Posts that Got the Most "Facetime"

Historically, electrode design and manufacturing were time-consuming and counterproductive processes, requiring the designer to manually identify non-machinable areas. Generally, it was not until the entire electrode was designed before the programmer even got a chance to look at its manufacturing requirements. Today, moldmakers can take advantage of advanced CAD/CAM software that includes dedicated electrode design capabilities. Tthe pros at Open Mind Technologies outline what you need to know at MMT online: http://ow.ly/ZaQq30jNeUs

Take a peek inside MoldMaking Technology's 2018 Leadtime Leader Award Winner: Maximum Mold Group. Strategic acquisitions and diversified capabilities combined with a can-do, inclusive culture take this mold manufacturer to new heights. Read feature.

There are certain applications 3D printing cannot touch, and might never be able to. For a production run of hundreds of thousands of parts, for example, the option to 3D print plastic components cannot come close to competing with the speed and efficiency of an established process such as injection molding. However, in many other applications and in many different uses, 3D printing is both improving plastics manufacturing and expanding the options for plastic parts. Are you up to speed on how 3D printing advances plastics manufacturing? Pete Zelinski outlines 10 ways. See if you know them all at MoldMaking Technology online: http://ow.ly/rrOd30iIy4l

Degraded plastic and contamination in the melt stream is the main culprit of a total manifold teardown. The result is black or brown specs or streaks in the molded part, which requires a hot aluminum-oxide sand bath to remove the residue from the manifold channels completely. The manifold must be removed from the mold frame and completely stripped of components before being inserted into the sand bath. Heat-sensitive resins, incorrect shot size (or residence time), color changes, improper start-up or shut-down procedures cause many contamination issues. MoldTrax's Steve Johnson talks environmental factors and PM at MMT online: http://ow.ly/8VWu30lbqpC

Collaboration was the key takeaway from NPE2018 for the MMT team. Mold builders did not confine themselves to the traditional role of working solely at their booths. Instead, they partnered with other companies in multiple booths to showcase their wares. The MMT team counted more than 60 North American mold builders who exhibited, and that is a big number compared to NPE2015. Collaboration was everywhere on the show floor among mold builders, molders and molding machine manufacturers who demonstrated molds, tooling, hot runners, mold components and processes. Editorial Director Christina Fuges provides a show recap at MMT online: http://ow.ly/Okix30lbodh

Larry Patten of Dramco Tool rode 10,000 miles across 26 states and raised more than $15,000 for iWarriors after setting what he thought was a reasonable goal of only $5,000! The key to this ride challenge, according to Larry, is the restriction of a electronic maps, GPS, devices and hotel stays. Directions are limited to the number of miles on a specific road and left or right turns. Larry relied on paper maps, and because riders have no clue which states would be part of the ride, he packed along individual maps for each of the 50 states. Get Larry's full story and find out more about iWarriors at MMT online: http://ow.ly/qZFV30ls2Ao

Here are six important items to consider when evaluating a hot runner system:
1. Manifold heaters. For installation, most manufacturers use a press. If the heater contact with the manifold is not uniform, there will be hot spots created in the heater element, which causes premature failure and non-uniform heating of the manifold itself. Also, process capability can be affected especially with some engineering materials, as their viscosity may be more temperature sensitive than commodity resins like polypropylene and polyethylene.
Check out the other five at MMT online: http://ow.ly/WGxE30mqRSl

At age 19, Joe started his own company as a precision machining contract shop for several industries, including moldmaking. He purchased a Toshiba boring mill and a Hermle C42U five-axis machine, making his company one of the only companies in Southwest Ontario to possess such high-end technology for mold and die work. Joe also has great work ethic and leads six employees by example on the shop floor. To date, Joe has made a trade mission overseas to visit and evaluate other high-level builders to help him decide where the future is for his company. Read more about Joe and the other 2018 30 Under 30 honorees at MMT online: http://ow.ly/ozvh30m53wC

Midwest Mold used to outsource boring mill and gundrill work to companies that service the overflow from mold builders with more work than they can handle. With the boom in automotive jobs came elongated lines of shops waiting for that work to be done and returned. Once the work came back, the rush would begin and overtime and extended lead times became standard. So, Midwest Mold became the first mold shop in the U.S. to purchase a Cheto Corp. CNC machine, an investment that brought the outsourced work in-house and solved multiple challenges, according to the company. Curious about Cheto machines? Get the full story at MMT online: http://ow.ly/VH7230m51E9