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How Automation is Revolutionizing Engineered Plastics

Automation Revolutionizing Engineered Plastics

Author: Stephan Hochheiser, Materials as a Service (MaaS) Manager


Traditionally, plastics are cut using shaper cell machinery that requires three operators in a tedious process. This process is time consuming and labor intensive, reducing efficiency and increasing cost for the customer. Enter automation - a robot run cell that increases value and efficiency, produces better margins for products, and reduces the number of operators needed allowing them to focus on more rewarding work and valuable skill advancement. This machine drives innovation and safety, providing a whole new realm of opportunities for engineered plastics and reaching new heights in services provided to customers.

Automation at thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics

Automation is revolutionizing the way we operate at thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics. Our automated cell can produce higher quantities with less manpower. The machine can run with the lights off, and instead of requiring three operators to work the machine with constant attention, it now only takes one person 45 minutes to an hour to get the machine up and running. The machine manages its own quality control and has an incredibly high success rate on cutting parts correctly with close tolerances. As a result of automation, we can provide our customer with a high volume of product in a short period, allowing for operators to move to other more engaging positions in the machine shop. Our robot run cell is currently located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and was designed and built by our dedicated employees. According to Roman Miller, Plant Manager at Auburn Hills who was instrumental in establishing our automation process, employees are excited about the machine and all the opportunities it provides for continual improvement. With the success and positive response from its operations, there are plans to expand and create more automated processes that will continue to drive innovation and produce positive results while increasing safety.

Engineered Plastics' New Shaper Automation Cell


Benefits of Automation:

  • Faster production with higher volumes: Instead of operators manually operating the machine for a set number of hours during the day, the cell can produce product more quickly and for extended periods of time.
  • Self-managing quality: The automated machine is accurate and precise with its cutting, improving quality and reducing waste.
  • Self-operating: Instead of having three operators working on one machine for one product doing repetitive tasks, the machine is self-operating, meaning that the operators can work elsewhere in the machine shop performing more rewarding work and increasing their skill set.
  • Increases safety: The machine is automated, not requiring operators to interact with it during operations, reducing risk for typical warehouse safety issues that come with operating heavy machinery.


Automation has changed the way we produce materials and products. In a rapidly advancing world of technology, there is always speculation surrounding the integration of robots and automation into society. At thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics, we embrace technology and integrating it into our everyday operations routines, utilizing it to provide high-quality products and added value to our customers. It allows our talented operators to engage in more thought providing projects while reducing the safety risk involved with operating a traditional shaper cell machine. We continue to utilize this technology to accelerate performance and increase value, and we will keep striving to be the first choice for all your engineered plastics needs.


Contact us today to learn how thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics can accelerate your project with our automation capabilities!


About the Author

Stephan Hochheiser, Materials as a Service (MaaS) Manager at thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics, is a trailblazer and thought leader in the realm of Materials as a Service (MaaS) and Value Added Sales, with nearly 50 years of experience under his belt. His visionary approach has transformed the way thyssenkrupp Engineered Plastics operates, pioneering the hub and spoke warehouse system and propelling the company into the manufactured parts business. Hochheiser's leadership has been instrumental in driving growth, as evidenced by the remarkable 18-fold expansion of the Kennesaw, GA location and the establishment of a second machine center in Auburn Hills. Now, as the MaaS Manager and overseer of Value Added Sales across the organization, he continues to push boundaries, redefining the industry landscape with his innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Stephan Hochheiser MaaS Manager

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