Basics
2025 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 1
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2025, 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.
Christina Fuges
Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology
How to Automate Process and Design in Moldmaking
Mold builders can achieve major operational improvements by automating their digital workflows, particularly in CAD/CAM design, programming and process planning.
Read MoreMMT Chat: True Industry/Education Partnership Demands “Consistent Persistence”
High school teachers often ask, "How can I find a company willing to partner with me?" This question may seem straightforward, but establishing a genuine partnership with a local high school to address the skills gap requires ongoing commitment and consistent communication. Electroform, based in Rockford, IL, and Hononegah High School have made that commitment.
Read MoreStrategic Mold Venting – Runner Venting
Knowing how to vent runners for cold runner systems can lead to significant process improvements.
Read MoreStrategic Mold Venting – Placement and Method
Knowing where and how to vent a mold is critical for difficult areas and complex geometries.
Read MoreHow to Manage Talent to Improve Operational Success
Profitable shops understand that operational and people improvement are inextricably linked. Are you doing what you can to achieve sustainable success?
Read MoreGetting You to Think in Plastic First
For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. The final step is to take the lessons learned from this series and figure out how to impart them to the future moldmaking/molding workforce.
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Smart Tech, Smarter Investments, Skilled Workforce
MMT's Editorial Advisory Board member Gabe English and president of Western Carolina Tool & Mold shares his top MoldMaking Technology articles over the past year and how this content has been valuable to the business.
Christina Fuges
Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology
Preparing for Takeover Tooling
For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. With the right preparation, moldmakers can insulate themselves from takeover tooling crises and add greater value to the molder.
Read MoreControlling Your Hot Runner Manifold System
For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. Moldmakers and molders need to better understand modern hot runner controller technology to solve processing problems.
Read MoreConsiderations for Assessing Robotics Requirements
For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. Knowledge of part de-molding, end-of-arm tooling construction, part defects caused by the mold-robot interface and available automation options is key for suppliers looking to add greater value.
Read MoreDesigning a Better Heat Exchanger - Part 3
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. In part three of our three-part sub-series on mold water cooling systems, we review the impact a water system can have on mold performance and part quality.
Read MoreDesigning a Better Heat Exchanger - Part 2
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. In part two of our three-part sub-series on mold water cooling systems, we review water quality and its impact on mold performance.
Read MoreDesigning a Better Heat Exchanger - Part 1
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. This week we review considerations for mold water cooling systems.
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How to Put AI to Work in EDM
AI streamlines EDM with dashboards, NFC integration, data extraction, wire cutter design, G-code optimization and tool setter enhancements.
Understanding Manifold Thermal Expansion
Molders, mold builders and repair technicians must fully understand thermal expansion to ensure they don’t damage critical seals during manifold repairs or routine cleanings.
Read MoreControlling the Melt Delivery System Heat Source
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. This week: understanding the heating systems along the melt delivery path.
Read MoreHow to Design a Mold with Additive Tooling
Designing molds with additive tooling implementation in mind requires blending traditional mold standards with innovative new ideas of what is possible to push the limits of mold performance.
Read MoreThe Pellet Enters the Melt Delivery System
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. This week: Choosing a hot or cold runner system is a decision for the molder and moldmaker that must balance the processing window with budget and time.
Read MoreTooling 4.0: Connecting Industry 4.0 Technology to Your Molds and Molding Process
A packaging supplier applies Industry 4.0 technology to its injection molds so that components talk to each another to understand the dynamics of what is happening inside the mold.
Read MoreBest Practices for Hitting Critical Numbers: Communication and the Shrinkage Factor
Start with an upfront review, discussion and collaboration with the customer and then consider the shrinkage factor.
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How to Use Ultra-Precision Micro Tools, Molding and Automation to Unlock High-Volume Medical Device Miniaturization
Five key areas where a molder/mold builder applies tight-tolerance tooling and advanced molding solutions to enable high-volume production of micro-molded medical parts.
Initial Pellet Contact is the Screw
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. This week: the machine’s reciprocating screw, which is often misunderstood and applied to the process incorrectly.
Read MoreCan Robots Help Make Molds?
Automation can benefit mold production, from optimized efficiency to enhanced product quality and consistency.
Read MoreStrategic Mold Venting
Venting is one of the most crucial, but often overlooked, aspects of mold design and manufacturing.
Read MoreHow to Troubleshoot "Actual" Hot Runner Controller Temperature
A first-person account of how one technology supplier did not give up until it solved the mystery of a recent part defect.
Read MorePlastic Injection Molding Starts with the Pellet
This summer, let’s get back to the basics. For this summer school basics series, Pellet to Part explores each stage of the plastic injection molding process. This week: what every moldmaker should know about raw materials, including the fundamentals of viscosity curves, Melt Flow Index, Melt Flow Rate, shear and more.
Read MoreWhy Choose a Valve-Gated Hot Runner?
Moldmakers need to be aware of how different gating technology can affect their customers when designing a hot runner system into a mold.
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