pre-fabbed product.  It’s quick.  You buy it, you modify it slightly and you are on your way.  When you go to job out an unscrewing tool your lead times depend on the turning house’s turnaround time. So choosing C-Cores helps decrease lead times.”  

For more information including an online demo of the Collapsible Cores, visit www.procomps.com/demo.

ProComper Profile

Todd Steinhoff Named U.S. Sales Manager

A “veteran” Procomper, having joined Progressive back in September of 1993, Todd Steinhoff is expanding his responsibilities and has been named U.S. Sales Manager.  

Hailing from Wisconsin, and very proud of it, Todd helped build Progressive’s East Coast Service Center in 1996, and then moved to California to drive the opening of the West Coast office in 1997. He also helped set up the Ohio office in 1999.  Having worked primarily in the Midwest, Todd will now be coordinating actions throughout the U.S. for the national sales team. 

“I enjoy being with customers, whether it’s in their shop, at an SPE chapter meeting, or at an AMBA golf outing. It’s all good!” says Todd. “That is the kind of dialogue I look to have because it opens up the opportunity for the customer to learn how we can help, and it allows us to learn what more we need to develop ahead.” 

Over the years Todd has assisted in the development of new products and he is most proud of the development of Progressive’s Rapid Tooling Insert line.  

“We work to listen to the needs of our customers and deliver better solutions,” he states.  “That’s the bottom line.” 

Feel free to drop a line to Todd by emailing him at Todd.Steinhoff@procomps.com or by calling 800-269-6653.