Boy Machines: Advancing Small-Scale Production with Cutting-Edge Technology

Just 13 months into his tenure as president of Boy Machines Inc., Todd St. Pierre shared a compelling vision for visitors to NPE2018: “It’s not your father’s Boy machine anymore. We once earned a reputation for producing small, low‑cost, high‑productivity workhorses you could set and forget. Today, we are a technology‑driven company. Our machines remain economical, yet they deliver far more value.”

St. Pierre highlights the breadth of Boy’s modern offerings—micromolding, insert molding, liquid silicone rubber (LSR), multi‑component injection, a proprietary line of robots and pickers, energy‑efficient servo‑electric drives, and the latest Procan Alpha 4 controls. The Alpha 4 system delivers faster, more accurate temperature and position control, advanced manufacturing execution system (MES) functionality, and incorporates OPC‑UA, the Industry 4.0 standard for smart‑factory connectivity (OPC Foundation, 2024).

These capabilities are on full display in Boy’s booth W2503. The six machines showcase the company’s entire range, from the 7‑ton tabletop model XXS to the 110‑ton Boy 100 E. St. Pierre points out that LSR remains a key differentiator: the 110‑ton Boy 100 E can mold 128‑cavity cable‑end sleeves in LSR with a 14‑second cycle time—an impressive performance that underscores Boy’s expertise.

First‑time visitors to the booth will also encounter Boy’s new LR 5 Cartesian robot and its three‑axis pneumatic picker, both programmable via the Procan Alpha controller. Multi‑component injection molders will learn about the Boy 2C auxiliary injection units, which can be configured horizontally or vertically to convert any single‑barrel press into a multi‑color, multi‑material system.

To spotlight Boy’s technology, St. Pierre recently established a 900‑ft² processing lab in Exton, Pa., housing up to five machines for training, trials, and demonstrations. He plans an open house this fall to invite the industry to experience Boy’s innovations firsthand.