Published 6/27/2019

Amerimold 2019: New Programming Wrap-Up

There is always something new at Amerimold, and this year was no exception.

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Edited by: MMT Editorial Team

It was inspiring to meet and spend time with so many young, promising moldmaking industry professionals (women included!) at Amerimold during the first-ever 30 Under 30 Happy Hour. These individuals represent the next generation workforce in mold manufacturing and MMT wanted to meet them and celebrate them.

Tool Shop Live! drew a crowd as MoldTrax President Steve Johnson led demonstrations of how a modern, well-equipped toolroom can be a huge asset for those who build and run molds. Eight companies that supply mold repair and maintenance products participated in this first-ever collective in-booth demonstration.

As part of Tool Shop Live!, Blue Wave Ultrasonics demonstrated its heavy-duty ultrasonic cleaning systems designed specifically for the molding industry. The unique technology creates powerful microscopic scrubbing bubbles that, when combined with our water based detergent formulations, effectively removes outgassing residues from even the most intricate part areas – as well as grease, rust and scale in water lines. Cleaning process times typically fall within 10 to 30 minutes depending on level of contamination, according to the company.

Attendees who visited the Tool Shop Live! pavillion at Amerimold saw live demonstrations of equipment that makes their mold repair and maintenance duties much more efficient and effective – even more ergonomic and safe. One example is Die-Sep’s injection mold separators & tippers, shown above. The company offers 38 different models that are custom built for each customer and designed to handle molds as small as a 6-inch cube and weighing 250 pounds up to molds weighing 100,000 pounds. Die-Sep also manufactures a portable mold water flow and leak tester.

In the Gesswein booth during Tool Room Live!, the Gesswein team provided demonstrations of its PUK U5 micro welding system for molds and dies, and also showcased its line of mold polishing supplies. The welder produces small, consistent spot welds that penetrate the mold surface, and it does not require pre-welding heat treatment. The system comes complete with microscope, LED light, electrode handpiece, set of 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm electrodes, electrode sharpener, ground cables, argon gas regulator, tack resistance welder and foot pedal, and it comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty.

Cold Jet welcomed Amerimold attendees to try their hand at dry ice cleaning during Tool Room Live! Featuring patented, shaved dry ice technology, the company says its i³ MicroClean system cleans intricate cavities that other methods cannot reach and extends the life of equipment by eliminating the need for chemicals, wire brushes and abrasive pads. Additionally, the system enables increased cycles between preventative maintenance while reducing scrap.

For those looking to find a resource for hot runner components, manifolds, and other mold repair and cleaning supplies, Polymer Cleaning Technology Inc. was on hand in the Tool Room Live! pavillion. From simple melt-channel cleaning to full refurbishment of a hot half, PCT says they do it all.

Amerimold’s first Sourcing Fair proved to be a great success by providing a forum where OEM manufacturing companies can connect with and interview potential mold suppliers. Here, Don Smith of Scholle IPN meets with a mold shop representative. Smith says he is very happy with the results as he gained 16 new moldmaker leads to consider.

Representatives from Otter Products meet with one of several mold shop representatives vying for the opportunity to become a preferred supplier to the OEM. Toyota also participated in the Sourcing Fair at Amerimold. By all accounts, this is an event that MMT will build on for the future.

What Was New?

For those who were unable to join us, there were several new things to do, including attending the new 30 Under 30 Happy Hour. With workforce development always at the top of the industry’s list, it seemed natural to launch a new networking event where young up-and-coming moldmaking industry professionals could meet and get to know each other, share ideas and experiences and even ask questions of a few industry veterans who stopped by. The event proved to be a success, and MMT continues to seek out more next-generation individuals to join the group. Let us know if your shop has eager, young apprentices and employees under age 30 who are interested! (To read about those who are already involved, check out our recent features: 30 Under 30 Class of 2018: Designers; 30 Under 30 Class of 2018: Moldmakers; and 30 Under 30 Class of 2018: Human Resources Professionals.)

Amerimold 2019 saw two additional in-booth demonstrations for a total of six. One unique and collective demonstration was the presentation of Tool Shop Live! Elements of a New Age Repair Shop. Tool Shop Live! provided a whole new way to spotlight mold maintenance and repair because it simulated a working shop with all the essential processes that go into caring for and optimizing molds. Steve Johnson of MoldTrax led the demonstration, providing an overview of a successful toolroom setup that includes a variety of essential bench and cleaning equipment on the market today. In addition to MoldTrax, other exhibitors who took part in Tool Shop Live! were Fast Heat Inc. (custom hot runner temperature control systems), Polymer Cleaning Tech. (supplier of parts, service and repair of all brands of hot runner systems), Cold Jet (dry ice cleaning systems), Dailey Supply Inc. (lifting and material handling equipment), Die-Sep (injection mold separators and tippers, water flow and leak testers), Gesswein (mold polishing supplies and micro welding equipment) and Blue Wave Ultrasonics Inc. (heavy-duty ultrasonic cleaning systems for molds).

Speed dating? Well, maybe not, but Amerimold did launch its first-ever Sourcing Fair to help match up moldmaking companies with potential OEM customers who are seeking new sources for molds. Powered by the Reshoring Initiative, Otter Products, Scholle IPN and Toyota each had representatives on-site who met with aspiring moldmaker candidates, interviewing them to see if there is potentially a fit. Don Smith from Scholle IPN, a global manufacturer of bag-in-box and pouch-type packaging based in Northlake, Illinois, told MMT that he was “literally overjoyed” with the Sourcing Fair and that it “far exceeded” his expectations. The event yielded 16 solid shop leads, he says, and “provided outstanding results for Scholle IPN.” Paul Freer from Toyota was also pleased with the results and commented that the combination of appointments with moldmakers and walking the show floor allowed them to connect more fully with candidates versus just walking the show in search of vendors. Toyota walked away with several new leads, he says.

These are some of the new programs introduced at Amerimold that everyone can look forward to experiencing again next year in Novi, Michigan, June 10 – 11, 2020. Join us!