In The Hopper

Custom Components Offer Cost-Effective Options 

“Custom made” often gives the impression that something takes a lot of time and expense to create. But Progressive has recently bolstered its Customs Department to be a competitive option to moldmakers manufacturing various items in-house. This allows a mold building company to match its capacity, to its centers of profit. 

“We provide custom pins, sleeves and locks very competitively,” states DeAnn Springer, Engineering & Quality Manager at Progressive Components.  “We’re especially strong on pins with finished detail work and custom sleeves.  With locks, occasionally other configurations are needed.  Our Engineering team can review a customer’s design and apply our dissimilar steel combinations to the male/female parts to provide longer life on the locks.” 

Daters are also an area where customers often ask for special engraving, and Progressive can provide that.  Need core blade blanks in sizes outside of Progressive’s catalog range for the UniLifter and Versa-Lifter systems?  No problem.  Whether it’s a larger width or having an "L-Shape" ready for finish machining that’s needed, a purchased custom can be more cost effective than making it in-house.   

“Our goal is to let the customers focus on more important cavity and core work while Progressive provides components for their designs,” says Springer. 

Custom Product Engineer Larry Martin is available to assist with these custom requests and more.  Larry has extensive die cast and tooling design experience and he can take templates or prints and provide a viable solution for your application.  Contact Larry at tech@procomps.com for a quote.

Reliable Gauge for Surface Finishes 

Good communication between the tool maker and the tool buyer is key, and at times there can be confusion as to exactly what surface finish is required on the cavity surface. Mold Finish Guides from Progressive can eliminate any costly misunderstanding. 

Developed in 2000 by Bales Mold Service, a leading supplier of engineered coatings and finishes for production tooling, this pocket-sized gauge is ideal for measuring and comparing mold finishes.  In addition, the SPI Mold Finishing Guide: 

• Has a 72 RC hard-finished surface that will retain exact finishes for years to come

• Is a quick and easy to read toolroom reference

• Includes a unique, direct cross reference between the Roughness Average & S.P.I. scales for ease in comparisons

• Is ideal for verifying finishes with long-distance customers

The SPI Mold Finishing Guide is available from Progressive Components by calling 800-269-6653.

Distribution Expansion

Progressive continues to align itself with partner companies around the world to make it even easier for global customers to access our products when they need them.   

Form Og Stanseteknikk AS has been the Norwegian Channel Partner for Progressive since 2006. They carry such components as Locks, CamActions, Flexicores, UniLifters, CounterViews and Slide Retainers.   

Gunnar Johnsen, who is General Manager of Form OG Stanseteknikk AS, and his staff will represent Progressive at the Den Tekniske Messen 2008, a technical trade fair to be held September 22 – 25 in Lillestroem, Norway.  You’ll find them in Stand D06-16. 

All of the Progressive products Form Og Stanseteknikk AS carries can be found on their website www.mamut.net/formogstanse.  Contact Gunnar and his team via email: postmaster@formogstanse.no with any questions, or call Progressive Components Europe at (44) 0161 653 4422; email them at sales.eu@procomps.com.
 

ProComper Spotlight

Glenn Marx
Regional Sales Manager 

Glenn Marx has a diverse background spanning more than 20 years in the mold making industry.  Based in northern Ohio, Glenn has been a lead toolmaker, model shop supervisor, mold designer, purchase agent, general manager, and then founded and successfully sold his own mold making business.   

On board since May 2007, today Glenn is a Regional Sales Manager at Progressive, serving customers in the Central and Northeastern U.S.

“As I listen and talk with customers, tooling needs become apparent,” he explains. “Many times I will show a customer one of
our new components and they get excited about the possibilities. They realize that this component can save them time or provide a solution to a particular tooling need. 

“In other instances, I have assisted mold buyers by making sure our components are available to their global sources through our worldwide distribution,” he continues.  “By helping in this circumstance, our customer is assured of receiving the quality mold components they expect and need in their tools.  This also enables optimum performance, and predictable maintenance.” 

To discuss how Progressive may be of benefit to you, contact Glenn Marx by calling 800-269-6653 or by emailing him at Glenn.Marx@procomps.com.