Time for Tooling to Get in the Game: Submit to Hot Shots Today

Competition is an innate part of human nature. Throughout our evolutionary history, it has given us a reason to put forth greater effort to improve performance, spark innovation and creativity and yes, even provide an intrinsic incentive to “win.” Given its seemingly powerful role in our daily lives – including in our positions in manufacturing – sister brand Plastics Technology (PT) is promoting the return of its Hot Shots competition for injection-molded parts, taking place at the Molding 2022 event in November in Charlotte, North Carolina. What makes this year’s event even more special is the co-location of the inaugural MoldMaking Conference presented by MoldMaking Technology (MMT).

Hot Shots was a success during its 2021 inauguration when molder and moldmaker Matrix Tool and injection molding machine supplier Sodick Plustech submitted the winning part, saying it was “something that you couldn’t mold with normal injection molding machines in typical materials in a typical mold.”

Enter Today!

Now, as November 2022, approaches, the competition is open and looking for eligible companies that are willing to prove their own sophistication and efficiency — this includes mold builders!

“Those in the moldmaking and plastics industries know that the mold is the heart of the molding process, so here’s my plea to mold builders out there to consider entering a design for which they engineered and manufactured the tooling,” MMT editorial director, Christina Fuges, says.

Injection-molded parts — including their critical tooling — that are submitted will be considered under two categories:

Technical Sophistication
Achievement in Molding Efficiency and/or Economics

More information on criteria and an entry form can be found at the Molding 2022 website.

“Those in the moldmaking and plastics industries know that the mold is the heart of the molding process, so here’s my plea to mold builders out there to consider entering a design for which they engineered and manufactured the tooling,” MMT editorial director, Christina Fuges, says.

Benefits of Winning

How will participating in Hot Shots benefit those companies that enter (and potentially win)? All the selected entries will be highlighted on the Plastics Technology website, as well as the Molding Conference website, with articles and videos, and contest winners will be the subject of a standalone article in Plastics Technology.

“MoldMaking Technology will capitalize on this coverage to provide bonus promotion for the qualified candidates and winners,” Fuges says.

Two Connected Conferences

Alongside the Molding Conference will be the MoldMaking Conference (MMC), providing a complete education and networking experience for mold manufacturing professionals looking to better themselves and their companies.

“Moldmaking and molding are two very connected processes so this co-location is a no-brainer. MMC is bringing the pages of MMT to life via the tagline: Engineer – Build – Maintain – Manage and bringing live, face-to-face, technical, practical education back to the forefront to promote technology, workforce and business readiness for mold manufacturers,” Fuges says.

With sponsors like Progressive Components, Haimer, Slide Products, Kruse Training, Hurco and GROB, expert speakers presenting relevant industry topics and a space to network, the event in November is promising to live up to its potential. “I am in the final stages of solidifying the program, so stay tuned — think ‘next-level mold manufacturing,” Fuges adds.