In March 2015, ICA invested in a new Hirsch mold and pre-expander. The reasons for making the change were many and we are very happy with the results. This big project took a lot of planning and coordinating. We of course did not want to interrupt any of our customers or deliveries. Happily, our customers did not even notice a hiccup! We were well prepared with inventory and the execution of this project was phenomenal. It was like magic to watch the teamwork in action. According to our Hirsch representative, the best time for a complete installation was 21 days. Well, that would be 12 days too long for the ICA team! We had this project completed and our first block out of the mold in just 9 days! Our efficiency took Hirsch by surprise.
The following are some of the significant reasons for making this investment:
* The efficiency of the Hirsch pre-expander is outstanding. Program in the recipe and it runs with 100% consistency, creating better yield for raw material for a greater ROI.
* Onboard data collection provides the traceability of our product from start to finish.
* The Hirsch mold is adjustable! We now have the capability to make custom size blocks for our customers. Our mold size is 49-1/2″ (constant) x 37-1/2″ – 54″ x 121-1/2″ – 220″. Having this capability opened up the door for new business.
* Higher quality blocks! A finely tuned steam system maximizes energy efficiency and high quality product with reduced molding cycles!
* Quality build and heavy duty construction of the Hirsch mold allow us to produce the heavier densities the market is looking for.
We are very happy with our purchase and our customers are pleased with our product. We are able to produce more blocks in less time and are able to keep up with the demand of the heavier densities.
Our next project is installing a new accumulator tank. The one we have is “making it” but we need a larger capacity in order to be more efficient. That big boy will be installed within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more on that!
Watch the magic happen with a time lapse video of the installation:
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This article was posted on October 12, 2016, by Insulation Corporation of America (ICA) – a Women-Owned manufacturer of Geofoam and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), which is commonly but mistakenly referred to as Styrofoam™. ICA is located in Allentown, PA and services the entire Mid-Atlantic Region from Virginia to Maine to Ohio.
