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Automation

How to Build the Right Automation System

Seven considerations when developing an automation solution for your customers.

Mold Materials

Five Benefits of Aluminum Tooling

Aluminum molds are worth a second look as a viable means to swiftly and cost-effectively get products to market.

Maintenance & Repair

A Simple Guide to Spindle Repair

Understand the causes of spindle failure and the steps for proper repair.

Machining

How to Overcome Common Deep-Hole Drilling Challenges

Producing deep holes effectively and efficiently is a challenging application that requires cutting tool solutions that offer predictable cutter life, accurate surface finish and repeatability.

Workforce Development

How to Address the Mold Engineering Skills Gap

Four ways to equip mold engineers with the necessary knowledge to tackle the skilled workforce crisis.

Machining

CNC or 3D Printing: 5 Factors to Consider

Accuracy, time, cost, nimbleness and application considerations help to determine if a shop should use CNC machining or 3D printing.

Automation

5 Sinker EDM Advancements

Speed, machine design, software, artificial intelligence and automation help maximize sinker EDM productivity.

Automation

3 Technologies to Help Fill the Skills Gap

Moldmakers can address the labor challenge with robotic systems, simulation products and metal 3D printers.

Machining

How to Produce More Accurate Molds and Reduce Rework

Patented micro-milling process for manufacturing steel plate flat and parallel helps mold builders shorten mold build times and increase accuracy.

Data Management Software

The ROI of ERP

Seven reasons why a mold builder needs to invest in enterprise resource planning software and technology.

Surface Treatment

How to Polish Ribs for Proper Part Release

Using the right tools and abrasives is essential to polish a mold to the required final finish.

Cutting Tools

Three Ways to Accurately Machine Hardened Mold Materials

Three cutting tool design considerations to improve process reliability and cost efficiency when deep-hole drilling molds.

Mold Materials

How to Eliminate Streaks and Weld Problems with Laser Technology

Laser technology overcomes streaking and welding challenges for new mold textures and texture repair.

Hot Runners

Five Ways a Hot Runner Is Key to Processing Reinforced Materials

A trusted hot runner supplier should work closely with mold builders and molders to manage the expectations (and realities) of supporting the specification, tool design, installation and service of a hot runner system.

Mold Materials

How is an Aluminum Mold Energy-Efficient?

Nine ways aluminum molds save energy and production costs.

Inspection & Measurement

Four Uses for Tactile Probing and Laser Scanning in Moldmaking

Laser trackers with their probing and scanning capabilities are embedded in almost every stage of the moldmaking process.

Additive Manufacturing

Two Reasons to Form Additive Tooling Partnerships

Partnering with experienced 3D printing resources is essential to remaining competitive in today’s ever-evolving moldmaking industry.

Data Management Software

Ten Things Mold Builders Should NOT Do

What you don’t do can be just as important as what you do, sometimes even more so. One thing great mold builders do is take note of what gets in the way of their success and stop doing it.

Business Strategy

How To Get Buy-In from Your Team for ISO 9001

Here are four tips for getting your team on board once you’ve decided to become ISO 9001 certified.

Surface Treatment

How to Protect Soft Base Materials

Choose a suitable mold coating to take the abuse and save your base material.

Cutting Tools

When to Use Solid Carbide Thread Mills or Indexable Thread Mills

Pointers for choosing solid carbide thread mills versus indexable thread mills.

Data Management Software

5 Steps to Get Started With Digitalization

Knowledge, a strong partner, an internal champion and an active regular participation in highly visible data will help smaller mold shops with digitalization.

Additive Manufacturing

Cutter Considerations for Hybrid Additive Manufacturing

Four tips for applying the right cutting tools in hybrid additive manufacturing.

Maintenance & Repair

How to Overcome Complex Mold Texturing Problems

Key benefits when considering laser technology for mold texturing and repair.

Machining

Six CNC Control Features for Moldmakers

A CNC control should have features to automatically smooth the axis movements or allow the operator to set tolerance limits manually.

Inspection & Measurement

Five Things a Mold Builder Should Know about Non-Contact Blue Light 3D Scanning

Mold builders who use non-contact blue light 3D scanning reap the benefits of digitization throughout the mold manufacturing process.

Cutting Tools

How a Small Programming Change Cuts Cycle Time in Half

Overriding the CAM system when milling a series of lifter pockets helps to improve metal removal rate and increase feed rates.

Additive Manufacturing

How to Use Hybrid Additive Manufacturing

A look at directed energy deposition (DED) and powder bed fusion (PBF) additive technologies for moldmaking applications.

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