Today OEMs are in need of digital mold information to proactively manage to troubleshoot, and lifecycle and maintenance budgets. A phased approach to digitization is currently taking place within many OEMs — from cycle counters to sensors in waterlines and cavities to collect data – but the ultimate goal is a qualified mold with reliable generated data where manufacturing only needs to monitor the process, avoiding metrology and achieving a rapid release program with molders, saving resources and time...

Next level tooling or Tooling 4.0 is all about understanding what is going on inside of the mold, during each cycle, by taking measurements of the physical dynamics... using scientific molding and data gathering. It means measuring pressure, temperature, and time, for example. So, instead of flying by the seat of our pants, we can now fly by instruments, and actually, understand what is happening inside of the mold and then make any necessary adjustments...

Moldmaking is not just about performance; it's about predictable performance. Eden Tool is a 17-person medical mold builder known for its high-end hard milling, EDM, and grinding capabilities. Predictable manufacturing is their central focus. Eden's goal is to build molds that exceed their defined lifecycle expectations while delivering consistent, high-quality parts. Over the last 15 years, Eden Tool has re-imagined how molds and mold components are designed and manufactured. They have implemented techniques to consistently produce…

Design for maintenance, at its core, is simply considering the structure and elements of the tool and designing them to be maintenance friendly. For many years, Wayne Daniel was responsible for a large injection molding operation that included nearly 100 active molds. He became familiar with the mold maintenance department and witnessed the differences between molds that were easy to maintain and those that were not. After those experiences, he has become adamant that ease…

Understanding grants, identifying available funding sources, and writing award-winning proposals are essential elements for mold builders to secure grant money to enhance their manufacturing processes. So, the question becomes, “How does a mold builder or associated supplier go about obtaining grant money?” First, remember that grants can come from all levels of government and other outside organizations. So, the initial order of business is to research all the various avenues of potential grants…

There is no one way to implement Industry 4.0 into a mold shop. When Intex Tooling integrated a production monitoring and business intelligence system into its operation, the team experienced an instant transformation in the way it conducted business. With the Smart Attend smart manufacturing system, Intex can now provide customers with more information and data faster than ever before. Key benefits include a decrease in critical tool build lead times, an improved bottom line…

Omega Tool Corp. was invited by GM to participate in a study comparing conventional P20 against a relatively new P20 variant developed by Chicago-based Finkl Steel known as MD Xtra. Introduced a few years before, the material was gaining popularity among European moldmakers but hadn’t caught on in North America yet. The new grade offered a host of interesting properties. However, what most intrigued both the OEM and mold builder was the possibility of skipping…

SyBridge is in the midst of a revolution. The company is leveraging technology in all facets of its business to deliver greater value to customers. Historically, the intersection of IT and moldmaking has been sporadic and fraught with integration challenges. SyBridge is out to change that narrative by leveraging a technology-first methodology focused on customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and data insights. Their suite of digital solutions to efficiently manage products throughout their lifecycles, from program…

Come hear the story of a tool and diemaker’s 45-year journey in the moldmaking business that includes the discovery of what was holding his shop back from moving forward and how networking led him to a program that was life-changing for the business. Joe Cherluck is a shop owner whose initial success came at a great personal cost as he simply outworked the competition. Using this strategy, he learned the hard way that the company…

Virtual reality has become mainstream for many industrial applications, allowing users to explore, learn and prepare for new technologies. A new innovative training initiative allows injection molding engineers to evaluate new mold designs in a virtual environment. In this virtual space, engineers can assemble and disassemble a mold to learn about its design and functionality. They can then take the mold to the machine and work through individual mold installation and processing tasks such as…

According to A1 Tool Owner Geoff Luther, the Fourth Industrial Revolution—including automation, data exchange, and 3D printing—has given rise to the concept of Industry 4.0, which he believes is now giving way to the Imagination Age.

To A1 Tool that means building molds with intelligence. But it’s more than that. It takes robust systems and processes to efficiently produce a plastic injection mold today, so understanding your customers’ needs, the tooling requirements…

Come discover the possibilities of remote mold monitoring, service, programmable cleaning recipes and full Automation. This session will take the audience through the Industry 4.0 capabilities applied to dry ice technologies that provide users with a clear view of the data needed to make decisions that will accelerate a return on investment and profitability through increased machine efficiency and uptime. This technology enables tracking and support of your installed fleet of dry ice mold cleaning…

Efficiency gains in a toolroom are more than just fancy new equipment and software. Foundational building blocks within an organization set the stage to drive efficiency and productivity. This session shares how a tool shop can make improvements with tool design, equipment, and work in process.

1. Early involvement with a cross-functional team in tool design will increase overall shop efficiency by driving machining processes, fit and assembly, and maintenance-friendly tools.

2. Understanding your team’s…