Penn State Behrend Takes Delivery of Consigned Electric Zeres Injection Molding Machine
Erie, PA., (July 14, 2020) – The plastics processing lab in the Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center at Penn State Behrend has taken delivery of a 101-ton Zhafir Zeres injection molding machine with 3.21 ounce shot size (ZE 900/210). The consigned press is electric with integrated hydraulics for core pull, ejectors, carriage movement and optional valve gates. The team at Penn State Behrend took delivery of the ZE 900/210 on July 9.
The Zeres molding machine will be in operation in time for fall undergraduate classes, Plastics Training Academy classes, tutorials and conferences. “We’re aware of the challenge the plastics industry faces in recruiting next-generation engineering talent. Providing access to current injection molding machine technology is one way we can help address this issue,” said Glenn Frohring, one of the owners of Absolute Haitian. “We have proudly maintained a relationship with Penn State Behrend going back to 2008, when we first consigned a machine to their program,” he said.
“Penn State Behrend’s B.S. in Plastics Engineering Technology is the only plastics-specific undergraduate degree program in the Penn State system, and one of only four accredited plastics engineering technology programs in the United States. The college’s plastics processing lab is the largest and best-equipped undergraduate educational facility of its type. Graduate schools respect our students because they actually know how to operate an injection molding machine as well as other processing and testing equipment,” said Brad Johnson, lecturer in engineering at Penn State Behrend. “Relationships with suppliers such as Absolute Haitian are what set our educational experience apart. We appreciate that they have enabled us to provide this unique experience.”
The 10,000 square-foot lab’s comprehensive list of equipment includes injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, injection blow molding, thermoforming, compounding and blown film technology. Currently, there are 11 injection molding machines in use.
MuCell and iMFLUX Partnership
Special options on the ZE 900/210 include processing capability for MuCell microcellular foaming technology from Trexel and software for iMFLUX low-constant-pressure injection molding. The Penn State Behrend lab has consignment agreements with Trexel and iMFLUX for the deployment of these technologies in the lab.
Absolute Haitian has partnered with Trexel and iMFLUX in the past for commercial applications. “Our goal was to expose students to the latest advancements in the commercial world of injection molding, so it made sense to partner with Absolute Haitian, Trexel and iMFLUX on this consigned machine,” said Johnson. “Our staff has several research projects lined up featuring these technologies focused on varying materials and part geometries. We’re excited to get those projects underway.”
About Penn State Behrend
Penn State Behrend is a four-year residential college that offers the resources and opportunities of a major research university – including the nation’s largest undergraduate plastics processing lab – in a welcoming, student-centered environment. Learn more at Behrend.psu.edu.
About Absolute Haitian
Absolute Haitian, based in Worcester, Massachusetts, is the exclusive sales and service partner in the U.S. and Canada for Haitian International based in Ningbo, China. Ningbo Haitian Machinery Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest supplier of plastics injection molding machinery, shipping more than 32,000 machines in 2019. Haitian products are sold in more than 130 countries with machine sizes ranging from 44 to 7,425 U.S. tons of clamp force. More information is available by visiting the Absolute Haitian website at www.absolutehaitian.com.
Contact:
Patrice Aylward, Communications Consultant, 216/618-3174 or paylward@absolutehaitian.com
Robb Frederick at 814/464-5608 or rgf10@psu.edu
