Gram Technology Inc. and MGS Manufacturing Group Inc. have formed a partnership aimed at bringing multishot molding to more injection molders.
``We can offer turnkey solutions so that they can bring in new technology, but at a lower risk by using existing machines,'' Gram Technology President Jes Gram said in a Nov. 6 phone interview.
Gram's capabilities include the SpinStack mold system, and the firm typically has been used by companies seeking multishot molding that requires tight tolerances. Traditionally, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based firm has focused on mold makers and molders making high-end, high-volume products, particularly those that can invest in all-new equipment.
MGS, a molder and toolmaker based in Germantown, Wis., meanwhile, has created molds and auxiliary equipment, including add-on portable injection units that allow molders to use existing presses in multishot production.
``What Gram and MGS can do together is walk into any customer, look at any program and, between the two companies, incorporate downstream production, assembly and molding into the press,'' said MGS marketing director John Berg.
A custom molder may see the benefits to automated, multishot production, but with a contract making only 150,000 parts per year, for instance, cannot afford to invest in a new, dedicated press for that part, Berg said. But that molder could improve manufacturing flow by using existing presses with auxiliary equipment that can be moved from one press to another.
``My goal is to keep innovations moving, even on entry-level work,'' Berg said.
Both companies have different benefits for their customers, Jes Gram said, but together can present a complete system.
The partnership is new, but the companies already are working on finding new ways to use their individual strengths, including a collaboration to build a four-component, in-mold manufacturing system.
