Educating Students on Digitalization, Decision-Making and Design

Nick Vitelli, MMT EAB member and Engineering Lecturer for Plastics Engineering Technology at The Behrend College of Penn State Erie shares his top article picks. Source | Penn State Erie

Nick Vitelli is an engineering lecturer for the Plastics Engineering Technology Department at The Behrend College of Penn State Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania. He has over 19 years of experience in plastics, specializing in part and mold design, and project management. He began as a mold designer at a tool and die shop before moving into project management and technical sales. Now a full-time lecturer at Behrend, he helps students gain industry knowledge and essential soft skills. Nick has guided customers in part modeling, material selection, tool cost reduction and moldability solutions. His expertise includes optimizing designs for manufacturability and developing robust molding methods for complex parts. He has taught at Behrend since 2009.

Here, he continues this year’s EAB series by sharing his five favorite MoldMaking Technology articles over the past year, and key takeaways that have been valuable to his work.  

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1. Three Technologies to Help Fill the Skills Gap

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

When it comes to robotics, we are actively enhancing our students’ exposure to robotics within the Plastics program. Our goal is to ensure that our engineers graduate with at least a basic understanding of how robotics can benefit companies. In terms of 3D printing, we are in the process of acquiring a metal 3D printer to explore its potential applications and limitations. This initiative is a high priority for us.

2. How to Use and Protect Remote Machine Monitoring Data

Collecting, analyzing and securing machine data in real time can substantially improve productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction.

We often discuss Big Data as a tool for improving processes. With the addition of AI to analyze data and identify trends, it will play a significant role in quality systems moving forward. Also, given the current workforce shortage, the more we can automate, the better.

3. Hot Runner Truths, Myths and Overlooked Areas

Addressing hot runner benefits, improvements and everyday issues from the perspective of decades of experience with probably every brand on the market.

This is a topic we extensively cover in our courses for students. This article helps moldmakers consider heat transfer in new ways.

4. How to Maintain Heaters, Thermocouples, Valve Gates and Controls

Source | Innotech

An examination of real-world problems and solutions involving hot runner system maintenance.

This article provides an excellent overview of the basics of hot runner maintenance. During my time in the industry, we had a molding customer who struggled with these issues and faced numerous problems with their hot runner systems. Once we developed a procedure for startup, shutdown and maintenance, their issues vanished. I hope we can share this article with both molders and mold builders!

5. Deliberate Mismatches for Easier Mold Manufacture and Improved Part Appearance

Basic principles for applying deliberate mismatch in the area between the core and cavity, and between two matching plastic parts.

I appreciate this article because I frequently apply this concept in the industry. Often, people don’t realize the challenges of aligning elements perfectly. There will always be variations in the process. The best approach is to intentionally create a mismatch that avoids issues such as undercuts, which can cause dragging or scraping. This is an article that every plastic part designer and mold designer should read. We incorporate this concept into the courses we teach on part design.