FAQ

Who is AdvancTEK?

AdvancTEK is a leading plastic solutions provider and premier plastic molder in North Carolina, USA, and Saltillo, Mexico. Headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, we embrace our Midwestern values by focusing on hard work, quality, transparency, and honesty.

We develop and provide innovative plastic solutions to our customers. Whether you have a new idea or a long-standing problem, our team gets straight to work on developing your personal track to success. We’re a driven organization focused on helping customers by aligning our capabilities and value-added services worldwide.

Why should I choose AdvancTEK?

AdvancTEK is your premier plastic solutions partner. We offer beginning-to-end services, giving you comprehensive and dedicated attention. Our team is with you every step of the way, providing design and engineering services, project management, supplier quality checks, tool design and management, and a complete production solution.

Aren’t you focused on automotive parts?

Our parent company, CVG, mainly deals with the transportation market. AdvancTEK was created to focus on a broad range of markets that could benefit from the custom engineering, value-added services, and production solutions that we’ve developed over the years.

What markets does AdvancTEK serve?

AdvancTEK serves a wide range of markets, including industrial, consumer, large part, medical, powersports, warehouse automation, material/parcel handling, defense, and recreational markets. The AdvancTEK team will never rest on our laurels, so we continue to diversify and expand into new markets and develop new products. Check out our Specializations tab for more!

What processes does AdvancTEK offer?

AdvancTEK offers injection molding, reaction injection molding (RIM), and thermoforming (vacuum forming, pressure forming, and twin-sheet molding). Check out our Processes tab for more!

What services does AdvancTEK offer?

AdvancTEK offers many services in design and development, product validation, supply chain management, tool design and management, and value-added services. Check out our Services tab for more!

What does low to medium volume mean?

AdvancTEK offers production solutions for any volume.  Our solutions depend primarily on the molding process and technology used. Contact us today, and we’ll work with you to develop a solution.

What are your certifications?

AdvancTEK is IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 certified and has ITAR registration. We are currently pursuing ISO 13485.

What is your largest tonnage injection molding press?

AdvancTEK currently offers up to 3500-ton molding and is willing to invest in larger or unique capital equipment to help you bring your project to reality.

Does AdvancTEK provide rapid prototyping services?

Yes! We have established partnerships with rapid prototyping teams to support injection molding and thermoforming. With low-cost wood or epoxy tools, we offer rapid prototype solutions for thermoforming, compression molding, and RIM.

Can AdvancTEK design my tool?

Yes! AdvancTEK has in-house tool design expertise and has established relationships with tooling suppliers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and other low-cost countries (LCC) to build tools to our specifications.

Can AdvancTEK decorate my part?

Yes! AdvancTEK offers hydrographic, paint, labeling, and pad printing services.

Can AdvancTEK assemble my part?

Yes! AdvancTEK offers assembly, kitting, and sequencing.

Injection Molding

How do I know if injection molding is right for my project?

• Injection molding is a great option if you are looking for high-volume production. While the injection molding tooling investment is greater than thermoforming, the price per unit is much lower than other processes. The process is highly repeatable, and your parts’ dimensions will be more consistent than other plastic molding processes. If you need design features on the “A” and “B” surfaces of the part, injection molding is a good choice.

What tonnages can AdvancTEK mold?

• AdvancTEK has equipment capable of molding 65 tons to 3500 tons and is prepared to invest in additional capacity or capabilities with the right opportunity.

What are the advantages of injection molding?

Injection molding offers many benefits, including:

• Fast and efficient production: Injection molding can produce a large quantity of parts per hour; cycle times are significantly faster than thermoforming or RIM.
• Design complexity: The plastic used in injection molding is forced into the mold under immense pressure. Due to this, a large amount of detail and complexity can be incorporated into these parts. Action can be incorporated into the tool design to allow for die lock features to be designed into the part.
• Minimal waste: Injection molding has a very low scrap rate, producing only a small amount of scrap compared to other processes.
• Large quantities: The speed and efficiency of this process are great for large-quantity orders. We are able to produce them quickly with very little variation.

What are the limitations of injection molding?

Limitations of injection molding include:

• Higher tooling costs: Initial costs are higher due to design, testing, prototyping, and tooling.
• Design and change restrictions: It is important to have a solid design to avoid defects such as sink marks. Due to the nature of these molds, it is also important to know that design changes to the physical part after the tool has been built can be time-consuming and costly.
• Inefficient for small quantities
• Longer tool lead times than thermoforming

Where do you do your injection molding?

• We offer injection molding in our facilities in Concord, NC, and Saltillo, Coahuila, MX.

 

Reaction Injection Molding

How do I know if reaction injection molding is right for my project?

• Reaction injection molding (RIM) is a great option for those looking to mold large, lightweight parts with a high strength-to-weight ratio and a massive list of options to choose from while customizing your product.

What size can AdvancTEK mold?

• AdvancTEK can mold clamps up to 3′ x 10′.

What are the advantages of reaction injection molding?

Advantages of RIM include:

• Large, lightweight parts
• Complete design freedom
• High strength-to-weight ratio
• Excellent thermal stability
• Excellent acoustic properties
• Tunable (density and thickness)
• B-side features and insert encapsulation
• Lower tooling investment than injection molding
• Rapid prototyping capabilities

What are the limitations of reaction injection molding?

• Limitations of RIM include raw material pricing and longer cycle times compared to other processes.

Where do you do your reaction injection molding?

• We offer reaction injection molding in our facilities in Concord, NC, and Saltillo, Coahuila, MX.

 

Thermoforming

Vacuum Forming

How do I know if vacuum forming is right for my project?

• Vacuum forming is ideal for lower volume production runs (<5K/yr) and products with minimal detail and simple design.

What sheet sizes can AdvancTEK mold?

• AdvancTEK vacuum forms sheet sizes up to 6′ x 8′.

What are the advantages of vacuum forming?

Advantages of vacuum forming include:

• Cost-effective tooling and materials
• Shorter lead time
• Capable of molding large parts
• Shorter lead time
• Highly customizable
• Rapid prototyping capabilities

What are the limitations of vacuum forming?

Limitations of vacuum forming include:

• Simple geometries
• Low detail possibilities
• Design features can only be incorporated on one surface unless features are incorporated using a secondary attachment method.

Where do you do your vacuum forming?

• We offer vacuum forming at our Saltillo, Coahuila, MX facility.

 

Pressure Forming

How do I know if pressure forming is right for my project?

• Pressure forming is ideal for projects that require a high-level aesthetic appearance, including textures, fine details, sharp edges, text, and other specific design elements.

What sheet sizes can AdvancTEK mold?

• AdvancTEK vacuum forms sheet sizes up to 6′ x 8′.

What are the advantages of pressure forming?

Advantages of pressure forming include:

• Cost-effective tooling and materials
• Shorter lead time
• Capable of molding large parts
• Highly customizable
• Rapid prototyping capabilities
• Endless texture possibilities

What are the limitations of pressure forming?

• Pressure forming is a one-sided process with limited wall thickness.

Where do you do your pressure forming?

• We offer vacuum forming at our Saltillo, Coahuila, MX facility.

 

Twin Sheet Forming

How do I know if twin-sheet forming is right for my project?

• Twin sheet forming is a great option for heavy-duty parts that require significant load or stress. They are a lightweight option for hollow cavity parts and allow for all the benefits of large-scale products without the downfall of weight. I-beam molding also creates an extremely strong structure that can withstand most impacts.

What sheet sizes can AdvancTEK mold?

• AdvancTEK vacuum forms sheet sizes up to 6′ x 8′.

What are the advantages of twin sheet forming?

Advantages of twin sheet forming include:

• Cost-effective tooling
• Capable of molding large parts
• Highly customizable
• Hollow part with unique geometry on each surface
• Rapid prototyping capabilities
• Incorporation of structural foam for additional strength or improved perceived quality

What are the limitations of twin sheet forming?

• Limitations of twin sheet forming include a high part cost relative to injection molding and limited part geometry.

Where do you do your twin sheet forming?

• We offer twin sheet forming at our Saltillo, Coahuila, MX facility.