{"id":991,"date":"2025-09-10T08:34:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T08:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=991"},"modified":"2025-09-10T08:34:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T08:34:10","slug":"cluster-2-field-trip-mack-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=991","title":{"rendered":"Cluster 2: Field Trip – MACK Company"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mid of August, we had the chance to visit\u00a0Mack. The company is located in Altenmarkt, Austria, just a 30-minute drive from Vienna. Mack specializes in the production of technical plastic components using\u00a0injection molding\u00a0and\u00a0extrusion blow molding, supported by their own\u00a0in-house mold making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

We were warmly welcomed by\u00a0Stefanie\u00a0and\u00a0Patrick, who dedicated the entire afternoon to showing us around. A big thank you for the time, effort, and the insights!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mold Production and EDM Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tour began in the mold production department. Mack creates its own steel molds, which are essential for plastic manufacturing. These molds are the most expensive and technically complex part of the process, as they must integrate all ventilation systems and technical details with extreme precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molds and tools are produced using the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process. In EDM, material is removed from steel by means of controlled electrical sparks within a dielectric fluid. This method enables extremely precise shaping and the creation of various surface textures, which directly affect the finish and quality of the final plastic product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fig.01: (a) Example of a mold, (b) different surface textures, and (c) the eroding process.<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Extrusion Blow Molding in Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, we got to watch\u00a0extrusion blow molding\u00a0live on a working machine. This was a highlight, as we had read and talked about the process before, but seeing it in real life was something else!\u00a0Here\u2019s the simplified process we observed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Plastic melts<\/strong> \u2013 Pellets are heated until soft.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Tube is formed<\/strong> \u2013 The melted plastic is pushed out into a hollow tube <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Mold closes<\/strong> \u2013 A two-part mold closes around the tube.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Air is blown in<\/strong> \u2013 The plastic is inflated like a balloon to fill the mold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Product is released<\/strong> \u2013 The mold opens, and the hollow plastic item comes out.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    At Mack, their machine can produce bottles with a maximum capacity of\u00a01.5 liters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Fig.02: (a) an extrusion blow molding machine, (b) a hollow tube, and (c) the working machine forming hollow products.<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Injection Molding Machines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    We then moved on to see several\u00a0injection molding machines\u00a0of different sizes and pressures.\u00a0Here\u2019s the basic process they follow:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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