Pittsfield Plastics Engineering (PPE), a US-based plastics processor, has enhanced its operational capabilities by installing a new 10-ton overhead crane from Konecranes.
With the addition of the crane, PPE is enabled to effectively and safely handle large plastic moulds, supplementing its existing five-ton cranes.
The newly installed crane is equipped with advanced automation systems, driven by a three-axis robot from Sepro, which specialises in the automation of plastic injection lines.
The setup, part of an automated work cell, includes end-of-arm tooling and a Keyence vision system for tasks such as insert moulding, de-gating, and quality inspection.
PPE CEO, CFO Bruce Dixon said: “We’re excited about this new large-part capacity, which will not only meet the production needs of our new customer but also fill redundancies for current customers and potentially satisfy future growth opportunities.
“The investment also opens the door to new opportunities in large-part molding with other existing and prospective customers in the industrial, electrical, and construction markets.”
In addition to the overhead crane, PPE has also installed the Jupiter 14000 Series injection unit, a new 1600-ton injection moulding machine, from Absolute Haitian.
In line with its focus on complex and demanding applications, PPE plans to expand its workforce by up to 10% over the next year.
The company is seeking to hire new employees with advanced engineering and technical expertise for technical/engineering, supervisory, and administrative roles.
Earlier this year, Texas-based pile manufacturer Pileworks initiated the installation of a Konecranes 7.5-ton overhead crane at its new production facility.
The 7.5-ton overhead crane selected for Pileworks’ facility is designed for precise and efficient load handling, catering to various manufacturing requirements.
It is expected to optimise workflow, improve load control, and enhance safety in operations.
