In The Hopper

VersaLifter Adds New Options for Designers 

Progressive has added the VersaLifter® to its popular range of undercut release solutions.  

Originally developed by Omni Mold Systems, Progressive now owns the product rights and serves as the primary global distribution source for this product. 

“Mold designers like options,” states Al Hickok, Progressive’s technical sales engineer.  “Whether the choice is based on unique limitations in the mold, toolroom familiarity, or customer preference, offering a range of approaches is appreciated by all.”  

The VersaLifter features support guides that provide smooth sliding action, reducing galling & flexing problems.  Its compact design allows for tighter ejector pin placement. 

This product is in good company with Progressive’s popular UniLifter system, which is a widely used standard, and FlexiCore undercut release component that offers space savings and economy.   

Available in a wide range of sizes, the VersaLifter is manufactured in A-10 steel, which is finish machined and ready for molding detail. 

With accessories including support guides, more information can be obtained by calling 800-269-6653. 

Cut-to-length Extension Plugs: A Cost-Effective Solution 

Progressive’s Extension Plugs are a cost-effective way to eliminate installation problems and provide a leak-free fit with tapered inlets.  Custom order them cut to length and you gain significant benefits via time and cost savings, plus they arrive with sealant already applied to the threads, so they’re ready to install into the mold. 

“It helps out in the shop because there’s no need to cut and re-thread the plugs, making it a very efficient and extremely cost effective product just in the time that is saved.” says Glenn Marx, Northeast Technical Sales Manager.  “Plus, at about the cost of the next longer standard length, it's less than having a toolmaker saw and cleanup the ends.” 

Extension plugs come in brass or stainless, and are available in both inch and metric sizes.  The custom length items ship in one to two days.  

“The mold designer needs only put the finished length in the BOM, and then Purchasing can take it from there,” adds Marx. 

Distribution Expansion

It's Been Said...

Progressive’s Rapid Tooling Inserts are popular with toolmakers, offering advantages over others.  But don’t take our word for it.  Customers recently let us know why they choose Progressive.  

Randy Barron at Bard Access Systems told us, “At this time we’re mainly buying custom RTI’s and the performance and quality is great.  We’ve received very accurate and timely service, plus the price is right there for us.  We’ll buy 10 – 15 of them at a time, and to those we’re adding cavity detail and part-specific features. They are just great to have. Once you find a supplier you can count on, it becomes an extension of your shop.  We consider Progressive to be part of the family.”  

Ken Keefe at Dynamic Engineering said, “We buy them for the convenience; they’re set up with features that other manufacturers don’t offer. The quality is so good that even our customers mention how nice they work.  By now we’ve almost taken it for granted that when we need this product, we know that the quality is there and we’ll get it on time.”  

Access Progressive’s Rapid Tooling Inserts by visiting www.procomps.com.

Progressive Events

Progressive Works the Trade Show Circuit 

Like many of our customers do, Progressive works the world on several levels, including participation at industry events such as trade shows and conferences.  

Most recently, Progressive could be seen exhibiting at the MoldMaking Expo, the largest moldmaking show in North America and one of our favorite industry events.  Each year, Progressive sponsors the Conference Sessions and Leadtime Leader Awards and this year was no exception.   

Customers also found Progressive’s further expansion at Chinaplas, the premiere plastics show in Asia, which took place in Shanghai in April.  

In the U.K., Progressive exhibited at Plastics Design & Moulding in Telford, the leading event there for designers and manufacturers of plastic products.  As with all shows we participate in, PDM gave customers a chance to see our products up close and in action.  

We’ll continue to work the world at these and other industry events:

• CastExpo 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia

• Aseanplas in Singapore

• Euromold in Frankfurt, Germany

We look forward to meeting with you soon! 

Visit www.procomps.com/events to access all upcoming industry events and information.