Omega Plastics Expands Injection Molding Capacity

Omega Plastics Group, an integrated plastics injection molding group, has announced the addition of new injection molding press capacity to both Signal Plastics and Omega Plastics.

Washington-based Signal Plastics recently acquired a state-of-the-art Yizumi 700-ton injection molding press. The strategic acquisition is aimed at enhancing production capabilities and meeting the growing demand from existing customers as part of production growth. Equipped with Sepro robots for demoulding and conveyor belts to increase productivity, the new 700-ton press will make a significant contribution to meeting customer requirements efficiently and effectively.

In addition to press expansion, Gateshead-based Omega Plastics has established a dedicated tool trial cell to support its UK toolroom and in-house tool manufacturing, operating independently from planned production activities. This specialized validation facility enables Omega Plastics to test and validate new equipment without any impact on ongoing production processes.

The trial cell is equipped with two injection molding machines, including a 40 ton machine and a 100 ton machine. This dedicated resource ensures optimum flexibility and accuracy during tooling verification processes, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience.

The trial cell provides a dedicated area for extensive testing, allowing analysis of key characteristics such as fill patterns, thermal imaging, gate freeze studies, cycle time efficiency and their direct impact on final product quality. By introducing this dedicated testing resource, Omega Plastics can support customers by providing insight and expert validation of tooling solutions.

These recent investments in additional injection molding capacity and dedicated tooling resources are part of Omega Plastics Group’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

In the past five years, the group has added seven additional injection molding machines, increasing its injection molding machine capacity from 23 to 30 machines, ranging from 40T to 1,300T. Significant investments have been made in warehousing and material management systems to support the additional molding capacity.

In a wide press range, Omega Plastics Group can produce components with shot weights from less than 1 gram to over 4 kilograms. The group has the capability to mold complex technical hand loads and overmolds through fully automated robotic demoulding with integrated conveyor systems.

Investments have also been made in the toolroom during that time, including the acquisition of a Puma GT 2100 CNC lathe, a new surface grinder, an AG Carmills EDM drill and a Fanuc Robocut wire EDM, as well as metrology software and capabilities. These investments allow Omega Plastics to aim to continually meet customer demands and provide state-of-the-art tooling solutions.

Peter Sayer, Group Commercial Director, Omega Plastics Group, said: “At Omega Plastics Group, our mission is to provide high quality plastic injection mold tooling, components, assemblies and technical solutions, on time and with exceptional customer service. These recent expansions and investments in our capabilities and resources demonstrate our commitment to our customers, ensuring we continue to exceed their expectations and provide innovative solutions.