MoldMaking Technology

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MoldMaking Technology

The only monthly trade publication focused entirely on mold design, build, repair and management.

MoldMaking Technology addresses the complete lifecycle of the manufacture and maintenance of a mold—from design to first shot—by providing solutions and strategies to moldmaking professionals charged with designing, building and repairing molds. MMT utilizes an Editorial Advisory Board to help guide the direction of the brand. This board is made up of authorities with expertise within their respec

tive business, industry, technology and profession. Their role is to advise on timely issues, trends and advances in the field, offer editorial thought and direction, review and comment on specific articles and generally act as a sounding board and a conscience for the publication. MMT remains committed to bringing our audience what’s new and what works in mold manufacturing by focusing on the needs of today’s mold builders. Anything from successful business practices to manufacturing strategies can be found in a technology article, application story, shop profile or tip of the month that applies to today’s mold shop owners, tool and mold manufacturers, injection molders and OEMs.

06/03/2026

Stewardship, not replacement, may be the most useful frame for AI in a mold shop.

At an AMBA Conference session, Steve and Evan Michon of Zero Tolerance offered a grounded account of AI experimentation inside their shop — including the uncertainty, mistakes, frustrations and wins.

Their starting point was practical: knowledge and workforce gaps from retirements, a remote designer needing software access, manual processes and data scattered across too many places. A few small AI experiments followed, addressing remote software connections, automated file backups, email routing for RFQs, quoting assistance and a live dashboard pulling ERP data that previously required spreadsheets and manual effort.

What shaped their approach:

- AI making people better, not replacing them
- Developing AI talent internally rather than relying on outside experts
- Maintaining human oversight and security awareness
- Accepting that results will be uneven

The broader takeaway is less about the technology and more about creating environments where people feel safe to explore it — and finding the internal talent willing to experiment, learn and push boundaries. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/from-curiosity-to-capability

06/02/2026

Mold shops are under pressure to "do something with AI" — but most of the conversation focuses on the technology, not the people using it.

A hybrid approach to digital transformation reframes that. Rather than overhauling everything at once, it means adding new digital tools into the way your team already works — starting small, building on what's familiar and growing from there.

A few principles stand out:

- AI readiness isn't just about having good data — it requires the right mindset and a culture where people can ask questions and learn as they go
- Involving operators and technicians early produces more practical solutions and higher adoption
- Pilot projects — one problem, one clear result — build confidence and create momentum
- Where change is pushed top-down, people often fall back to spreadsheets and old habits

Leaders also need to address uncertainty directly. Being clear that AI is meant to support people, not replace them, goes a long way.

Trust is the foundation: accurate data, consistent language and results people can understand.

Read the full MMT Chat to explore the approach in depth. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/mmt-chats-ai-starts-with-people-not-platforms

06/01/2026

Inspection data has long supported traceability in moldmaking. Connected digital workflows are enabling it to support intelligence.

Moldmaking inspection has traditionally relied on experience-driven interpretation, handwritten notes and isolated program files. That model provides traceability, but it does not always provide insight. When measurement data lives within disconnected systems, patterns across revisions, mold families or machining strategies are difficult to identify.

The turning point is digitization. When inspection equipment feeds structured measurement results into connected software, data becomes traceable, searchable and comparable across time. Measurement results evolve into a historical record of process behavior rather than isolated pass/fail events.

AI becomes relevant only once that digital foundation exists. It does not replace the moldmaker. With structured, traceable inspection data, AI can:

- Detect trends and flag anomalies across production cycles
- Identify recurring deviations tied to specific machining strategies
- Support earlier detection of process instability

Structured programming reduces repetitive interpretation. Experienced inspectors remain in control of critical decisions. The shift is not from human to machine — it is from isolated interpretation to connected insight.

Read the full analysis to understand how this transition is reshaping moldmaking quality operations. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/how-digitized-inspection-and-ai-are-reshaping-mold-shop-workflows

05/29/2026

Moldmaking in May: Leadership, workforce, and engineering precision defined the month's most-read content.

Readers engaged most with topics spanning both the human and technical dimensions of the industry — from shop floor maintenance and cutting tool strategy to workforce development and mold design fundamentals.

Key themes included:

- Unplanned downtime and best practices for plastics processing equipment
- Strategic pairing of indexable and solid round cutting tools for faster, more precise results
- Understanding molds as physics-driven systems that balance flow, thermal, and mechanical forces
- Surface intelligence as a method for validating mold cleaning effectiveness
- Penn State Behrend's hands-on approach blending craftsmanship with CNC technology
- A UMass Lowell student team earning national recognition for a functional prototype mold design

Anchoring the list: the AMBA annual conference, where moldmakers confronted tariffs, AI, and industry uncertainty — and were challenged to lead with courage and intention.

The full rankings reflect the breadth of what it takes to build, maintain, and manage a mold shop today. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/molding-minds-the-may-articles-readers-loved-most

05/28/2026

What if the most effective workforce strategy in a mold shop came from social work principles?

At TK Mold & Engineering, Director of Employee Development Krista Barr holds dual expertise in moldmaking operations and licensed master of social work. Her role bridges the technical, operational and human sides of the business — addressing the pressures that affect performance and engagement before they escalate.

Today's moldmaking workforce is navigating inflation, childcare, eldercare and mounting stress. TK Mold's response is structural:

- Regular department check-ins to surface challenges early
- Performance reviews focused on personal and professional development
- Hiring that weighs attitude and adaptability alongside technical skill
- Mentorship programs that acknowledge a five-year learning curve

"Technical skills can be taught. Attitude, adaptability and teamwork are harder to develop."

The result is strong retention, sustained engagement and a culture where, as Barr puts it, "We're not just building molds; we're building people."

For small shops facing workforce shortages and rising costs, the full piece examines how this approach translates into long-term operational performance. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/more-than-hr-why-mold-shops-need-a-social-worker-mindset

05/27/2026

Tariffs are no longer temporary disruptions for moldmakers. They are becoming a structural element of industrial strategy that affects sourcing, equipment investments and North American supply chains.

Presentations at the AMBA 2026 Conference indicated that companies can no longer assume a return to prior conditions. Global supply chains are already shifting, with production moving from China into Mexico and Southeast Asia while remaining integrated with U.S. manufacturing networks. Additional tariffs on imported machine tools and automation systems could further complicate purchasing decisions where domestic alternatives remain limited.

Policy changes often occur outside public view. Moldmakers are advised to monitor developments through industry associations, submit public comments and maintain direct contact with policymakers. Flexibility in supplier relationships and contingency planning were presented as necessary responses to sustained uncertainty. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/tariffs-become-part-of-the-operating-environment

05/25/2026

Moldmakers who received a MoldMaking Technology 2026 “Top 10 Reasons to Be a Moldmaker” T-shirt at PTXPO have an opportunity to display their craft in everyday settings.

The T-shirt can be worn on the shop floor, at a desk, at the gym, at a child’s game or during a jobsite visit. Participants are invited to photograph the shirt in these locations and share the images on social media while tagging MoldMaking Technology and PTXPO.

The effort aims to build a visible community around the daily work of designing, building and problem-solving that benefits many but is understood by few. Photos may be featured in future posts or content, with attention given to creative locations or team images.

Where the shirt appears next remains open to those who choose to participate. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/where-in-the-world-is-your-moldmaker-shirt-

05/22/2026

MoldMaking Technology introduces two new Editorial Advisors whose backgrounds span hands-on moldmaking, engineering and estimating.

Ty Johannesen is a Craftsman I in the tool and die operation at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, where he builds injection molds that support both production and prototyping. His responsibilities include machining mold components, applying metrology techniques, performing fit-and-finish work, and carrying out mold maintenance and repairs. His experience covers CNC machining, sinker and wire EDM, surface grinding, and hard-part machining.

Joe Karpinski is a senior tooling engineer and lead estimator at Adler Industrial Solutions, supporting Rapid Mold Solutions. He is responsible for new product introduction, estimating and quoting, and tooling and design. He prepares and interprets complex engineering drawings with expertise in GD&T and supports projects throughout their full lifecycle.

These advisors offer perspectives that range from shop floor operations to industry growth. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/new-advisors-bring-shop-to-strategy-insight

05/20/2026

What would a brave person do when uncertainty defines the operating environment?

This year’s AMBA Annual Conference returned repeatedly to that question. Sessions examined how moldmakers can maintain performance amid shifting tariffs, advancing AI and the daily pressure to move faster.

Discussions highlighted practical priorities. Focus and mindfulness must be built deliberately into routines rather than assumed. Recognition and genuine relationships remain central to team strength and retention. Tariffs are now a sustained factor in sourcing, investment and strategy. AI is best approached as an ongoing improvement process rather than a finite project.

The through line was consistent: technology will shape moldmaking, yet outcomes will be determined by how leaders respond to change with courage, connection and intention. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/bravery-focus-and-the-future-of-moldmaking

05/19/2026

Steve Carr's 44-year career in mold repair at Plastikos and Micro Mold showcases unmatched skill, leadership and dedication to mentoring future toolmakers.

The Society of Plastics Engineers Mold Technologies Division has named him its 2026 Mold Repair Technician of the Year. His work has extended mold life beyond 14 million cycles while reducing waste and supporting reliable output of mission-critical medical components.

Carr pairs immediate repairs to meet deadlines with long-term solutions that improve efficiency. He troubleshoots press-side and leads error-proofing efforts that cut incorrect setups and scrap.

As a mentor, he trains apprentices and young talent, instilling standards and accountability. Colleagues note his role in advancing team capabilities and fostering a supportive environment.

His impact remains visible in the molds, processes and professionals shaped over four decades. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/mmt-chats-steve-carr-a-44-year-legacy-of-mold-repair-excellence-and-mentorship

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