German plastics machinery manufacturer KraussMaffei (Munich / Germany; www.kraussmaffei.com) and Chinese toolmaker Ace Mold (Shenzhen; www.acemold.com) have signed a cooperation agreement to develop a system for two-shot moulding and mould-making applications, targeting high-volume applications including packaging. The two companies, which exhibited together at Chinaplas 2008 in Shanghai in April, are using the agreement as a way to pair KraussMaffei swivel-platen “SpinForm” multicomponent moulding machines with moulds built by Ace to offer lower-cost turnkey systems. Jack Yeung, chief executive officer of Ace, said the companies are targeting presses operating at less than 650 t and that the SpinForm technology can double output in some applications.

Michael Müller, KraussMaffei’s vice president in China, said that a 380 t SpinForm machine will be installed at Ace’s Shenzhen factory in May 2008. “Ace Mold and KraussMaffei have been promoting this technology to major brands and OEMs, the result has been extremely positive as this solution is providing great savings. The first joint project for a major OEM has already been completed and approved for production,” Müller said.