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For PTA Plastics, additive manufacturing is not about chasing the newest technology. It is about solving practical production challenges, improving manufacturing efficiency and building a stronger business case for advanced manufacturing.
That mindset has helped the Oxford, Connecticut-based injection molder turn 3D printing into a valuable production support tool. PTA uses additive manufacturing to create fixtures, robot tooling and metrology components that help teams move faster, support automation and improve workflows across the shop floor.
Michael Rocheleau, Executive Vice President of PTA Plastics, recently stopped by CCAT’s Talent & Training Accelerator to talk about how PTA is using additive manufacturing, robotics and other advanced manufacturing technologies to strengthen operations and deliver measurable ROI.
Founded in 1953, PTA Plastics is a custom plastic injection molding solutions provider serving the medical, defense, safety and security markets. With deep moldmaking capabilities, an in-house tool room and a unified team of employee-owners, PTA has built its reputation on precision, engineering expertise and a proactive approach to solving complex manufacturing challenges.
PTA’s automation engineering team uses desktop 3D printing daily to build production aids, including jigs, fixtures and robot tooling that support manufacturing operations. The technology allows the team to modify designs quickly, test new ideas and get tools to the shop floor faster, reducing delays and giving engineers more control over how they solve production challenges.
“Our automation engineering team is using those 3D printers hours and hours a day.” —Michael Rocheleau, Executive Vice President, PTA Plastics
“They’re building fixtures, tooling that goes on our robots, modifying designs quickly and getting them up to the shop floor quickly.”
PTA is also using additive manufacturing to support measurement components within its metrology lab, helping strengthen quality control and inspection workflows.
For Rocheleau, the value comes from connecting the technology to a real business need.
“You need to turn it from that shiny object technology that people chase to building the true business use case.”
What Is Additive Manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, is a process that builds parts layer by layer from a digital design file. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing, which removes material from a larger block, additive manufacturing adds material only where it is needed.
This approach can help manufacturers create prototypes, production aids, tooling, replacement parts and complex geometries faster and with greater design flexibility.
For manufacturers like PTA, the value is not always in printing a final production part. It is in giving engineering, automation and quality teams the ability to test, adjust and implement ideas more quickly while improving internal workflows and reducing delays.
Using State Funding to Build Momentum
PTA Plastics’ investment in advanced manufacturing was supported by several state funding programs helping the company move from technology exploration to implementation.
Over time, PTA leveraged funding to support a range of business needs, including manufacturing technology investment, cybersecurity readiness, additive manufacturing adoption, internship support and workforce development. This included a $100,000 AMAP grant and a $20,000 Additive Voucher Program award for additive manufacturing equipment.
For Rocheleau, the grant funding helped accelerate a major capital investment, but PTA also committed significant internal resources to ensure the technology could be implemented effectively and deliver long-term ROI.
“We committed about $200,000 of PTA money with that $100,000 grant,” Rocheleau said.
“You need to budget another third of that into training people. It was not insignificant. But the ROI on it has been amazing.”
CCAT helped PTA identify funding opportunities, navigate the application process and connect those investments to practical implementation, training and adoption support. Through state-funded programs, manufacturers can access support for technology adoption, workforce development, cybersecurity readiness and training while gaining technical guidance to help turn investments into usable capabilities.
For PTA, additive manufacturing has become part of a broader culture of continuous improvement. It supports the company’s automation strategy, strengthens engineering workflows and helps teams respond more quickly to production needs.
Advancing Manufacturing Through Practical Innovation
PTA Plastics’ investment in additive manufacturing is a strong example of how manufacturers can use advanced technology to improve automation, quality and operational efficiency while building long-term business value.
By pairing internal engineering expertise with advanced technology, workforce training and state funding support, PTA is turning additive manufacturing into a practical tool that strengthens production and accelerates problem-solving on the shop floor.
For manufacturers interested in exploring additive manufacturing, automation, digital thread, model-based definition or other advanced technologies, CCAT provides opportunities to evaluate, test and implement solutions that support productivity, readiness and long-term growth.
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Watch the Interview
Hear directly from Michael Rocheleau about how PTA Plastics is using additive manufacturing, robotics and advanced technologies to support production and strengthen operations. https://youtu.be/tQLV6OzFeUI
Explore More
Additive Manufacturing https://www.ccat.us/additive-manufacturing
Funding opportunities for technology and training https://www.ccat.us/grants
PTA Plastics: https://www.ptaplastics.com/
About Voices of Innovation
Voices of Innovation spotlights manufacturers embracing technology and training to drive performance, innovation and competitiveness. Each story shares real-world lessons from companies preparing for the future of advanced manufacturing.
