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Automotive Mold Makers Excel with CAD/CAM

Computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is a necessity to injection mold makers around the globe.  Injection molding today is complex with precision parts requiring tight dimensional tolerances.  Thermoplastic resins provide many benefits over other materials and are being used in many critical applications worldwide, including components for the Automotive, Aerospace and Medical industries.  Meeting these tight tolerances with complex injection molds requires the skilled use of CAD/CAM by an experienced injection mold design engineer.

CAD/CAM Delivers for Automotive Suppliers

Automotive OEMs demand the best from their suppliers, and expect perfection with zero defects, continual improvement plans and even cost reductions.  In order to satisfy the demanding requirements of the Automotive industry today, injection mold makers must operate in a lean and effective manner.  

Michiana Global Mold utilizes the latest in technological advancements with CAD/CAM design and mold making capabilities.  Our skilled design engineers have decades of experience constructing custom, precision molds used in critical applications by OEMSs worldwide.  

Our design engineers can quickly identify problematic dimensional areas, and address all concerns with the customer via easy file sharing.  Michiana Global Mold is experienced with UniGraphics, SolidWorks, Mold Flow Analysis, and various computer aided milling machine centers.  

Michiana Global Mold Offers Modern Injection Mold Making

View Michiana Global Mold’s Equipment List and see why we are you one stop full service injection mold making and service facility.  We currently have a full line up of EDM and Milling centers with Charmilles, Hurco and Hansvedt to name only a few of the best names in mold making machinery.   We have top of the line wire EDM, grinding, turning and drilling equipment, driven by technologically advanced CAD/CAM software and equipment.

Combining advanced equipment with the skill and experience of our design engineers and journeyman mold makers, we are able to offer to you high quality precision tooling, on time and within your budget.

Michiana Global Mold is an ISO Registered mold making facility serving OEMs worldwide with high performing, precision injection molds for complex components.  Contact us today for a FREE cost estimate of your next injection mold project requirements.  

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ISO Registration Benefits Automotive Mold Maker

There are many benefits to working with an ISO Registered mold making facility, including quality product and cost savings to the buyer.  ISO quality standards are recognized internationally as the set of quality standards for various industries worldwide to measure performance in their processes, which encompasses all business processes whether they be service or production related.   Most suppliers to the Automotive industry must be registered to either ISO9001 or ISO/TS16949, providing uniform measurements to rate suppliers in a global economy.   

Globally recognized quality standards give Automakers around the globe consistent quality procedures and standards to measure the performance of their suppliers, in quality and service.  This makes the job of the purchasing agent more streamlined in choosing suppliers, and takes some of the burden off when qualifying suppliers to their supply chain.  Most suppliers, even 2nd and 3rd tier suppliers, must be registered to ISO standards and provide a Certificate of Conformance.  This gives peace of mind to Automakers around the world that their suppliers are adhering to their Quality Policy and performing continual improvement in all processes to remain competitive.  Continual improvement projects that focus on increased cycle times, or reduced purchasing costs can be passed on to the Automotive customer, providing even more value as an ISO registered mold shop.  

Michiana Global Mold is an ISO Registered mold making shop, practicing continual improvement with top down management.  We combine the latest in technology with our vast experience to provide the best options for injection molds, beginning with a detailed and thorough injection mold design.  Our design engineers are the best in the business, with extensive experience using our CAD/CAM software and equipment.  

Our journeymen mold makers are accustomed to constructing complex injection molds for high volume, custom injection molding.  We build the challenging tools that other mold makers shy away from.  Michiana Global Mold is experienced with all types of molds, including insert cavities, cold and hot runner tools, shuttle molds, three-plate tools and any other mold type required.  We meet tight tolerances and even tighter deadlines with quality injection molds, built right the first time.  We provide sample parts and reports, and all required tool status reports.  

Michiana Global Mold offers discounts with our off-shore injection mold making partner, rebate programs for high-volume tool requirements, and FREE design consultations.

Contact Michiana Global Mold today to speak with one of our skilled mold designers and learn how we can assist you with your next injection mold making project.  We are an ISO9001:2015 Registered mold making facility with vast experience building custom, precision injection molds for demanding industries including Automotive.  

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Mold Design Consideration for Automated Molding

Injection molders today are using sophisticated, automated equipment aimed at molding high quality products with lean processes.  Automated auxiliary equipment is used to provide consistency in a process while reducing cycle times.  Each injection molder’s shop environment is different, and some equipment must be custom designed to work together.

An injection mold designer must be aware of the molding environment in which the mold will run, which includes the type of press, any auxiliary equipment used in the molding process and the location of tie bars and cooling lines.  This information is vital to a proper mold design to ensure that nothing will interfere with installation or operation of the mold.

Some Automated equipment that injection molders use are vacuum conveying systems, sprue pickers, robotic arms and conveyors, computerized quality inspection and rejection procedures, and automated packing procedures.

As any molder knows, reducing cycle time provides cost saving efficiencies that equate to increased profits to the bottom line.  Be sure to share with your mold designer any custom design requirements unique to your molding situation.  

Michiana Global Mold is experienced with the most challenging of mold designs requiring tight geometric tolerances with critical dimensions.  We construct molds used for any environment, with custom designed solutions provided with Unigraphics CAD/CAM Software, and Mold Flow Analysis if required.  

We are an ISO Registered mold making facility following a strict quality policy in all aspects of injection mold design and construction.  Michiana Global Mold has been a valuable supplier to many supply chains including to the Automotive industry for over 50 years.  We employ a highly knowledgeable and experienced staff, with skilled designers and journeyman mold makers.

Michiana Global Mold has in-depth knowledge designing and manufacturing injection molds that meet tight geometric tolerances.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to learn how we can assist with all of your injection mold requirements.  

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Advantages of Prototype Injection Molds

Constructing a prototype injection mold has many advantages to a successful launch of an injection molding program.  Prototype tools give a molder a chance to try out a new design, prior to investing in a large multi-cavity full size injection mold.  Some prototype tools are even constructed with just a prototype cavity, allowing for additional cavities to be developed later after perfection of the prototype.  

Prototype tools are advantageous when using a new thermoplastic resin that the molder may not be familiar with.  A prototype gives the advantage of learning how a new material will melt, flow and fill critical dimensional areas.

A prototype also gives a molder a chance to try out a new design for a part that may have to fit into another larger assembly.  Constructing a prototype tool will give the molder a chance to produce a prototype part to test out functionality, either in larger assemblies or even on an automated assembly line.  

Constructing a prototype tool is a very inexpensive way to test out new parts without an initial major outlay of cash.   Prototype tools are typically constructed with less expensive material than a production tools, therefore are not made to stand up to high volume production but rather a few short production lots for sample testing.  

While production tools must be constructed with hardened steel, a prototype can be made of P20 or non-hardened steel, or even aluminum, as this is adequate to produce sample parts for testing purposes.  Prototypes are used in many industries where an initial small investment into a mold for testing purposes is well worth it prior to constructing a high-volume production mold.  

Michiana Global Mold has vast experience assisting engineers and designers to achieve their dimensional goals with design assistance and Prototype Mold Construction.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to see how we can assist you with your project development goals.  

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Injection Mold Design for Engineering Resins

Thermoplastic engineering resins are the most common type of plastic resins used in the injection molding process.  With many different types of plastic resins each with their own unique properties, it takes great care and consideration to properly design and construct a mold for use with thermoplastic resins.   These highly useful polymer resins have varying properties of elasticity, resistance to temperature, corrosives, shrinkage and right down to the exterior finish such as a matte or a glossy finish.  

Shrink rate is a very important property of thermoplastic engineering resins used in injection molding, as the cavities must be carved out to accommodate to this shrink rate.  If shrink rate is not accounted for properly, a part may shrink too much after cooling and deviate from customer requirements. Knowing the cooling and shrink rate of the polymer resin used for any molding process is of the utmost important to the journeymen mold makers constructing the tool.  

Cooling rate is also important for the part to become completely solidified prior to ejection.  Cooling rate must be configured into the injection molding cycle time, to ensure proper cooling and ejection without damaging the part.  

Each polymer resin will have a MSD sheet, Material Safety Data sheet along with material specifications clearly defined in each numbered lot of all thermoplastic resins.  If working with a new material, a mold designer may prefer to use Mold Flow Analysis, for a computer simulated demonstration of how the plastic material will melt, flow and fill.   Predicting the flow of thermoplastic resins prior to cutting steel is vital for accurate geometrical tolerances in the final product.  

Even with a material spec sheet which is necessary, nothing helps a skilled mold designer more than experience.  Skilled mold design engineers are very familiar with the various properties of engineering resins allowing for precise mold construction with even the most specialty of molding resins.  

Michiana Global Mold is an experienced mold design and construction company, with vast experience with various thermoplastic resins used in injection molding.  We employ highly skilled journeymen mold makers and expert design engineers to satisfy even the most demanding of customer requirements.  We tackle the complex mold designs that other companies shy away from.  For complex, precision molds that must meet tight tolerances, contact Michiana Global Mold today for superior mold design and mold making services.

Contact Michiana Global Mold today to speak with one of our skilled mold designers and learn how we can assist you with your next injection mold making project.  We are an ISO9001:2015 Registered mold making company with vast experience constructing custom, precision injection molds using various thermoplastic engineering resins.  

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Maintain Molding Specs with Preventive Mold Maintenance

The cost of an injection mold is usually the largest part of an investment into a plastic molding process with the exception of the molding press itself.   Capital equipment requires maintenance, with a preventive maintenance plan typically in place for all equipment to keep machinery and equipment running at optimum performance levels and to avoid costly repairs.  

The injection mold itself is no different, operating at optimum performance when a regular preventive mold maintenance routine is performed.

Each injection mold is unique to a particular program, and may be either a cold or hot runner tool, with single or multi cavities.  Some injection molds run only a few times a year to produce a production run then store for a while before it is needed again, and some molds supporting high-volume requirements run continuously in the press.  

Performing preventive maintenance on these high-volume molds is critical to consistent part production within customer specification.  The material the used in the molding process has great impact on the steel mold.  A glass filled nylon, for example, will put a lot of wear and tear on the steel vs. a simple polypropylene material.

Take the time to determine at which cycle intervals your mold requires cleaning, and you will continue to produce high quality parts without mold breakdown.  Some preventive mold maintenance can actually be performed right there at the press, while other PM intervals require a full break-down and thorough mold cleaning.

Preventive maintenance is vital for mold performance, and to meet production requirements.  Take the time to determine the optimum mold maintenance regimen for your injection molds, and provide consistently molded parts within customer specifications.  

Michiana Global Mold is a a valuable supplier to the automotive industry, providing complex, precision molds with our ISO9001 Quality Management System.  Contact us today to learn about our rebate program and to how we can save you money on your injection mold requirements.  

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How to Source Injection Molds Overseas to Save Money

Figuring out how to source quality injection molds overseas with an injection mold maker in China can be a daunting task.  This endeavor can end up costing you more than it would be saving if not implemented correctly.  How do you know the quality of steel and craftsmanship that this foreign company will put into making your molds?

When providing a competitive foreign quote depends upon landing that big contract or losing it, don’t leave this huge business endeavor to chance.  Work with a domestic mold making company who can provide overseas sourcing, and overseas pricing, with the same domestic quality and service your project demands.

Offshore Mold Sourcing from Domestic Provider

Michiana Global Mold is a mold making company located in the Midwest, USA, with a business partner in China to provide the same quality in complex injection molds as our domestic locations.  Both facilities are ISO registered, following a strict quality policy in mold design and construction.  With our offshore mold making partnership, we take care of all overseas communication and quality inspections for a hassle-free transition for you.  With one domestic customer service contact, you will have tool status updates and assurances of quality with on-time delivery.  

Our Chinese mold making partner, Modular Molds, uses only North American and German Steel to construct molds built to customer KPC’s.  We supply Initial Sample Inspection Reports (ISIR), with final inspection conducted at our domestic location for complete assurances to full print specification.  

Michiana Global Mold has more than 50 years of experience designing and constructing complex, precision tools.  We tackle the challenging molds that other mold builders shy away from.   WE are a full-service mold making facility providing prototypes, insert cavities, cold-runner and hot-runner tools,  three-plate tools and shuttle molds.   Download our FREE Guide to Sourcing Your Tools in China, and let Michiana Global Mold assist with your offshore mold sourcing project.

Michiana Global Mold is a leader in plastic injection mold making, serving the Automotive and various industries since 1964.  We offer high-quality, precision tooling from our domestic or overseas location, on time and to your specifications.  Contact us today to learn more about our offshore mold making capabilities.  

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Precision Injection Molds Meet Customer Specifications

Injection mold designs today must meet tough customer specifications, calling for critical fill areas with precision mold designs.   Careful planning must be taken when designing complex molds for critical applications, ensuring consistent packing and filling to tight geometric tolerances.  A qualified mold design engineer has several important considerations when beginning a complex injection mold construction, beginning with a carefully planned mold design.

CAD/CAM for Mold Design

Computer aided design and manufacturing is a valuable tool for injection mold designers, providing accurate 2D drawings and designs to meet customer specifications.  The use of CAD/CAM is beneficial when constructing molds for any industry, especially when designing and constructing injection molds for the automotive industry.  

Unigraphics and SolidWorks are two of the most technologically advanced software design programs used to satisfy the complex demands of the automotive industry.   Mold Flow Analysis is another valuable tool to identify potentially challenging fill areas, especially when using a specialty resin that may be unfamiliar to the molder.

These computer simulations are part of a thorough Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) set of procedures which ensure a successful mold launch.  APQP procedures are critical to the planning phase as following a detailed set of procedures identifies any issues with resin, geometric challenges such as a thin wall or critical dimensions that must remain within +/-.001” for proper functionality.  

Michiana Global Mold utilizes CAD/CAM software as part of our thorough APQP procedures, to ensure a quality constructed mold for even the most complex of mold designs.  As an ISO registered injection mold making shop, we are experienced with providing a quality mold made to customer specifications, on time and within budget.  We work closely with our customers to develop a successful mold launch to meet even the strictest of specifications.

Contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable design engineer, and Download our FREE Book on Design Considerations for Different Molds.  

Michiana Global Mold is an injection mold design and mold making company, constructing precision molds to various industries since 1964.  We are an ISO registered injection mold making facility satisfying the strict requirements of the Automotive industry with high quality precision molds.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation.  

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Choose the Proper Gate Location in Injection Molds

The gate is the mechanism that allows the plastic resin to flow into the mold, and every plastic part design must take careful consideration of the type and the location of gates.  There are various styles of gating mechanisms typically used in injection molding, and each style will have an effect on the finished product.  The style of gating chosen can affect the visual appearance of the part, the likelihood of warping or sink marks, and proper packing to meet dimensional tolerances.

Avoid Defects from Gate Location

To avoid defects when processing, place your gate location at the heaviest cross section for maximum fill and packing to avoid sinks and voids.  Experienced mold designers will also know when to consider adding a second gate location, which may be necessary in complex geometrical shapes to obtain proper fill throughout the part.  

The location of the gate should allow for automatic or manual de-gating, designed with the minimal length of flow path to minimize visual flow marks.   In cold runner molds, the part is usually ejected attached to the runner and gate, de-gating removes the part from the runner system.  Some processes include automatic de-gating with robotic arms that grab the runner out of the mold separating it from the part or parts.  

Gates in Hot-Runner Tools

There are basically two types of gating systems used in hot-runner tools, where the plastic is injected directly into the cavity to avoid runners altogether.  In a hot-runner tool, the gate may be either a thermal (or hot-tip) gate, or a valve gate.  The hot-tip gate solidifies the resin at the tip nozzle immediately upon high pressure injection into the cavity, stopping the flow of plastic to the cavity.  

A valve gate is used when the plastic may not solidify completely upon injection, and therefore a valve slides over to cover the nozzle tip and stop the flow of resin.  Either type is effective and cost efficient when used properly in a hot-runner system mold.  

Michiana Global Mold is experienced with constructing cold and hot-runner tools, with various styles of gating mechanisms involved.  We are skilled with determining the optimum gate location for precision molds required to produce complex geometrical parts.

Michiana Global Mold has been exceeding customer expectation with high performing injection molds since 1964.  We have vast experience with all types of molds and mold base components. Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with one of our knowledgeable design engineers.  

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Plastic Injection Part Design with Ribs and Bosses

Ribs are often used to add strength and stiffness to plastic parts in critical areas or geometric designs where thin walls exist.  This makes the part stronger with added support but can also cause sink marks on the exterior side of the part, where the rib comes together to meet the main wall in the part design.  When using ribs to add support, remember the general rule that the rib should not be more than 60% of the wall thickness.  Adding ribs to an injection mold design will increase costs, and may require EDM processes.  

Working with an experienced injection mold manufacturer will give you the best value for your investment.  Skilled journeyman mold makers and experienced injection mold design engineers will have the best knowledge of where to place ribs for added support and how this will affect the tool design, and the cost.

Mold making companies today can provide you with a two-dimensional computer aided design to show you exactly how your injection mold will produce the required plastic part, and alert you to any problematic areas ahead of time.  

Bosses are a very common feature in many plastic parts, and comes from the word emboss, which means a raised stamp or design, standing out on the surface.   Bosses that are designed with too thick dimensions can cause sink marks similar to the use of ribs.  Utilizing the proper ratio of ribs to bosses a molder can reduce or eliminate unsightly sink marks caused by either feature.  

Ribs used to connect boss areas to a side wall can add strength while avoiding sink marks.  Sharp corners are another area where excessive stress can concentrate and adding small radii feature in this area can strengthen the corner and reduce excessive stress.

Michiana Global Mold is a full-service mold design and construction company, with vast experience in all types of molds.  We offer an ISO registered Quality System, state-of-the-art domestic mold building facility with off-shore partner, and decades of experience with precision, complex tooling.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with one of our highly skilled design engineers.

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Plastic Part Design to Avoid Sink and Warp

Plastic injection mold designers must consider the resin chosen for the part manufacturing when designing the mold as this plays a very important role in meeting part specifications.  One characteristic of the plastic material that requires careful consideration is the cooling rate compared to the geometry of the part.

What is Sink

This plays an important role in the likelihood of parts developing sinks or warps, and can have significant consequences on successfully molding parts with consistent results.  The cooling rate is extremely important because as the part begins to cool it will always begin at the mold surface and move inward, toward the center.  If the geometry of the part is such that the part is too thick, the center area of the part will not solidify quickly enough.  This center stays molten long enough for it to cause stress on the area already solidified, pulling downward towards the center and leaving a sink mark on the outer surface.  

Avoid Sink in Plastic Parts with This Rule of Thumb

Ribs are used to add strength to plastic parts in thin wall or critical areas, but can also cause sink marks on the exterior side of the part.  When designing plastic parts to avoid sink marks, remember the basic rule to keep the thickness of the rib somewhere around 60% the thickness of the wall.  Following this rule of thumb should help to avoid sink marks during the cooling process.  

What is Warp

If a plastic part design includes areas of uneven wall thickness, stress can develop during the cooling and solidifying stage.  If this stress is excessive, warps will occur where thinner sections solidify faster than thicker sections.  

Avoid Warp in Plastic Part Design

When undue stresses due to transitions in wall thickness occur, plastic part designers can combat this by using a ramp.  Designers also use gussets in corners of some geometric areas to help prevent warping.  

Michiana Global Mold is an injection mold design and construction company with extensive experience in designing precision tools for complex injection molded parts.  Our skilled designers have vast knowledge of injection molding with various resins, and designing a mold to avoid common pitfalls in manufacturing.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with one of our knowledgeable engineers.

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Molded Part Surface Finish and Ejection Methods

Injection mold designers must always take into consideration the surface finish required of the finished molded part.  The ejection system in the mold that removes the solidified parts out of the mold cavity or cavities has great impact on the part’s surface finish.  The most common ejection system uses ejector pins which can leave marks on the part, often referred to as witness lines.  

An experienced mold designer will position ejector pins in order to place witness lines in an area acceptable to the part print.  The ejection system and ejector pins are housed in the B side of the mold, extending into the cavity during ejection then retracting back into the mold.   Restrictions on ejection must be apparent prior to mold design, if ejector pins cannot be used without damaging the part, lifters can be utilized for proper ejection.  

The injection mold design must correspond to the ejection pattern and stroke of the press.  Michiana Global Mold is an experienced injection mold maker with in-depth knowledge of designing various ejection systems to meet customer specifications.  We use CAD/CAM Unigraphics software to design and develop a layout for the ejection system prior to cutting steel.   

In some cases, ejection systems must be designed around robotic arms that reach into grab the parts upon ejection.  These robotic systems are called ‘sprue pickers’, as sprue is another term for the runner that is also ejected with the part.  Some ejection systems automatically separate parts and runners, so that they do not need to be separated later.  

Whatever your part design, surface finish, or ejection system is required, Michiana Global Mold will design and construct a superior mold with flawless ejection for the specified part surface finish.  We are an ISO registered mold making company with an offshore mold making partner in China.  Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to speak with a skilled mold engineer.

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What are the Differences of ISO 9001:2015 and 9001:2008

ISO 9001 is a set of internationally recognized standards that provides a uniform way of measuring a company’s internal quality systems.  ISO was first introduced in 1987, and is administered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.  

The latest version of ISO9001:2015 is replacing the prior version from 2008, as a new standard is introduced about every seven years.  When first introduced in 1987, the standards focused on documentation, saying what you do, and how you do it.  Defining job descriptions, work instructions, and quality checks and balances was a big part of the initial introduction of ISO standards.  

The updated version that came next in 1994 enhanced upon “say what you do”, and added “say what you do, and do what you say” (and prove it).   Further documentation was required to show that you are actually doing what you say you are doing.  Internal audits are emphasized with honest findings, and corrective actions.  

The ISO updates in 2000 turned focus to “continual improvement” and “customer satisfaction”.  Continual improvement projects must be identified, and customer satisfaction must be measured.   The ISO9001:2008 version went into greater depth of all prior versions, emphasizing processes, process owners, measurable goals and how they impact continual improvement and total customer satisfaction.  

With the most recent updates of ISO9001:2015, there is even greater emphasis on business management and leadership, and top-down management involvement.  Each employee should be aware of the organization’s mission statement, quality policy, and what their role is in achieving these goals.  Top management should be involved with communicating the quality management system, and the importance of each employee’s role to the organization.

ISO9001:2015 puts more emphasis on risk based thinking, and having contingency plans in place.  The bottom line is that businesses that adhere to an ISO compliant quality system are poised for the future, with quality systems in place that focus on total customer satisfaction.

Total customer satisfaction reaps many benefits in customer retention, increased volume of business, and new business referrals.  The efficiencies recognized when implementing ISO leads to cost-efficient improvements, thus saving time and money.  

Michiana Global Mold is a superior plastic injection mold designer registered to ISO9001:2015 in the United States, and ISO9001:2008 in China.  We offer offshore mold making options, rebate programs and high-volume discounts.  Contact us today for a FREE injection mold design consultation.  

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Precision Molds for Complex Part Designs

Injection mold designers must use careful consideration when designing a mold for a complex part design.   Intricate plastic injection molded parts may contain several critical areas that must be carefully designed to meet part specifications.  Parts that contain a very thin wall, for example, would be a critical fill area.  It takes expertise in mold design to fill a part completely without any overfill or underfill while still maintaining the integrity of such a thin critical dimension.

Critical areas should be identified on the part print, and throughout the entire mold design phase.  Sophisticated CAD/CAM software is used to develop a viable tool design given all part design specifications and other exterior design considerations such as the specified material and press size.  With a superior design software program like Unigraphics or SolidWorks, mold designers can develop the entire mold construction phase and test critical areas with computer simulation software.  This advanced quality planning phase is crucial to constructing precision molds to customer specification, and within the established lead time.

The part print will also contain specific information such as the resin used and the surface finish or texture required of the final part.  Any restrictions on knit or parting lines must be identified for proper gating.   It takes an experienced mold designer to implement a successful tool design and construction of a precision mold for injection molded parts with a complex design.

Download our FREE Book on Design Considerations for Different Molds, and contact us today to learn about our discount and rebate programs.  

Michiana Global Mold is an experienced injection mold design and construction company, supplying precision tools to various industries since 1964.  We are an ISO registered mold shop, satisfying the strict requirements of the Automotive industry with high quality complex molds.  Contact us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable engineers for a FREE design consultation.  

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Domestic Mold Maker with Offshore Mold Capabilities

Buyers of injection molded components are continuously faced with pricing challenges, they must provide to their customers the absolute lowest cost for injection molded components, and that begins with the cost of the tool.  Investment into the plastic injection mold is often the largest up-front costs injection molders face, and this price can make or break a contract with an OEM seeking the lowest cost world-wide.  

Today’s global economy is far different than two and especially three decades ago, prior to NAFTA and the mass sourcing of manufactured parts to overseas companies.  The cost difference is not as steep as it used to be with offshore companies rising to the occasion, improving their supply chains and quality systems and their overhead along with it.  There are still some attractive cost strategies to be used, however, if you have the right connection and know how to go about sourcing with offshore companies.  

Where to Begin Sourcing an Off-Shore Injection Mold Maker

It can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to get started working with an offshore company, specifically a mold making company in China.  Without proper planning and implementation, the endeavor can end up costing you more than it should.  

You are sourcing overseas to save money that you can pass on to your customers, you surely don’t want to invest more into it that you will get in return.  In many cases, having an overseas source for molds determines whether you get the contract or not.  It is not an option of whether you have a mold maker in China, it is a necessity and the only question is how to go about it.  

Domestic Sourcing Provides Return on Investment

Rather than try to contact a Chinese company directly, or use a broker to help you, working with a domestic mold maker with partnering companies in China gives you quick return on your investment.  With a domestic provider, you do not have to worry about the language barrier, currency conversions, lead times and most importantly – the quality of the tools you are sourcing.  

Michiana Global Mold is a domestic mold making company with a partnership in China, providing full-service overseas injection molds, headache and hassle-free to you.  We take care of everything from the language barrier, quality concerns and lead times, giving you one point of contact in our US location to fully coordinate all aspects of your tool build.  

Both of our mold making facilities in the US and in China are registered to ISO 9001, following a strict quality policy to provide tools to your specification.  We use only North American or German steel, and provide sample parts and all final inspections from our US location.  

We have vast experience with all types of tools including prototypes, insert cavities, three-plate tools, hot-runner tools and shuttle molds.   Download our FREE Guide to Sourcing Your Tools in China, and let Michiana Global Mold provide you with domestic support and offshore pricing.  

Michiana Global Mold is a leader in plastic injection mold making, serving the Automotive and various industries since 1964.  We offer high-quality, precision tooling from our domestic or overseas location, on time and to your specifications.  Contact us today to learn more about our offshore mold making capabilities.  

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Full Service Injection Mold Making Tool and Die Shop

For full service tooling and mold making solutions, Michiana Global Mold offers a wide range of mold making and tooling capabilities.   Our niche, and one area of expertise is constructing precision, custom injection molds for complex part production using quality North American or German Steel with modern equipment and technology.  We meet the tight tolerances and fast deadlines of the Automotive industry, and are a valuable part of many other industrial supply chains.  

Our services include much more than building new injection molds, however, and as a full-service Tool and Die Shop we can offer a wide range of comprehensive tooling services.

CNC / EDM and Wire EDM Machining

With the latest in modern equipment, Michiana Global Mold uses four Charmilles CNC EDM Machines, a Charmilles EDM HD20, a full line of Hansvedt EDM centers, and a 3R and Erowa Tooling Package.  Our journeyman mold makers are experienced in the latest CNC EDM and Wire EDM Machinery and Equipment offering efficient tooling services.  

Grinding

MG Mold has over a dozen Harig grinders alone, in 6 x 12 or 6 x 18 with Grind All attachments, 1 Reid, 2 Boyer, and 2 Proth and 1 Chevalier Hydraulic Surface Grinders.   We can grind any surface area of any product meeting the most demanding of tolerances.  

Milling

With more than 30 different Milling centers, we have the capacity to provide full service for even multi-tool programs with quick lead times.  Our full line of milling centers include 1 Hwacheon 20,000 RPM High Speed Mill, 2 Fanuc Robodrill 20,000 RPM, over a dozen Hurco CNC Machining and Milling centers, 11 Bridgeport Milling Machines and various other milling machines fill our large capacity production area.

Sampling and Inspection

Michiana Global Mold will sample your tool in the selected material, providing first shots to your specification prior to tool delivery.   We provide the highest of quality and inspection services

Engineering Changes and Tool Adaptations

For all tooling processes, including Engineering changes and tool adaptations call on your one stop, full service tool and mold shop, Michiana Global Mold.

Michiana Global Mold has been supplying high-performance tight tolerance precision injection molds since 1952!  Contact us today for a  FREE no-obligation design consultation for your next mold making or tooling project.  

[mgmold-blog]

How to Source a Professional Mold Builder

What qualities are you evaluating when searching for a mold making company?  How do you qualify a mold builder as a preferred vendor?  You probably have a thorough, detailed and organized method of granting vendor approval, including a Quality audit.  As part of your formal process, some critical standards stand out as critically important over others, those would be:

Engineering Capabilities including modern and updated design software such as UniGraphics or Solidworks with 2D print and file sharing options

Quality of overall work performed including product quality of steel and components used in addition to high machining quality with modern and automated equipment, checked for accuracy

Delivery Performance – on time delivery ratio including capacity limits and premium delivery options

Engineering Capabilities

Not all mold making companies have kept up with the times and invested in the modern technology available to mold makers today.  With computer driven milling centers and workhorse EDM machines humming all day, the modern mold making shop must be well versed in the computer driven equipment.    Equipment today can hold several programs, constantly checking for accuracy while doing the work it is programmed to do.  Creating these programs takes skill and knowledge of the mold making process from an experienced mold design engineer.  

Quality of Overall Work Performed

Sourcing a mold making company that is registered to ISO9001 standards gives you added assurances that the quality of product and service will be to your specification.   ISO9001:2015 standards require measuring performance and implementing continual improvement projects, with quick response time to meet the overall goal – total customer satisfaction.  

Delivery Performance

As part of internal audits with an ISO registered company, delivery performance should have a positive ratio with an explanation for any late deliveries.  Mold making shops that use modern technology and perform advanced quality planning procedures delivery quality tools on time, with critical areas planned ahead.    

Top notch mold making shops like Michiana Global Mold provide all of these services, in addition to sampling and checking parts for accuracy prior to delivery.

Michiana Global Mold can assist you with your demanding supply chain requirements with modern engineering capabilities, registration to ISO9001:2015 providing on-time delivery of quality product.   Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to learn more about our multi-tool discount program.