The injection moulding tool for the manufacturing of plastic washing machine agitators is one of the finest examples of toolmaking skills at the Orange factory and has been accepted into Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum’s collection.

The tool will be part of an exhibition on the early use of plastics in manufacturing, and will be transported to the museum later this week, another step in the factory’s closure.

Many people may look at the moulding tool and see just another piece of machinery, but engineering and environmental manager Jozef Dolinski said it was special because of the way it was engineered and manufactured in the late 1960s.

“It was made before computers were used, all by hand using very primitive tools, or what was the best at the time. There’s a real art to doing that,” Mr Dolinski said.

Liquid plastic would be injected into the mould, which would then be rapidly cooled, and after about a minute the mould would be opened and a new washing machine agitator would be inside.

An estimated 480,000 parts were made from the tool until washing machine production was moved to Adelaide in 1984, however, it continued to make spare parts for several years.

Mr Dolinksi said it was just one part of the rich engineering history at the plant.

“We also want to acknowledge the hard work of toolmakers here over the years, from the past and present,” he said.

General manager Mark O’Kane said it was great to see a piece of Orange’s history recognised in a national museum.

‘We’re really proud this [donation to the Powerhouse Museum] has been allowed to happen, and Electrolux’s legacy to live on,” Mr O’Kane said.

“It’s a tribute to the past and present exceptional workmanship here.”

alexandra.king@fairfaxmedia.com.au