New Automated Wax Press Added to Ensure Continued Fast Delivery of Quality Investment Castings at Franklin Bronze Precision Components

Franklin Bronze Precision Components added an additional automated wax press to improve productivity. The new auto press generates more patterns per hour resulting in increased throughput. The new high volume wax press incorporates a robotic mold spray system that is flexible and precise, integrating controls for spray amount and location dependent on part and tool design. The robotic system within the auto press can be pre-programmed and run on demand, the first of its kind. With two auto wax presses in-house, operators can continuously run parts engineered for auto tooling, doubling capacity while utilizing one employee. As an example of the increased efficiency, production previously manufactured 200 pieces of a specific part in two shifts and now produces 300 of that same part in one shift. “Make the presses do the work, not the operators,” explains Anthony Haag, Wax Room Supervisor. Future plans include automating the part retrieval. Through core pull technology, the machine will automatically pull the tooling apart, remove the part and reassemble the tooling without operator intervention. This will allow for complex tooled parts with multiple components to be manufactured in a considerably shorter time frame than before. According to Operations Manager, Chris Barber, “We do whatever it takes to start the process with a quality part to ensure product flows through our processes and exceeds the customer’s expectations”. About Franklin Bronze Precision Components Franklin Bronze Precision Components manufactures investment castings for glass container, pumps & valves, steel, automotive and food processing. Franklin Bronze provides high-quality, consistent products supported by technical expertise, in-house tooling & machining, and automated processing. Franklin Bronze Precision Components is known for speed to market and close collaboration with customers pouring a variety of alloys from stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, and brass to bronze. With highly qualified engineers on staff, we work in partnership with our customers for joint design development, flexibility and customization. Franklin Bronze Precision Components is located in Franklin, Pennsylvania, a 90-minute drive from the Pittsburgh airport.