JOHNSON PRECISION, INC.

For immediate release:    Press Release 2005-4    November, 2005    (Click here to return to News page)

“Smart” Cameras Make Johnson Precision, Inc. Look Good to Product Developers

(Amherst, NH)  Challenged to meet the twin demands for high accuracy, operator assisted, insertion molds and the limitation of “operator error”, Johnson Precision, Inc. (JPI) recently photographed its way to better mold security, implementing its new smart camera mold monitoring system (SCMMS).

Custom designed on-site for JPI’s molding division, this sophisticated camera ensemble monitors mold cavities during the “mold open” cycle to confirm full ejection/removal of the previous part and full compliance with cavity preparation (ie. insertion of components to be over-molded) before subsequent molding cycles.

Succinctly, if the camera does not like what it sees in a pre-determined “view” in and around the cavity, the molding cycle is interrupted, alerting an operator.

The molding division is one-third of JPI’s manufacturing triad; JPI is also a mold making facility and custom machining outfit.  As such, it is intimately familiar with the time and expense associated with building high quality, tight tolerance tooling. 

JPI is also intimately familiar with the time and expense of machining intricate components to be over-molded in its tooling and presses.  The components range from multi-lumen extrusions to metal inserts, as well as more complex sensors and devices.

JPI Production Manager Steve Johnston pointed-out the benefits of the SCMMS,

The stakes are high and the pressure is on when you consider that the over-molded component we are putting in our presses frequently represents over 90% of the total cost of the finished product.  The SCMMS adds a critical last line of defense against potential catastrophe to the component, the mold or both.

The goals are self-evident; prevent mold damage, prevent component damage, prevent costly repairs and stay on schedule.  It also has the ancillary benefit of being a redundant safety device for operators.

Installed in stages over the past year, SCMMS is gaining traction at JPI.  Integration with its quality control system is on the drawing board together with additional manufacturing applications.

The SCMMS application utilizes image comparison of the live field view with pre-set images or criteria, checking for, among other common molding matters, stray insert components or “drool” that may result from hot resins waiting for the next cycle.

JPI is an Amherst, New Hampshire-based, full service custom molding, mold making and machining company.  It is an ISO 9001 and registered Veteran Business Enterprise.  JPI specializes in mold making and molding high-end medical, electronic and other, plastic injected, metal injected and insert molded, specialty devices.  It also offers additional manufacturing services including custom machining, laser marking and microscopic TIG welding.  Visit JPI on the web at www.jpi-plastics.com.

For more information about JPI and the SCMMS contact Kevin M. St.Onge at 908.233.8753 or sales@jpi-plastics.com.

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