Epoch-making Silicone-mold Modeling System
2002.5.13
Asahi Denka and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. have jointly established a system to mold completely three-dimensional models, whose name is "Silicone-mold Modeling system"("SMS" for short).
The molding system "SMS" just released is a combination of Asahi Denka's proprietary "technology to mold completely three-dimensional models using elastic mold" protected by its possessed more than 30 patents and Shin-Etsu's "special silicone molds with excellent durability and high safety satisfying the standard under the Food Sanitation Law of Japan".
It is an epoch-making system in which materials of various types are filled in these silicone molds to mold certain models and then release them without any damage by swelling the mold by vacuum.
There is a growing trend that food industry and confectionery industry are marketing a lot of idols, animals and a variety of character goods in the market, thus creating a new market. The conventional 3-D formed articles on the market were mostly relieves, pseudo-3-D articles, and semi-3-D formed articles, which were lack of reality and impact. Since there were many problems in manufacturing methods (for example, post-manufacturing burrs, etc.) and costs, it was difficult to obtain completely 3-D articles without limitation to design.
The use of SMS enables models with complex design and 3-D shape and even reverse-tapered shape (the size of models is bigger than the opening for filling) to be molded as you like.
It can be applied for foods, such as chocolates, ice lollipops, jellies, candies, kamaboko (steamed fish paste) and delicatessen, and for other applications than food, such as lip sticks, soaps and air fresheners and plastic giveaways formed in the shape of various characters.
Asahi Denka has entered into the exclusive agreement with Shin-Etsu Chemical to sell these silicone molds suited for the "patents concerning know-how to mold completely three-dimensioned models using elastic molds" and started to market them and to license the manufacturing system using them. In preparation for the marketing, Asahi Denka has been test-marketing the character goods of a certain theme park and Valentine chocolates for February 14, 2002 and then launched the licensing business of the said system.
The annual sales projection of Asahi Denka is to sell them in the amount of 200 million yen for this fiscal year and 2,000 million yen in three years.
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