In contrast to conventional methods, collaborative design solutions hone design accuracy and precision. They also centralize design data to ensure version control and facilitate effortless data sharing. This translates to fewer errors, expedited decision-making, and streamlined workflows. SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms further optimize resource utilization. This enhances design quality and accelerates the time-to-market in prototyping.

Ukrainian startup SmartZavod automates professional prototyping using a hybrid 3D printer. The startup’s fully automated multifunctional hybrid printer addresses the need for multiple devices for various materials and processes, such as milling and laser work.

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Greek startup Useberry catalyzes UX research and UI prototyping using design and prototyping tool integrations. The startup’s solutions allow developers to import prototypes and enable rapid user testing and feedback collection. Its real-time user insights enhance productivity by allowing designers and developers to iterate quickly.

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the global distribution of the 1372 exemplary startups & scaleups that we analyzed for this research. Created through the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, the Heat Map reveals high startup activity in the US and India, followed by Western Europe.

Indian startup Doppelio Technologies validates prototypes using IoT. The startup’s solution automatically visualizes and simulates models of access control. It also tests connected products for changes in telemetry parameters, faulty sensors, and transient issues. This allows manufacturers to ensure faster product cycles and reduced costs for IoT prototypes.

Additive manufacturing addresses the challenges encountered in traditional methods by offering rapid and cost-efficient prototype creation. Among the latest technological advancements, multi-material and multi-color 3D printing stand out. They enable the production of intricate and functional prototypes while reducing the need for post-processing. High-speed 3D printing techniques, such as continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), substantially expedite prototype manufacturing.

Sustainability continues to dominate new additives technology, but upping performance is also evident. Most of the new additives have been targeted to commodity resins and particularly polyolefins.

For this in-depth research on the Top Prototyping Innovations, we analyzed a sample of 1372 global startups & scaleups. This data-driven research provides innovation intelligence that helps you improve strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies in the engineering industry. In the Prototyping Innovation Map below, you get a comprehensive overview of the innovation trends & startups that impact your company.

technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.

Successfully starting or restarting an injection molding machine is less about ticking boxes on a rote checklist and more about individually assessing each processing scenario and its unique variables.

US-based startup Lumafield manufactures a computed tomography (CT) scanner and offers cloud-based analysis software. To resolve reverse engineering challenges, the Nepture X-ray vision platform enables AI-driven scan configuration. The X-ray scanner allows customers to visualize products from the inside without time-consuming testing.

PPO was a promising new high-performance thermoplastic, but it could be made useful only by mixing it with a humble commodity resin.

Danish startup Uizard integrates AI design tools to transform digital product design ideas into fully functioning UI prototypes. The startup’s AI Design Assistant provides instant conversion of screenshots into editable mockups. It allows software developers to generate attention heatmaps for UI analysis and transform hand-drawn sketches into polished prototypes.

Therefore, the emerging prototyping trends work to address these issues. New technologies empowering prototyping include 3D printing-enabled rapid prototyping, the Internet of Things (IoT), generative design, sustainable materials, and more. Read more to explore these technology trends and find out how they impact your business.

Hybrid manufacturing is a growing trend in the prototyping industry as it combines additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques. This enables the creation of complex prototypes with higher efficiency and precision. Laser powder bed fusion with CNC, for instance, constructs intricate prototypes through precise layer-by-layer assembly, while CNC machining enables precise finishing.

A new carbon fiber reinforced nylon 12 composite for injection molding is newly available from CRP Technology. Said to be the first of a family of sustainable materials for industrial production, Windform XT 2.0 IMG is 100% recycled from the company’s exhausted Windform XT2.0 industrial 3D printing material for laser sintering.

Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.

Further, extended reality (XR), encompassing VR, AR, and mixed reality (MR), facilitates interactions in digital spaces. This provides a more immersive, interactive, and cost-effective means of visualizing and refining designs. These technologies offer significant advantages, including improved spatial understanding, reduced iteration times, and enhanced collaboration among designers, engineers, and manufacturers.

Generative design solutions use AI to create otherwise unachievable designs while reducing development time and costs. Lastly, sustainable materials address environmental concerns and human-machine interaction (HMI) systems ensure user-friendly control systems. These technology trends in prototyping optimize efficiency and sustainability, benefiting designers, engineers, and manufacturers across industries.

Plastics Technology’s Tech Days is back! Every Tuesday in October, a series of five online presentations will be given by industry supplier around the following topics:  Injection Molding — New Technologies, Efficiencies Film Extrusion — New Technologies, Efficiencies Upstream/Downstream Operations Injection Molding — Sustainability Extrusion — Compounding Coming out of NPE2024, PT identified a variety of topics, technologies and trends that are driving and shaping the evolution of plastic products manufacturing — from recycling/recyclability and energy optimization to AI-based process control and automation implementation. PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.

Italian startup FlexSys produces multi-material customized prototypes using 3D printing. The startup utilizes various additive manufacturing methods like stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and selective laser Sintering (SLS) to enable serial production. Compared to traditional methods, FlexSys connects prototyping with production in a single process to optimize times and costs. It ensures high performance, unlimited geometries, and the production of pre-assembled parts for better system flexibility.

This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

UK-based startup Unakin makes a generative AI tool for game studios. It accelerates game prototype creation through AI-driven ideation and iterative development. The tool enables quick, resource-efficient prototyping without the need for coding or technical expertise.

The scope of interactive prototyping in the software sector is limited to visualization platforms that aid app or software development. The emergence of low-code and no-code platforms democratizes application prototyping. This enables designers and non-technical users to visually construct interactive experiences. AR and VR-powered prototyping also introduces immersive dimensions into production workflows.

The startup’s solution reduces the need for multiple physical prototypes, saving time and resources. Immative Technologies supports risk mitigation by identifying errors in the design simulation phase. This is crucial for industrial designers and hardware companies to advance rapid prototyping, leading to more sustainable practices.

Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

The Windform XT 2.0 IMG formulation boasts premium performance ranging from in high stiffness and resistance to shock to allowing for extreme detail accuracy even with thin thicknesses. Its excellent properties reportedly make it ideal for demanding applications in industries such as automotive, transport, e-mobility, agriculture, robotics and industrial design.

By automating tasks, generative design reduces the time and costs associated with tedious processes ranging from optimization to aesthetic decisions. By rapidly exploring diverse design options, this approach empowers innovative prototypes with novel designs. This way, designers, engineers, and manufacturers create complex prototypes tailored to their needs.

Hybrid milling amalgamates CNC and 3D printing to yield rapid, high-precision prototypes with increased speed and dimensional accuracy. These innovations reduce material wastage, speed up iteration cycles, and increase cost-efficiency for stakeholders.

Onboard’s tool also integrates into existing workflows, reducing errors, cutting costs related to physical prototyping, and accelerating development. It also enhances the design process, streamlines communication, and leads to more efficient and customer-centric prototypes. The tool benefits various industries, particularly in architecture and vehicle development.

Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions

US-based startup Polycam makes 3D scanning for mobile devices. With handheld devices, users capture, edit, and share 3D scans. It also accelerates the prototyping of 3D environments, game characters, and video games. By utilizing LiDAR scanning, the startup captures sites and outputs hyper-realistic, accurate 3D models in minutes.

Ongoing process control also constantly monitors and corrects the metal 3D printing process. It provides reliable and long-lasting performance while enhancing deposition rates. Meltio also maximizes material utilization and minimizes heat input. This results in much faster production time and more versatility for manufacturing industries.

By bridging the gap between design and user testing, Useberry streamlines the prototyping process and contributes to more informed decision-making. This, in turn, leads to shorter development cycles and improved user experiences in the prototyping sector.

These tools enable designers and developers to organize content effectively, empathize with users, and assess usability seamlessly. By providing rich data exports, customizable task design, and comprehensive reporting, UXtweak improves user satisfaction, benefitting marketers and businesses.

The company’s proprietary method involves both heating and cooling of mold cavities, which ensures a more accurate and repeatable molding process. This way, designers, engineers, and stakeholders in critical later development activities recreate multiple parts faster while processing challenging plastic materials.

US-based startup Napkin deploys a serverless SaaS platform for backend prototyping. The cloud-based code editor simplifies backend development with zero configuration dependencies and instant API endpoints in the browser. Further, the cloud infrastructure allows the public sharing of functions with others, making collaboration barrierless.

The advantages of reverse engineering include enhanced speed, cost-efficiency, and increased accuracy in replicating existing objects or creating prototypes. Designers, engineers, and manufacturers benefit from these advancements, as reverse engineering accelerates product development, optimizes designs, and reduces design revisions.

Collaborative design, enabled by cloud computing, boosts teamwork, reduces errors, and speeds decision-making. Further, hybrid manufacturing combines techniques for complex prototypes and reduces material wastage. Likewise, reverse engineering accelerates product development and cuts down costs. At the same time, IoT-driven simulations offer real-time data for informed decisions.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

Below, you get to meet 20 out of these 1372 promising startups & scaleups as well as the solutions they develop. These prototyping startups are hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised & more. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.

The startup’s multi-jet fusion printing also makes it possible to produce complex geometries with reduced waste, enabling unconventional-shaped prototyping. Endeavor 3D accelerates product development cycles, reduces costs, and creates high-quality prototypes. This empowers designers and manufacturers to bring innovative products to the market more efficiently.

The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda:  Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI

For this, the tool utilizes multiple AI models with chat-to-create code assistance that builds playable experiences. Generative design by Unakin fosters collaboration and creativity within the gaming community while empowering developers to create prototypes quickly.

Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.

Latvian startup My3D.Cloud creates a workspace for effective collaboration through a 3D prototyping platform. It is a SaaS product that stores 3D data, files, and project documentation. The platform also provides 24/7 access as well as allows designers to convert and showcase their works.

While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.

Immersive technologies actively contribute to the prototyping industry by enhancing visualization, improving collaboration, and increasing operational efficiency. Recent advances highlight AR as it allows designers and engineers to overlay digital prototypes onto physical environments. This enables real-time design assessments. Virtual reality platforms offer immersive 3D experiences, enhancing design comprehension and facilitating early-stage testing.

Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

Leverage our unparalleled data advantage to quickly and easily find hidden gems among 4.7M+ startups, scaleups. Access the world's most comprehensive innovation intelligence and stay ahead with AI-powered precision.

The startup’s solution is useful for interior design, game design, dynamic landscape concepts, immersive product designs, and other use cases. Further, the platform is collaborative to enable designers to ideate together, draw comments, and share ideas in real-time. This, in turn, allows 3D designers and developers to prototype faster.

With the recent innovations in AI, generative design influences the prototyping industry and engineering design more profoundly. Generative AI platforms assist in exploring, validating, and comparing numerous design options simultaneously. For determining possible combinations, generative design algorithms leverage machine learning to analyze customer requirements. Such solutions then present multiple validated iterations of a finished design.

Additionally, metal 3D printing facilitates the creation of durable and precise metal prototypes. These innovations enhance prototyping workflows by saving time and costs. Novel 3D-printing-powered prototyping systems streamline design iterations and expand material options. 3D printing caters to designers, engineers, and manufacturers, accelerating innovation and minimizing resource investments.

These insights are derived by working with our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively.

US-based startup Protoshop utilizes prototype molding to support design verification and engineering estimates. To ensure long mold life expectancy and rapid execution, Protoshop provides personalized moldability reviews. Then, the startup uses CNC milling and injection machines to fabricate the prototypes with fewer errors and greater accuracy.

In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

These developments will reshape prototyping, advancing innovation and enhancing efficiency to new levels. The prototyping trends and startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our data-driven innovation & startup scouting process. Identifying new opportunities & emerging technologies to implement into your business goes a long way in gaining a competitive advantage.

The prototyping industry is facing challenges in terms of material waste, energy consumption, and toxicity in manufacturing. To address these issues, startups are leaning towards more sustainable materials and practices. One of the ways to achieve this is the adoption of bioplastics and recycled materials. Bioplastics are made from renewable biomass sources, which are biodegradable and compostable.

Plastics Technology covers technical and business Information for Plastics Processors in Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding, Plastic Additives, Compounding, Plastic Materials, and Resin Pricing. About Us

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

Join Wittmann for an engaging webinar on the transformative impact of manufacturing execution systems (MES) in the plastic injection molding industry. Discover how MES enhances production efficiency, quality control and real-time monitoring while also reducing downtime. It will explore the integration of MES with existing systems, emphasizing compliance and traceability for automotive and medical sectors. Learn about the latest advancements in IoT and AI technologies and how they drive innovation and continuous improvement in MES. Agenda: Overview of MES benefits What is MES? Definition, role and brief history Historical perspective and evolution Longevity and analytics Connectivity: importance, standards and integration Advantages of MES: efficiency, real-time data, traceability and cost savings Emerging technologies: IoT and AI in MES

German startup Onboard utilizes spatial prototyping through its VR CAD tool. It allows designers to create and test spatial designs interactively and collaboratively. Designers explore virtual spaces, gain insights into ergonomic considerations, and understand human behavior within these spaces. It offers a natural canvas for sketching and ideation, fostering innovation and improved customer understanding.

As a result, 3D artists, visual effects creators, and game developers create more immersive and visually captivating content while optimizing their workflows and reducing costs.

Cloud computing reduces IT costs for businesses while enabling collaborative design through remote collaboration across teams. Cloud-powered collaborative technology offers an array of advantages. It promotes real-time teamwork by erasing geographical boundaries, reduces design iteration durations, and enhances inter-team communication.

Said CRP Technology’s CEO and technical director Franco Cevolini, “For some time, we at CRP Technology have been studying an alternative and total use of those exhausted Windform powders for selective laser sintering, that fallen into disuse as they no longer meet our high quality standards…In this case, we regranulated the Windform XT 2.0 powder cake, and make it suitable for injection molding technology. The test phase ended with excellent results and now we are ready to sell it to those who manufacture on large volumes basis.”

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

The startup’s filaments maintain the same tensile strength and performance as traditional filaments while benefiting the environment. By offering customizable, eco-friendly filaments, Colfeed4print empowers designers, engineers, and manufacturers to embrace sustainable design principles and contribute to a waste-free future.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

Additionally, the assistant aids in text generation for UI elements and extracts design assets and themes from various sources, enhancing efficiency and accessibility in UI design. These features streamline the UI design process, saving time, improving accuracy, and providing valuable insights. This makes product design more efficient and accessible.

Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

Reverse engineering allows designers to analyze existing products for potential improvements. By deconstructing and comprehending how products function, manufacturers refine designs, reduce costs, and elevate quality standards. The integration of 3D scanners with AI capabilities presents substantial enhancements to rapid prototyping. These scanners meticulously capture details and employ AI algorithms for efficient data processing, accelerating prototyping cycles.

The startup also offers custom engineering solutions, encompassing material selection and spool design, with a commitment to zero waste. This way, sustainable filaments enable prototyping and manufacturing companies to reduce their environmental impact and attract eco-conscious customers.

US-based startup Bezel Design constructs an immersive canvas for spatial design on the web. It allows 3D designers and developers to build interactive models and review them in VR or AR. It also allows additional 3D interactions and animations without coding.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.

Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.

Prototyping serves as a vital tool for innovation, design validation, and product development. It encourages innovation by allowing designers and manufacturers to experiment with new ideas and concepts. However, finding suitable materials, designing intricate models, and keeping up with iterative changes are challenging. Moreover, material waste and energy consumption contribute to environmental concerns.

In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.

Processors with sustainability goals or mandates have a number of ways to reach their goals. Biopolymers are among them.

How is technology enabling rapid prototyping and reducing product development costs? Explore our data-driven research on the emerging prototyping trends based on our analysis of 1300+ companies. They include 3D printing, hybrid manufacturing, generative design, simulation & more!

Based on the Prototyping Innovation Map, the Tree Map below illustrates the impact of the Top 10 Prototyping Industry Trends in 2024. 3D printing is the foremost driver in prototyping that enables rapid and cost-effective design workflows. Augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR) platforms enhance visualization and collaboration, particularly for design comprehension. Additionally, manufacturers still leverage precision injection molding to develop intricate prototypes cost-efficiently.

Indeed, the high-quality injection molded parts made of Windform XT 2.0 IMG are said to exhibit the same performance of prototypes realized in additive manufacturing with Windform XT 2.0.

While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.

Indian startup Immative Technologies leverages digital twins powered by IoT, AI, and data analytics. This technology provides a virtual, real-time representation of physical prototypes and products. Digital twins allow for the realistic simulation of prototypes in a virtual environment, enabling comprehensive testing and validation before physical production.

Real-time monitoring further ensures continuous oversight of prototyping procedures, allowing for instant adjustments and issue resolution. These technological strides come with significant benefits, such as improved design precision, reduced development timelines, and cost savings by minimizing errors and rework. This way, IoT promotes data-driven decision-making across industries.

The continuous printer features 6 different tool heads to process up to 30 materials. By combining printing, milling, and laser cutting in a single device, SmartZavod increases efficiency, reduces costs, and accelerates innovation. This benefits product designers, manufacturers, and other end-users.

Join KraussMaffei for an insightful webinar designed for industry professionals, engineers and anyone interested in the manufacturing processes of PVC pipes. This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technology behind the production of high-quality PVC pipes: from raw material preparation to final product testing. Agenda: Introduction to PVC extrusion: overview of the basic principles of PVC pipe extrusion — including the process of melting and shaping PVC resin into pipe forms Equipment and machinery: detailed explanation of the key equipment involved — such as extruders, dies and cooling systems — and their roles in the extrusion process Process parameters: insight into the critical process parameters like temperature, pressure and cooling rates that influence the quality and consistency of the final PVC pipes Energy efficiency: examination of ways to save material and energy use when extruding PVC pipe products

In a time where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the food and beverage packaging industry is required to be at the forefront of this innovation. By adopting circular packaging processes and solutions, producers can meet regulatory requirements while also satisfying consumer demand and enhancing brand reputation. Join Husky to learn more about the broader implications of the circular economy — as well as how leading brands are leveraging this opportunity to reduce costs, increase design flexibility and boost product differentiation. Agenda: The cost and operational benefits of embracing circularity Key materials in circular packaging — including rPET and emerging bioplastics How to design a circular food and beverage package Strategies for selecting sustainable closures to future-proof packaging solutions Optimization and streamlining of production processes for enhanced efficiency How Husky Technologies can enable your sustainable success

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

In the realm of prototyping, fabrication takes multiple iterations and creates wastage. To address that, startups are developing precision injection molding. Technological advances in this field encompass micro-injection molding, insert molding, and gas-assisted injection molding. They contribute to a transformative impact on rapid prototyping. Micro-injection molding, for instance, empowers the creation of intricate, small-scale prototypes with increased precision.

Australian startup Metal Tech processes wire and powder at the same time with a deposition head that contains multiple lasers. Its product, Meltio, combines 3D printers, CNC, and robotic platforms. While 3D printing ensures safety and reliability, the multi-material dual print wire protects against corrosion.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

Additionally, businesses leverage nanotechnology to produce nanocellulose, which has gained popularity in medical prototypes. By promoting net-zero transition using eco-friendly materials, manufacturers reduce the environmental impact and prototype with minimal waste.

The scanner also identifies quality issues in the early stages. Moreover, the startup’s Voyager software turns scans into quantifiable, actionable insights to measure hidden features and apply automated inspection for molding and casting issues. Lumafield brings detailed data capture, cost-effective measurements, and non-destructive testing (NDT) for design and engineering teams.

Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.

Say “manufacturing automation” and thoughts immediately go to the shop floor and specialized production equipment, robotics and material handling systems. But there is another realm of possible automation — the front office.

Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.

US-based startup Pezo Solutions builds a plastic injection molding machine to enhance prototyping capabilities. Pezo GS-5T is the startup’s molding machine that operates on standard compressed air and 110V power. It is portable and produces injection molded parts using commonly available thermoplastic materials. The machine also exhibits rapid material switching capability with minimal wastage and is well-suited for insert molding.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

Slovakian startup UXtweak offers a comprehensive UX platform for usability improvement, catering from prototypes to production. It offers a suite of powerful research tools, including card sorting, tree testing, preference tests, five-second tests, surveys, and session recordings.

My3D.Cloud benefits survey companies, architects, and construction companies. It enables rapid and cost-effective iteration of design concepts and facilitates better communication between designers and clients.

IoT provides real-time data acquisition, analysis, and management, which are instrumental for informed decision-making in prototyping. Connected devices collect data on product performance, usage patterns, and other metrics to drive product design. For example, IoT-powered digital twins facilitate the creation of virtual prototypes. They enable designers to optimize and evaluate designs prior to physical prototyping.

Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution

From the influence of 3D printing to the potential of immersive solutions and reverse engineering platforms, these trends in prototyping offer notable benefits. The technologies empower stakeholders to improve collaboration, design speeds, and resource usage. Looking ahead, the industry anticipates adopting advanced haptic feedback, human-machine collaboration, and predictive analytics.

Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

Further, novel interactive prototyping systems include wearable controllers and user-friendly mockup tools. They allow engineers to accelerate design iterations and product finalization. For example, motion and micro-interaction systems convey realistic user experiences. Additionally, AI integration aids in generating design elements and predicting user behavior.

Moreover, the startup’s approach accommodates a broader variety of materials, such as polymers and elastomers, even when dealing with high working temperatures and different levels of hardness. This way, FlexSys provides iterative design, competitive advantages, and shorter lead times for manufacturers, product designers, and 3D service providers.

Core Technology Molding turned to Mold-Masters E-Multi auxiliary injection unit to help it win a job and dramatically change its process.

Further, the injection molding machine streamlines the production of insert and over-molded parts. This allows for efficient and versatile manufacturing with quick setup and parameter adjustment. As a result, this portable, quick-insert molding machine benefits early-stage medical device prototyping, assembly lines, and small production runs.

US-based startup Endeavor 3D leverages MJF technology for thermoplastic parts. It uses a powder-based approach to create intricate and durable 3D objects layer by layer. This technology features advantages like speed, precision, material variety, strength, and cost-efficiency.

Spanish startup Colfeed4print creates eco-friendly 3D printing filaments using a colloidal dispersion method. This process results in customizable, homogeneous feedstocks with various inorganic phases, making them suitable for FDM equipment and easy to print. These filaments enhance sustainability in 3D printing by reducing plastic waste through biodegradation and recycling initiatives.

On the other hand, insert molding seamlessly integrates components, streamlining assembly and augmenting part durability. Gas-assisted injection molding further enhances part quality by mitigating defects and reducing material consumption. These technologies improve heightened precision and cost efficiencies while expediting design iterations.

US-based startup Terrafilum Engineered Filaments manufactures eco-friendly 3D printing filaments. It develops industrial-grade filaments from bio-friendly and repurposed materials. Terrafilum ABS Eco-One is an organic additive that enhances landfill biodegradation. It promotes the breakdown of plastic into biogas, reducing the environmental impact.

Additionally, Napkin’s online software features a fully managed function scheduler and comprehensive event monitoring capabilities. This ensures enhanced efficiency and control. Napkin thus improves cost savings, time-to-market, risk reduction, and collaboration involved in the software development process.