Amerimold 2021 Post-Show Flashback: Mold Builders

The Plastek Group, composed of its Triangle Tool, Penn Erie and Plastek do Brazil divisions is a global manufacturing, assembly and decorating company with a focus on high-cavitation, fast cycling molds from concept to qualification. One of its more interesting investments comes in the form of a 3D metal printer, which is currently being used for pilot work and experimentation, which is exemplified with this 3D-printed mold component. The ultimate goal, Triangle Tool exhibitors said, is to design molds with better conformal cooling to remove the requirement of additional machining.

Plastic injection molder and 2020 Leadtime Leader Award winner Precise Tooling Solutions has been in business for 35 years. The mold builder’s high-volume, multi-cavity and multi-mold projects often cover the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical and consumer goods industries. According to CEO/Owner Don Dumoulin, a unique aspect about Precise is not only its years of dedication to the industry, but also the young talent that has entered its doors. He noted that the average age of his employees, which used to be 41, has now moved closer to 26 years of age.

Michiana Global Mold is a one-stop shop from concepts to parts production, and tailors to small- to mid-sized molds for a of range industries, most predominately automotive. Undergoing some rebranding, Director of Sales and Marketing (and MMT EAB member) Kelly Kasner described the company’s newly designed website (which even includes a video tour), and promoted Michiana’s emphasis on marketing and workforce development strategies. 

Westfall Technik promoted its strength in high-precision micro molding and high-precision, high-cavitation tooling solutions with integrated hot runners. According to the company, its micro injection molds offer tight tolerances to ± 0.001 inch, producing plastic parts that can weigh as little as 5 milligrams and with micro detail features as small as 0.004 inch.

Based in Michigan, Best Tool & Engineering team is a low- to mid-volume tooling and plastics production manufacturer. Owners Joe and Jean Cherluck (left, middle) and 30 Under 30 honoree Isaac Trevino (right) detailed what they call “the BTE Process,” or Best Tool’s step-by-step process when offering customers its vibration welding, hot plate welding, injection molding and tool manufacturing services. This process begins at Discovery and moves through Design, Review, Tool Build, Validation to be completed at Production.

Haidlmair’s proprietary hot runner technology, used in combination with its injection molds, make the core of the company’s business—the production of a spectrum of rectangular containers and pallets in all shapes, sizes and colors—possible. Shown here are just a couple of designs that Haidlmair is capable of developing, from the red high-performance pallet to logistic containers like the blue and white crate. Other potential product synergies for large technical parts are also possible with its technology, including automotive components and the medical industry.

Wepco Plastics is a family-owned company that specializes in custom manufacturing, including 3D printing (inserts) and rapidly prototyping aluminum molds, exemplified by the display above. According to Chief Financial Officer Charlie Daniels, the company is always looking toward the future when it comes to investing in training and equipment.

According to COO Diego Palma, Solution Tools Mold & Die is still growing, with facility expansion to add in-house injection molds in the works for the medical industry and an aim to be the first custom moldmaker from El Paso, Texas. The mold builder has strategic locations in both the U.S. and Mexico and consistently invests in new technology. Moreover, the company focuses on every stage of the product life cycle, including design, development and component manufacturing.

Tool and die company Diamond Tool & Engineering specializes in intricate, close-tolerance plastic injection molds and tooling for the medical, electronics and automotive sectors, but the company’s Amerimold display indicates that the company has found a home in the medical space in particular, with a strong investment in automation. Medical caps and containers, surgical handles, silicone catheter components and more include Diamond Tool’s medical work, further identifying its tight tolerances, sample capabilities and experience in using exotic materials.

Decatur Mold Tool & Engineering is a team of tooling experts who help busy tooling managers reduce their uncertainty and lighten their workload. They have merged experience and top-notch equipment to form the perfect balance of increased efficiency and reduced errors. They quote projects based on customer 3D part data, assemble a team to custom produce the mold and then sample the molds in-house to optimize functionality. End-to end, Decatur says it takes full command over planning, production and delivery using the team, equipment and trucks, ensuring everything is produced to high standards and handed to the customers on time. 

Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) member Brian Dippel and Bill DiMieri man the SyBridge Technologies (formerly X-Cell Tool & Mold) booth, which exhibits products that exemplify its service capabilities, core competencies and markets served. The company designs/manufactures solutions from concept to finished product, offering product design assist, mold flow analysis, mold design and construction, in-house mold trials, validation and inspection services, as well as mold repairs, refurbishments and component builds for the medical, electronics, consumer, telecommunications and caps and closures markets. A 2019 Leadtime Leader winner, the company prides itself on consistently investing in new machinery (especially for automation) and software, and taking on challenging projects.