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MMT Chats: Moldmaker Apprentice Listens and Learns to Lead

MoldMaking 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.

Christina Fuges
Christina Fuges
Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology

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This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.

My guest today is Andrew Rumble, technically still a moldmaker apprentice at Intex Tooling in Ontario, Canada, as he awaits the official “ticket” after completing his apprenticeship. This delay has not stopped Andrew from taking the lead on projects, playing around with new technology and mentoring the next generation of apprentices entering the shop.  

Here are some tidbits from a quick conversation:

  • I've worked here for the past six years now.
  • I think having everyone's different viewpoints from all different backgrounds is valuable. There is not just one way of thinking, learning or doing.
  • Be open to listen, learn, dive in and get your hands dirty.
  • I had a project this year that I thought was really interesting involving over-molding.
  • me with. It had a lot of actions, multiple slides and cavities. We had to accommodate for the mesh screen and some of the seal off areas weren't actually sealing off, so we had to accommodate for that too. Very interesting project.
  • The day you stop learning as a day plateau and that's where you stay, but there's always something new to learn, there's a new technique, or there's a new way of doing something.
  • Our new laser engraver is pretty cool.
  • I always thought the EDM process was cool. It's like tiny microscopic explosions to get whatever shape you need and things that CNC can't cut.
  • When I started working here the floodgates opened with technology and opportunity.
  • When you are a lead, you are in charge of the project as a whole—as it moves through the departments, CNC, EDM, planning, getting all the components, making any components manually, etc.—while dealing with any hiccups and mistakes along the way.
  • To me, mentoring is being transparent and open with your knowledge and sharing your skillset.
  • I now mentor some of the younger guys coming through the apprenticeship program. Paying it forward.
  • In five years, I hope to be leading my own projects successfully and training the next generation of moldmakers.

For the full quick chat, watch above, and for more MMT Chats, click here.

This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.

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