For the inaugural Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO), MoldMaking Technology could not have selected a more appropriate slogan to adorn its giveaway t-shirts than “Molds Make a Difference” to describe the importance of the mold manufacturing community.

The energy and activity levels in the Moldmaking Pavilion were high, and permeated throughout the aisles of this three-day plastics event during Tech Talks, technology demonstrations and in-booth conversations.

A heartfelt thank you to all those who came out to support the inaugural PTXPO show in Rosemont, Illinois, last week—sponsors, exhibitors, attendees and speakers. The show would not be possible without the industry's support, enthusiasm and top-notch product, equipment and service offerings for the plastics and moldmaking communities.

The MoldMaking Technology team was busy greeting industry friends, making new connections with technology experts, signing up new readers, identifying exhibitors to help attendees with real-world part design challenges, putting mold designer speed and knowledge to the test in a MouldMaker Card Game (courtesy of VDWF - Verband Deutscher Werkzeug- und Formenbauer e.V. and Prof. Steffen Ritter) and passing out MMT-branded mints, stickers and #MMTMoldsMake t-shirts.

On top of that, the MMT Studio made its debut in the MMT booth where MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges interviewed mold builders, molders, trade associations, education and training organizations, and technology and service suppliers.

Some technology solutions on display included:

• SPONSOR: Canon Virginia’s next-generation Shuttle Mold System that runs two injection molds on one injection press.
• SPONSOR Hasco Clean Break multi-coupling cooling manifolds, metal powder for additive metal printing and Loc Check device for keeping track of molds.
• Progressive Components’ time-saving tools for mold designers such as C-Series UniLifters®, plate retainers, SRT slide retainer for greaseless retention, angle pin holders, cavity interlocks, high temp CounterView®, ProFile® asset tracking and maintenance management system and RhinoFeet support pads.
• DME new hot runner thermal management systems to reduce cycle time, scrap and increase molding capacity, a 3D modular molding system that reduces time to market and other new product with immediate off-the-shelf delivery.
• Haimer product solutions for Industry 4.0 that increase moldmaking productivity, including shrinking, balancing and presetting machines available for live demonstrations as well as displays featuring tool holders, cutting tools and 3D sensors.
• UNISIG powerful intuitive capabilities of UNISIG deep hole drilling technologies.
• Engel e-mac 145 all-electric multi-purpose machine for LSR and quick mold change system.
• iMFLUX low-constant-pressure injection molding platform that works on virtually any machine, material and mold.
• Wittman Battenfeld Innovations Roadshow Truck, new R9.1 robot controller, featuring the new Quick New Wizard programming tool and new Tempro plus D250M dual zone temperature controller. 
• Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing lean, mean plastic injection moldmaking machine known as the The Cavalier Way: People. Process. Equipment.
• Omega Tool Inc. ultra-high precision, high cavitation, packaging, medical and light industrial tooling, along with mold trial services within its Enhanced Technology Center.
• CAE Services simulation to solve problems before “cutting steel,” from part feasibility, to Moldflow, morphing and windage analysis.
• Oerlikon HRSflow’s new S Series hot runner line suitable for low shot weights, multi-cavity and thin-walled applications, FLEXflow Evo servo-driven valve-gate system and MRS, the company’s mechanical stroke regulator for hydraulic actuators which avoids surface defects.
• Mantle new 3D printing technology used to make components and tooling with conformal cooling.
• Xact Metal accessible and affordable 3D metal additive manufacturing (AM).
• Edro Engineering and Specialty Steels tooling materials for plastic/rubber injection molding, blow molding, extrusion and thermoforming, and tight-tolerance custom plastic injection mold bases, 3D-printed steel molding components and PVD/DLC coatings.
• Fast Heat by Spark Industries automation and smart work cells, including Fast Heat hot runner controls with auxiliary I/O communication, smart diagnostics, SmartMold boxes with active thermocouple protection, cables, machine nozzles and sprue bushings.
• Beaumont Technologies, AIM Institute injection molding technology solutions and training options.
• Westminster Tool metal 3D-printed cavity inserts for real production injection molding environments and providing insights to develop Mantle’s TrueShape technology even further.
• Wepco Plastics 3D-printed tools for plastic injection molding.
• Next Chapter Manufacturing advancements in mold cooling and venting using advanced additive manufacturing technologies and a new product called Mold In A Day (MIAD).
• PCS Company large inventory of molding supplies.
• International Mold Steel pre-hardened mold steels, tool steels, and cold work die steels and matrix high-speed dream steels to improve the quality and reduce the cost of creating molds, dies and tooling.
• Synventive Molding Solutions eGate sync, a simple, reliable and sustainable all-electric valve-gated hot runner system that is a direct replacement for pneumatic or hydraulic at a competitive price point. Also showcased was the Gammaflux G24 temperature controller and Dynamic Feed for real-time, closed-loop process control.
• Heidenhain machine monitoring and connected machining in mold manufacturing, as well as features and functions to look for in a control to take full advantage of machining capability and deliver precise, well-finished molds.
• Kruse Analysis new VR training tool, CAE simulation design services and analysis.  
• CUMSA standard components for injection molds.
• INCOE innovative, cost-efficient hot runner solutions and the sustainable future of plastics.
• Bales Metal Surface Solutions proprietary coatings, including diamond chrome, hard chrome, electroless nickel, electroless nickel/PTFE, electroless nickel/boron nitride and electroless nickel/Diamond (nano sized) are used in essential industries including medical equipment and supplies, defense, and food production and packaging, among others.
• Rey Technologies grinding equipment.
• Mastip Inc. hydraulic actuation for the Unitized Nexus Systems, gate cooling inserts for thermal and valve-gated systems, solutions for abrasive polymers, tipless nuts and pin guidance for cylindrical valve gates, LSR solutions and close pitch valve-gated nozzles.
• Allied Machine & Engineering holemaking technologies.
• Selflube precision mold components, self and conventionally lubricated components.
• R.E.R. Software CNC control simulators, a small CNC machine and touch monitors to allow for interaction with the software.
• TST Tooling Software Technology CAD/CAM and ERP software solutions such as the TSTracker 11.0 featuring a new interactive shop floor map, customer invoicing and improved multi-currency.
• Precision Laser Technology (PLT) five-axis laser technology to improve pattern design versatility, mold placement accuracy and repeatability for multi-cavitation tools, with texture options ranging from industry-standard VDI and matte finishes, to custom-designed 3D patterns.
• Cambrio, Cimatron latest developments in version 16 of Cimatron’s CAD/CAM software specifically dedicated to mold builders and designers.
• National Tool & Manufacturing steel and mold base manufacturing process.
• TopSolid manufacturing-centric software includes a cost estimating product called TopSolid'Part Costing, allowing quick, efficient creation of accurate bids and TopSolid'Shop Floor with which you can organize and track all of the assets in your manufacturing process such as tooling, fixtures, etc.
• iD Additives’ new Cool-EX, a high-performance coolant with inhibitors designed for use in closed-loop systems to prevent microbiological fouling, corrosion and scale caused by poor water quality.
• CHETO tool changer for gundrills that automates the change between milling and drilling. Now moldmakers can set up the part on the table, equip the drilling tools on the ATC (up to 250 tools) and the gundrills on the gundrill ATC (up to 5 tools) and then mill and drill without the need for an operator’s action.
• Roembke Mfg. partnership with Engel and Staubli to highlight a quick-change molding cell.
• Solution Tools high-precision medical tooling.
• Meusburger technology solutions for ejection, temperature regulation, demolding, guiding and mold change as well as locks and marking stamps.
• Wisconsin Engraving texturing, engraving and laser technology services.
• RUD Ketten Rieger & Dietz mold handling equipment that can save time and improve mold handling safety.