What's New and What Works in Mold Manufacturing

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Leadtime Leader
Navigating New Product Development for Moldmakers
Strategies for moldmakers to effectively manage new product development projects, balancing customer expectations with technical realities.

Data Management Software
Mold Building Stats Improve Performance
Mold manufacturing is a numbers game rooted in measurement and data tracking to continuously improve.

Data Management Software
Requirements for Automated DFM for Injection Molding
Designing for injection molding can be a complex process, but combining automated design for manufacturability tools with technical guidance streamlines the workflow and minimizes costly delays.

Additive Manufacturing
2024 Most-Viewed Products
A comprehensive dive into 2024’s most-viewed products, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular products, ranging from technologies, services, softwares and more from this past year.

Surface Treatment
MMT's Most-Viewed Case Studies in 2024
Did you miss any of MoldMaking Technology’s most-viewed case studies from 2024? Now’s your chance to dive into these trending topics.

Design & Mfg. Software
Top 10 Engineering Content From 2024
Peruse the most-viewed engineering content that you may have missed this past year from MoldMaking Technology! Discover the next software to best benefit your moldmaking capabilties – from data management to design and manufacturing software, we have you covered.
Build See All

Case Study
Online Tool Improves Mold Base Procurement Process
Mold base configurator streamlines D&M Tool’s ordering process with speed and accuracy, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and minimizing errors through quick, accurate and user-friendly mold base ordering.

Tips
Streamlining Mold Assembly With Pre-Cut Pins
Incorporating pre-cut ejector and core pins into your moldmaking process can improve efficiency and reliability.

Machining
Dive Into the Year's Top Moldmaking Profiles
Dive into these Q&A -based conversations to get to know the moldmakers that were featured in this year's most-viewed profiles.

3D Printing
2024 Most-Viewed Products
A comprehensive dive into 2024’s most-viewed products, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular products, ranging from technologies, services, softwares and more from this past year.

EDM
MMT's Most-Viewed Case Studies in 2024
Did you miss any of MoldMaking Technology’s most-viewed case studies from 2024? Now’s your chance to dive into these trending topics.

Automation
Video: How 3D Printing Is Advancing Moldmaking
Developments in 3D printing technology, from powder partnerships to automation, are improving moldmaking processes.
Maintain See All

Maintenance & Repair
MMT's Most Popular Maintenance Reads of 2024
Peruse this past year’s top maintenance content, including topics like inspection/measurement, maintenance and repair and surface treatment.

Maintenance & Repair
Dive Into the Year's Top Moldmaking Profiles
Dive into these Q&A -based conversations to get to know the moldmakers that were featured in this year's most-viewed profiles.

Inspection & Measurement
VIDEO: Optimizing Mold Measurement with CMMs
Portable, shop-ready CMMs enhance precision, speed, and efficiency.

Maintenance & Repair
2024 Most-Viewed Products
A comprehensive dive into 2024’s most-viewed products, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular products, ranging from technologies, services, softwares and more from this past year.

Five Axis
MMT's Most-Viewed Case Studies in 2024
Did you miss any of MoldMaking Technology’s most-viewed case studies from 2024? Now’s your chance to dive into these trending topics.

Hot Runners
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 2
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.
Manage See All

Business Strategy
How EOS Helped a Mold Builder Boost Efficiency, Profits and Growth
Wepco Plastics adopted EOS, transforming their culture, improving on-time delivery and exceeding profit targets. By implementing structured processes and goal-setting, they achieved sustainable growth and invested in other manufacturing companies.

Mold Components
Online Tool Improves Mold Base Procurement Process
Mold base configurator streamlines D&M Tool’s ordering process with speed and accuracy, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and minimizing errors through quick, accurate and user-friendly mold base ordering.

Analysis
Mold Building Stats Improve Performance
Mold manufacturing is a numbers game rooted in measurement and data tracking to continuously improve.

Editorial
Building Plans, Taking Action: A Personal Challenge to the Moldmaking Community
Stop worrying and start solving your mold shop problems - one small step can get you moving.

Business Strategy
MMT Chats: Resilience Through Relationships After a Hurricane
A mold builder’s story of resilience, teamwork and growth after Hurricane Helene devastated their community.

Business Strategy
Dive Into the Year's Top Moldmaking Profiles
Dive into these Q&A -based conversations to get to know the moldmakers that were featured in this year's most-viewed profiles.
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Webinars See All

On Demand
5 Areas to Improve in Progressive Die Manufacturing with Next Generation Automation and Innovation
Join this webinar where Hexagon will explore how state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology can drive your business forward. Learn how to optimize tool paths, enhance design accuracy and reduce lead times with advanced simulation. Discover the power of automation and real-time data for continuous improvement. Tailored for mold and die manufacturers, this session offers actionable insights to boost productivity and quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in progressive die manufacturing. Agenda: Key challenges in progressive die manufacturing Optimizing tool paths Enhancing mold and die design accuracy Reducing lead times with simulation Automating processes for greater efficiency Leveraging real-time data for continuous improvement

On Demand
Efficient Mold Design with Advanced Automation: Mold Actions
Discover how to enhance your mold design process with CAD/CAM software specifically tailored for the moldmaking industry. In part two of this webinar series, Cimatron will demonstrate how to intelligently design mold components, such as slides and lifters, using powerful CAD/CAM tools to accelerate the design process. Additionally, it will cover how to avoid errors and ensure design accuracy for ejector pins by checking clearance distances, calculating cutoff heights correctly, and thoroughly documenting all ejector components. Agenda: Slides Lifters Inserts Ejection pins and charts

On Demand
Learn to Mold 1000+ Parts Using 3D-Printed Mold Inserts: Introducing Ultrasim3D NextMold
While the transition from traditional methods to this innovative approach may present initial challenges, the benefits far outweigh the learning curve. Through the NextMold and partner network, Forward AM provides comprehensive support at every stage of the integration process. This ensures a smooth adoption of the technology into company’s operations, including seamless collaboration with molding companies. Forward AM’s commitment is to facilitate this technological transformation, enabling your business to leverage the full potential of 3D-printed mold inserts. Agenda: Molding with 3D-printed inserts Ultrasim3D Next Mold: Forward AM offering Successful adaption: integration at Beaumont Technologies

On Demand
3D Printing Design Freedom: Blessing and Curse for Conformal Cooling
When used for conformal cooling in plastic injection, 3D printing opens a wide range of design freedom. This design freedom enables designers to develop highly-efficient thermal regulation networks. However, this blessing also comes at the expense of not only higher manufacturing cost but also higher design cost as the designer could spend weeks to develop optimal cooling channels. This webinar will explore strategies and tools — including SimForm, a front-end thermal simulation app — to help tool designers and tooling managers maximize the benefits of 3D printing while minimizing manufacturing and design costs. Agenda: 3D printing applied to the plastic injection industry 3D printing pros and cons Tools and methods to facilitate the integration of 3D printing

On Demand
Efficient Mold Design with Advanced Automation: Core/Cavity Design
Discover how to enhance your mold design process with the right CAD/CAM tool for parting and cavity design. This webinar will explore CAD/CAM capabilities including how hybrid solid/surface modeling can streamline workflow and improve accuracy. Learn how to confidently tackle parting, runoff, and shutoff, ensuring precision and efficiency in your designs. Agenda: Part analysis QuickSplit techniques Parting and runoff strategies Shutoff solutions

On Demand
Innovative Tools to Optimize Mold Performance
This webinar will provide an overview of new developments in hot runners, controllers, mold components, predesigned molds, process monitoring and mold maintenance equipment. These advancements are designed with the goals of lowering scrap rates, optimizing process temperatures and managing energy consumption. The solutions also aim to support productivity and may contribute to extending the operational lifespan of tooling equipment. Agenda: Innovative undercut and thread-forming components Predesign mold bases and plate control Melt delivery and control solutions Process monitoring and maintenance

On Demand
Efficient Mold Design with Advanced Automation: Cooling Register Now
Videos See All

Safety
MMT Chats: Resilience Through Relationships After a Hurricane
A mold builder’s story of resilience, teamwork and growth after Hurricane Helene devastated their community.

Video: Hybrid Manufacturing Without Melting: Hermle’s Metal Powder Application (MPA) Process
The Metal Powder Application (MPA) process merges five-axis milling with cold spray deposition to apply metal to an existing workpiece. The MPA process enables mold builders to add copper for cooling, create complex geometries and incorporate embedded sensors.

A Moldmaker's Night Before Christmas: Industry Edition
This fun, AI-generated poem celebrates the moldmaking industry and the spirit of Christmas. With a nod to the dedication of moldmakers and engineers, it offers a festive take on the challenges of meeting deadlines and striving for perfection—because even during the holidays, the cycle never truly stops.

ICYMI
Moldmaking Conversations That Made an Impact
The views are in! Explore the episodes that resonated most with our audience, featuring experts in the field, success stories and innovative ideas.

Inspection & Measurement
VIDEO: Optimizing Mold Measurement with CMMs
Portable, shop-ready CMMs enhance precision, speed, and efficiency.

Basics
MMT Chats: What Exactly Is a Fractional CFO and How Do I Hire One? Part 2
MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges discusses exactly how a Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) can empower small business owners to overcome the complexities of financial management.
Events See All

18 Mar 2025
PTXPO 2025
PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, IL for three days of non-stop networking, education and business development opportunities.

2 Apr 2025
Parts Cleaning Workshop
Critical Cleaning Hands-on Workshop Do it; learn it! The one-day workshop teaches how cleaning and cleanliness testing work. By participating in hands-on exercises of techniques for cleaning and cleanliness verification, attendees gain the understanding and knowledge to make practical, effective, and sustainable manufacturing decisions. While exercises are supplemented by demonstrations and tutorials, the workshop is not death by PowerPoint! Topics include aqueous, solvent, and “non-chemical” cleaning, including cleaning chemicals and cleaning processes (spray, ultrasonics, cyclic nucleation, in-line, batch). Most manufactured product and product contact surfaces require cleaning during (and sometimes after) manufacture and assembly. Examples of areas where effective cleaning is essential include: metal fabrication, product assembly, optics, electronics, microelectronics, wafer fab, medical devices, aerospace/aeronautics, military, and additive manufacturing. WHAT DO YOU CALL CLEANING? There are many different terms for cleaning. Cleaning Precision Cleaning Critical Cleaning Safety/Critical Cleaning Surface Prep for Finishing Technical Cleanliness Residue Removal WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE WORKSHOP If you or your company fabricates, finishes, maintains or repairs product or product contact surfaces (like reaction vessels), this workshop is time well-spent. If you sell chemicals or cleaning equipment, this workshop will help you better understand and optimize the market for your products. Examples include: Manufacturing Engineers Product Designers Managers Sales and Marketing Managers Facilities Personnel Assemblers, operators Process Technicians Quality Control Personnel Regulatory Affairs Experts (industry, military, and government) Safety/environmental professionals Participants will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion with continuing education credits from Sam Houston State University.

8 Apr 2025
Rapid + TCT 2025
On April 8-10, 2025, RAPID + TCT will roar into the Motor City! The three-day event features the latest in 3D printing technology from the industry’s leading product and service providers, a full schedule of speakers including the returning Executive Perspectives Keynote Series, and over 125 hours of educational content. The expansive show floor will showcase over 400 exhibiting companies’ latest advancements. Start planning your trip to Detroit to experience North America’s largest additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing event! Register

7 May 2025
AMBA Conference 2025
Mark the calendar for AMBA Conference 2025, "Breakthrough Innovation," May 7-9, 2025, Grand Rapids, MI. During this industry event, attendees will meet with peers to discuss best practices in business, employee management, technology and more.

13 May 2025
Manufacturing Technology Series EAST 2025
The Manufacturing Technology Series East, featuring EASTEC in West Springfield, Massachusetts — is at the epicenter of a region that is a traditional manufacturing powerhouse. Historically, more than 700 companies have connected at this event to network, learn from industry experts and explore the latest manufacturing technologies.

20 May 2025
Extrusion Conference 2025
Extrusion's general sessions cover best practices, troubleshooting and processing solutions that can help you run your operation and maximize the utilization of your existing assets—as efficiently as possible. Extrusion professionals from the shop floor to the front office are represented at the Extrusion Conference. You’ll meet the entire global supply chain: manufacturing managers, supervisors, engineers and technicians, as well as engineers and technical managers at OEMs and other firms.

5 Mar 2025 New & Upcoming
National Surface Finishing Day Register Now
Suppliers See All

Additive Manufacturing

Automation

Business Development & Strategies

CAD/CAM and Other Software

Cutting Tools and Toolholders

EDM Equipment and Supplies

Hot Runner Systems and Supplies

Inspection & Measurement

Machining Centers and Machine Tools

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Mold Components

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Basics/101 See All

FAQ
MMT Chats: What Exactly Is a Fractional CFO and How Do I Hire One? Part 2
MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges discusses exactly how a Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) can empower small business owners to overcome the complexities of financial management.

Basics
MMT Chats: The Hidden Obstacles Holding Your Business Back (and You Don't Even Know It) Part 1
MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges gets the personal stories of two small to mid-sized manufacturers who discovered how to unleash the hidden potential of their shops and pave the way for financial growth and long-term success.

Design & Mfg. Software
Understanding the Elusive Nature of Mold Ventilation
A personal journey of lessons learned about the challenges of poorly designed, understood and executed mold venting.

Regulations
The Critical Role of Management Representatives in ISO 9001
In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

Basics
How to Optimize Mold Finishing
Circle segment technology requires fewer tool paths, improving surface quality and increasing cutting tool life.

Tips
How to Overcome Complex Mold Texturing Problems
Key benefits when considering laser technology for mold texturing and repair.
Magazine
MMT Chats
Leadtime Leaders
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Steven J. Bales

Maintenance & Repair 1 Dec 2001

Mold Preservation and Maintenance for Ultimate Productivity

Making a mold last with as little downtime as possible is the ultimate goal of a plastic molding manager. By taking some early, preventive steps, moldmakers can extend the life of the mold and save money in the long run.

Surface Treatment 1 Jun 2000

Plating Tips for Better Productivity

The true differences between types of plating and why one may be better than another for efficient, quality production.

North America’s Premier Molding and Moldmaking Event

Optimized Hot Runner Systems for Packaging