Mold and method for molding parts requiring multiple mold inputs

A method for preparing a finished part in a mold wherein the finished part includes n mold inputs, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a single mold having n mold stations;
• (b) simultaneously adding a mold input at each mold station to create a finished part and n−1 part portions, the mold inputs comprising at least two material additions, each material addition being added at a separate mold station;
• (c) removing the finished part and each part portion from each mold station;
• (d) transferring the finished part to a finished part holding area and transferring each part portion to a different mold station;
• and
• (e) repeating steps (b) through (d);
• wherein the step of transferring the finished part to a finished part holding area and transferring each part portion to a different mold station is accomplished such that, during steps in (b)-(e) each part portion is transferred between different mold stations along paths disposed in more than one plane;
• wherein the step of transferring the finished part to a finished part holding area and transferring each part portion to a different mold station is accomplished by one or more transfer mechanisms comprising at least two transfer mechanisms which move in linear paths parallel to one another.