2021 30 Under 30 Honors Program: Mentoring in the Next-Generation of Moldmaking Professionals
Young professionals are vital to the moldmaking industry, and it is important to acknowledge those making strides in shaping the industry's future. MoldMaking Technology recognizes the industry's young talent through its 30 Under 30 Honors Program.
30 Under 30 Bonus: Highlighting Additional Next-Generation Moldmaking Professionals
Nominations for MoldMaking Technology’s 2021 30 Under 30 Honors Program surpassed the 30 we were searching for, so here we recognize more worthy under-30 individuals who are making an impact in the mold manufacturing community.
30 Under 30: The New Face of Moldmaking
Young professionals are vital to the moldmaking industry, and it is important to acknowledge those making strides in shaping the industry's future. MoldMaking Technology recognizes the industry's young talent through its inaugural 30-Under-30 Honors Program.
30 Under 30 Program
MoldMaking Technology is looking for 30 individuals under the age of 30 making a difference in moldmaking. Take a look around you and nominate potential winners.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Project Engineer & Lean Six Sigma Rep Shares Passion
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings on EDRO Specialty Steels Project Engineer Katherine Pistorius as a guest for this MMT Chats video interview to talk about her love of cutting waste, process management, and efficiency, which lead her to Lean Six Sigma. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Mechanical Engineer Committed to Pushing 3D Printing Forward in Moldmaking
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings Action Mold & Machining’s Additive Specialist and CMM Technician Zachary Glascock as a guest for this MMT Chats video interview to discuss how he brought his passion for machining to moldmaking and the value of thinking outside the box to make better molds. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, A Little Perfection and Patience Go a Long Way
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites F&M Tool and Die’s Wire EDM Lead Matt Lizotte as a guest on this MMT Chat to share how he landed in moldmaking, how he went from running one wire EDM to 6 very quickly and his goal to set up systems and procedures to more easily pass on his knowledge to the next generation. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Cultural Innovator, Leader Grower, Improvement Maker
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites Hillary Thomas Westminster Tool ‘s vice president as a guest on this MMT Chat. She talks about leading cultural change, driving strategic company improvements, growing and supporting leaders and spreading awareness of manufacturing and its benefits to the community. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Moldmaker Thrives on the Beauty of Moldmaking, Doing Everything Everyday
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites Moldmaker Jacob Arsenault of Wepco Plastics to this MMT Chat to talk multitasking, mind-blowing moments, problem-solving and following his family’s footsteps to shop ownership. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Ownership Attitude and Eagerness 'Make It Happen' for this Moldmaker
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings Kingson Mold and Machine's Junior Moldmaker Austin Ramos as a guest for this MMT Chats video interview to discuss his spongelike learning that has helped him hone his project management, leadership, organizational and mentoring skills. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Adding Skills and Enjoying the Moment
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites M.R. Mold & Engineering Technical Center Manager Valeria Magadan as a guest on this MMT Chat. Val shares her journey to moldmaking, the daily challenges and what she likes best about her career so far. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Wire EDM Operator Took an Opportunity and Ran With It
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings on Wire EDM Operator Trenton Ford with Precise Tooling Solutions our 2020 Leadtime Leader Award-Winning shop as a guest for this MMT Chats video interview to talk about the importance of working hard, managing your time and understanding technology. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Mold Designer Says Key to Growth Is Harvesting Knowledge
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites Mold Designer Sasha Stojanovic of the Industrial Molds Division of Pyramid Molding Group as a guest on this MMT Chat. He shares his magnum opus and take on mentoring, as well as explains the challenge of machinability and why education must change. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Moldmaker Apprentice Working His Way to Lead Toolmaker
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings on Westfall Moldmaker Apprentice Anthony Fabbri as a guest for this MMT Chat. He shares his enthusiasm for moldmaking, how he’s put his welding experience to work and how much he depends on patient mentors to continually learn. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Process Engineer Doing Something New Every Day
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings on Process Engineer Rob McMaster with X-Cell Tool and Mold, our 2019 Leadtime Leader Award-Winning shop as a guest for this MMT Chats video interview to talk about his journey through manufacturing with a management goal in mind and doing what needs to be done to meet customer goals. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Journeyman and Apprentice Moldmakers Tag Team to Talk Continuous Learning and Doing
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings on Superior Tooling’s Journeyman Moldmaker Ben Johnson and Apprentice Moldmaker Isaac Wier as guests for this MMT Chats video interview to share their common paths into moldmaking, current challenges, continuous learning opportunities and future ambitions. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Mechanical Engineer Committed to Pushing 3D Printing Forward in Moldmaking
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings Action Mold & Machining’s Additive Specialist and CMM Technician Zachary Glascock as a guest for this MMT Chats video interview to discuss how he brought his passion for machining to moldmaking and the value of thinking outside the box to make better molds. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Program Engineer Goes from Learning to Leading
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites Accede Mold & Tool’s Program Engineer Kyle Joseph as a guest on this MMT Chat. He talks about his blended role of mold design and project management, the importance of embracing the learning curve and growing into a leadership position. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Application Engineer Empowers Innovation
MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges chats with Matsuura USA Application Engineer Nick Mitchell on this MMT Chat. He shares his passion for learning, reliance on mentoring, mission to change traditional mindsets when it comes to AM and his desire to put his industrial engineering background to work. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
Education & Training
Mold Technologies Division of SPE Announces 2024 Award Recipients at NPE 2024
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyThe Mold Technologies Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) honored recipients of four awards at NPE, recognizing excellence in moldmaking and supporting the next generation with a new Apprentice of the Year award. Each winner receives a $1,000 stipend for their training program.
Scholarship, Grant Funding Available from SPE Mold Technologies Division
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyWith NPE happening this month, there’s no better time to discuss the scholarships and grants available to support education in plastics and moldmaking.
Advancing Mold Design Demo: The Role of VR in Closing the Skills Gap
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyThis Q&A and demo explain how virtual reality training tackles the skills gap by providing immersive, cost-effective learning experiences.
Diving Deeper: More Insights From a Rising Female Moldmaking Professional
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyYou wanted more of Jane's story as a woman in moldmaking, so I went back to dig a little deeper with this 23-year-old mold designer and project manager at Accede Mold and Tool.
MMT Chats: Update from Star of “Track the Apprentice”
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyCDM Tool & Manufacturing Apprentice Machinist Taylor Bartelt shares where she has been and what she has learned over the past year. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
What is the Moldmaking Community Excited About?
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyAs we continue to celebrate MoldMaking Technology’s 25th anniversary with a look back over the past quarter century, I asked readers during our recent Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) “What excites you about the future of moldmaking?”
Editorial Advisory Board 2023-2026: Meet New Board Member Isaac Trevino, Best Tool & Engineering
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyThe 2023-2026 version of MoldMaking Technology’s EAB features a new crew of industry professionals. Here’s one of them.
MMT Chats: Impressions and Inspirations from AMBA Event that “Shifts the View”
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMoldMaking Technology Editorial Director and Managing Editor share their takeaways from a recent American Mold Builders Association Conference focused on leadership and mentorship in the moldmaking community. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
30 Under 30
Nominate a young moldmaking leader.
Shift Your View: Get to Know the Stories of Your Team and Transform Your Shop
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyIt’s simple but true and worth repeating — don't judge a book by its cover. Instead, always make an effort to get to know a person, especially if that person is working in your shop.
ICYMI: MMT Chats: True Leadership Leads to Mentoring, Part 1
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyThis trio from TK Mold and Engineering in Romeo, Michigan, joins me to discuss the role of leadership and culture in mentorship. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
ICYMI, MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Plastics Engineering TA Teaches Value of Learning and Producing Not Perfection
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges brings on UMass Lowell Plastics Engineering Teaching Assistant Michael Shone as a guest for this MMT Chat to discuss moldmaking through the lens of academia. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
MMT Chats: Moldmaker Apprentice Listens and Learns to Lead
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges speaks with Andrew Rumble, a young moldmaker at Intex Tooling who is taking a leadership role on several mold projects as he waits for his moldmaker "ticket" that the pandemic delayed. He talks about listening to learn, using technology, taking on project management, embracing diversity and mentorship. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
Here Are Your Top 10 Most-Read Features of 2021
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyA list of the most-viewed features in MoldMaking Technology from January to November 2021.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Blending Heavy Metal Moldmaking and Music
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites Adem Talic, an apprentice moldmaker at Tri-Par Die and Mold Corporation in South Elgin, Illinois, who shares his journey into moldmaking, commitment to learning, but still finding time to pursue his percussion passion. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
30 Under 30 Class of 2021: Design/Engineering/Program Management
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMoldMaking Technology covers the next-generation moldmakers recognized under the 30 Under 30 Honors Program that engineering, design or program managers at their company.
MMT Chats: 30 Under 30 Honoree, Passionate about Connecting Data and Trends to Moldmaking
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges invites Harbour Results Engagement Manager Cara Walton a guest on this MMT Chat. She shares her journey to the research side of moldmaking, and her motivation to share data and trends to help mold builders solve problems. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.
30 Under 30 Class of 2021: Educators
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMichael Shone is a teaching assistant for plastics mold engineering recognized under MMT’s 2021 30 Under 30 Honors Program. Here is his story.
30 Under 30 Class of 2021: Machining and Production
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyMMT celebrates five under 30 individuals who hold machine/production positions at their company, from wire EDM operators, to laser/TIG welders.
Workforce Development
The Why & How of Developing a Talent Strategy
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyChief Workforce Development Officer of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and owner of Human Asset Management talk about workforce readiness, the state of the manufacturing workforce and steps for building a talent strategy.
Eden Tool and Eden Manufacturing: A Story of Resilience, Growth and Innovation
Christina Fuges | MoldMaking TechnologyThis critical parts manufacturer, founded on solid tooling fundamentals, didn’t get derailed with the unexpected passing of the owner because leadership was already building a solid business, not just a good tool shop. Here’s how they managed change incrementally… and they’re not finished yet.
How to Improve Your Current Efficiency Rate
An alternative approach to taking on more EDM-intensive work when technology and personnel investment is not an option.