Automation in Action: How Vital Plastics Delivers Precision Through Smart Manufacturing

Key Takeaways

• Automation Enhances Precision and Efficiency – Vital Plastics integrates automation technologies to improve part consistency, reduce cycle times, and optimize overall manufacturing efficiency.
• In-House Custom EOAT is a Strategic Advantage – With on-site 3D printing and a dedicated tool room in each plant, Vital Plastics designs and fabricates custom End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT), enabling faster setups and tailored automation solutions for each project.
• Automation Enables Scalability and Flexibility – The automated setup supports high-volume, fast-turnaround production across diverse industries like automotive, consumer products, and electronics.

At Vital Plastics, automation is a key part of our strategy for delivering top-tier injection molding and contract assembly solutions. We’ve built a reputation for high-quality, reliable manufacturing because our investment in automation technologies — from the molding press to final packaging — ensures we deliver consistent results at scale, while remaining flexible and efficient.

Sprue Pickers, 5-Axis Robots & Custom EOAT: Precision from the Start

Automation starts right at the press. Sprue pickers are used across our molding operations to remove sprues and runners immediately after each cycle, helping to streamline part removal and minimize scrap. For more complex applications, we employ 5-axis robots that provide enhanced reach and precision for delicate or geometrically complex parts.

One of the key differentiators at Vital Plastics is our use of custom End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT), which we fabricate in-house. Thanks to our in-house tooling capabilities and 3D printing, we can rapidly design and produce EOATs tailored to each project’s specific part geometry and material requirements. This gives us unmatched flexibility and speed in setting up new automation cells, ensuring parts are handled efficiently and safely, no matter the complexity.

Cooling Conveyors: Seamless Part Flow

After removal, parts are often transferred onto cooling conveyors, allowing them to stabilize dimensionally before any downstream handling or inspection. This prevents warping and ensures the integrity of each part, particularly important for tight-tolerance applications. By automating the cooling and transfer process, we reduce manual handling and improve part consistency.

Camera Vision Systems: Real-Time Quality Control

Quality is non-negotiable at Vital Plastics. That’s why we use camera-based vision systems throughout our injection molding and assembly lines. These systems inspect every part for defects such as short shots, flash, misalignments, and the absence or presence of molded-in inserts, instantly rejecting anything that falls outside of spec.  We archive all of this data for future reference in case there is ever an issue.

Integrated vision inspection ensures we maintain high first-pass yield rates and drastically reduces the need for manual quality checks. It’s a key component in our commitment to consistent, reliable manufacturing.

Automation that Scales with You

Automation enables us to rapidly scale production for customers in industries like automotive, consumer goods, and electronics. Whether producing thousands or millions of parts, our automated cells are designed for high efficiency, short changeover times, and repeatable quality—helping us meet tight deadlines without sacrificing precision.

From sprue pickers and custom 3D-printed EOAT, to 5-axis robots, cooling conveyors, and vision systems, automation is embedded in every part of our operation. At Vital Plastics, it’s how we deliver high-performance solutions—on time, every time. Contact us now to learn more about how Vital Plastics can streamline your manufacturing with automated processes in production.

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