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Monday 7:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 7:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 7:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 7:30am - 5:30pm

JATCO, Incorporated

Name: JATCO, Incorporated
Address: Modesto, CA, 95356, US
Telephone: +12094974297

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JATCO, Incorporated

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Custom, Plastic Injection Molding Company Serving the West Coast. Let us help with your next molding opportunity. Our expertise is in design for manufacturing.

We offer full mold transfer protocol and are happy to quote parts for an existing mold.

10/15/2026

INJECTION MOLDING 101: UNDERSTANDING THE MOLD

Ever wonder what goes into making a plastic part? It all starts with the mold.

An injection mold is a precision-engineered tool designed to shape molten plastic into a specific part. Each component plays an important role in producing consistent, high-quality products.

Core: Forms the interior surfaces, recesses, and features of a molded part.

Cavity: Forms the exterior surfaces and overall shape of the part. Together, the core and cavity create the geometry of the finished component.

Inserts: Provide specialized features, detailed geometries, wear-resistant surfaces, or replaceable sections that can simplify mold maintenance and modifications.

Sprue, Runners and Gates: Direct molten plastic from the injection molding machine into the mold cavity. The gate controls where plastic enters the part.

Cooling Channels: Circulate coolant through the mold to control temperature, help the plastic solidify, and support efficient cycle times.

Ejector System: Uses ejector pins or other mechanisms to release the finished part from the mold after it has cooled sufficiently.

Vents: Allow trapped air and gases to escape as plastic fills the cavity, helping prevent defects and incomplete filling.

Why does mold design matter?

Proper mold design directly impacts injection molded part quality, dimensional accuracy, repeatability, cycle time, and overall manufacturing cost. Getting the details right from the beginning can make a significant difference throughout the life of a project.

At JATCO, Incorporated, our team understands critical relationships between product design, mold engineering, and molding performance. We work with customers to help turn ideas into reliable, manufacturable plastic components.

Have a plastic part or project in mind? Let's talk soon! www.jatco.com. You can also contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales, 209-985-2329 or [email protected].

10/08/2026

Do you have big parts to mold?

A BIG PRESS IS ONLY PART OF THE EQUATION.

Having a large tonnage injection molding presses is an advantage.

Knowing how to use that capability to help customers successfully manufacture their products is what really matters.

Our high-tonnage equipment is backed by decades of experience in:
• Product design
• Mold design
• Process development
• Quality control
• Injection molding
• Assembly
• Packaging
• Direct shipping

For more than 50 years, we've helped customers move from concept to production.

Big equipment. Experienced people. Practical solutions.

That is JATCO, Incorporated: www.jatco.com. Contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales, [email protected] or 209-985-2329 with your next injection molding opportunity.

10/02/2026

Regrind and Recycled Materials used in Plastic Injection Molding

Regrind is plastic material that has already been processed and is mechanically ground into smaller pieces so it can potentially be reused.

There are two important categories of recycled material:

Post-Industrial vs. Post-Consumer

Post-industrial recycled material is generally more predictable because it originates from a controlled manufacturing environment. The material may have known resin specifications, color, additives, and processing history.

Post-consumer recycled material comes from products that have already been used and collected for recycling. It may contain a mixture of materials, colors, additives, contaminants, or different processing histories.

What Does Regrind Do to a Part?

The effect depends on the resin, the amount of regrind being used, how many times the material has been processed as well as the requirements and tolerances of the part.

Potential considerations include:
• Mechanical properties
• Appearance
• Processing
• Contamination
• Material degradation
• Traceability

Why Use Regrind?
• Reduce waste
• Lower material consumption
• Reduce material costs
• Support sustainability goals

For critical applications, customers may specify 100% virgin resin, a maximum allowable percentage of regrind, or a specific resin grade. Other injection molding applications may be well suited to a controlled blend of virgin and recycled material.

To us, the important question is not simply “Can we use recycled material?” but rather what material specification provides the right balance of performance, consistency, cost, and sustainability for our customer’s specific requirements and applications?

Have a plastic injection molding project on the horizon?

Let the experts at JATCO, Incorporated help guide you from concept to production. Our history is rooted in success—and your success is our goal.

Learn more at www.jatco.com or contact:
Steven Ames, Director of Sales
[email protected]
209-985-2329

09/24/2026

What about protecting injection molded plastic Parts from UV exposure?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause plastics to fade, become brittle, crack, or lose their mechanical properties over time.

Selecting the right UV-resistant resin is important.

UV-resistant plastics are formulated with UV stabilizers, UV absorbers, and hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS).

Common injection-molding materials that can be formulated for improved UV resistance include:
.ASA .ABS .Polycarbonate .Acrylic .Polypropylene .Polyethylene .Nylon

UV-Resistant Plastics can be found in many industries, including:
.Solar equipment .Agriculture .Construction .Automotive .Electrical & electronics .Outdoor products .Water systems

How Long Will UV-Resistant Plastic Last?

A UV-resistant part might perform for several years—or decades—depending on the material, formulation, and environment. Factors such as sunlight intensity, temperature, moisture, geographic location, color, part design and chemical exposure all affect service life.

For example, a part exposed to intense sunlight in the Southwest can experience significantly more UV exposure than an identical part used in a cooler, less sunny environment. The key is matching the resin and UV stabilization package to the expected service environment and service life.

At JATCO, Incorporated, we work with customers to understand the application's environment, performance requirements, and expected service life so the appropriate material can be considered before production begins. The right resin can make the difference between a plastic part that simply works—and one that continues to perform for years.

Do you have an outdoor injection-molding application? Ask us about material selection and UV-resistant resin options. Check us out: www.jatco.com or contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales – [email protected] / 209-985-2329.

09/17/2026

What Is a First Article of Plastic Injection Molding?

A First Article is a production-intent molded part used to verify that the mold, material, dimensions, appearance, and function meet the customer's requirements before full production begins.

Why Are First Articles Important?

A First Article helps confirm:. Dimensions . Fit, Form and Function . Material Properties. Appearance Characteristics. Mold Performance and Standards. Process Conditions

What Does First Article Approval Mean?

When a customer approves a First Article, it means the part has been reviewed and meets agreed-upon requirements, giving us the confidence to proceed with injection molding production.

A First Article is a quality checkpoint between tooling and production. It provides an opportunity to identify and correct issues before thousands and sometimes millions of parts are injection molded —helping reduce costly rework, scrap, delays, and production problems.

At JATCO, Incorporated, we do not view First Articles as just another step in the process. It is an opportunity to protect your investment and help ensure the project is done right the first time.

Our experienced team works with our customers to evaluate every part, incessantly identify potential issues, and tirelessly refine the process to establish a path to consistent, repeatable production. The result is Less risk, fewer surprises, and improved quality. This leads to a seamless, smoother transition into production. That is the value of partnering with JATCO, Incorporated. We get it right the first time!

Do you have questions about First Articles, tooling, or your next injection molding project? Check us out: www.jatco.com or contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales, [email protected]; 209-985-2329.

09/10/2026

FILLED vs. UNFILLED PLASTICS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Not all injection-molded plastics perform the same way. One of the biggest distinctions is whether the resin is filled or unfilled.

UNFILLED RESINS:
These are plastics in their natural form, without reinforcing fillers.

They typically offer:
• Greater impact resistance
• Easier processing
• Lower material cost
• Good surface appearance
• Less warpage

Common examples include ABS, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and many grades of nylon.

FILLED RESINS:
Filled plastics contain materials such as glass fiber, mineral, carbon fiber, or other additives to enhance specific properties.

They can provide:
• Increased strength
• Improved stability
• Heat resistance
• Reduced shrinkage
• Improved wear
• Enhanced performance

For example, glass-filled nylon can provide significantly greater stiffness and strength than standard, non-filled nylon, making it useful for structural and mechanical components.

SO WHICH ONE IS RIGHT?
It depends on the application.

A filled resin may provide the strength and stability your part requires, but it can influence mold design, processing conditions, shrinkage, surface finish, tooling wear, and overall costs.

At JATCO, Incorporated, we understand that material selection is nonnegotiable part of successful injection molding. Our team can help evaluate the resin, part design, tooling, and application requirements to determine the right approach for your project.

Have a challenging plastic component? Let’s talk about it, www.jatco.com. Contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales for more information: [email protected] or 209-985-2329.

09/02/2026

WHAT REALLY DETERMINES THE PRICE OF AN INJECTION MOLDED PART?

When a customer supplies the resin, you might think the material cost is removed from the equation. Well, that is not the case.

Cost for Injection molding fall into these two categories:

FIXED COSTS:
These are costs associated with getting the job ready and keeping the injection molding operation running, regardless of how many parts are produced during a particular run.

Examples include:
• Mold setup and changeover
• Process engineering
• Tooling maintenance
• Quality requirements
• Production scheduling
• Administrative overhead
• Insurance

VARIABLE COSTS:
These injection molding increase as volume increases.

Examples include:
• Machine/cycle time
• Direct labor
• Electricity & utilities
• Packaging
• Secondary operations
• Scrap material

So, what happens when YOU supply the resin?

The resin cost is removed from the molder's material charge—but the material that is supplied still affects molding processes.

Resin type, grade, melt characteristics, drying requirements, processing temperature and part weight can all influence cycle time, machine requirements, quality and overall production efficiency. This means two parts that look similar can have significantly different molding costs.

Another important factor is volume.

Higher production quantities can spread setup and other fixed costs over more parts, potentially lowering the per-part price.
Our goal is not to simply injection mold your part. It is to mold it efficiently, consistently and cost-effectively.

Do you have a project where you supply the resin? Then let’s talk about how we can help optimize your molding opportunity. Check us out: www.jatco.com and Contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales, [email protected] or 209-985-2329.

08/27/2026

Why Replace Metal Components with Injection-Molded Plastic?

When designing or redesigning a product, one paramount question is: Does this component really need to be metal?

Advances in engineering resins and plastic injection molding have made it possible to replace many metal components with high-performance plastic alternatives—often without sacrificing the part's function or purpose.

Injection molding can significantly reduce part costs, especially at higher production volumes. Once the mold is developed, parts can be produced quickly and consistently with less secondary machining.

Here are several reasons to consider making the switch:
Cost Savings:

Reduced Weight:
Plastic components weigh substantially less than metal, helping reduce shipping costs, and potentially improving overall efficiencies.

Improved Cosmetics:
Injection molding offers tremendous design flexibility. Colors can be molded directly into the part, while textures, logos, surface finishes, and complex shapes can often be incorporated during molding thus reducing or eliminating the need for painting, plating, or other secondary operations.

Engineered for Performance:
Today's wide range of commodity, engineering, and high-performance resins allows designers to select materials based on the application's specific requirements. Depending on the material, plastics can provide excellent strength, impact resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, wear resistance, electrical insulation, and more.

The key is selecting the right material and engineering the correct part design to perform the same function while taking advantage of the benefits plastic can offer.

We work with customers to evaluate part design, material selection, manufacturability, and injection molding alternatives to help determine when converting a metal component to plastic makes sense.

Could your metal component be a candidate for injection molding? Let us guide you: www.jatco.com. Contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales, [email protected] / 209-985-2329.

08/20/2026

We understand that when your injection molded product is intended for human contact—whether through food, medicine, or direct physical interaction—there is no room for error.

Why Do FDA-Approved Resin Matter?

Public Health & Safety: These resins undergo extensive evaluations for toxicity and reactivity. They are proven not to leach harmful chemicals into products, protecting consumers from potential contamination.

Regulatory Compliance: Using FDA-approved materials helps manufacturers meet stringent federal guidelines, significantly reducing the risk of legal issues, costly fines, or product recalls

Material Integrity: FDA-grade materials are tested for biocompatibility and chemical resistance. They are designed to harsh sterilization processes in medical settings or high-temperature cycles in food processing, without degrading.

Industries that rely heavily on these specialized materials typically include:

Food and Beverage: Injection-molded components must be non-toxic and odor-neutral. Applications include secure lids, closures for spill resistance, custom food-safe containers, and complex dispensing systems.

Medical and Pharmaceutical: Resins used here must often pass cytotoxicity and biocompatibility testing. Applications range from diagnostic lab equipment and vials to surgical tool handles, drug delivery systems, and even dental appliances.

Water Filtration: In systems where the plastic comes into contact with drinking water, FDA-approved resins ensure that no harmful substances are introduced into the water supply.

Are you ready to bring your next project to life with our precision and your safety at the forefront? Contact JATCO, Incorporated, today to discuss how our team can help you navigate material selection and optimize your production flow. Go to our website: www.jatco.com Feel free to contact Steven Ames, Director of Sales, [email protected] or 209-985-2329.

08/14/2026

When injection molded plastic parts need greater strength, stiffness, dimensional stability, and durability, glass-filled resins can make a significant difference.

Glass-filled materials such as glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, and other engineered resins incorporate glass fibers to enhance performance. They are commonly used in demanding applications including:

• Automotive components
• Agricultural equipment
• Industrial hardware
• Electrical and electronics
• Construction products
• Medical apparatuses
• Consumer and recreational products
• Plumbing and water systems
• Renewable energy / solar
• Irrigation and water delivery
• Recreational offerings
• Power tools
• HVAC

Why are glass-filled resins important?

• Increased tensile strength
• Greater rigidity
• Improved dimensional stability
• Better resistance to heat

However, glass-filled materials also require expert material selection to fit specific purposes and applications. That makes glass-filled molding particularly well suited to an experienced plastic injection molder like JATCO, Incorporated, that excels in both materials’ knowledge and the mold design.

We understand the applications, opportunities and challenges associated with engineered, glass-filled resins. Our plastic injection molding expertise helps customers evaluate material options and develop molded components that meet demanding performance requirements. From material selection mold design, production, quality control, and final assembly we bring decades of injection molding experience to your project.

Have a demanding application that requires strength without the weight of metal? Let's talk about glass-filled plastics. Contact us today: www.jatco.com. Steven Ames, Director of Sales, 209-985-2329 or [email protected].

Address

Modesto, CA
95356

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	7:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday	7:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+12094974297

Website

https://www.jatco.com/

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