The 'Specials' group at Extol designs and manufactures custom assembly equipment and automated systems for a variety of industries.

As one can imagine, Extol's main location in West Michigan positions us squarely in the automotive parts supplier region. As a result, we have naturally acquired in-depth capabilities pertaining to automotive related applications...especially 'interior trim', lighting, air-induction, and reservoir assemblies.

West Michigan is also home to a prominent list of world-class, office-furniture makers. With projects as diverse and challenging as automatic fabric 'edge-folding' and bonding, by necessity our abilities have become refined and well rounded.

Many of our customers have embraced a manufacturing philosophy of investing in flexible capital equipment allowing for rapid tooling changeover to maximize the utilization of a given piece of assembly equipment. Extol has responded by developing a number of 'platforms' supporting the quick tooling changeover, flexible equipment approach, the FlexBase is a fine example of this philosophy:

The FlexBase's pictured above are designed for mid-size, automotive lamps. Leak-testing and final performance testing are the primary functions performed. Tooling (not pictured) is easy and fast to change over with quick disconnect pneumatic and electrical connections. Unique product programming parameters are pre-loaded into the FlexBase PLC with automatic tooling recognition or by loading a portable memory device for each tool set. Take a look at the 3 minute tool change video below.