Mack Prototype Adds Three Additive Manufacturing Platforms

Mack Prototype (Gardner, Mass.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mack Molding Co. has added three new additive manufacturing platforms to its existing fused deposition modeling (FDM) capabilities. Mack has acquired Carbon CLIP DLS, HP Multi Jet Fusion and Formlabs SLA machines for its fleet, investing approximately $750,000 in the business when the equipment, software and infrastructure are accounted for.

In a release, Mack Prototype President Greg Cebular said that having four different technologies allows the company to match production solutions to customers by considering the cost, material and end use. “These machines can be used for prototyping, but they put out production parts as well,” Cebular said. “In fact, customers can go immediately into production, speeding up the product development lifecycle and ultimately reducing time and cost.”

On the infrastructure side, Cebular told Plastics Technology that to support Mack Proto’s new additive manufacturing equipment, the company has installed a brand new HVAC system in its 3D printing room, creating an environmentally controlled climate. Mack Prototype also made significant investments in its electric infrastructure and internet capabilities as the machines are connected devices.

In addition to the new and existing additive manufacturing equipment, Mack Proto has eight injection molding machines, including five Milacron Roboshot all-electric presses. Additionally, the company’s press fleet includes two 28-ton Arburg All-Rounder hydraulic presses and a 230-ton Van Dorn HT hydraulic press. The company also has several CNC milling centers and lathes to support machining operations.

Cebular said the 3D printing services can be used for just a couple parts to as many as a couple thousand, bridging production requirements until it makes sense to invest in tooling, should volumes warrant it. The company’s New Product Introduction (NPI) Launch Lab also will benefit from the new technology, allowing rapid iterations of design changes. “If our engineers notice an issue while working on a product,” Cebular said, “we can develop design changes in house alongside the customer, print it and test it.”

Human Capital Investments

Nicole Petersen has joined the Mack Prototype as a Project Manager, supporting new and existing accounts. Petersen brings 20 years of customer and sales support experience to the role, most recently serving as customer relations manager for WNL Products in Holliston, Mass.

Alex Popko has been appointed Quality Engineer, focusing on quality and Mack Prototype’s growing NPI business. Popko is an experienced quality control lab technician with expertise in testing and report analysis. He most recently worked as a lab technician III for MilliporeSigma. In the past year, Mack Prototype has added 17 employees, according to the company.