March 27, 2024 Exothermic Molding: Mastering Small Scale Precision

Find out how Exothermic Molding excels in precision manufacturing, providing quality finishes for diverse industries.

Kenilworth, NJ – “Small is beautiful, and we have proven it for over 50 years”. Those are the words of Paul K. Steck, President of Exothermic Molding, Inc. His company has demonstrated the value of working with a small operation that gives hands-on attention to each customer’s job.

Take appearances for example. While many companies have thrown their hat into the 3D additive printing arena, many are simply not equipped to provide high quality finishing. Long before the advent of 3D additive, Exothermic Molding built in-house spray booths that resulted in automotive quality finishing.

“The typical output from a 3D printer is rough, and often needs hand finishing,” Steck remarks. His company is able to generate a lustrous painted finish on either its traditional molded parts or on 3D additive parts. Prior to adding 3D printing technology, Exothermic excelled as one of the earliest companies to pioneer the Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) process.

Exothermic has a customer who manufactures products for professional estheticians to analyze skin. These complex parts need the smoothest possible finish because the end user places his or her face directly on the surface. This requires both precision accuracy as well as a glass-like smoothness. The company now has three spray booths to deliver those finishes.

While many other applications may not be quite as critical, a high-quality appearance still becomes important, along with critical accuracy. Think about the many automotive parts that are currently produced by molding plastic.

While not all companies have embraced 3D additive printing yet, those that have experience the challenges of meeting demanding customers’ specs for both accuracy and cosmetic appearance. That is the secret sauce that has helped Exothermic to remain both current and competitive.

Exothermic contributes to customer’s successful outcomes and we lead the field, Steck points out, for a number of reasons. As the company’s own customer survey show, they consistently meet quality and market expectations by providing ongoing contributions in numerous phases and areas of product development. For example, Exothermic assists its customers with design for manufacturing, mold design, mold manufacturing and modifications, ongoing mechanical and cosmetic revisions, modifications, including upgrades such as color selection, branding and private labeling, and services such as reverse engineering, laser scanning and metrology—as well as decoration, including automotive grade (customized) multi-color sprayed finishes and silk-screening. In addition, the company manufactures prototypes with its large format 3d printing, and even offers value added assembly. All of this contributes to what’s required to ensure a customer’s product succeeds. These benefits contribute to ongoing product success for our customers—and that is Exothermic’s secret sauce. 

Exothermic cut its teeth manufacturing parts for medical device and laboratory instrument companies. Since then, it has expanded into additional verticals including exercise equipment, military and recreation, to name a few. The company has also offered sub-assembly services to its customers in recent years.

What’s next for this nimble, forward-thinking shop? Paul K, Steck just winks, with a “wait and you’ll see soon” look. The best way to find out? Visit: www.exothermic.com

Paul K. Steck is the President of Exothermic Molding, Inc, a third generation, family-owned specialty plastics molder.

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