Certificate
‍
With a reputation for custom plastic molding meeting the highest industry standards, Southwest Plastics has completed the rigorous process of attaining ISO 9001/AS9100 certifications. As specialists in injection, compression and transfer molding of thermoset and thermoplastic compounds, you can count on Southwest Plastics to deliver quality manufactured parts on-time, to specification, and at a fair price.

ISO 9001 is an international standard that defines requirements for an organization’s Quality Management System (“QMS”).  AS 9100 is an additional standard defining further requirements required by the Aerospace industry.  These are sections of a family of standards published by the International Organization for Standardization (“ISO”).

The objective of ISO 9001 is to provide a set of requirements for manufacturers that, if effectively implemented, provide customers with confidence that a supplier can consistently provide high quality products.

The requirements cover a wide range of topics, including the supplier's commitment to quality, customer focus, adequacy of its resources, employee competence, process management (for production, service delivery and relevant administrative and support processes), quality planning, product design, review of incoming orders, purchasing, monitoring and measurement of its processes and products, calibration of measuring equipment, processes to resolve customer complaints, corrective/preventive actions and a requirement to drive continual improvement of the QMS. Last but not least, there is a requirement for the supplier to monitor customer perceptions about the quality of the goods and services it provides.

This means that the supplier has established a systematic approach to quality management that is audited and approved annually by an independent ISO/AS agency.

The Thermoplastic family of materials is what most people relate to when they think about Plastic Injection Molding because of the many domestic products that are produced, including items such as telephones, computers, auto parts, and appliances to name a few. Highly critical parts with specialized requirements are also made from thermoplastic materials engineered to meet specific requirements. Components for aircraft, medical devices, engines, machinery, electrical and other industrial items are produced from engineered thermoplastics.

The Thermoset family of plastic materials harden and cure in the molding process as the molecules actually crosslink in a chemical reaction and set into a final shape. Additional heat will not soften or melt the material after the plastic has cured. As a result, thermosets are advantageous in any high heat environment where softening or melting cannot be tolerated. Domestically, products, such as ashtrays, cooking utensils, and cookware handles are produced from thermosets. Industrially, thermosets are also used in electrical, electronic, aerospace and military applications. Some examples of thermoset materials are phenolics, epoxies, melamines and diallyl phthalate.

Compression Molding is the first technique developed in the early 1900s to mold Bakelite (phenolic) molding compounds. It is used today to process many varieties of thermoset plastics and composites, including phenolic, epoxy, melamine, and diallyl phthalate. The compression molding press is simply a vertically oriented hydraulic press. The compression mold is clamped into the compression molding press which consists of two halves: the cavity and the force or core on the opposite side. The mold is heated to the temperature as specified by the material manufacturer, which is usually around 300° F, and the material is placed directly in the cavity. The mold is then closed under pressure, compressing the material and causing it to flow into the void between the cavity and the core. The mold is held closed for several minutes (depending on the material used and the wall thickness of the part), while the material is curing or "setting" into the form of the mold surface. The mold is then opened and the part ejected from the mold cavity. Compression molding lends itself to relatively simple parts, but since there are no sprues, runners or gates through which the material must flow, the material can be heavily loaded with a composite of fillers and fibrous reinforcements that which remain in a random orientation in the molded part resulting in superior strength properties.

Transfer Molding is another method for molding thermoset materials where the design of the part is too complicated or unsuitable for compression molding. Transfer molding is often used when metal inserts, studs, connector pins, wear plates, electronic components or other parts are molded into the part. With transfer molding, the mold is clamped closed first. The material charge is then loaded into a loading "pot" which is connected to the cavity with a short runner. The material is then "transferred" from the pot to the cavity via the runner under pressure exerted from a plunger that  is hydraulically actuated against the material which has been loaded in the pot.

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Equipment List
‍
Southwest Plastics occupies over 27,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse facilities and operates the most up to date molding equipment to serve our customers exact requirements on a 24 hour basis.

‍Injection Molding Department

2 15 Ton 1 oz. Boy
2 60 Ton 3 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 6 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 5 oz. Toyo
2 100 Ton 6 oz. Van Dorn
1 145 Ton 7 oz. Toyo
2 200 Ton 15 oz. Toyo
1 300 Ton 30 oz. Toyo

‍Compression/Transfer Molding Department

3 300 Ton Hysco
3 170 Ton Card
1 90 Ton Phi
3 50 Ton Wilcox
1 20 Ton Phi
1 15 Ton Hull

Southwest Plastics has a wide range of equipment to support its diverse molding department including Desiccant Dryers, Scrap Grinders, Mold Temperature Controller, Oil Circulating High-Temperature Mold Temperature Controllers, Electronic Pre-Heaters, Refrigerated Storage for Heat Sensitive Thermoset Materials.

‍Mold Making Department

1 CNC Smartmill
4 Bridgeport Mills
2 14" Cadillac Lathes
1 Hansvedt Electrical Discharge Machine
2 Boyer Shultz Grinders
The extensive assortment of support equipment, tooling, and fixturing, etc.
2 Gorton Mills

‍Finishing/Assembly Department
‍
Lathes Grinders, Drill Presses, Tapping Machines, Sand Blasters, Automated Flashing Equipment, sonic Welders, etc.

‍Quality Control/Inspection Department - Certified to ISO 9001:2000-2000

1 Mitutoyo Vision Measuring Machine
1 Brown & Sharpe Coordinate Measuring Machine
1 Accu-Gage 14" comparator with D.R.O.
1 Nippon Kogaku Comparator
2 Collins Micro Flat 36" xX 60" Surface Plates
1 Master Set Brown & Sharpe Gage Blocks
1 Master Set Pin Gages
1 Wilson Rockwell Hardness Tester, Model 3-JR
1 DX7 Mitutoyo S.P.C. Processor
1 Izod Impact Tester
1 Mitutoyo Quick Scope Optical Comparator Semi-Automatic

Measuring gages

Micrometers, Height Gages, Vernier Calipers, Depth Gages, Dial Indicators, Over 200 Plug and Thread Measuring Gages, Assorted Vj Blocks, Angle Plates and Measurement Fixtures.

Equipment List
‍
Southwest Plastics Company occupies over 27,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse facilities, and operates the most up to date molding equipment to serve our customers exact requirements on a 24 hour basis.

‍Injection Molding Department

‍2 15 Ton 1 oz. Boy
2 60 Ton 3 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 6 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 5 oz. Toyo
2 100 Ton 6 oz. Van Dorn
1 145 Ton 7 oz. Toyo
2 200 Ton 15 oz. Toyo
1 300 Ton 30 oz. Toyo

‍Compression/Transfer Molding Department

‍3 300 Ton Hysco
3 170 Ton Card
1 90 Ton Phi
3 50 Ton Wilcox
1 20 Ton Phi
1 15 Ton Hull

Southwest Plastics Company has a wide range of equipment to support its diverse molding department including Desiccant Dryers, Scrap Grinders, Mold Temperature Controller, Oil Circulating High-Temperature Mold Temperature Controllers, Electronic Pre-Heaters, Refrigerated Storage for Heat Sensitive Thermoset Materials.

‍Mold Making Department

‍1 CNC Smartmill
4 Bridgeport Mills
2 14" Cadillac Lathes
1 Hansvedt Electrical Discharge Machine
2 Boyer Shultz Grinders
The extensive assortment of support equipment, tooling, and fixturing, etc.
2 Gorton Mills

‍Finishing/Assembly Department

‍Lathes Grinders, Drill Presses, Tapping Machines, Sand Blasters, Automated Flashing Equipment, sonic Welders, etc.

‍Quality Control/Inspection Department - Certified to ISO 9001:2000-2000

‍1 Mitutoyo Vision Measuring Machine
1 Brown & Sharpe Coordinate Measuring Machine
1 Accu-Gage 14" comparator with D.R.O.
1 Nippon Kogaku Comparator
2 Collins Micro Flat 36" X 60" Surface Plates
1 Master Set Brown & Sharpe Gage Blocks
1 Master Set Pin Gages
1 Wilson Rockwell Hardness Tester, Model 3-JR
1 DX7 Mitutoyo S.P.C. Processor
1 Izod Impact Tester
1 Mitutoyo Quick Scope Optical Comparator Semi-Automatic

Measuring gages

Micrometers, Height Gages, Vernier Calipers, Depth Gages, Dial Indicators, Over 200 Plug and Thread Measuring Gages, Assorted Vj Blocks, Angle Plates and Measurement Fixtures.

Injection Molding Department

‍2    15 Ton 1 oz. Boy
2    60 Ton 3 oz. TMC
1    90 Ton 6 oz. TMC
1    90 Ton 5 oz. Toyo
2    100 Ton 6 oz. Van Dorn
1    145 Ton 7 oz. Toyo
2    200 Ton 15 oz. Toyo
1    300 Ton 30 oz. Toyo

Equipment List

‍Southwest Plastics Company occupies over 27,000 square sq. feet of manufacturing and warehouse facilities and operates the most up to date molding equipment to serve our customers exact requirements on a 24 hours basis.

‍Injection Molding Department

‍2 15 Ton 1 oz. Boy
2 60 Ton 3 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 6 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 5 oz. Toyo
2 100 Ton 6 oz. Van Dorn
1 145 Ton 7 oz. Toyo
2 200 Ton 15 oz. Toyo
1 300 Ton 30 oz. Toyo

‍Compression/Transfer Molding Department

‍3 300 Ton Hysco
3 170 Ton Card
1 90 Ton Phi
3 50 Ton Wilcox
1 20 Ton Phi
1 15 Ton Hull

Southwest Plastics has a wide range of equipment to support its diverse molding department including Desiccant Dryers, Scrap Grinders, Mold Temperature Controller, Oil Circulating High-Temperature Mold Temperature Controllers, Electronic Pre-Heaters, Refrigerated Storage for Heat Sensitive Thermoset Materials.

‍Mold Making Department

‍1 CNC Smartmill
4 Bridgeport Mills
2 14" Cadillac Lathes
1 Hansvedt Electrical Discharge Machine
2 Boyer Shultz Grinders
The extensive assortment of support equipment, tooling, and fixturing, etc.
2 Gorton Mills

‍Finishing/Assembly Department

‍Lathes Grinders, Drill Presses, Tapping Machines, Sand Blasters, Automated Flashing Equipment, sonic Welders, etc.

‍Quality Control/Inspection Department - Certified to ISO 9001:2000-2000

‍1 Mitutoyo Vision Measuring Machine
1 Brown & Sharpe Coordinate Measuring Machine
1 Accu-Gage 14" comparator with D.R.O.
1 Nippon Kogaku Comparator
2 Collins Micro Flat 36" X 60" Surface Plates
1 Master Set Brown & Sharpe Gage Blocks
1 Master Set Pin Gages
1 Wilson Rockwell Hardness Tester, Model 3-JR
1 DX7 Mitutoyo S.P.C. Processor
1 Izod Impact Tester
1 Mitutoyo Quick Scope Optical Comparator Semi-Automatic

Measuring gages

Micrometers, Height Gages, Vernier Calipers, Depth Gages, Dial Indicators, Over 200 Plug and Thread Measuring Gages, Assorted Vj Blocks, Angle Plates and Measurement Fixtures.

Southwest Plastics occupies over 27,000 sq. feet of manufacturing and warehouse facilities and operates the most up to date molding equipment to serve our customers exact requirements on a 24 hour basis.

Injection Molding Department

‍2 15 Ton 1 oz. Boy
2 60 Ton 3 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 6 oz. TMC
1 90 Ton 5 oz. Toyo
2 100 Ton 6 oz. Van Dorn
1 145 Ton 7 oz. Toyo
2 200 Ton 15 oz. Toyo
1 300 Ton 30 oz. Toyo

‍Compression/Transfer Molding Department

‍3 300 Ton Hysco
3 170 Ton Card
1 90 Ton Phi
3 50 Ton Wilcox
1 20 Ton Phi
1 15 Ton Hull

Southwest Plastics Company has a wide range of equipment to support its diverse molding department including Desiccant Dryers, Scrap Grinders, Mold Temperature Controller, Oil Circulating High-Temperature Mold Temperature Controllers, Electronic Pre-Heaters, Refrigerated Storage for Heat Sensitive Thermoset Materials.

‍Mold Making Department

‍1 CNC Smartmill
4 Bridgeport Mills
2 14" Cadillac Lathes
1 Hansvedt Electrical Discharge Machine
2 Boyer Shultz Grinders
The extensive assortment of support equipment, tooling, and fixturing, etc.
2 Gorton Mills

‍Finishing/Assembly Department

‍Lathes Grinders, Drill Presses, Tapping Machines, Sand Blasters, Automated Flashing Equipment, sonic Welders, etc.

‍Quality Control/Inspection Department - Certified to ISO 9001:2000-2000

‍1 Mitutoyo Vision Measuring Machine
1 Brown & Sharpe Coordinate Measuring Machine
1 Accu-Gage 14" comparator with D.R.O.
1 Nippon Kogaku Comparator
2 Collins Micro Flat 36" X 60" Surface Plates
1 Master Set Brown & Sharpe Gage Blocks
1 Master Set Pin Gages
1 Wilson Rockwell Hardness Tester, Model 3-JR
1 DX7 Mitutoyo S.P.C. Processor
1 Izod Impact Tester
1 Mitutoyo Quick Scope Optical Comparator Semi-Automatic

Measuring gages

Micrometers, Height Gages, Vernier Calipers, Depth Gages, Dial Indicators, Over 200 Plug and Thread Measuring Gages, Assorted Vj Blocks, Angle Plates and Measurement Fixtures.

Aerospace,Automotive, Medical, Electrical, Electronic, Valve and Pump, Defense, Gas andOil, and other commercial/industrial industries.

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Measuring Gages
‍
Micrometers, Height Gages, Vernier Calipers, Depth Gages, Dial Indicators, Over 200 Plug and Thread Measuring Gages, Assorted i Vj Blocks, Angle Plates, and Measurement Fixtures.

L3 Communications, Lockheed Martin Xylem, Flojet