Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About the MGS Mfg. Group
Questions About MGS Built Portable Injection Units
Questions About MGS Built Rotary Platens
Questions About the MGS Mfg. Group
What kind of company is MGS?
We are an engineering house, a toolmaker, a blow molder, an injection molder, and a custom machine builder all under one company. It wasn’t always that way. Through customer demand and active progression on our part, we have been expanding our services since we opened our doors in 1982.
What is the difference between two-shot and multishot molding?
Mostly semantics. Whether you call it Two Shot Molding, 2-Shot Molding, Bi-Inject, Two Color, 2K, Dual Component Molding, Dual Color, Overmolding, Multi Material Molding, or Multishot Moulding it all refers to the introduction of multiple materials into the same mold.
What about Co-Injection or Sandwich molding? Are they multishot too?
Although these processes introduce two plastics into the mold, we don’t consider these to be multishot, at least not in our definition. The difference with true multishot is that the part geometry is always formed by tool steel and/or hardened plastic already in the mold. With co-injection and sandwich molding, both plastics are liquid at the same time and part geometry varies depending how the materials blend during each cycle.
Does MGS run molds built by another tool shop (transfer programs)?
Yes! Over 1,000 of the molds in our production inventory were not built by MGS. MGS has accepted transfer molding programs ranging in scope from one mold to hundreds!
What engineering and moldmaking software do you use?
Pro / Engineer (Pro/Manufacturing, Pro/Moldesign, Pro/Foundation, Pro/Mechanica, Pro/Toolkit, Pro/Intralink), SolidWorks, Unigraphics (Manufacturing Bundle, Design Bundle, Moldwizard Bundle), SDRC (Master Series, Artisan), AutoCAD (Autodesk Mechanical Desktop, AutoCAD LT), Cimatron, Mastercam, Catia, SolidDesigner, Work NC, SurfCam, and Vericut.
How many facilities do you have?
We currently have eight facilities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Mexico (with over 522,000 sq ft of total facility space).
How many employees do you have?
Over 600.
What markets do you serve?
Our diversified company serves a wide range of markets: Consumer (26%), Medical (18%), Electronics (14%), Automotive (9%), Industrial (9%), Packaging (9%), Computer (8%), Telecommunications (3%), Appliance (2%), and Avionics / Aeronautics (2%).
How many molding presses do you have?
We have 140+ Hydraulic & Electric Injection Molding Presses (28-880 ton), four continuous extrusion shuttle blow molding machines, and one industrial blow molding machine.
What certifications do you have?
ISO/TS16949:2002 and ISO 9001:2000 Certified, NSF National Sanitation Foundation Approved, FDA Food and Drug Administration Registered, CSA Canadian Standards Association Certified, UL Underwriters Laboratories Regulated Manufacturer, GMP Compliant Manufacturing. These certifications may not apply to all of our facilities.
Do you have any patents?
Yes. Portable Injection Units: U.S. Patent 6,994,810 B2
Rotary Platens: U.S. Patent # 6,402,504 B1
Multishot Injected Molded Valve: U.S. Patent 6,371,444 B1
UMS Vacuum Units: U.S. Patent # 7,158,854 B1
Other Patents Pending
Questions About MGS Built Portable Injection Units
Why did you start building UMS Portable Injection Units?
We had presses to sample single shot molds but could not adequately sample multishot molds. We started sending our molds overseas for multishot sampling, but debugging outside of our facility proved difficult. Some customers shipped presses here, but that added cost and delays.
We looked at the majority of our customers and figured out what types of machines they were using to determine what would be the most beneficial solution. Based on the information we found, we came up with our own portable injection units and started selling them to the outside a few years later.
Today, we have the flexibility to sample molds with an "L" configuration (either out the rear or in a vertical position) with our UMS Portable Injection Units. If a customer needs a parallel barrel or piggyback mold sampled, we have standard manifolds for adapting to those technologies.
Do you build horizontal UMS Portable Injection Units?
Yes. However, most of our units are vertical. We chose vertical units as a standard because they are more transportable from press to press. For example, the tops of 80 and 700 ton presses are very similar. However, the two presses have significantly different centerline heights resulting in low flexibility for horizontal units. Horizontal units are available at an additional cost of 5%.
How does the portable injection unit communicate with the base machine?
We use the standard SPI robotic interface to communicate. There is a common permission handshake between the two electronic portions of the base machine and our UMS Portable Injection Unit. The base machine constantly asks for permission to do functions. In return, our machine gives permission to do those functions and vice versa. Function permissions are given to press robots the same way.
Where does the power come from?
We supply our own independent hydraulic unit. It will plug in and sit next to the machine. The hydraulic unit provides power and control for all functions.
Can you run a robot with your Portable Injection Unit?
Yes. We give the same outputs to the robot as the base machine would. The machine, UMS Portable Injection Unit, and robot are interconnected and look for permission to execute functions.
If your UMS Portable Injection Unit is on top of the stationary platen, how do you get it to work in conjunction with the robot?
We mount our robots on top of the moveable platen with a linear bearing and support plate.
How long does it take to install a UMS Portable Injection Unit on a press?
It takes less than one hour.
Can UMS Portable Injection Units be used for silicone/EPDM?
Yes. Models are available that can run silicone/EPDM resin.
What is the UMS Mini?
This unit is used for small multishot molding applications. The UMS Mini is an independent injection unit that can mount directly to the mold.
Questions About MGS Built Rotary Platens
What if I need a platen that isn't listed in your literature?
We offer custom models to fit your specific needs. Bolt hole patterns, knock out patterns, platen style, rotation, size, and other options can be configured into the rotary platens we build.
How accurate is the positioning?
Our rotary potentiometer provides accuracy within two arc seconds (distance from center of the rotary platen is a variable). The rotary potentiometer provides the accuracy of a servo driven unit (servo driven models are available).
Can more circuits be created?
Yes. We offer additional hydraulic, water, air, and electrical circuits. When we split a circuit, another seal in the water union is added (increasing the shut height). We can bore a hole into the SPI platen to make it similar to Euro style platen models.
How do you get hydraulics for core/ejector functions?
There should be a seal between hydraulic and water lines to prevent leaks in water and oil lines. Options include the installation of a separate union out the back of the press through the center KO hole (requires elimination of the center ejector knock out on the machine) or the addition of a separate union (adds shut height). Other options are possible.
What are straight locks for?
Straight locks are for verification of true positioning during mold set up and installation. Straight locks keep the mold on center and eliminate any table shifting from the rotary torque that comes from tightening down mold clamping bolts.
Can I just purchase a rotary platen?
Rotary platens may be purchased independently. You will need one of these three items to control the table: 1. UMS controller 2. The machine manufacturer to incorporate a special sequence (we have worked with several manufacturers already). 3. Purchase of a separate RP controller from us.
How is the table centered?
The center of the mold is critical and must be centered over the rotary platen. Multishot molds mount differently than single shot molds. A single shot mold is mounted to the stationary platen. The "B" side of a multishot mold is mounted onto the rotary platen. The rotary platen is the center and the nozzle can be adjusted to this new center.
Note: You generally do not need a locating ring installed on the stationary mold side, but tapered interlocks are needed to ensure true position. Tapered interlocks help the mold to quickly fall into place on the rotary platen. Centering of the mold is vital because of mold rotation. If it is not centered accurately, the steel will start galling and flashing.
How are seals & sealing of the water circuits performed?
SPI standard rotary platens have two circuits. The water comes in from the fixed portion of the rotary platen (base plate) where two ¼ NTP circuits feed into one channel in the water union (center rotating shaft) of the rotary platen. It is fed into the moving portion of the platen (rotating plate) and is separated back into two ¼ NTP circuits. The circuit in the water union has the same volume to handle the capacity for the two ¼ NTP feed circuits.
We can flush mount to a SPI standard press platen. This is different than Euro style platens because they require a hole in the center that allows water jackets and water circuits to go into the moveable platen.
How fast is your platen rotation?
Our rotary platen speed is performed to above industry standards. On smaller platens, the rotation is less than one second; bigger platens can be two to three seconds.
Note: Speed should generally not be the main criteria for selecting or purchasing a rotary platen. Part cooling time on the core is made up of three segments:
A: During 1st shot molding cycle
B: During rotation of the mold
C: During 2nd shot molding cycle
The combination of time during rotation, time on the core, and time during cooling are adjustable. If speed is a concern it is best to save time during the cooling period rather than rotation time. It is beneficial to rotate at a practical speed to safeguard turntable mechanics and reduce maintenance and cost.
If speed is of optimal importance because thin wall or other applications are being used (cooling time is limited), we offer equipment and answers for successful operation.
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