DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY — MGS Manufacturing Group is continuing to refine its Universal Multishot System, which allows molders to use standard injection molding presses as multi-shot machines.
Several UMS machines are already in the field, both at MGS facilities and at outside customers, but the need for more flexibility and tighter controls has prompted further improvements, said Mark Voelkner, director of business development, during an interview at K 2013.
"Asset allocation is what I hear from my customers all the time," he said.
The UMS can be used full-time on an older press to turn part of the existing fleet of equipment into multi-shot presses at less cost than buying a new press. At the same time, users can turn it off when they don't need multi-shot capabilities, which reduces energy costs, Voelkner said.
"It only operates when it's called for," he said.
The controller can also be transferred between machines, allowing customers to get more capacity out of the equipment they already have in-house.
The new generation of UMS controls have full servo capabilities, which means a reduced potential for leakages at the point of nozzle attachment to the press, compared to those systems using springs or clamps, which in turn produces better parts with less weight.
The controls address all the operating systems for the press when in use – such as the rotary platen, molds and valve gates – while there are additional controls available for hydraulics and other operatioins.
The UMS can also be created as a free-standing floor unit or mounted on the machine, which also provides flexibility within the existing manufacturing footprint.
