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When New Capital Equipment Makes Sense

ASHTABULA, Ohio--Plastics design and manufacturing authority Robert Dunne, president of MODRoto (formerly Meese Orbitron Dunne Co.), Ashtabula, Ohio, revealed key points for consideration when assessing whether to invest in new rotational molding machinery during a speaking engagement at Rotomould 2008, a conference held by the Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia (ARMA) on May 27th in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. In his presentation entitled, "Analyzing Machinery for Profitability: Time to Update?", Dunne recommended that rotational molders audit the efficiency and operating costs of their existing machinery in terms of energy consumption, heat transfer, material waste, production speed, part quality, labor requirements, and other facets, and then weigh the results against how long their existing machinery would continue to operate profitably as input costs continue to rise. A final comparison against the cost of investing in the latest machine technology and its potential returns is likely to yield an informed decision, he said.

In the presentation, Dunne recounted the extensive review and forecasting process he conducted on the more than two dozen machines in his company's four U.S. facilities, along with his evaluation of the state-of-the-art Leonardo automated rotational molding system from Persico S.p.A., Italy. The system operates faster than traditional rotational molding machines and is said to produce superior parts with less material waste, while saving energy. Calculating the quantifiable benefits of automating key steps in the process, among other factors, Dunne determined that investing in Leonardo would strengthen the company's position over both the short and long terms. As a result, Meese Orbitron Dunne became the first North American rotomolder to purchase the system.

For more information, visit www.modroto.com.