Kissimmee, Florida -- United Foam's Kissimmee, Florida, location has added water-jet cutting to its foam fabrication operations. "This new capability greatly expands United Foam's south-east operations by increasing manufacturing output, incorporating new materials, servicing new applications and providing additional value to its current customer base," said the company, in a 17 Aug press announcement.
United Foam said that adding water-jet cutting to the Kissimmee plant increases production by up to multiple-thousands of parts per week -- depending on the project. Water-jet cutting complements United Foam's current operations in Florida, which include CNC (computer numerically controlled) routing. Compared to CNC techniques, United Foam says water-jet cutting provides much tighter tolerances resulting in extremely detailed parts.
When fabricating a foam insert, using a water-jet cutter as opposed to a routing machine enables more cavities per insert and can reduce the overall size of a packaging system or component.
United Foam can now carry out water-jet cutting at three of its ten fabrication facilities.
The addition means the Kissimmee plant can fabricate reticulated polyurethane foams for the first time. Reticulated polyurethane foams are an open-cell material with high tensile, elongation and tear characteristics. This family of material is ideal for fabricating solutions used for filtration, sound absorption, insulation, fluid management and gasketing, says United Foam.
United Foam can also now further serve a number of its key target markets -- aerospace & defence, computers & electronics, and industrial. Water-jet cutting is ideal for fabricating parts for tool control to prevent FOD (foreign object damage), inserts for protective cases and components made from reticulated polyurethane foams.
United Foam, part of UFP Technologies, creates high-performance packaging, part and product solutions from polyurethane, polyethylene and speciality foams, as well as plastics and speciality fabrics. It has ten fabrication facilities located throughout the US.
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