Miles of Moldmaking at IMTS 2018

Moldmaking is unique. A moldmaker has to understand the big picture. Moldmakers must consider part design, mold-cavity design, material selection, machining, programming, validating, assembly, testing and sampling. Digging a little deeper, the geometry of the molded part can be challenging with tight dimensional tolerances, strict flatness specifications and thin walls. Complex mold actions may be required to create some part features, and working with multiple materials, multiple sets of mold cores and multiple sets of cavities is part of the daily workload. On top of all that, cycle times and lead times are often very aggressive.

Moldmaking is unique. A moldmaker has to understand the big picture.

In a nutshell, the complexities and tight tolerances of mold work make it very demanding. Modern moldmaking is utterly dependent on accurate, repeatable and efficient technologies throughout the design and build stages. All of this requires additional resources, more elaborate planning and closer project management.

Today, there is a trend toward more complex parts, more precise parts and consolidating multiple existing parts into a single part, which means more complex, precise mold designs and more complex machining, maintenance and repair processes and strategies. The industry is also continuing to experience the need to automate and digitalize production processes. This means that moldmakers must be innovative and invest in the latest equipment to stay ahead of the competition. However, technology is not enough. Mold builders must combine technology with organizational systems and management systems with cost control and qualified human resources.

IMTS is a place that offers mold shop owners, engineers, designers, builders, machine operators and toolroom personnel miles of technology, networking and resources to help them eliminate bottlenecks, increase productivity, reduce downtime and improve quality.

IMTS is a place that offers mold shop owners, engineers, designers, builders, machine operators and toolroom personnel miles of technology, networking, and resources to help them eliminate bottlenecks, increase productivity, reduce downtime and improve quality.

The Gardner Intelligence Capital Spending Survey asks metalworking shops about their intended spending on equipment for the coming year. Mold builders who participated in the 2018 survey indicated vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CAD/CAM software, vision systems and robots as their top five equipment-type purchases for 2018.

Some of this technology will be showcased throughout the halls of McCormick Place during IMTS this month, as we demonstrated in the August issue’s IMTS Exhibitor Product Showcase. We continue that coverage in the New Product section of the IMTS Zone with a look at even more technology, equipment, products and services for mold builders at this biennial manufacturing event. You can also check out the rest of the IMTS Zone for the latest news and stories on the show. And, be sure to stop by Booth 236600 in the North Building to say hello.