Why are molds so slow and expensive and why do customers put up with this?
What can we do to get real prototype parts faster and for a much lower cost?
Is there really a solution that works at both the design and build level?
Join us for a workshop that reviews the current state of molds and suggests integration of new technology to change the way we approach the design of molded parts, assemblies and the molds themselves. The mold industry is highly specialized and optimized, and despite a high level of efficiency customers are demanding lower prices and shorter lead-times. Design for molded parts, assemblies, and molds is far from optimized and there are opportunities to integrate technology that will improve the design for molded parts that will in turn improve the design for molds and the outcome for molded product—reducing the time, cost, and risk associated with injection molding.

What should you expect?

• A review of the current state of subtractive and additive technology
• Case studies explaining failures and solutions
• Strategies you can implement immediately to reduce cost and risk at both the design and build level
• A fun and robust conversation with an industry veteran

Session 1: What are the Risks of the Current Approach to Moldmaking Outline

1. The last 100 years of moldmaking
2. Current state of subtractive technology
3. Ongoing improvements in existing workflow (software, cutting tools, automation, AI)
4. What strategies are companies using to compete with current technology?
5. Why are molds so slow and expensive; what is the real lead-time from art to part?
6. What assumptions do we automatically make when creating molded parts?
7. What are the invisible risks that we are blind to?
8. What are the challenges ahead?
9. What are some easy things we can do right now to improve our workflows?
10. Why is it so hard to do something new?

Session 2: Risk Reduction Outline

1. How to reduce risk by prototyping?
2. Additive technology overview
3. Current state of additive technology
4. Ongoing improvements in existing workflow (materials, print speed, automation)
5. Why printing parts doesn’t really solve problems?
6. Why additive metal is not replacing the current workflow for molds?
7. What other options are there?
8. What can we do to improve the way we design for molding?
9. What can we do to improve the way we design molds?
10. What is a better future state for all stakeholders (OEM, moldmaker, molder, integrator)?

Session 3: Paradigm Shift Outline

1. What is the difference between a technology and a solution?
2. How do we integrate new technology into existing workflows?
3. Examples of design failures
4. Examples of technology adoption failures
5. When our tools change why does our thinking stay the same?
6. What opportunities are we blind to now that we can learn to see?
7. What changes would we like to see and how can we create them?
8. What are the known obstacles in the way that we need to overcome to integrate new technologies

Session 4: The Future Outline

1. What can we reasonably expect the future of plastic part design, mold build, and processing look like?
2. Can we democratize design and build?
3. What is changing in the subtractive world?
4. What is changing in the additive world?
5. How are companies preparing themselves for the future?
6. How will each stakeholder benefit from these expected changes?
7. What can each of us do today to better prepare for the future and succeed in an unknown world?

• OEMs
• Part Designers
• Mold Designers
• Mold Buyers
• Injection molding professionals
• Mold makers
• Additive technology integrators

Do you constantly struggle with why molds are so slow and expensive, and wonder why customers seem to accept these delays and costs?
Are you tired of hearing that there’s no better way to get real prototype parts faster and at a lower cost?
Are you asking yourself if there is actually a solution that works at both the design and mold build level—and if so, how to apply it?

If you’ve faced these questions in your daily work, this workshop is for you.

Everyday Problems You’ll Address:

• Why does it take so long to get molded parts when everything else moves faster?
• How can I reduce the cost and risk of new mold builds without sacrificing quality?
• What can I do when traditional moldmaking techniques no longer keep up with my project timelines?
• Is additive manufacturing a real solution, or just another buzzword?
• How can I rethink part and mold design to truly accelerate development and cut costs?

Molds are the key to unlocking the scale and productivity of the most efficient process on the planet: plastic injection molding.   The mold industry faces a number of challenges including an aging labor force, global competition and tariffs, new technology integration, higher complexity, and customer demands for lower cost and faster delivery.  There is an opportunity to improve the entire creative process from design to finished part that will lower both the short and long term cost of developing new molded products and deliver real-world prototypes in days vs weeks or months.  Explore new technology through an interactive presentation that will explain additive approaches to mold building, show how to easily integrate it with your existing workflow, and make you think differently about your approach to product development… you really can’t afford to miss a chance to unlock your own potential and change the way you think about molds.