Mack Prototype Boosts Additive Manufacturing Capabilities

Mack Prototype, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mack Molding Co., is investing in its additive manufacturing capabilities.
 
The company added Carbon CLIP DLS, HP Multi Jet Fusion and Formlabs SLA machines to its existing fused deposition modeling (FDM) offering, thus bolstering its ability to meet customers’ prototyping needs, including rapidly scaling into production, whether in-house or through Mack Molding’s large production footprint. Between equipment, software, and infrastructure, the company has invested approximately $750,000 in the business.
 
“Having four different technologies allows us to match production solutions to customers by considering their cost, material and end use,” Mack Prototype President Greg Cebular said. “These machines can be used for prototyping, but they put out production parts as well. In fact, customers can go immediately into production, speeding up the product development lifecycle and ultimately reducing time and cost.”
 
According to Cebular, the 3D printing services can be used for just a couple of parts to as many as several thousand. The machines help bridge production requirements until it makes sense to invest in tooling, should volumes warrant it. He also noted the new product introduction (NPI) programs in the company’s 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, we can develop design changes in house alongside the customer, print it and test it,” he explained. “It means having a solution in a day or two rather than weeks. The process is flexible and repeatable, giving customers the versatility needed to lock-in their designs.”
 
Talent Pool Grows
Mack Prototype has not only invested in equipment to support its growing customer base, but also in personnel with additions to the account management and quality teams.
 
Nicole Petersen has joined the team as a project manager, supporting new and existing accounts across Mack Prototype’s service offering. Petersen brings 20 years of customer and sales support experience to the role. She most recently served as customer relations manager for WNL Products in Holliston, Mass., where she was responsible for quoting and relationship building with large volume customers. Petersen built previous customer management experience as a senior account manager and team development coordinator with Channing Bete, as well as a senior account manager and inside sales support supervisor at Judd Wire in Turners Falls, Mass. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University.
 
Alex Popko has been appointed quality engineer, focusing on quality and the 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, where he previously served as a material handler. During his tenure, Popko managed the testing of filtration units for quality and integrity, including interpreting results and maintaining the preventative maintenance program. He also served four years of active duty service in the United States Coast Guard. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Cape Breton University and an associate degree in biotechnology/biology from Mount Wachusett Community College.
 
“In the past year we have added 17 team members at all levels to meet the increasing demand for our rapid manufacturing solutions,” Cebular said. “Nicole and Alex are great additions to the team, bringing significant experience in account management and engineering that will surely benefit our customers as they look to take programs from prototype to production.”
 
Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. Mack specializes in plastics design, prototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication, full-service machining and medical device manufacturing. Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately owned business that operates 11 facilities throughout the world. Will Kendall is president and CEO. 
 
Mack Prototype offers 75,000 square feet of manufacturing in an ISO 13485 certified environment for prototyping and low-volume production. With rapid manufacturing services, including 3D printing and additive manufacturing; cast urethane molding; plastic injection molding; CNC machining; and NPI Launch Lab, Mack Prototype can take products from prototype to production.