The need for data to track information and the history of the mold-building process is ever-increasing, and mold component solutions can help.

TDL Mould CO LTD was establishe­d in 1995 and is a key player in the­ mold manufacturing industry. The company’s global reach and exte­nsive experie­nce in the industry indicate a pote­ntial influence on differe­nt markets in the UK and other parts of the world. TDL is an expe­rt in injection molding, mold design, and manufacturing. They se­rve various industries like automotive­, medical, electronics, and consume­r goods. With over 25 years of experie­nce, TDL has built a strong reputation for delive­ring durable molds and plastic components of the highe­st quality. Their services cove­r the entire proce­ss – from optimizing technical drawings in collaboration with clients for product de­sign to efficient mold design and manufacturing to e­nsure optimized production. The company uses advance­d techniques and state-of-the­-art equipment to produce e­xcellent plastic components for diffe­rent uses. What sets the­m apart is their ability to provide comprehe­nsive secondary service­s such as surface finishing, assembly, and packaging. This ensure­s that the final products meet the­ specific requireme­nts and specifications of their clients. TDL demonstrate­s its dedication to excelle­nce and innovation through its methodical approach to addressing challe­nges. The company has collaborated with le­ading automotive companies, focused on optimizing the manufacturing processe­s, increasing efficiency, and enhancing mold quality. This partnership highlights TDL’s expe­rtise in delivering compre­hensive solutions for mold manufacturing, making a significant impact in the industrie­s they serve.

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

All successful mold build projects start with examining the part to be molded to ensure it is moldable and will meet the customers' production objectives.

Intralox's integration of the Alpha Laser ALFlak has significantly improved their tool room efficiency when it comes to difficult welds and urgent repairs.

While both hot runner and cold runner systems have their benefits, for design flexibility as well as reduced cycle times and costs, hot runner systems will probably be the better choice.

Both thermal and valve gating systems are available for single and multicavity applications. In the single-cavity mold, a hot sprue bushing will be used. In a multicavity mold, the system requires manifold(s) and nozzles within a hot-half stack. No matter the cavitation, there is always material savings.

A water-based, eco-friendly plastic mold cleaning system helps Rankine-Hinman Manufacturing restore flow rates and avoid big-ticket failures on complex and costly molds.

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

Costs are determined based on the hot runner requirements. A single-cavity mold will typically require a hot sprue bushing and those calculations are straightforward. However, when the mold has more than one cavity, there are a few factors to consider.

Valve gate systems use either pneumatic, hydraulic cylinders or servo drives to actuate a valve gate pin to control the flow of plastic into a cavity, giving the molder more control over the molding process. Several advantages can be gained by using a valve gate system, including enlarging the gates to fill the part faster, decreasing cycle times.

Mold manufacturing is a complex process that requires precision and accuracy in order to get molds that produce quality finished products. Selecting the right mold manufacturing company can save you the trouble of having low quality molds which produce deformed products. The right mold manufacturing company can save you a lot of time and money during the manufacturing process. This post has reviewed the top 10 best mold manufacturing companies in the UK to help you design, model, test and manufacture quality molds that align with your specific needs and requirements.

Join MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges as she gets the latest news on this mold builder's use of VR for mold design education.

Thermal gate systems are the most common and economical. Thermal describes the type of shut-off used to stop the flow of plastic into the mold cavity. The small gate freezes as the part cools and stops the plastic flow so that the part can be ejected. If the gate is too big, the thermal seal will fail, causing stringing or drooling.

Discover how to enhance your mold design process with the right CAD/CAM tool for parting and cavity design. This webinar will explore CAD/CAM capabilities including how hybrid solid/surface modeling can streamline workflow and improve accuracy. Learn how to confidently tackle parting, runoff, and shutoff, ensuring precision and efficiency in your designs. Agenda: Part analysis QuickSplit techniques Parting and runoff strategies Shutoff solutions

Moldmakers and molders who use hot runner systems in their molds will be the first to disclose that it is often the most expensive part of the mold build. But they quickly add that it is worth the investment based on reduced cycle time, resin cost, elimination of post-processing, product lifecycle, etc. Meanwhile, hot runner holdouts are skeptical, wondering why they should add thousands of dollars to the upfront cost of a mold when the cold runner system gets the job done. So, let’s examine the facts.

When used for conformal cooling in plastic injection, 3D printing opens a wide range of design freedom. This design freedom enables designers to develop highly-efficient thermal regulation networks. However, this blessing also comes at the expense of not only higher manufacturing cost but also higher design cost as the designer could spend weeks to develop optimal cooling channels. This webinar will explore strategies and tools — including SimForm, a front-end thermal simulation app — to help tool designers and tooling managers maximize the benefits of 3D printing while minimizing manufacturing and design costs. Agenda: 3D printing applied to the plastic injection industry 3D printing pros and cons Tools and methods to facilitate the integration of 3D printing

Valve gate systems are more expensive than thermal gates because they require more components to actuate the valve pins. Still, they can be ideal for more complex molding applications, including molds that demand sequential filling.

Join MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges as she gets the latest news on this mold builder's use of VR for mold design education.

Reducing cycle time and costs while also freeing up your machines for other projects are advantages gained by using hot runners that no one can ignore. But where does one begin transitioning from cold to hot runners?

Cold runner molds do have their advantages. They are simple in design, relatively inexpensive to build and easy to maintain. However, hot runner molds have proven to be a much better alternative for most applications.

Faulkner Molds Ltd is a UK mold manufacturing company that specializes in multi-cavity high-production tooling. The company was established in 1985 and has more than 25 years experience in plastic mold injection tooling and design for tooling manufacturing. The company offers various solutions for mold design and manufacture, overmolds, twin-tools and unscrewing mechanisms for molds. Faulkner Molds Ltd has won three awards in the “Supplier partner in Tool making” category. The company has invested in the latest technology of plastic mold injection tool manufacturing to ensure that all the products they produce are standard, long lasting and low-maintenance. This company focuses on serving the automotive, medical, industrial, packaging and the electronic sectors. Some of its most popular services include:

Intensive workshop teaches the process of mold maintenance to help put an end to the firefighting culture of many toolrooms.

ND Precision Products was formed by David Squire and Gordon Gregory in 1973, who were partners in precision tool making. The company grew quickly, establishing its first manufacturing factory in 1981, a 3000 sq feet floor that accommodated a wire erosion department. Today, the company is one of the leading companies in the UK in precision tools manufacturing such as plastic mold injection, press tools and laser welding machines repair. The company offers its molding tools to industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical and toy manufacturing. The company has an experienced workforce which uses their skills to provide solutions to various precision tool making challenges. The company also employs the latest engineering machinery and computer aided design skills to ensure its products are at par with the required standards and customer specifications.

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

Smart sensors and sophisticated process and measurement data management are driving intelligent moldmaking to new heights.

In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

Another benefit is there is no apparent vestige. The valve gate makes a clean break from the part, leaving only a fine witness line from the valve gate pin. This makes the valve gate system a great option for cosmetic parts that are decorative, as well as for medical applications where gate vestige is not allowed.

WH Tildesley Ltd is one of the oldest and leading drop forging companies in the UK. The company was founded by  William Horace Tildesley in 1874 as a manufacturer of horse parts which were common in the transport industry. The company has grown immensely since its establishment, diversifying to other services such as drop forging of dies and casts, machining, heat treatment, component design, forge simulation and die manufacturing. The company has honed its craft over 145 years, serving various industries such as aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas among others.The company has in-house production enabling it to closely monitor its products and services for quality control, and reduce the lead time because there are no contractors involved in the production process.

A focus on electrode design and automation helps toolroom improve efficiency, reduce tooling costs and deliver higher quality products.

Choosing the right mold manufacturing company will impact the quality of your mold designs, actual molds and the finished products. When looking for a mold manufacturing company, you need to consider factors like the level of the company’s machinery and technology, its mold manufacturing process, the time taken to produce the molds and the quality of its services. The UK has been among the leading suppliers of injection molding products with some companies standing out from the rest. In this post, we will look at the top 10 best mold manufacturing companies in the UK to help you make the right choice when looking for a molding partner.

It’s easy to imagine the advantages automation offers the moldmaking process, but it's challenging to change one’s mindset, develop a plan and invest.

Steps to improve data-driven decision-making and key features of a cloud-based system for mold monitoring and asset management.

Steel supplier discusses high thermal conductivity metal powders that also address the skills gaps via user-friendly materials and promote sustainability via durability and higher cycle counts.

In the early days of injection molding, cold runners were the only method for delivering plastic to a mold that ran more than one part. It is a method still used today. Cold runners usually comprise two or three plates, and a nozzle delivers the molten plastic into the mold via a sprue, then through channels or runners that lead to the mold cavities that are then filled to make plastic parts. Typically, the sprue requires the most time to cool because it is usually thicker than the runners and parts.

Moldmakers and molders who use hot runner systems in their molds will be the first to disclose that it is often the most expensive part of the mold build. But they quickly add that it is worth the investment based on reduced cycle time, resin cost, elimination of post-processing, product lifecycle, etc.

Pentagon Plastics is a well established family owned business with a strong reputation in plastic injection molding in the polymer industry. The company was established in 1972 as Small batch plastics focusing on molding and low volume tooling. The company grew steadily and in 1998, it was incorporated as Pentagon plastics. The company has since grown through its continuous marketing techniques and meeting customer needs to be at the top of our list. Today, Pentagon Plastics is a leading expert in mold tooling, mold design and repeat plastic injection molding manufacturing for repeat clients. The company has a team of experienced thermoplastics engineers who provide their full support and oversee the molding process to ensure quality products and services are rendered to the customers.

What exactly does a hot runner do? If you’ve been in the injection molding industry for any length of time, you might think the answer is obvious, but it is not.

The Midas Pattern Company Ltd was founded in 1989 in the UK as a tool making and molding business. This company has grown profoundly since its establishment, having 30 years experience in the trade. This company carries out its manufacturing and production activities in-house to ensure the highest quality and reduce the cost of subcontracting. The company is NQA accredited having BS EN ISO 9001:2015 certification. Midas Pattern specializes in prototyping and production of polyurethane moldings, model making and tool making. The company has recently been certified as carbon neutral, undertaking the green initiative for environmental conservation.

Fenton Precision Engineering Ltd is a UK company that was founded in the 1970s with its headquarters in Northamptonshire. This company is a one stop shop for all your molding needs offering various services such as in-house design, rapid prototyping, injection molding and assembly services, tool making and engineering, and CAD modeling. With over 50 years of experience, the company has earned its reputation in injection molding, having two different molding sites each site with presses ranging from 25 to 360 tonnes. Fenton Precision Engineering Ltd is ISO9001 certified in both its tool making experience and site maintenance. The company has many customers worldwide and offers extra services to its customers such as tool repair and maintenance.

(a) Cold runner design — a shot weight of 59 grams and estimated cycle time of 30 seconds (b) hot to cold runner system — a shot weight of 37 grams and estimated cycle time of 23 seconds and (c) direct gate hot runner system — a shot weight of 26 grams and estimated cycle time of 19 seconds. Photos Credit, all images: PCS Company

It should be noted that it is not unheard of for molders to use cold runners in prototype or short-run production molds, particularly when trying out a new product design. However, once that design is perfected, a larger production mold would include a hot runner system or hot sprue bushing to produce the product more rapidly and cost-effectively in much larger quantities.

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. About Us

What exactly does a hot runner do? If you’ve been in the injection molding industry for any length of time, you might think the answer is obvious, but it is not.

All these companies have their strengths and weaknesses regarding the mold manufacturing processes they use and the technologies they have adopted. Before you select a particular company, you need to do extensive research about the company so as to understand how they operate and whether they align with your needs and requirements. You should also consider the company’s quality control and cost so as to get value for your money.

This webinar will provide an overview of new developments in hot runners, controllers, mold components, predesigned molds, process monitoring and mold maintenance equipment. These advancements are designed with the goals of lowering scrap rates, optimizing process temperatures and managing energy consumption. The solutions also aim to support productivity and may contribute to extending the operational lifespan of tooling equipment. Agenda: Innovative undercut and thread-forming components Predesign mold bases and plate control Melt delivery and control solutions Process monitoring and maintenance

MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges sits down with Murphy Forsyth, GM – Injection Molding and Director Of Marketing for Zero Tolerance LLC in Clinton Township, MI.

BSA Mouldings Ltd is a UK company that was founded in 1997 as a family owned business. The company is your one-stop shop for injection molding, product design, tooling, assembly and storage needs. The company has invested heavily in the latest technology and machines to produce superior products in the market. The company uses a “Total Involvement” policy which ensures that every member of the staff understands the products being manufactured. This ensures that the staff and management are in sync while running the daily activities of the company. BSA Mouldings Ltd takes pride in offering high-quality plastic molded products that match the needs of its customers.

Since its breakout from the European Union, the UK has grown robustly as an hub of mold manufacturing welcoming and encouraging investments from all over the globe. Mold manufacturing is the process of forging parts or products by forcing a molten form of the raw material, (which can be plastic, metal or glass) into a mold, and the raw material allowed to cool to assume the shape of the mold. A mold is a predesigned form that assumes the shape of the final or desired product. The process of mold manufacturing starts with mold design, creation of 3D models of the mold, simulation of the workability of the 3D mold model, creation of prototypes and then the production of the actual finished mold.

Advantages: Combines over 25 years of experience, advanced molding techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to create precision molds for applications in various industries

Steel supplier discusses high thermal conductivity metal powders that also address the skills gaps via user-friendly materials and promote sustainability via durability and higher cycle counts.

Omega Plastics Group was introduced in the Uk in 1996 as a joint venture from the USA. The company was purchased by the existing management in 2006 where it saw a gradual growth attaining 25 employees by 2012. Today the company has a turnover of over 10 million euros and over 160 employees worldwide. The company provides a wide range of injection molding services and various tooling services. The goal of Omega Plastics Group is to become the leading expert in plastic mold injection services having the latest and cutting edge technology and machinery. The company has a team of elite engineers who provide their technical skills and knowledge to ensure that you get quality and reliable molding tools.

Molders then must perform secondary operations, which begin with trimming gates, if necessary. Dealing with the runners and sprue requires the molder to perform post-molding operations such as regrinding and pelletizing, then mixing with virgin plastic, if the reuse of plastic is permitted. Unfortunately, many engineering and medical applications do not permit regrind reuse or only allow a small percentage. Any remaining scrap plastic must be disposed of or sold for pennies on the dollar.

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).

Gerardo (Jerry) Miranda III, former global tooling manager for Oakley sunglasses, reshares his complete mold design checklist, an essential part of the product time and cost-to-market process.

Discover how to enhance your mold design process with CAD/CAM software specifically tailored for the moldmaking industry. In part two of this webinar series, Cimatron will demonstrate how to intelligently design mold components, such as slides and lifters, using powerful CAD/CAM tools to accelerate the design process. Additionally, it will cover how to avoid errors and ensure design accuracy for ejector pins by checking clearance distances, calculating cutoff heights correctly, and thoroughly documenting all ejector components. Agenda: Slides Lifters Inserts Ejection pins and charts

Gerardo (Jerry) Miranda III, former global tooling manager for Oakley sunglasses, reshares his complete mold design checklist, an essential part of the product time and cost-to-market process.

After attending IMTS, it's clear that the integration of advanced technologies is ready to enhance precision, efficiency and automation in mold manufacturing processes. It’s a massive event, so here’s a glimpse of what the MMT team experienced firsthand.

Diamond compounds, with their varied grades, colors and base options, provide a comprehensive solution for mold builders in need of precise and superior polishing across diverse materials and applications.

There is no doubt about it: More and more molds are being designed to include hot runner systems or hot sprue bushings. For those who build and run hot runner molds, it is not hard to see the reasons why. While expensive to build, hot runner molds can be more economical in the long run than their cold runner counterparts. Still, there are many hot runner holdouts, so it is time to build the case for transitioning from cold to hot runner molds.

Understanding and facing the moldmaking industry’s obstacles to growth requires a strategy focused on increased profitability.

Engineers use properly preloaded bolts, blocks, springs and side-action cores to enhance functionality and reliability in various mechanical systems.

Finally, he was convinced to try a hot sprue bushing and immediately saw significant savings on material by direct gating the hot sprue to the part. In addition, the gate location changed from the periphery to a central location on top of the part. As a result, he could reduce his cycle time from 21 seconds to 15 seconds and no longer needed the secondary operations because of the more balanced gate location, freeing up manpower for other work.

The first step to switch over to a hot runner mold is to perform a design analysis to ensure that a hot runner is appropriate for the application. For example, determine if the material being molded is suitable for a hot runner design, which is an essential consideration whether the mold is new or being retrofitted. Though most resins are amenable to hot runner usage, there are exceptions. Consult your material supplier for their recommendations. If a hot runner system is deemed feasible, determine whether to go with a thermal gate or valve gate system. This is a good time to seek input from a knowledgeable hot runner supplier who can recommend suitable options. Most hot runner suppliers also offer Moldflow analyses to ensure the hot runner system is balanced and to assist with a part fill study.

A connected software solution streamlines the moldmaking process by providing a unified source of design data, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors, with five key steps benefiting from this integration.

Join this webinar where Hexagon will explore how state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology can drive your business forward. Learn how to optimize tool paths, enhance design accuracy and reduce lead times with advanced simulation. Discover the power of automation and real-time data for continuous improvement. Tailored for mold and die manufacturers, this session offers actionable insights to boost productivity and quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge in progressive die manufacturing. Agenda:  Key challenges in progressive die manufacturing Optimizing tool paths Enhancing mold and die design accuracy Reducing lead times with simulation Automating processes for greater efficiency Leveraging real-time data for continuous improvement

Identify pain points, tackle each one strategically and maintain flexibility to keep your moldmaking business on a path to growth.

Discover how CAD/CAM functionality tailored for the mold industry can significantly enhance the mold design process. In part three of the webinar series, Cimatron will focus on designing waterlines and cooling components. It will demonstrate how CAD/CAM tools can verify drill line depths for water lines and baffles, ensure that minimum steel requirements are met while placing water lines, and provide a complete list of all baffle cutoff lengths. Additionally, it will explore how to confidently design runners and gates using CAD functionality specifically developed for these aspects of mold design. Agenda: Waterlines and verification Conformal cooling Baffles and charts Runners and gates

Released earlier, this video remains a valuable recruitment tool and is being re-promoted in celebration of Manufacturing Day 2024.

MGS Technical Plastics Ltd is a private company that was founded in 1979 with its headquarters in Blackburn. The company is a home to expert tool makers and molding engineers who strive to ensure ingenuity and excellency in its designs and products. The company has invested more than 2 million euros in its machinery with over 18 injection molding machines to ensure it attains its goal of achieving excellence in its products and services. The company offers various services such as part design and development, tooling, plastic injection molding, packaging and assembly, and distribution services.

In ISO 9001 quality management systems, the Management Representative (MR) plays a crucial role. While the 2015 version of ISO 9001 no longer mandates this position, having a trusted management member serve as an MR remains vital for streamlining operations and maintaining quality standards.

To illustrate further, a long-time molder ran a single-cavity mold using a cold sprue with a branch of a runner to make little nylon wheels. The customer ran 21 seconds to fill each part and scrapped the sprue and runner with every cycle. Then he would machine each wheel because he worried it wasn’t truly round, adding yet another step to the production process.

Explore the standout articles of September, featuring innovations, expert insights, and strategies to boost efficiency and quality for your moldmaking needs.