Ping Automated Molding Cell Doubled Club Production
The Phoenix-based manufacturer integrated new injection molding systems to drive efficiency and reduce scrap.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Manufacturing
Live Poll
Do you believe manufacturing companies prioritizing efficiency and waste reduction generally improve the economy?
Ping has installed an automated injection molding cell at its Phoenix facility, doubling production output for custom-fit golf clubs. The upgrade effectively replaced manual labor with automated robotics to optimize material processing and machine utilization.
Why it matters
The installation solves the operational issue of using oversized presses with excessive tonnage, significantly reducing waste while increasing throughput. This shift demonstrates how selective automation can allow manufacturers to scale capacity without increasing headcount.
The Phoenix facility now utilizes an eight-cavity mold, doubling its previous four-cavity capacity, while achieving a 75 percent reduction in scrap sent to landfill. The site operates nine injection molding machines, seven of which are supplied by Wittmann.
The players
Ping
A manufacturer of high-end golf equipment known for its custom-fitting programs and long-term investment in domestic production capacity.
Wittmann
An Austria-based supplier of injection molding machines and automation technology for the plastics processing industry.
The details
The new cell features a Wittmann SmartPower machine, a Tempro plus D temperature control unit, and an S-Max granulator. By incorporating a linear three-axis robot for part handling and automating regrind processing, Ping now utilizes 40 percent regrind in materials like polypropylene and ABS. This automation allows one operator to run two machines simultaneously, resulting in the elimination of one full work shift.
Timeline
Ping and Wittmann began their professional relationship in the mid-1990s.
The report on the new molding cell installation was published in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This move mirrors the industry-wide push to replace manual, labor-intensive trim processes with integrated robotics and automated regrind systems. It reflects a broader shift toward optimizing machine tonnage to match specific production requirements rather than relying on legacy, oversized equipment.
Operators should review their own shop-floor tonnage requirements to determine if oversized presses are inflating material scrap rates. Assess whether transitioning to multi-cavity molds and automated robotics could reduce shift requirements while maintaining or exceeding current output targets.
The takeaway
Ping's experience highlights the value of aligning equipment tonnage with actual shot sizes to eliminate unnecessary waste. Owners should evaluate whether current facility layouts allow for multi-machine operation per individual to optimize labor costs.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in production, see Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Canadian Plastics.
Live Poll
Do you believe manufacturing companies prioritizing efficiency and waste reduction generally improve the economy?
