Sprue-Less Moulding developed by M2-Toyo

[Stockholm, Sweden, May 23, 2006] M2 and Toyo introduce a new proprietary Sprue-Less Moulding (SLM) technology for industrial production of DVD and HD-DVD discs.

The new SLM mould type, based on the Toyo-Techno TS DVD-mould, allows production of DVD and HD-DVD substrates with excellent quality, while eliminating the waste in producing an injection sprue for every substrate. The technology offers manufacturers substantial material savings and potentially higher yields. The mould has demonstrated excellent results, moulding high quality DVD-9 substrates in cycle times ranging between sub-2 to 3 seconds. “With today’s polycarbonate prices, this groundbreaking technology will offer substantial and solid material savings in the range of 4-9% to our customers, while thus far showing no negative effects,” says Carl G. Langenskiold, President and CEO of M2. Adding that “sprue recycling systems has proved themselves to require high maintenance besides showing a negative effect on the overall yield as the recycled polycarbonate is not as suitable for making optical disc as the virgin material, making SLM an clearly preferable alternative”. “I expect cycle time for the SLM mould to be faster than traditional moulds as no sprue needs to be involved, which normally negatively affects all stages of the moulding cycle. I also expect long term improvement of overall yield as there will be no sprue-related rejects and production interruptions. Another great advantage is that there will be no “stringing”-related rejects and other related problems in this design,” according to Jarmo Nappi, the inventor of the SLM technology and a long-time moulding technology pioneer, working at M2 in Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. Koji Hirota, General Manager Optical Systems, Toyo Machinery and Metal Co. Ltd of Kobe, Japan, adds: “We have been looking for technologies to give our Toyo-Techno moulds a leading edge over competition for some time, and unlike many other sprue-less moulds presented earlier, this new revolutionary design really works! We expect this new technology we developed in cooperation with M2 to firmly position our Toyo moulding machines and our Toyo-Techno moulds as market leaders in the optical disc industry.” The M2-Toyo Sprue-Less Moulding technology was originally invented and patented by M2 Engineering AB of Stockholm, Sweden. The SLM concept was refined and further perfected into a fully operational moulding system by Toyo-Techno, a subsidiary of Toyo Machinery and Metal Co. Ltd. of Kobe, Japan. The SLM mould is currently going through long term testing and process optimization at M2 and Toyo’s facilities. The SLM mould will be demonstrated for the first time at the M2-Toyo booth H73 at the Media- Tech Expo, Messe Frankfurt 30/5-1/6 2006. The SLM mould is expected to be ready for customer deliveries within 6 months.