Today is World Down Syndrome Day. The team at DPI is rocking their socks to build awareness for down syndrome. To learn more or make a donation, visit the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota www.dsamn.org. #LotsOfSocks

Diversified Plastics, Inc. celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day in style.

Diversified Plastics adopts Carbon’s novel approach to additive manufacturing technology.

Article on MD+DI Online, Daphne Allen

Interested in additive manufacturing for small-run production, Diversified Plastics Inc. (DPI) went in search of a new technology. The company had been using 3D-printing technology from one well-known provider. “We went out looking for something else,” Annette Lund, vice president for Diversified Plastics, told MD+DI.

Carbon technology is next-generation digital manufacturing

Diversified Plastics, Inc. (DPI), a custom plastic-injection molder and digital manufacturer of high-precision components, has earned its certification as a Carbon Production Network (CPN) partner. Carbon’s proprietary Digital Light Synthesis™ (DLS) technology gives DPI the ability to offer customers production-quality end-use parts without the added time and cost of tooling. The Carbon certification process included an online academy and hands-on advanced training. As one of the first plastic injection molding companies to become a certified Carbon Production Partner, DPI is one of only 14 certified partners in the United States and one of 20 worldwide.

During training, DPI’s additive manufacturing team learned how to identify applications that are ideal for Carbon’s unique DLS technology. Carbon’s education group is continuously updating their training programs so that production partners always have the most up-to-date information and resources. Carbon production engineers also provide ongoing training and work with certified partners on site as needed.

“It’s important that our certified CPN partners have a comprehensive knowledge base. Certified partners have our full trust that they can produce quality parts,” says Dana McCallum, head of production partners for Carbon. “Diversified Plastics is the gold standard of certified partners. We have been very impressed by how engaged their entire team has been throughout the training process.”

DPI started training with the 150-module online Carbon academy in October 2018. Initial hands-on training was conducted at Carbon’s headquarters in Redwood City, Calif. When DPI’s three Carbon printers, two washing stations and oven were installed in December, Jon Danckwerth, Carbon’s production partner program manager, led training at DPI’s facility. DPI’s core additive manufacturing team that received training included Adam Davis, additive manufacturing engineer; Gelaye Disasa, process engineer; Alexander Cromett, technical support engineer; Mike Bartell, tooling design and engineering manager; Ray Schenk, senior sales engineer; and Mark Gremmels, director of operations. Additional training has been completed by DPI’s quality and sales team.

“An important thing we learned is how much design and engineering goes into the front end,” says Davis. “During the training, we printed a variety of parts with different geometries, each from a different resin. When completed, the parts are submitted to a panel at Carbon for review.”

Carbon’s DLS technology manufactures non-porous parts, comparable to thermoplastic injection molding, using a wide selection of engineering-grade materials customized for mechanical properties, surface finish and stability. The list of parts that can be manufactured with Carbon is continuing to grow.

Digital manufacturing is backed by DPI’s in-house design for manufacturing assistance, inspection, injection molding, cleanroom assembly and packaging expertise. Carbon allows many parts, including some previously unmanufacturable, to be produced economically. Precision components are manufactured without the time or expense of creating molds.  

Contact Diversified Plastics, Inc. to learn if Carbon is right for your end-use part, visit www.divplast.com/carbon, call +1 763.424.2525 or email dpisales@divplast.com.

The Carbon Production Network is an elite ecosystem of industry-leading design firms and contract manufacturers that have implemented Carbon’s technology and demonstrated advanced capabilities in additive manufacturing, design, production, machining and injection molding. The network offers a true partnership model, providing hands-on  advanced training and certification, production engineering, marketing and sales to help ensure its partners’ continued success.

About Carbon

Carbon’s mission is to reinvent how polymer products are designed, engineered, manufactured and delivered, towards a digital and sustainable future. Based in Silicon Valley, Carbon brings together innovations in software, hardware and molecular science to deliver industry-leading digital manufacturing solutions. With Carbon’s ground-breaking Digital Light Synthesis™ technology and broad family of programmable liquid resins, manufacturers can unlock new business opportunities such as mass customization, on-demand inventory and previously impossible product designs. The Carbon Platform allows customers to build uniquely differentiated products while reducing waste and speeding time to market. To learn more, visit www.Carbon3d.com, like the Carbon Facebook page, or follow Carbon on Instagram and Twitter at @Carbon.

Article By: Plastics News

Carbon has partnered with yet another automaker to produce 3D printed parts for use on a production vehicle.

The additive manufacturing company, based in Redwood City, Calif., announced Feb. 11 that it is collaborating with Italian automaker Automobili Lamborghini SpA to produce two 3D printed plastic parts on the Urus super sport utility vehicle. The parts include a textured fuel cap with the Urus label and a component for an air duct.

The parts are made with Carbon’s epoxy-based EPX 82, a high-strength engineering material with long-term durability and mechanical properties comparable to glass-filled thermoplastics, using the company’s proprietary approach to 3D printing.

Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology — enabled by its proprietary Continuous Liquid Interface Production (Clip) process — uses digital light projection, oxygen-permeable optics and programmable liquid resins to produce parts that have high-quality mechanical properties, resolution and surface finish. The company said parts printed with this process are similar to injection molded parts and have consistent and predictable mechanical proprieties — an important requirement for automotive applications.

Lamborghini, in collaboration with parent company Volkswagen Group’s Electronics Research Lab in Belmont, Calif., said it is using Carbon’s printers and DLS technology to redesign a variety of parts used in vehicle interiors, mirror assemblies and other accessory components.

“Through our extensive procurement research, we found that many of our vehicle components were ideal candidates for digital manufacturing,” Stefan Gramse, chief procurement officer at Lamborghini, said in a statement.

“By partnering with Carbon, we are designing on the means of production, which allows us to produce more durable products smarter, faster and more efficiently, while also substantially accelerating our time to market,” he said. “We are looking forward to a sustainable, successful partnership with Carbon.”

But Lamborghini isn’t the only automaker that has tapped into Carbon’s technology.

Read more on Plastics News >

Riddell, the leading provider of football equipment, partnered with Carbon to create the next generation of head protection – Riddell SpeedFlex Precision Diamond Helmet. Powered by Carbon, the Diamond helmet features the first-ever 3d printed lattice helmet liner for advanced player protection. Precisely contoured to the athlete’s head, the lattice liner is made up of more than 140,000 individual struts, carefully orchestrated into patterns for attenuating impact forces while providing excellent comfort and fit. #ProtectItAll

The Carbon Digital Light Syntheses (DLS) equipment has been installed at Diversified Plastics, Inc. (DPI). Our Carbon team has been training hard for their certification. Learn more about Carbon Additive Manufacturing and request a quote >

From left to right: Kevin Hogan, chief executive officer, DPI; Annette Lund, vice president, DPI; Rob Gilman, general manager PPIM; Lucy Huynh, controller, PPIM; Jae English, founder, PPIM; Roger Vang, chief financial officer, DPI

Diversified Plastics, Inc. (DPI) has acquired the assets of Pacific Plastics Injection Molding (PPIM) in Vista, Calif.  PPIM offers custom plastic-injection molding as well as design and custom mold making services to industrial, electronics, telecommunications, medical and filtration markets.

“The acquisition of PPIM provides synergy with DPI’s services and customers as well as geographic benefits and diversification into new industry segments,” says Kevin Hogan, chief executive officer for Diversified Plastics, Inc. “We are very excited about the unique capabilities, overseas tooling supplier relationship and location advantages that PPIM will add to our organization. Additionally, the company will benefit from DPI’s experienced sales team and advanced technologies and manufacturing processes, such as Carbon 3D-additive manufacturing.”

PPIM provides a single source for injection-molded plastic parts, product design and design support, in-house and offshore tooling, and value-added assembly and packaging services. ISO 9001:2015 registered, the company has 30 employees and an 18,000-square foot facility in Southern California.

“DPI has a similar culture,” says Rob Gilman, general manager of  PPIM. “Our operation will continue with its full staff as PPIM, and Jae English, PPIM’s founder, will be working with DPI’s management and our team for a smooth transition. The PPIM employees are excited about the opportunity to eventually participate in the employee stock ownership plan.”

PPIM is Diversified Plastic, Inc.’s first acquisition. The PPIM purchase is part of DPI’s strategic growth initiative.

Visit www.pacificplastic.com for details on Pacific Plastics Injection Molding’s services and capabilities or call +1 760.598.5333. For more information about Diversified Plastics, Inc., visit www.divplast.com, call +1 763.424.2525 or email dpisales@divplast.com.

Each year Santa comes to give the employees of DPI a turkey for all their hard work throughout the year! Here’s a small sampling of the pictures! Happy Holidays!

Diversified Plastics, Inc., (DPI), a custom plastic-injection molder and digital manufacturer of high-precision components, has appointed Gary LaTraille as quality director.  LaTraille will be responsible for strategic advancement, optimization and enforcement of DPI’s regulatory and quality protocols to ensure that materials, products and processes meet or exceed customer and company requirements.

LaTraille has more than 30 years of experience in medical device manufacturing, quality management and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining DPI, LaTraille was manager of quality assurance and regulatory affairs at Kips Bay Medical, Plymouth, Minn. He also served as quality manager at superDimension, Inc. and senior quality assurance/design assurance engineer at AGA Medical (now Abbott), both in Plymouth. He held the position of design assurance engineer/engineering supervisor, quality assurance for St. Jude Medical, AF Division in Minnetonka, Minn. and quality assurance engineer at Thomas Engineering Company, Brooklyn Park, Minn. LaTraille advanced his career at Schneider USA (Boston Scientific)/American Medical Systems where he was promoted to quality assurance engineer/supervisor.

“LaTraille is integral to DPI’s strategic initiative for continued growth and improvement,” says Annette Lund, vice president of Diversified Plastics, Inc. “His leadership skills, background in the medical device industry and knowledge of global regulatory compliance will be a true asset for our customers and the company.”

LaTraille received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minn. He has earned many quality certifications, including ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), ASQ Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), ASQ Certified Quality Manager (CQM), ISO 13485:2003 Lead Auditor and ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor.

For more information about Diversified Plastics, Inc., visit www.divplast.com, call +1 763.424.2525 or email sales@divplast.com.