NORTHBROOK, Ill.—Rogan Corp., known for its true two-shot, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, insert and overmolding, has expanded its molding capacity with the purchase of two Wittmann Battenfeld two-shot hydraulic injection molding presses.
The additions give Rogan 12 two-shot machines, according to Bruce Gianpetro, director of product development.
Rogan spent $790,000 on the additional machines, $650,000 for the physical machines and $140,000 for the robotics. The firm did not have to add any employees in conjunction with the purchase. It currently has a work force of about 90.
Gianpetro said the motivation behind the purchase is to show Rogan can “keep ahead of the game by investing in good equipment that's more efficient,” along with running “at a faster cycle time and use less energy.”
Rogan has grown with additional business in the two-shot market, Gianpetro said, and it wanted to increase its capacity.
The firm's ongoing commitment to investing in new technology has resulted in the advancement of the company's molding capabilities and the reduction of cycle times, the company said, which benefits customers by providing quicker time to market and more cost-effective production.
The new machines are Wittmann Battenfeld HM Series presses, Rogan said, designed with an extremely short footprint to minimize production space requirements.
Each features full clamping force evenly distributed over the entire mold space, rectangular clamping platen, short dry cycle times and high structural rigidity and sturdiness.
Precise platen parallelism is maintained during the entire stroke, and platens are supported by low-maintenance linear guides. These features provide a high degree of repeatability of all molding parameters, according to the firm.
“These two machines are very efficient. The cycle times are lower, and they're more energy efficient,” Gianpetro said. “So by investing in technology—or better equipment—you can keep competitively priced by reducing your cycle time.”
In addition, the new presses offer robotics for augmented pick and place operations, and the capability to remove finished parts in three directions, supporting productivity. They operate through a Windows XP platform and are controlled through a 15-inch high-resolution touch screen.
“Almost all of our two-shot machines have robotics attached to them,” Gianpetro said. “The less humans that touch this, the lower you can keep your costs and maintain profitability.”
The robotics adds cost, he said, but the technology is part of an effort to keep operations as automated as possible and to remain “competitive in a market where we compete with China on a regular basis.”
These new presses will increase Rogan's ability to meet increasing market demand for more complex parts and component assemblies while controlling costs.
Rogan serves the medical, electronics, military, aerospace, commercial and industrial markets, and it offers collaborative engineering, product design and assistance in material selection to ensure customer satisfaction.
Gianpetro said Rogan will replace all of its presses eventually. Only a few remain that are not with the Wittmann Battenfeld brand. “Anything that doesn't fall into the "latest and greatest' will be replaced here,” he said.
He added Rogan's plan is to add additional two-shot machines in liquid silicone rubber and thermoplastics area.
Rogan plans to expand its current building either by adding to the existing facility or buying the property next door. That would be the beginning stage, but the goal is to expand floor space and secondary capabilities, as well as molding capability.