SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 2, 2023
Mantle, the leader in metal 3D printing technology for toolmaking, announced a new example of a customer successfully adopting Mantle technology to automate their toolmaking processes and solve labor challenges. Westec Plastics, an injection molder that serves the medical device market, implemented Mantle’s technology in August of 2023 to increase its toolmaking capacity and simultaneously solve labor challenges.
Mantle’s metal 3D printing technology prints tool steel components that require minimal finishing work before use.
“WE TRIED TO HIRE A TOOLMAKER FOR OVER A YEAR WITH NO LUCK,” SAID TAMMY BARRAS, PRESIDENT OF WESTEC PLASTICS, “SO WE KNEW WE NEEDED TO LOOK FOR A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY. MANTLE’S TECHNOLOGY IS VITAL FOR HELPING US EXPAND SINCE WE CAN INCREASE OUR TOOL ROOM THROUGHPUT WITH A LIGHTS OUT MACHINE.”
Within a month of installing its Mantle system, Westec had two revenue-generating projects with new customers. One of the projects was with Gracon Manufacturing.
Gracon was implementing a design change to a medical manufacturing aid already in production. Gracon needed to quickly mold test parts to validate the design change. To accelerate testing, Gracon turned to Westec to print a set of mold inserts rather than buy a traditionally made set that would take weeks.
Westec Plastics used its Mantle metal 3D printer to produce H13 tool steel inserts for Gracon in just five days. Printing with Mantle shaved over two weeks off the typical production timeline. The time savings came from Westec’s ability to produce the inserts with only two hours of toolmaker time and the printer running lights out over the weekend when the toolshop is usually not working.
Westec Plastic’s Mantle-printed mold tool inserts for Gracon Manufacturing. By printing the inserts instead of making them traditionally, Westec Plastics cut the tooling time from three weeks to just five days.
As showcased in this latest success story, Mantle’s technology continues to see strong adoption among injection molders, toolmakers, and OEMs, enabling reduced lead times and costs while alleviating labor shortages.
About Mantle
Mantle accelerates product development by automating how mold tool components are made. Mantle’s metal 3D printing technology delivers the accuracy, surface finish, and tool steel properties required for demanding tooling applications. Tools made with Mantle’s technology have produced millions of parts while reducing tooling lead times and costs. Mantle is headquartered in San Francisco, California. To learn more, visit mantle3d.com.
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