Noble Plastics takes on new process

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 18, 2003

Custom injection moulder Noble Plastics of Lafayette, Louisiana, is the most recent licensee of PowerderFlo metal injection moulding (MIM) technology.

Custom injection moulder Noble Plastics of Lafayette, Louisiana, is the most recent licensee of PowerderFlo metal injection moulding (MIM) technology.

An agreement signed with Latitude Manufacturing Technologies of Hackettstown, New Jersey, enables Noble to begin commercial production of injection moulded parts using PowderFlo MIM materials.

Specialty compounder RTP Company of Winona, Minnesota, is the exclusive North American supplier of ready-to-process PowderFlo feedstocks.

Founded in 2000 with a single moulding press by President Missy Rogers, Noble plastics has become a cutting edge injection moulder of performance plastic parts with injection moulding machines ranging from 30 to 330t, and offers a wide range of value added services to its customers.

According to Rogers: "Noble continually searches for materials, methods and technologies that extend and compliment our existing services.

The Powderflo MIM technology utilises our existing moulding capabilities, fits well with our insert moulding operations and expands Noble's manufacturing capabilities beyond plastics".

In addition to being processable in standard injection moulding machinery, one of the key features of this technology is that PowderFlo products require no specialised debinding process.

These materials use water and an organic substance agar as their binder.

This type of binder can be eliminated by air-drying, reducing overall processing times for parts manufactured using the MIM process.

Additionally, PowderFlo materials can be custom formulated by RTP Company to meet the specific needs of individual applications.

Often working with inventors who have only a product concept, Noble's staff is accustomed to working in all aspects of development from initial product design and prototyping through final assembly and distribution.

This full service approach has been the key factor in Noble's rapid growth according to Rogers.

A strong customer base throughout the mid-south and south-western USA allows Noble to routinely work with customers in the oil industry as well as generate significant business from medical, consumer, industrial and sporting goods markets.