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Moldmaking Technology Magazine

What's New and What Works in Mold Manufacturing

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Engineer See All

Design & Mfg. Software
Top 10 Engineering Content From 2024
Peruse the most-viewed engineering content that you may have missed this past year from MoldMaking Technology! Discover the next software to best benefit your moldmaking capabilties – from data management to design and manufacturing software, we have you covered.

Business Strategy
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 2
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Hot Runners
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 1
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

3D Printing
MoldMaking Technology's Most-Viewed Content of 2024
The most popular MoldMaking Technology content according to analytics reports over the past year.

Design & Mfg. Software
Maximizing Machine Tool Potential With CAM Software
Identifying specific areas where CAM software can utilize machine capabilities to benefit the user and maximize milling machine potential.

Conformal Cooling
Strategic Mold Cooling: Optimizing Molding Quality and Cycle Efficiency
Proper cooling is crucial in molding, yet often overlooked. Discover proper cooling methods to prevent defects and improve efficiency.
Build See All

Automation
Video: How 3D Printing Is Advancing Moldmaking
Developments in 3D printing technology, from powder partnerships to automation, are improving moldmaking processes.

Mold Components
Building Molds: Most Popular Reads of 2024
Dive into the most-viewed content for building your mold, including topics such as cutting tools, EDM, hot runners, additive manufacturing, mold materials, machining and mold components.

Business Strategy
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 2
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Automation
Using AI to Transform Part and Mold Manufacturing
A Michigan startup is leveraging AI-designed molds in a bid to “commoditize” tool building and optimize parts in the process.

Workforce Development
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 1
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Leadtime Leader
MoldMaking Technology's Most-Viewed Content of 2024
The most popular MoldMaking Technology content according to analytics reports over the past year.
Maintain See All

Additive Manufacturing
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 2
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Mold Components
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 1
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Mold Components
MoldMaking Technology's Most-Viewed Content of 2024
The most popular MoldMaking Technology content according to analytics reports over the past year.

Inspection & Measurement
How to Achieve Automated Measurement With Advanced Touch Probes and Laser Systems
A combination of lasers, probes and software help moldmakers automate in-process cutting tool and workpiece measurement.

Case Study
Laser Welder Yields Fast, Precise Mold Repair
Intralox's integration of the Alpha Laser ALFlak has significantly improved their tool room efficiency when it comes to difficult welds and urgent repairs.

Surface Treatment
Best Practices for Engraving Cores and Cavities
Consider depth, font style, artwork size, polarity and location when engraving.
Manage See All

Basics
MMT Chats: The Hidden Obstacles Holding Your Business Back (and You Don't Even Know It) Part 1
MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges gets the personal stories of two small to mid-sized manufacturers who discovered how to unleash the hidden potential of their shops and pave the way for financial growth and long-term success.

EDM
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 2
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Hot Runners
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 1
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.

Leadership
Strategies for Delivering a Qualified Talent Pipeline for Manufacturers
Insights into the importance of talent in maintaining national competitiveness, the impact of global events on the workforce and practical strategies for developing and implementing effective talent plans.

Business Strategy
Collaborative Engineering Drives Quality Mold Solutions
Advanced engineering and tooling teams collaborate to train, design, develop and deliver high-quality, cost-effective molds efficiently, ensuring perfect parts and faster launches.

Business Strategy
Moldmaking Opportunities and Challenges Within the Current Economic Cycle
Report analyzes moldmaking trends, pricing, labor shortages, capital costs, competitiveness strategies and construction spending challenges.
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- Webinars
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Webinars See All

On Demand
5 Areas to Improve in Progressive Die Manufacturing with Next Generation Automation and Innovation
Join this webinar where Hexagon will explore how state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology can drive your business forward. Learn how to optimize tool paths, enhance design accuracy and reduce lead times with advanced simulation. Discover the power of automation and real-time data for continuous improvement. Tailored for mold and die manufacturers, this session offers actionable insights to boost productivity and quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in progressive die manufacturing. Agenda: Key challenges in progressive die manufacturing Optimizing tool paths Enhancing mold and die design accuracy Reducing lead times with simulation Automating processes for greater efficiency Leveraging real-time data for continuous improvement

On Demand
Efficient Mold Design with Advanced Automation: Mold Actions
Discover how to enhance your mold design process with CAD/CAM software specifically tailored for the moldmaking industry. In part two of this webinar series, Cimatron will demonstrate how to intelligently design mold components, such as slides and lifters, using powerful CAD/CAM tools to accelerate the design process. Additionally, it will cover how to avoid errors and ensure design accuracy for ejector pins by checking clearance distances, calculating cutoff heights correctly, and thoroughly documenting all ejector components. Agenda: Slides Lifters Inserts Ejection pins and charts

On Demand
Learn to Mold 1000+ Parts Using 3D-Printed Mold Inserts: Introducing Ultrasim3D NextMold
While the transition from traditional methods to this innovative approach may present initial challenges, the benefits far outweigh the learning curve. Through the NextMold and partner network, Forward AM provides comprehensive support at every stage of the integration process. This ensures a smooth adoption of the technology into company’s operations, including seamless collaboration with molding companies. Forward AM’s commitment is to facilitate this technological transformation, enabling your business to leverage the full potential of 3D-printed mold inserts. Agenda: Molding with 3D-printed inserts Ultrasim3D Next Mold: Forward AM offering Successful adaption: integration at Beaumont Technologies

On Demand
3D Printing Design Freedom: Blessing and Curse for Conformal Cooling
When used for conformal cooling in plastic injection, 3D printing opens a wide range of design freedom. This design freedom enables designers to develop highly-efficient thermal regulation networks. However, this blessing also comes at the expense of not only higher manufacturing cost but also higher design cost as the designer could spend weeks to develop optimal cooling channels. This webinar will explore strategies and tools — including SimForm, a front-end thermal simulation app — to help tool designers and tooling managers maximize the benefits of 3D printing while minimizing manufacturing and design costs. Agenda: 3D printing applied to the plastic injection industry 3D printing pros and cons Tools and methods to facilitate the integration of 3D printing

On Demand
Efficient Mold Design with Advanced Automation: Core/Cavity Design
Discover how to enhance your mold design process with the right CAD/CAM tool for parting and cavity design. This webinar will explore CAD/CAM capabilities including how hybrid solid/surface modeling can streamline workflow and improve accuracy. Learn how to confidently tackle parting, runoff, and shutoff, ensuring precision and efficiency in your designs. Agenda: Part analysis QuickSplit techniques Parting and runoff strategies Shutoff solutions

On Demand
Innovative Tools to Optimize Mold Performance
This webinar will provide an overview of new developments in hot runners, controllers, mold components, predesigned molds, process monitoring and mold maintenance equipment. These advancements are designed with the goals of lowering scrap rates, optimizing process temperatures and managing energy consumption. The solutions also aim to support productivity and may contribute to extending the operational lifespan of tooling equipment. Agenda: Innovative undercut and thread-forming components Predesign mold bases and plate control Melt delivery and control solutions Process monitoring and maintenance

On Demand
Efficient Mold Design with Advanced Automation: Cooling Register Now
Videos See All

Automation
Video: How 3D Printing Is Advancing Moldmaking
Developments in 3D printing technology, from powder partnerships to automation, are improving moldmaking processes.

Basics
MMT Chats: The Hidden Obstacles Holding Your Business Back (and You Don't Even Know It) Part 1
MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges gets the personal stories of two small to mid-sized manufacturers who discovered how to unleash the hidden potential of their shops and pave the way for financial growth and long-term success.

Education
MMT Chats: How Hands-On Experience and Passion Earned a Scholarship
University of Wisconsin-Stout student Luke Hodgson shares how his hands-on experience in plastics engineering earned him the 2024 SPE Mold Technologies Division Glenn Beall Scholarship.

Mold Components
Video: Mold Base for Product Development With 3D Printed Molds
Alba Enterprises created a mold base to match the needs and pacing of product iteration using mold tooling made via additive manufacturing.

Mold Components
Video: Mold Component Technology Solutions Boost Sustainability
Sustainable, productivity-boosting innovations for moldmakers, including stress relief, traceability and cooling solutions.

Sustainability
MMT Chats: Sustainable Workforce Growth with the ATR Framework
Join MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges as she discovers the benefits of eLearning, including promoting sustainability in moldmaking by reducing travel, minimizing waste and enhancing global workforce accessibility.
Events See All

18 Mar 2025
PTXPO 2025
PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, IL for three days of non-stop networking, education and business development opportunities.

2 Apr 2025
Parts Cleaning Workshop
Critical Cleaning Hands-on Workshop Do it; learn it! The one-day workshop teaches how cleaning and cleanliness testing work. By participating in hands-on exercises of techniques for cleaning and cleanliness verification, attendees gain the understanding and knowledge to make practical, effective, and sustainable manufacturing decisions. While exercises are supplemented by demonstrations and tutorials, the workshop is not death by PowerPoint! Topics include aqueous, solvent, and “non-chemical” cleaning, including cleaning chemicals and cleaning processes (spray, ultrasonics, cyclic nucleation, in-line, batch). Most manufactured product and product contact surfaces require cleaning during (and sometimes after) manufacture and assembly. Examples of areas where effective cleaning is essential include: metal fabrication, product assembly, optics, electronics, microelectronics, wafer fab, medical devices, aerospace/aeronautics, military, and additive manufacturing. WHAT DO YOU CALL CLEANING? There are many different terms for cleaning. Cleaning Precision Cleaning Critical Cleaning Safety/Critical Cleaning Surface Prep for Finishing Technical Cleanliness Residue Removal WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE WORKSHOP If you or your company fabricates, finishes, maintains or repairs product or product contact surfaces (like reaction vessels), this workshop is time well-spent. If you sell chemicals or cleaning equipment, this workshop will help you better understand and optimize the market for your products. Examples include: Manufacturing Engineers Product Designers Managers Sales and Marketing Managers Facilities Personnel Assemblers, operators Process Technicians Quality Control Personnel Regulatory Affairs Experts (industry, military, and government) Safety/environmental professionals Participants will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion with continuing education credits from Sam Houston State University.

7 May 2025
AMBA Conference 2025
Mark the calendar for AMBA Conference 2025, "Breakthrough Innovation," May 7-9, 2025, Grand Rapids, MI. During this industry event, attendees will meet with peers to discuss best practices in business, employee management, technology and more.

13 May 2025
Manufacturing Technology Series EAST 2025
The Manufacturing Technology Series East, featuring EASTEC in West Springfield, Massachusetts — is at the epicenter of a region that is a traditional manufacturing powerhouse. Historically, more than 700 companies have connected at this event to network, learn from industry experts and explore the latest manufacturing technologies.

20 May 2025
Extrusion Conference 2025
Extrusion's general sessions cover best practices, troubleshooting and processing solutions that can help you run your operation and maximize the utilization of your existing assets—as efficiently as possible. Extrusion professionals from the shop floor to the front office are represented at the Extrusion Conference. You’ll meet the entire global supply chain: manufacturing managers, supervisors, engineers and technicians, as well as engineers and technical managers at OEMs and other firms.

25 Jun 2025
Rapid + TCT 2025
On June 25-27, 2024, RAPID + TCT returned to the West Coast for the first time in nearly a decade! The three-day event featured the latest in 3D-printing technology from the industry’s leading product and service providers, a full schedule of speakers including a keynote series, and over 125 hours of educational content. The expansive show floor showcased over 400 exhibiting companies’ latest advancements. And next year? It will be even better! Start planning your trip to Detroit, MI to experience North America’s largest additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing event in 2025!

5 Mar 2025 New & Upcoming
National Surface Finishing Day Register Now
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Basics/101 See All

Business Strategy
MMT Chats: The Hidden Obstacles Holding Your Business Back (and You Don't Even Know It) Part 1
MMT Editorial Director Christina Fuges gets the personal stories of two small to mid-sized manufacturers who discovered how to unleash the hidden potential of their shops and pave the way for financial growth and long-term success.

Design & Mfg. Software
Understanding the Elusive Nature of Mold Ventilation
A personal journey of lessons learned about the challenges of poorly designed, understood and executed mold venting.

FAQ
The Critical Role of Management Representatives in ISO 9001
In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

FAQ
How to Optimize Mold Finishing
Circle segment technology requires fewer tool paths, improving surface quality and increasing cutting tool life.

Basics
How to Overcome Complex Mold Texturing Problems
Key benefits when considering laser technology for mold texturing and repair.

Basics
Understanding Diamond Compounds
Diamond compounds, with their varied grades, colors and base options, provide a comprehensive solution for mold builders in need of precise and superior polishing across diverse materials and applications.
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Proto Labs, Inc.

Proto Labs, Inc.

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5540 Pioneer Creek Dr.
Maple Plain, MN 55359 US
877-479-3680 | 763-479-3680
customerservice@protolabs.com
protolabs.com

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As Seen On MoldMaking Technology

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2018 Technology Review and Sourcing Guide: Additive Manufacturing

AMC 2018 Sessions Highlight Innovation in AM Technologies

Protolabs Wins Operational Excellence in Manufacturing Award

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Demo Mold Teaching and Marketing Tool

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