Stelray adds its largest injection molding press

Custom injection molder and mold maker Stelray Plastic Products Inc. has expanded its plant to accommodate a new 620-ton press that it will use to open doors to large-part molding.

The Ansonia, Conn., company recently added 5,000 square feet to the molding department of its 37,000-square-foot facility. The expansion features 20-foot ceilings for the Haitian press, which has an integrated three-axis robot.

With the addition of the Jupiter JUIII 5500 machine, Stelray now has 24 presses, with clamping forces of 22-620 tons. Previously, its largest press was a 385-ton machine, according to Michael Cardone, sales and marketing administrator. The company expects the machine to begin operating this month, he added.

Lawrence Saffran, owner and president of the second-generation family business, noted the importance of the high bay ceilings and additional space, which will open new market segments for the company. For example, Stelray will now be able to make large enclosures for medical equipment and industrial controls.

"For some extended period of time we've had to turn down opportunities with existing customers and organic opportunities that went beyond our capability with just the 385-ton," Saffran said in a June 2 phone interview. "We decided to bring on board this new machine … and bring on this new work."

Part of the space was used to enlarge the company's metrology lab, which has been upgraded with a Micro-Vu vision system.

Stelray also has a complete tool room, clean room molding and secondary services such as assembly, packaging, painting and decorating. The company does rapid-prototyping and design consultation.

In addition to health care, the company said it is targeting continued growth in filtration, electronics and other emerging market segments.

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