Smart Molding International 1-2024

35 www.smart-molding.com molds and tooling some of these by adjusting process parameters but not all. Despite achieving success for development testing, these remaining defects needed to be addressed in a production tool. While Westminster Tool team waited for feedback from the customer, they began identifying root causes and mitigation strategies such as surface finish, ejection, and gating strategies for the production mold. The prototype tools also gave a better understanding of how the material performed during molding. In particular, the part length shrank more than anticipated, thus moving a dimension out of tolerance. Traditionally, it would have been suggested staying steel safe in this area to hit the tolerance adding additional cost and time. But based on the successful fitment of the prototype part into the assembly, Westminster Tool and the customer could confidently move forward with the current length. CONCLUSION: Real Saving Opportunities for Production Molds Westminster Tool specialists complete a thorough design for manufacturing process for every production mold they build. This is heavily focused on risk identification and mitigation and accounts for about 20-30% of their design costs. By learning and understanding the prototype tool and the risk related to the part, they were able to remove most of these costs from their production tool build. In addition, they already had majority of the cavity stacks designed which saved an additional 10% of design time. During the process of building tools, the pride comes from working towards real savings on the back end of the project. Most of the time, projects get hung up on the qualification phase of tools. Whether it’s learning the hard way, for example, that a material is shrinking differently than expected or dealing with a mechanical challenge, troubleshooting can unnecessarily add weeks to a timeline. Westminster Tool team's ultimate goal is that by getting involved sooner in part development, they can seamlessly transition a mold from qualification to production. Westminster Tool www.westminstertool.com New EcoONE-Series hot runner system Mold-Masters® has introduced an economical hot runner solution for commodity applications. M old-Masters®, a leading developer and supplier of hot runners, controllers, auxiliary injection, and co-injection systems, is pleased to announce the availability of the new Mold-Masters EcoONE-Series Hot Runner System. The EcoONE-Series is a highly economical solution suitable for processing commodity resins for simple, cost sensitive applications such as consumer goods, small home appliances, basic automotive components, electronic peripherals/accessories and more. The EcoONE-Series systemoffers awide range of standard nozzle options with a nozzle shot range capacity of <5g up to 3,500g in lengths ranging from 50-300mm. Five standard non-valved and five standard valved gating options are offered. Manifolds are available in 1-8 drop configurations with custom pitch options. Currently, it is available as a manifold system only and is expected to be shipped and delivered in as little as 3-4 weeks. The EcoONE-Series standardized components enable Mold- Masters to offer rapid delivery and reduce costs to minimize investments for simple projects. The purchase price is significantly lower than Mold-Masters’ premium hot runner solutions. The EcoONE-Series system is also field serviceable to minimize downtime and operating costs. The system’s nozzles use replaceable brass heater sleeves while manifolds incorporate push-in heater elements. As these are standard components, inventory is on-hand and available through the Mold-Masters M a s t e r C A R E global service network. System components are covered for up to two years under the products global warranty. About Mold-Masters® Mold-Masters® is a leading global supplier of hot runners, controllers, auxiliary injection and co-injection systems. We design, manufacture, distribute, sell and service highly engineered and customized plastic processing equipment that caters to every market. Mold-Masters is credited for patenting the first commercially viable hot runner system in 1965. Today, Mold- Masters conducts business in more than 100 countries and employs a diverse workforce that exceeds 2,150 professionals. Mold-Masters Global Headquarters is located in Georgetown, ON Canada. Mold-Masters is an operating company of Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI). Mold-Masters www.moldmasters.com Picture: Mold-Masters