What's New and What Works in Mold Manufacturing

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Engineer See All

Design & Mfg. Software
From Shrinkage to Simulation: Mastering Warpage Compensation in Mold Design
Understanding anisotropic shrinkage and geometry-driven warpage, designers use simulation, point mapping and feature alignment to virtually compensate parts, reducing costly trial-and-error tooling iterations significantly.

Automation
5 Tips for Smarter, AI-Powered Quoting in Moldmaking
AI-powered quoting tools trained on a shop’s own data deliver faster, more accurate and secure estimates tailored to real operations.

Design & Mfg. Software
Stop Guessing. Start Designing Smarter.
Experts reveal how understanding molds as physics-driven systems — balancing flow, thermal and mechanical forces — enables smarter design decisions and better performance.

Design & Mfg. Software
Is This Mold Design Webinar for You? Maybe This Will Help
A quick primer on flow, thermal and mechanical principles to prepare you to dive deeper into using them to guide gating, cooling, steel and ejection decisions with this free webinar.

Design & Mfg. Software
Smarter Mold Design Starts with Shared Expertise
Industry experts share practical DFM strategies and a proven framework to help teams make smarter mold design decisions that improve performance outcomes.

Artificial Intelligence
PTXPO 2026: Innovation, Precision and Collaboration Define the Future of Moldmaking, Part 1
PTXPO 2026 highlighted trends in digital simulation, efficient hot runners/thermal systems, additive enhancements, advanced mold steels/components, proactive maintenance, automation and collaborative workforce growth.
Build See All

Mold Components
Traceability: The Why and How of Using Date Stamps in Molds
Whether the product you’re molding is required by regulations to include a date stamp or you see the production transparency benefits of applying them, there are important elements to understand in managing these tool inserts.

Mold Components
Tooling: Why Ejector Pins Break And How to Prevent It, Part 2
Here’s the when and how to reduce the unsupported length of pins.

Leadership
5 Tips for Smarter, AI-Powered Quoting in Moldmaking
AI-powered quoting tools trained on a shop’s own data deliver faster, more accurate and secure estimates tailored to real operations.

Basics
Tooling: Why Ejector Pins Break...and How to Prevent It, Part 1
In part one of this four-part series, we focus on the molding machine and the ejection system as culprits.

Automation
MMT Chats: AI Starts with People, Not Platforms
A hybrid approach to digital transformation helps mold shops adopt AI by focusing on people first, building trust and adding technology in ways that support daily work.

Mold Components
Three Key Decisions for an Optimal Ejection System
When determining the best ejection option for a tool, molders must consider the ejector’s surface area, location and style.
Maintain See All

Maintenance & Repair
June's Most-Read on MoldMaking Technology
June's top articles reflected a focus on two converging themes: AI adoption in practical shop operations, and back-to-basics technical content that never goes out of style.

Packaging
Expert Thin Wall Mold Restoration
Restoring high-speed packaging molds to peak performance through advanced techniques, precision machining and 50% faster turnaround times.

Automation
How Digitized Inspection and AI Are Reshaping Mold Shop Workflows
AI transforms moldmaking inspection by turning measurement data into predictive process intelligence through connected digital workflows, replacing manual interpretation.

Molding Equipment
Molding Minds: The May Articles Readers Loved Most
From the shop floor to the conference stage, May's most-read articles reflect an industry navigating change on every front.

Leadership
Making Every Cycle Count — Best Practices in Maintenance for Maximum Uptime
Plastics processing equipment works hard around the clock. In many operations, unplanned downtime is too expensive to contemplate.

Surface Treatment
Stop Cleaning Molds by Feel
How surface intelligence reveals invisible contamination and validates mold cleaning effectiveness.
Manage See All

Business Strategy
MMT Chat: The Upfront Work Is the Work
With 30-plus years in the trade, Adler Industrial Solutions' Senior Tooling Engineer and Lead Estimator still comes back to the same principle: the more you invest before the job starts, the fewer problems you solve after it does.

Economics
Moldmaking Index Cools to 53.3 as Expansion Enters Fifth Month
Across-the-board pullback trimmed the index more than four points in May, but despite slowing growth the moldmaking market remains firmly in expansion.

Artificial Intelligence
From Curiosity to Capability
A mold shop’s AI journey shows how experimentation, internal talent and practical problem-solving can turn uncertainty into momentum and opportunity.

Workforce Development
More Than HR: Why Mold Shops Need a Social Worker Mindset
TK Mold & Engineering shows how applying social work principles to workforce management enhances employee retention, company culture and long-term performance in mold manufacturing.

Artificial Intelligence
Bravery, Focus and the Future of Moldmaking
From leadership and mindfulness to tariffs and AI, this year’s AMBA conference challenged moldmakers to face uncertainty with courage, connection and intention.

Workforce Development
Reviving Moldmaking Through Hands-On Mastery
Penn State Behrend’s veteran instructors teach through mold autopsies, live industry projects and DoD-backed CNC bootcamps, blending craftsmanship with technology.
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- Webinars
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Webinars See All

On Demand
MMT Tech Days: Mold Design Fundamentals: A Framework for Smarter Decisions
This webinar breaks mold design down into its three essential pillars — Flow, Thermal and Mechanical. Each pillar will be covered by four leading mold builders, with each sharing their decision-making strategies for comparing common design choices, from gating and cooling to steel selection and ejection strategies. The webinar helps both new and experienced designers establish a shared language and consistent approach to designing robust, efficient tooling.Industry veterans will appreciate insights from peers who’ve lived these challenges, while newer designers and toolmakers will gain clarity on how critical components fit together — and why certain decisions matter more than others. This webinar won’t attempt to cover everything, but it will deliver high-value fundamentals, real examples and the perspectives that drive better design choices.

On Demand
Practical Mold Machining Tips and Strategies for Training Teams
Discover proven strategies for training today’s moldmaking teams amid a shortage of skilled labor. This webinar explores practical machining techniques and self-paced learning resources designed to strengthen shopfloor capabilities. Learn how e-learning tools can support key processes — including milling, hole-making, turning, threading, parting and groove turning — while empowering the next generation of moldmakers with real-world, on-demand metalworking education. Throughout the session, the speaker will highlight real-world customer examples that demonstrate how these training tools and techniques are being successfully applied in mold shops.

On Demand
Integrated Product Solutions for Enhanced Molding Operations
Join technical experts for an interactive webinar exploring comprehensive approaches to injection mold processes — from initial design through ongoing maintenance. This session will cover integrated product solutions, customization approaches and technical support strategies used throughout the molding industry. Explore current innovations in molding technology, examine tailored solution methodologies and review case studies demonstrating effective implementation of service-oriented approaches. Attendees can submit project plans for comparative analysis and technical feedback. This webinar provides valuable insights into modern approaches to injection molding operations and technical solution implementation. Agenda: Technical discussion of advanced products including collapsible cores, temperature control systems and cooling management solutions Opportunity to submit current plans for technical analysis and recommendations Industry insights and technical resources Follow-up consultation availability Interactive Q&A with senior technical experts
Videos See All

Business Strategy
MMT Chat: The Upfront Work Is the Work
With 30-plus years in the trade, Adler Industrial Solutions' Senior Tooling Engineer and Lead Estimator still comes back to the same principle: the more you invest before the job starts, the fewer problems you solve after it does.

Workforce Development
MMT Chat: Fresh Perspective on Workforce, EDM and What's Coming Next
A newly promoted moldmaker from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories shares candid insights on training, AI and building expertise one process at a time.

Automation
MMT Chats: AI Starts with People, Not Platforms
A hybrid approach to digital transformation helps mold shops adopt AI by focusing on people first, building trust and adding technology in ways that support daily work.

Education
MMT Chats: Steve Carr, A 44-Year Legacy of Mold Repair Excellence and Mentorship
Steve Carr's 44-year career in mold repair at Plastikos and Micro Mold showcases unmatched skill, leadership and dedication to mentoring future toolmakers.

Mold Components
Fundamentals of Designing the Optimal Cooling System
The right mold components can help improve mold cooling and thereby produce higher-quality parts.

Leadership
MMT Chats: From Garage Tinkerer to Innovation Pioneer
Rob Doorakkers transformed childhood moldmaking passion into visionary leadership, driving innovation at IGS GeboJagema through expertise, collaboration and forward-thinking strategies.
Events See All

24 Aug 2026
National Composites Week 2026
Celebrate National Composites Week 2026! The goal of National Composites Week is to celebrate and bring attention to the myriad ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contribute to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today. Learn how you can participate in this year's National Composites Week on NationalCompositesWeek.com.

26 Aug 2026
PM Tech Days: Micro-Scale Machining

6 Oct 2026
Products Finishing Top Shops 2026
New this year, Top Shops Conference will expand to include CNC machining and industrial finishing. Modern Machine Shop Top Shops and Products Finishing Top Shops, Gardner Business Media’s two largest and longest running benchmarking and business improvement survey programs, will join forces to host concurrent Top Shops Conference programs. In addition to dedicated conference programming, Top Shops Conference attendees will benefit from access to several shared general sessions, keynotes, exhibit rooms and special networking events enabling these two critical manufacturing service groups – CNC machining and industrial finishing - to learn, exchange ideas and make valuable business connections.

6 Oct 2026
Modern Machine Shop Top Shops 2026
New this year, Top Shops Conference will expand to include CNC machining and industrial finishing. Modern Machine Shop Top Shops and Products Finishing Top Shops, Gardner Business Media’s two largest and longest running benchmarking and business improvement survey programs, will join forces to host concurrent Top Shops Conference programs. In addition to dedicated conference programming, Top Shops Conference attendees will benefit from access to several shared general sessions, keynotes, exhibit rooms and special networking events enabling these two critical manufacturing service groups – CNC machining and industrial finishing - to learn, exchange ideas and make valuable business connections.

17 Nov 2026
Formnext 2026
As hub for Additive Manufacturing, Formnext is central information platform for industrial 3D Printing experts and production professionals from a wide range of application industries. With the trade show in Frankfurt, up-to-date industry information and networking opportunities 365 days a year, we bundle expertise, create in-depth professional exchange and access to the latest AM solutions.

18 Nov 2026
Molding Conference 2026
Educating and Connecting Leaders in Injection Molding For more than 30 years, the Molding Conference has provided expert education sessions and unique networking opportunities for the injection molding community. The team at Plastics Technology has worked to curate a schedule of cutting-edge and contemporary topics that span all aspects of the injection molding process. Learn tips, techniques, and best practices to implement at your shop from injection molding's top minds.
Suppliers See All

Additive Manufacturing

Business Development

Cleaning & Pretreatment

Inspection, Testing, Measurement

Manufacturing Execution & Automation Software & Controls

Manufacturing Services

Materials

Pollution Control & Sustainability

Supplies

Temperature/Pressure Control Equipment

Workholding
Basics/101 See All

FAQ
June's Most-Read on MoldMaking Technology
June's top articles reflected a focus on two converging themes: AI adoption in practical shop operations, and back-to-basics technical content that never goes out of style.

Basics
Tooling: Why Ejector Pins Break And How to Prevent It, Part 2
Here’s the when and how to reduce the unsupported length of pins.

Basics
5 Tips for Smarter, AI-Powered Quoting in Moldmaking
AI-powered quoting tools trained on a shop’s own data deliver faster, more accurate and secure estimates tailored to real operations.

Basics
Tooling: Why Ejector Pins Break...and How to Prevent It, Part 1
In part one of this four-part series, we focus on the molding machine and the ejection system as culprits.

Basics
Bravery, Focus and the Future of Moldmaking
From leadership and mindfulness to tariffs and AI, this year’s AMBA conference challenged moldmakers to face uncertainty with courage, connection and intention.

Tips
How to Evaluate Digital Manufacturing Software
Here are the key areas moldmakers should consider when evaluating software solutions to improve transparency, connectivity, uptime, quality and productivity.
Mold Design & Optimization

New Product Development
Strategies for moldmakers to effectively manage new product development projects.

Strategic Mold Design
With complex plastic parts it can be difficult to deliver proper cooling and venting.

Mold Design Series
The mold specification document is essential for injection molding success, connecting design requirements with manufacturing processes and quality control standards.

Injection Mold Design Handbook
All successful mold build projects start with examining the part to be molded to ensure it is moldable and will meet the customers' production objectives.
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