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.

01/05/2026

Easing policies and lower financing costs are aligning resilient consumer spending with a strengthening manufacturing sector, unlocking deferred projects and investment.

Demand is strong. The real challenge is how quickly and cohesively U.S. plastics manufacturers can turn it into profitable production.

Household spending forms the bedrock of demand for molded plastic products, with resilience in necessities like food and beverage packaging, healthcare devices, and automotive components. Food and beverage consumption hovered around $1.18 trillion in real terms during the first and second quarters of 2025, climbing 2.0% year-over-year to $1.19 trillion by August. Healthcare expenditures rose to approximately 17.7% of total personal consumption in August 2025, driven by demographics and AI integration. Light-vehicle sales remained above 15 million units on a seasonally adjusted annual rate throughout 2025.

Despite this, manufacturing responses have been uneven due to higher interest rates, tariff uncertainty, and yield-curve inversion effects, tempering investment and delaying new projects.

- New orders growth stayed positive from January through September 2025, peaking at +9.7% in May but moderating amid policy uncertainty.
- With federal funds rate cuts to 3.75-4.00% and further easing expected, deferred projects should unlock in 2026.
- Moderated tariff outcomes reduce pricing shocks, preserving a modest home-court advantage for U.S. producers.

As consumers navigate uncertainty, molded plastics remain indispensable, bridging everyday needs and future-oriented sectors. For industry stakeholders, the message is clear: Bet on resilience, not recession.

Read the full analysis for deeper insights into these trends. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/plastics-resilience-and-the-manufacturing-reawakening

01/02/2026

Moldmaking’s workforce development journey reveals persistent challenges, innovative solutions and lingering gaps after nearly a decade of focused effort.

Since 2017, the industry has grappled with a steady skilled labor shortage shaped by demographic shifts, industry growth and evolving technology. Coverage from MoldMaking Technology and Human Asset Management has tracked milestones, from early surveys highlighting mentorship needs to recent emphases on data-driven recruitment and inclusivity.

Key progress includes:
- Enhanced mentorship programs fostering cross-generational learning and trust.
- Integration of diversity and inclusion to broaden talent pools.
- Alignment of HR and marketing for authentic employer branding.
- Adoption of skills-based hiring, employee engagement initiatives and technology-supported assessments.

Yet shortages of mold designers and skilled technicians persist, with looming retirements among baby boomers by 2030 threatening the talent pipeline. Collaboration with schools, associations and programs like SME’s “Ready to Hire” offers pathways forward.

By adapting strategies, supporting inclusive programs and applying data-driven approaches, shops can build a workforce that meets future needs. For complete coverage, read the full article. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/an-unfolding-workforce-challenge-8-years-of-moldmakings-talent-crisis

12/31/2025

What were the most-clicked topics in moldmaking over the past year?

According to analytics reports, MoldMaking Technology's top content highlights key challenges and solutions in the industry, from venting strategies to workforce development.

- Strategic Mold Venting: Proper mold venting prevents defects such as burning and short shots, requiring precise design, maintenance and verification to achieve optimal part quality and production efficiency.

- Partnerships Fuel Moldmaker’s Growth in Technology and Training: Versatile Mold and Design blends craftsmanship with innovation, specializing in thermoset/thermoplastic tooling, automation and workforce development since 1998.

- Deep-Cavity Cooling Made Easy: Jet cooling technology gundrills core pins by using high-pressure water pulses to rapidly cool deep mold areas, reducing cycle times by up to 50% and eliminating warpage.

- Integrated Product Solutions for Enhanced Molding Operations: Interactive webinar covers injection mold processes—from design to maintenance—featuring advanced products, customization approaches, case studies, plan analysis and Q&A with technical experts.

- Championing Moldmaking Recruitment: Darryl Gratrix promotes manufacturing careers through youth apprenticeships, LinkedIn networking and school partnerships, advocating for skilled trades while serving on the board of the Canadian Association of Mould Makers.

- Revolutionizing Mold Education with VR: Kruse Training and Central Community College use VR technology to transform plastics education, offering immersive mold assembly and flow visualization training to engage students and address workforce shortages.

- Requirements for Automated DFM for Injection Molding: Automated DFM tools provide instant draft, thickness, undercut and parting line analysis, enabling engineers to optimize designs pre-quote, reducing revisions and accelerating time-to-market.

Explore the full links for in-depth insights. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/moldmaking-technologys-most-viewed-content-of-2024-2

12/30/2025

A bold four-day event highlights the value of strong supplier relationships and open dialogue, proving that gratitude and collaboration can help move moldmaking forward.

Cavalier Tool and Manufacturing marked its 50th anniversary by opening its doors to customers, the community, and competitors, sharing operations and insights in an industry working to attract new talent and maintain its profile. This approach demonstrates that showing appreciation for partners and being open with knowledge can strengthen the sector.

A tour of Cavalier’s facilities reveals significant advancements over the past decade:

- Expansion from a $12 million company to one of North America’s top 10 mold makers, with 45 CNC machines and $6 million in recent capital investments.
- Enhanced automation, including RFID for electrode management and vending machines for inventory, reducing errors and delays.
- A real-time scheduling platform linked to ERP, minimizing idle time and providing early visibility into delays across 247 active tools.
- Global engineering with 40 designers, shortening design cycles from four weeks to about a week and a half.

These developments reflect a philosophy of no excuses, in-house capabilities, and partnerships that drive growth without compromising quality or delivery.

For more on Cavalier’s journey and the event, read the full article. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/the-power-of-thanks-building-the-future-of-moldmaking-together-

12/29/2025

MMT is moving to six print issues a year and ramping up our digital game so you get more content, faster.

Since 1998, MoldMaking Technology has delivered practical insights through a monthly print magazine. As we head into 2026, we are shifting from 12 issues to six print editions per year to better serve the evolving moldmaking landscape.

Consolidation has reshaped the industry, veteran mold builders are retiring, and a new generation enters with different media habits. Cramming everything into one monthly issue is no longer the best way to deliver information.

Instead, we are leaning into digital channels—investing more in our website, e-newsletter, social media, and video content for timely updates on technology, applications, and industry news as it breaks.

Our live events and webinars will continue as usual. Sign up for our MMT Today newsletter to stay in the loop.

We are also introducing Manufacturing Connected, a new platform from Gardner Business Media, offering actionable insights on advanced manufacturing technologies, additive manufacturing, automation, sustainability, business leadership, and workforce development.

This process-agnostic platform informs leaders with cross-disciplinary insights through short reads, in-depth interviews, and reporting.

The editorial scope includes:

- Emerging technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and automation
- Business considerations such as cybersecurity, equipment financing, and workforce development
- Growing end markets for manufactured goods including data centers, commercial space, power generation, and defense

Check out www.MFGConnected.com and subscribe to the weekly newsletter at gbm.media/mcsignup to explore these resources. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/same-great-content-smarter-delivery-whats-next-for-mmt

12/26/2025

Three AI-crafted '12 Days of Christmas' lyrics, tailored for the moldmaking industry—which is your favorite festive rendition?

Version 1 highlights precision and efficiency:
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my tooling manager gave to me:
Twelve slides a-gliding,
Eleven ejector pins,
Ten core pulls sliding,
Nine CMMs scanning,
Eight polishing stones,
Seven cutting tools,
Six cooling systems,
Five steel blocks!
Four hot runners,
Three EDM electrodes,
Two precision cavities,
And a flawless mold running all day?

Version 2 captures common challenges:
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my tooling manager gave to me:
Twelve engineers panicking,
Eleven tools misaligned,
Ten sensors failing,
Nine cavities cracking,
Eight ejectors jamming,
Seven screws stripped out,
Six lifters sticking,
Five missing pins!
Four hot-runner leaks,
Three “urgent” changes,
Two rusty coolant lines,
And a mold that’s finally flashing-free!

Version 3 emphasizes seamless operations:
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my tooling manager gave to me:
Twelve tools a-polishing,
Eleven robots moving,
Ten heaters heating,
Nine runners flowing,
Eight slides a-gliding,
Seven ejectors popping,
Six sensors syncing,
Five golden gates!
Four cores aligning,
Three flawless cycles,
Two spotless cavities,
And a mold that’s running perfectly!

Read the full renditions for more details. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/twelve-days-of-christmas-moldmakers-version

12/24/2025

What if Santa Claus were a seasoned moldmaker tackling holiday production woes?

This AI-generated poem celebrates the moldmaking industry and the spirit of Christmas, nodding to the dedication of moldmakers and engineers. It offers a festive take on the challenges of meeting deadlines and striving for perfection—because even during the holidays, the cycle never truly stops.

In the verse, a molding run encounters flash on the parts, triggering alarms and halting production just as deadlines loom.

Enter St. Nick, toolbox in hand, who surveys the mess and applies his wisdom:

- Check the parting line and venting for mismatches.
- Tweak the pressures to address high settings.
- Adjust the shutoffs and steel to ensure every cavity seals.

With these fixes, the mold closes tight, the cycle resumes, and quality parts emerge—delivered right on Christmas Day.

Explore the full poem for an engaging blend of holiday cheer and industrial insight. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/a-moldmakers-night-before-christmas-industry-edition

12/22/2025

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.

From expanding aluminum injection molds beyond prototyping—addressing challenges like mold wear, surface coating durability and thermal expansion mismatches—to innovative direct-gating processes for micro-injection molding that achieve near-instant cavity filling with ultra-high injection velocities, reducing waste and improving dimensional accuracy.

Insights also cover the physics of side actions, explaining elasticity and thermal expansion effects with calculation formulas using Young's Modulus and coefficient of linear thermal expansion to design better molds.

Other key topics include evaluating CNC machining center spindles, emphasizing hybrid ceramic bearings and direct-drive systems; proper selection of shoulder bolts with thermoplastic impact washers; navigating new product development to prevent scope creep; overcoming pain points with AI for automated dashboards and knowledge capture; advanced mold monitoring systems improving OEE by 10-12%; trends in 3D printed tooling like ceramic resin molds; emergency repair stories underscoring manufacturing's human elements; material choices for venting comparing 3D-printed versus pressed porous steels; and strategic vent placement using simulation to address air traps.

What trends are shaping your moldmaking operations this year? Share your thoughts below and read the full article for deeper insights on our media website. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/2025-moldmaking-insights-a-year-in-review-part-2

12/22/2025

New tax legislation delivers R&D deduction benefits and manufacturing facility depreciation, while expanded tariffs provide import protection amid persistent workforce challenges.

The American Mold Builders Association's year-end webinar delivered important updates that will impact mold builders' bottom lines. While the news includes tax benefits and stronger trade protections, the industry continues to face its skilled workers shortage, with hiring needs at five-year highs, and varied profitability across shops.

After three painful years, mold builders can finally deduct research and development expenses in the same year they spend the money; just like they could before 2022. Even better, you can now write off all those R&D costs you had to spread out from 2022-2024 in one shot this year. For a typical $22-23 million mold shop that accumulated $3.2 million in R&D expenses over those three years, this means an immediate, substantial tax break.

The new tax law introduced something called Qualified Production Property (QPP) that lets you write off 100% of a new manufacturing building in the first year. This applies to production floor space and possibly quality control areas.

AMBA successfully pushed for 50% tariffs on several types of molds, including injection molds for plastic or rubber, blow molds and compression molds. Chinese plastic injection molds now face a total of 85% in tariffs when you add everything together.

Despite the good news on taxes and trade, AMBA's survey data shows the same challenges persist. Finding and keeping good people is still the number one concern.

Talk to your tax advisor immediately about claiming your R&D catch-up deduction and planning equipment purchases to maximize tax benefits.

What strategies are you implementing to address workforce shortages in your operations? Share your insights below, and read the full article for more details on these developments. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/tax-relief-and-trade-protections-what-mold-builders-need-to-know

12/22/2025

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.

From AI revolutionizing mold design by automating feature detection and accelerating CAD/CAM workflows, to strategic mold venting practices that prevent defects like burning and weak weld lines. We explore machine sizing guidelines for optimal mold performance, focusing on clamp systems, tie bar spacing and platen rigidity to ensure consistent production.

Real-time mold monitoring systems, like those at ProPlastics, demonstrate efficiency gains through IoT tracking and predictive maintenance. Design for Manufacturing principles emphasize early collaboration to reduce costs and simplify assembly, while automated DFM tools use AI to analyze draft angles and wall thickness for instant feedback.

Profiles spotlight innovators, such as Andrea Gruber bridging thermal research with shop floor applications, and young professionals in our 30 Under 30 reshaping the industry through automation and mentorship. Partnerships at Versatile Mold and Design fuel growth in technology and training, and initiatives like iWarriors empower veterans with iPads for recovery.

What moldmaking trends have shaped your year? How are you integrating AI or advanced cooling strategies? Share your insights below, and read the full review on our website for deeper dives into these high-level insights. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/2025-moldmaking-insights-a-year-in-review-

12/16/2025

Michigan mold builder shares how they found a workflow system that adapts to custom manufacturing needs.

In this MMT Chat, I talk with Tyler VanRee of Legacy Precision Molds, who found an effective solution for their custom production scheduling needs. For those in the engineered-to-order space, scheduling presents unique challenges since traditional ERP systems are typically designed for standardized production environments.

VanRee shares how they discovered High Gear, a no-code workflow automation platform, at a local manufacturing trade show. "I remember walking away thinking there had to be a catch," VanRee says. "But the more we talked with them, we realized this could address a longstanding gap in our operations."

What makes this platform useful for them is its adaptability. Unlike standard systems built for repetitive production, it enables custom manufacturers to design workflows that suit their specific processes. It doesn't require programming knowledge - with training from the company, team members who understand their business operations can configure the system.

Their implementation process took approximately 4-5 months. Rather than starting with a small project as recommended, they decided to replace their main job management system all at once, which they don't regret.

The results were positive. Employees adapted to the system quickly, with everyone operational within days. This smooth transition happened because they developed the system around their team's actual work patterns and involved staff in the design process from the beginning. When adjustments are needed, they can make changes promptly.

The conversation concludes with straightforward advice: maintain curiosity and explore beyond your immediate environment. "That's how you find solutions," VanRee says. Their attendance at a trade show led them to a system that improved their operations—showing the value of keeping an open perspective.

What workflow challenges have you faced in custom manufacturing, and how have you addressed them? Share your experiences below, and read the full article on our website for more insights. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/mmt-chat-custom-manufacturing-meets-flexible-workflow-solution

12/15/2025

Legacy Precision Molds implements JobTraQ’s no-code workflow automation software to better coordinate complex production tasks across departments, improving efficiency, tracking and decision-making.

In moldmaking, managing workflows across departments is critical — even small delays or miscommunications can impact delivery and quality. Legacy Precision Molds recognized the need to enhance visibility and coordination across their operations and turned to JobTraQ to streamline processes, reduce manual effort and improve team collaboration.

The company, a full-service plastic injection mold builder in Michigan, had reached a critical point where its traditional methods of tracking work simply couldn’t keep up with its growth. Their journey reflects the evolution many shops experience: starting with handwritten notes on legal pads, progressing to increasingly complex Excel spreadsheets and eventually hitting a wall.

The challenges facing Legacy Precision Molds are familiar to most shops: delayed approvals causing production bottlenecks, communication gaps between engineering and the shop floor and limited visibility into job status across departments.

JobTraQ’s flexible no-code workflow automation software provided the solution, enabling team members to create and adjust workflows using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Tasks are automatically assigned to the right team members, reducing delays and improving efficiency. Users can also identify bottlenecks instantly, whether it’s a material delay or a machining issue.

The implementation generated transformative efficiency gains and higher employee satisfaction, with real-time visibility enhancing tracking and decision-making.

How are you addressing workflow challenges in your manufacturing operations? What tools have helped streamline your processes?

Read the full article for more insights on Legacy’s implementation and results. https://www.moldmakingtechnology.com/articles/workflow-automation-transforms-moldmaking-operations

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MoldMaking Technology provides solutions and strategies to moldmaking professionals charged with designing, building and repairing molds. Through its qualified circulation, growing advertiser base, experienced staff and innovative, applicable editorial, MoldMaking Technology continues its commitment to serving the needs of both buyers and sellers in the mold manufacturing market. The Magazine - MMT reaches more than 20,000 qualified subscribers interested in the moldmaking-related products, processes, technologies and strategies explained each month.

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