Sandretto supplies injection moulding machines, robots and ancillaries for use in various application areas and sectors. Sandretto machines are used widely for manufacturing consumer products ranging from standard household goods such as clothes pegs to the electrical market and CD and DVD storage systems.
Click on any of the stories below to read more about how Sandretto machines are used within the consumer market:
Technical Moulded Systems
AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT AROUND A SECOND SANDRETTO BOOSTS PRODUCTION OF UNIQUE PLASTICS CLOTHES PEG
In the 2½ years since launching his own, patented one-piece plastics clothes peg, Tamworth moulder Technical Moulded Systems has installed a second Sandretto moulding machine, totally automated the production/packaging process and reduced a workforce which peaked at 15 down to three.
The ‘Hurricane Peg’ won Millennium Product status at its launch and Product of the Show at GLEE, the Garden & Leisure exhibition. The unique product, which has no metal parts, has become a best seller with Betterware and can be found across the UK in outlets such as Morrisons, Wilkinsons and Somerfield. Managing Director Ivor Langford comments that, following a major promotion, Wilkinsons reported that the Hurricane Grip was soon out-selling its nearest rival by 6-to-1.
EXPORT SUCCESS … AND NOW ON TV
Overseas interest was to follow and the company anticipates that its regular exports to Spain and Canada will be boosted following an agreement with a major US outlet.
Now Ivor Langford finds himself featured on the Carlton tv programme ‘Future Now’, which is to be screened at the end of June.
MOULDED-IN SPRING
The unique aspect of the design is the moulded-in, ‘live’ spring. No assembly of parts is required; folding the thin-section hinged spring through 90° secures it firmly in position to produce a finished peg which has a better grip that any conventional peg. Furthermore, it is safer, having no metal spring to jump out or corrode.
When filing the original patent, Ivor identified wider applications for the concept, including medical clamps, battery clips (where the metal contacts could be moulded in as inserts or assembled as a post-moulding operation) and for supporting small shrubs against canes in the garden.
From the start, a significant advantage of the Hurricane Grip was that it was, and still is cheaper to manufacture in the UK than any product moulded and assembled in the Far East. The continuing fierce level of price competition, combined with growing demand, led to the need to automate the entire production process.
TOTAL AUTOMATION – FROM POLYMER TO PACKAGING
The 4-cavity trial mould, which enabled Technical Moulded Systems to establish the product, was soon replaced by a 32-cavity production mould. However, until the summer of 2000, much of the post-moulding work was manual. In the shop, now, are two Sandretto injection machines of 110 tonne and 150 tonne clamp; polymer is fed from a bulk supply through automatic hopper loaders and both machines are fitted with de-mould robots.
Using a fixture which grips every individual moulding, the robot indexes to a position where the sprues are removed and segregated for re-grinding and re-use, then dropped into a granulator and proportioned back. Still held by the grippers, the mouldings are then placed into a second fixture which folds the thin-section hinged springs through 90°, securing them firmly in the ‘working’ position before they are placed onto a conveyor and conveyed to rows of bulk storage bins.
Random colour mixes can be made, automatically, from the bins and conveyed to the weigh-packaging unit where an operator packs into boxes for delivery. The clothes pegs are not touched by hand until sold at retail.
Automation of the process has been the responsibility of Ivor Langford’s son Mark who joined his father in the business a year ago.
FLEXIBILITY MEETS CUSTOMER DEMAND
The high level of flexibility now available from the plant enables Technical Moulded Systems to make up different pack and bulk orders and to supply the colour requirements at short notice. It is also possible to make colour changes readily and this is important as several customers have their own colour requirements.
It is now three years since Ivor Langford produced the first samples from the soft trial mould and the only change made to the product has been the introduction of small serrations to improve the grip.
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Allsop Europe
IRISH IN-HOUSE MOULDER HAVING SUCCESSFUL SUB-CONTRACT BUSINESS EXPANDS IN A THIRD DIRECTION WITH RANGE OF OWN PRODUCTS
In-house moulders, aware that their manufacturing expertise could be successfully employed in a wider market, will seek sub-contract work. Such was the case with Allsop Europe, the European subsidiary of an American manufacturing group. Set up in Waterford to produce mouldings for what has become a broadening range of components for the consumer electronics market, the company subsequently attracted sub-contract moulding; it now moulds parts for several multi-national companies in the automotive industry.
For Allsop Europe, expansion has taken a further step forward with the launch of its own range of tape/CD/DVD storage systems. With the expertise and equipment installed to produce similar products, the company exhibited its range at the recent Dusseldorf trade show with results which more than justify the installation, last November, of a Sandretto ‘Serie Nove T 165 tonne injection moulding machine.
LOW POWER CONSUMPTION MOULDING MACHINE
Whilst six of Allsop Europe’s nine moulding machines are already Sandrettos, the decision to remain with Sandretto for the ninth machine was based on two significant factors. In the words of ….. title….. John Ryan, the after-sales service is “fantastic”. Furthermore, the ‘Serie Nove’ machines have a much reduced power requirement and this obviated the need to install greater busbar capacity.
The moulding shop comprises nine machines up to 200 tonnes lock, the smallest being a Sandretto Micro 50. Ancillary facilities include de-mould robots and sprue pickers, with post-moulding facilities such as ultrasonic welding and printing.
An extensive printing capability is essential to support the new venture, permitting Allsop Europe to customize its products. At the end of the last Formula 1 Grand Prix season, its CD and DVD storage systems, moulded in the Jordan colours and carrying the company logo, were being sold at various events.
John Ryan looks with confidence to the future. “With really positive results coming out of Dusseldorf, we have a designer working on new products so that our range can continue to grow.”
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Goblin Ireland
GOBLIN IRELAND GOES IN-HOUSE WITH SANDRETTO
Goblin Ireland is a long established manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and has recently elected to bring the production of mouldings in house. This necessitated a substantial investment in plant and equipment at the heart of which are seven Sandretto injection machines; they comprise three ‘Mega T’ 550 tonne and four ‘Serie Nove’ machines, two 400 tonne, one 300 tonne and one 220 tonne.
In order to ensure an efficient and cost-effective supply of mouldings to its established vacuum cleaner assembly lines, a high level of automation has been introduced.
A central materials handling system delivers polymer direct to the moulding machines from bulk storage containers situated along one wall of the moulding shop. Master-batch colour dosing equipment is fitted to every machine and sprue-pickers on selected machines enable automatic sorting of the sprues away from the finished mouldings. These are removed by means of an extensive conveyor system.
SANDRETTO CAME ‘HIGHLY RECOMMENDED’
When evaluating suitable moulding machinery for the new plant, Goblin Ireland were aware that much of the contract moulding it was to bring in house was being performed on Sandretto machines. Also, in seeking the advice of sister companies within the Glen Dimplex Group, in which Sandretto have a large number of machines installed, Goblin became aware of the reliability of both the machinery and the back-up service operation.
First line after-sales service is provided by the from Rugby by an extensive spares system. Specialist engineers available for round-the-clock, on-line advice is seen as a vital aspect when manufacturing products for the consumer market.
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