For over 40 years, Automation Plastics has built a reputation for supplying thick wall molding and fast cycle/high cavitation precision functional plastics.
Automation Plastics was founded in 1979 by Mr. Henry DeRocher, a metallurgical engineer who had developed armor for US Steel and the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, Mr DeRocher was a pioneer in the nascent injection molding industry. Initial products manufactured by Automation Plastics were battery seals for Eveready Battery Company.
Harry Smith acquired Automation in June of 1999 and continues in the role of President. Under Harry’s leadership the facility has expanded to the current 50,000 square feet, housing 33 horizontal injection molding presses, a 2,800 square ft. tooling department, and a 3,000 square ft. post-mold machining department. We continue to enhance our abilities with the addition of robotics and other automated processing equipment.
Automation completed registration to the ISO 9001:2015 Standard in April 2018, marking 15 years of ISO 9001 certification to Quality Management excellence and continual improvement.
1956 - Henry DeRocher joins Nymold Corporation. Over 23 years Henry opened 3 plants and commissioned 1,000 molds
1979 - Henry DeRocher founds Automation Plastics
1980 - Automation erects 9,600 ft2 facility with 4 presses
1984 - 2,800 ft2 expansion including offices and Tool Room
1985 - Automation molds its first thick wall parts for natural gas distribution industry Automation molds Danvern aerosol valve
1990 - 12,000 ft2 expansion factory and warehouse, 4 presses added
1997 - 13,200 ft2 expansion; total 20 presses ProE modeling software implemented CNC, EDM, Vertical machining center added
1998 - Automation runs 128 cavity mold @7 second cycles producing 1.6 million parts per day
1999 - Harry Smith purchases Automation. Automation runs 160 cavity mold capable of running 1.8 million parts per day
2000 - Robotic loading of 16 & 8 cavity tools implemented
2001 - 6,000 ft2 expansion: Tool Room, Training and Conference Rooms, offices Automation runs 128 cavity mold @ 6 second cycle
2002 - 2-shot press commissioned
2003 - Automation Plastics achieves ISO9001:2000 registration
2004 - Automation runs 52 cavity insert @ 3.25 second cycle
2005 - Automation successfully molds 20.5-lb thick wall molded components for natural gas distribution valves
2006 - Full implementation of IQMS ERP system
2010 - New all electric Arburg and Niigata presses purchased
2015 - RJG eDart fully implemented on all presses
2016 - Automation Plastics adopts Dozuki documentation software and begins transition to paperless visual work guidance
2017 - Routsis Plastics Training program implemented for on-line learning. Universal Robots UR5 6-axis collaborative robot commissioned
2018 - Dave Robison, P.E., joins Automation Plastics as Vice President of Engineering
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