Innovative CoreTech Metal Core Technology (MCT) provides a proven plastic molding process for plastic molding hollow plastic parts. We offer a complete line of primary and secondary metal casting equipment and tooling used to support the molding of one piece plastic components using our proprietary MCT manufacturing discipline. CoreTech Metal Core Technology is the production proven plastic molding process utilized to produce high quality, dimensionally accurate, one-piece, hollow plastic parts which have complex internal and/or external geometry. Our proprietary process has found merit with numerous molding processes including injection molding; resin transfer molding; filament winding; hand lay-up; as well as many other methods.

The equipment includes a line of metal casting machines, sized for the required application, which form our MD Series metal dispensing product line. Additionally, CTS provides a custom line of both "batch" and "inline" type configurations of metal casting melt-out systems. All machines use a proprietary line of heat transfer fluids, some in combination with induction heating technology, to optimize the melt-out of the metal casting core from the plastic molded component.

CTS also serves as prime contractor for the installation of turnkey "lost-core" molding cells, incorporating a full range of plastic injection molding machines and automation to complete the manufacturing line. Whether from a "greenfield" site or an existing facility, CTS engineering staff can design, install and start-up the complete "lost-core" molding cell for any application.

Our MCT process offers increased parts design flexibility and economic benefits

Our MCT process provides a competitive edge in most applications by simplifying the manufacturing process, and yielding economic benefit over other production methods including gas assist, foam cores, adhesive bonding, soluble polymers, and welding.

The MCT "lost-core" molding process has found merit in applications where:

• Consolidation of multi-piece plastic components into one part;
• Integration of multiple plastic parts into one part; and/or, rotation from metal or other materials, into one plastic component.

The MCT process permits increased flexibility in the design of hollow complex shaped parts, often permitting manufacture, including injection molding, of parts once considered too complex for a single-piece molding or otherwise impossible to manufacture by any other method. Since its introduction in the mid '70's the MCT process has proven beneficial in the manufacture of numerous plastic parts in many industries, including automotive (air intake manifolds, water pumps, thermostat housings, steering reservoirs, air ducts); aerospace/aircraft (struts, fans, blades, thrust reverses, housings); recreational goods (bicycle wheels/frames; paddles/oars; tennis/other racquets); plumbing (faucets) and pumps (industrial impellers and fans), and other general industries.

The CTS engineering staff offers expert parts design services

The CTS engineering staff provides support to achieve optimum part design, with the highest consideration to meet performance and manufacturability requirements. CTS will conduct a Preliminary Engineering Evaluation of any component to determine the viability of using the MCT process to produce the part. Following this, a more formal Application Analysis Study (AAS) can be commissioned. This study generates valuable information from which the client can make a "go"/"no-go" decision to proceed with the development of the part. The AAS includes a complete engineering analysis of the part, costs to complete prototyping of the part; projections for in-house production equipment costs; and for those not seeking to manufacture the part themselves, an estimated "piece price" for the supply of the part utilizing CTS's sub-contracted production facility.

The MCT "lost-core" molding process involves the use of a low melting temperature metal core, which is then loaded into a plastic molded tool, over molded and then melted-out after the part is formed. Standard plastic molding practices are utilized. Most resins can be accommodated.

Environmentally friendly, the MCT process recovers 99.9% of the core alloy and reuses it repeatedly to make new cores. A wide temperature range of proprietary metal alloys are available to serve in most resin over-molding applications. High quality smooth core surface and tight, repeatable dimensional accuracy supports molding of parts to the strictest of dimensional tolerances, normally 0.0015" per dimension. Control of wall thickness is consistently met.

Our MCT process can help you achieve lower component manufacturing costs

Our proprietary process has helped numerous clients achieve lower component manufacturing costs derived from materials savings, process simplicity and reduction in secondary/finishing operations.

For more information about CTS, our metal casting machines or our MCT process, please contact by email, telephone (401-884-8808) or fax (401-884-8848).