Craftsman Tool and Mold Suppliers Showroom

Switching from Solid Carbide to Indexable Tooling Permits Lights Out Mold Base Manufacturing

The unique design of small-diameter, indexable high-feed milling cutters eliminates cutter breakage, improves productivity, and allows lights out mold base manufacturing.

Redefining the Next Generation of ERP

The American Mold Builders Association returns to Amerimold with one of its plant tour workshops, set to give attendees an inside look at a precision mold base supplier’s homegrown job scheduling and tracking system.

The AMBA Chicago Chapter Recognizes Top Apprentices

At its December 4, 2018 Chapter Meeting, the AMBA Chicago Chapter recognized seven apprentices whose employers nominated them for the annual Mold Your Career Award.

2018 Technology Review and Sourcing Guide: Mold Components

MoldMaking Technology’s annual Technology Review and Sourcing Guide is an accurate, comprehensive, easy-to-read and easy-to-use use guide for researching today’s technology, equipment, products and services. The year’s latest moldmaking product developments within mold engineering/design, build and maintenance/repair are broken down into 10 sections, including mold components.

The Industry Bids Farewell to Tony Sikorcin, Founder of Craftsman Tool and Mold

On Saturday, October 28, the industry lost a friend and colleague in Tony Sikorcin, founder of Craftsman Tool and Mold.

Fun Friday: The Moldmaking Community Shows Patriotism, Heart and More

On September 15, 2017 our team at Alliance Specialties and Laser Sales partnered with our friends Tim and Kim Bartz from iWarriors and Mold Craft to host the inaugural Alliance iWarriors Charity Golf Outing.

In Winter or Spring, iSledders Warms the Heart

I know spring has sprung, and the snow is a faint memory (at least for the majority of us), but now is as good a time as any to applaud and share some great news from iWarriors, which held its second annual iSledders Charity Snowmobile Ride in February, raising $5,500.

Seeing the Industry with a New Perspective

Last week I attended Plastec West in Anaheim, California (what a nice break from frigid temps in Chicago!). It was my first trade show as senior editor of MoldMaking Technology versus attending as a public relations manager for plastics industry suppliers, and I enjoyed seeing everything with a new perspective.

The Economics of Metric

Why pay extra for inches when world economics is moving the U.S. into the metric age. Will this motivate the U.S. to convert in the next two years?

Snowmobiling for a Good Cause

Not only did the snow bring together some of the mold building community for a little snowmobiling, it also helped raise money for a good cause. Proceeds from this inaugural I-Sledders 2015 Charity Snowmobile Ride on February 20-22 benefit iWarriors, which provides technology and assistance for wounded service members to help with rehabilitation and recovery from physical injuries, post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

"Mold Your Career" Apprentice Award

Earlier this year we explained the origin and purpose of this Award established by the AMBA Chicago Chapter--to recognize outstanding apprentices and assist them in acquiring the tools they need to effectively perform their jobs--but today we announce this year's winner.

Feeling the Love on the West Coast

I hate to admit it, but last week was my first trip to the Annual Mike Koebel Moldmakers Trade Fair in Pomona, Calif., and shame on me because what a nice, solid group of industryfolk who continue to support this local event. It was a pleasure to witness the mold building community out on the West Coast.

The Evolution of an Invention

The next generation of the Tie-Not balloon tying device—developed, designed, prototyped and molded by a mold base shop owner and his wife—posed many challenges due to the complexity of the mold design.

Invent a Product—Not Just Its Mold

When Wayne Sikorcin, owner of Craftsman Tool & Mold Co. (Aurora, IL)—a moldmaker turned mold base builder—got frustrated tying water balloons at a family picnic several years ago, he decided to turn that frustration into innovation by using his moldmaking background, experience and connections to develop, design, prototype and mold a device that would tie a knot on a water balloon.