Synventive Molding Solutions Inc., a maker of hot-runner systems, and simulation-software producer Moldflow Corp. of Wayland, Mass., have agreed to collaborate on new products.
The companies plan to integrate their custom software to offer both mold-filling and hot-runner simulation products. The news was announced at Plastics Encounter Indianapolis.
Peabody, Mass.-based Synventive plans to use Moldflow simulation software with its Dynamic Feed process-control technology, which offers real-time pressure control at each gate in the mold. The companies will develop interfaces between Dynamic Feed and Moldflow's manufacturing software, including Moldflow's products to control the injection molding process and monitor production.
The agreement is part of Synventive's aggressive market push since changing its name and moving to an expanded facility in 2001.
The company has introduced several new products and recently expanded its line of hot-sprue bushings.
Synventive is attempting to grow its presence in the automotive industry, a market where lead times on some molds have been reduced to as little as two weeks, said automotive business manager Mitch Gordon.
With the industry in a slowdown, some toolmakers have started making hot-runner components, competing head-to-head with Synventive, Gordon said. However, the need for replacement parts and repair is not an area that a toolmaker wants to manage, he said.
``It's competition, but we don't think many toolmakers will stay in the [hot-runner] business,'' Gordon said.