download - Haas Automation, Inc.

Then, some 1 or 1 years ago, another industry
step-change arrived with the invention of expanded
polypropylene (EPP). Although it’s produced using a
similar process, it’s much easier to work with and is
even more versatile than EPS.
EPP’s excellent mechanical resistance, particularly
to compression, along with its good elastic retention
meant that it soon became a favourite in the automotive
industry. The material is now used in bumper cores,
side-impact panels, head and knee cushions, sun
visors, headrests and instrument panels.
“Quickly realising the possibilities of EPP, we set
out to become a certified supplier to auto companies,”
explains Paglia. “However, we knew that for automotive
applications we would need to be far more accurate
than we had ever been.”
CNC MACHINING EUROPE
To achieve the standards demanded by such
clients, Italbox embarked on an investment programme
that included the purchase of two new CNC machining
centers from Tecno Control s.r.l., the Strambino-based
distributor of U.S. machine tool builder Haas Automation.
The company opted for a VF- machine initially, shortly
followed by a VF- .
“We first saw the Haas machines in 00 , at the
EMO show in Milan,” Paglia explains. “I’d spent a day
visiting every machine tool booth looking for something
suitable. I came across the Haas stand towards the
end of the day, by which time I was tired of looking at
machines. I had seen so many, and the thing that really
struck me was how they were all so similar, and all
offered exactly the same things. I thought to myself, if all
these companies carry on like this, they’re going to die.
“However, I went to see the Haas machines, and
I was very impressed with their specification and the
price. We had looked at Japanese machines with similar
capabilities, but they were too expensive for us.”