Used DME Equipment for Sale

In 1942, Ted Quarnstrom founded Detroit Mold Engineering in Michigan with a straightforward mission: supply mold bases in standard sizes ready for cavity machining. That single innovation transformed how moldmakers worked and established the company — today known simply as DME — as a foundational force in the plastics processing industry. DME was acquired by Milacron in 1996 and has since operated as part of a larger industrial group, all while maintaining its identity as the go-to source for injection molding tooling and control technology. Its manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001 certified, and the company operates from 19 locations worldwide.

DME entered the hot runner market in the early 1970s and has built one of the broadest control system portfolios in the industry. The flagship Smart Series line of hot runner temperature controllers spans configurations from single-zone units to systems managing 216 zones, covering everything from simple commodity molds to demanding high-cavitation applications. Key controller families include the Smart Series Modular platform — the legendary card-based "blue box" design that became an industry standard — as well as the ITSP (Intelligent Touch Screen Panel), the Smart Series M2+, the Smart Series Me, and the Smart Series Mt2. The modular architecture uses individual six-zone, 15-amp control cards that can be field-swapped without taking the molding cell offline, a practical advantage that has made DME controllers a fixture on production floors for decades.

DME hot runner controllers and systems serve moldmakers, molders, and mold designers across a wide range of end markets. Automotive component manufacturing, medical device production, consumer goods, packaging, caps and closures, and electronics are among the primary industries that rely on DME temperature control technology to maintain tight process windows and consistent part quality across high-volume production runs.

Buyers seeking used DME hot runner controllers find strong value in the secondary market for several reasons. The robust solid-metal enclosures, heavy-duty industrial connectors, and field-replaceable card architecture mean that well-maintained units have long service lives and remain fully functional long after initial deployment. Replacement cards, cables, and accessories are widely available through DME's own distribution network, making it straightforward to refurbish or expand a used system. The Smart Series Modular platform in particular retains a loyal following because its proven design is still supported with current-production control cards, giving buyers a cost-effective path to reliable hot runner temperature control without the capital outlay of new equipment.

Meadoworks is your trusted source for used DME equipment. As third-generation industrial equipment dealers and AMEA-certified appraisers with over 50 years of experience, we offer quality-inspected DME machines at competitive prices. Browse the 8 used DME machines listed above, or call 800-323-0307 for equipment not yet listed.

Every machine includes detailed specifications and high-resolution photos, and inspection visits are available for most equipment. We ship worldwide with experienced rigging partners and offer financing for qualified buyers. Have DME equipment to sell? Get a free valuation or contact our team.