Published 4/11/2017

SLIDESHOW: Technology Showcase, In the Trenches

In this multi-part series of articles, contributor James Bourne, a tool repair supervisor and freelance writer, shares his own personal struggles in the business, as well as lessons learned and tricks of the trade garnered along the way.

Regulations

Christina M. Fuges

Contributing Editor, Additive Manufacturing

This 19-part "In the Trenches" series on mold repair is worth a second look

There is and always will be, a need (and therefore, jobs) for skilled craftsmen to maintain and repair injection molds. I know firsthand the frustration of repetitive repair work. The blasé feeling of being so familiar with a mold that you can diagnose its condition over the phone. But there is opportunity for those willing to approach their craft with a little zest and zeal; to rise above the drudgery of routine repairs; to be more than just tool fixers. Become tool improvers and problem-solvers.

When it comes to mold repair, how do you know when you’re just fighting fires, performing controlled firefighting or completing true corrective action?

Improving mold repair efforts— whether you’re on the bench or managing—is not only a worthy goal, but also holds its own reward.

“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” Occam’s Razor.

You have asked yourself “What is different” and the processors had tried every conceivable “tweak” to process out the sink. Now what?

If we train as many as we can as often as we can, we may have the privilege of nurturing someone with the right nature and see a toolmaker emerge.

A look at what you may want to stock in your facility’s “crash cart” to respond appropriately to press emergencies.

A look at crib notes on press operation for mold repair personnel.

"Performing mold repair day-in and day-out often seems like a thankless job. You weren’t specifically trained to do mold repair; you are more than likely working in a “less than state-of-the-art” toolroom; and you can never do the job fast enough—not to mention you’re a cost center not a profit center! Not only does it feel thankless, but lonely too here in the trenches. So we’ve developed this series to not only provide some camaraderie and encouragement—so you know that you are not alone in the trenches—but also to share some personal struggles, lessons learn and tricks of the trade. And, if in the course of this series we receive feedback, you will have done the same for me."