Foundry mould maker jobs

There appear to be numerous workshops and programs available through which you might gain the label of 'expert' in a matter of weeks or months. While this may be sufficient for some jobs, a mold designer must have far more experience to obtain the title of expert. If you've ever wondered what it takes to become a master mold designer, here's some background information about mold designers and how they rise to the top:

What is the Role of a Mold Designer?

Mold designers utilize computer-aided design (CAD) tools to construct plastic molds for injection molding and other production processes. The job requires using computer design software like AutoCAD, Unigraphics, Pro-Engineer (Pro-E), and Solidworks to create molds. Following the creation of the molds, the designer should visit the production facility to participate in mold trials to check that the components and products produced are as designed. Mold designers have the same skill set and expertise as mold manufacturers. They should be knowledgeable about the technicalities of producing plastic molds and how the injection molding process works.

What Does it Take to Become a Mold Designer?

To get started in the field of mold design, you don't absolutely need a bachelor's degree. Employers will want at least a high school education, but a postsecondary certificate or associate degree in plastics engineering technology, manufacturing technology, or mold design will help you get started in a new job. Some of the expertise could have come from a work-study program or an apprenticeship program that required a significant amount of on-the-job training. As a mold designer, you may be required to use CNC machines, therefore having additional training and understanding on how to set up and execute a production run with this type of automated machinery is advantageous. As a mold designer, you'll spend a lot of time on the computer, using design tools. It's possible that the company you work for uses a design application like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Unigraphics. As a designer, understanding that software will be essential, and some businesses may provide on-the-job training or send entry-level designers to an external program to learn the essentials.

What are the qualifications of expert mold designers?

If you're looking to recruit a mold design specialist, you might check for specific talents or keywords on resumes to show their level of expertise. An expert level designer should have at least five years of design experience, five years of injection molding experience, and ten years of experience in a production and molding setting. They should have some of the following skills in addition to those years of experience:

*Problem fixing - You can expect every design to have a flaw, whether it's a little one or one that necessitates a complete rethink. The expert level designer will have the knowledge and skills to reduce the risks associated with each design and to solve any problems that occur.

*Plastic part design — While molding plastic is similar to molding other materials, it does have some unique properties that make some designs difficult to mold. For smaller and higher precision parts, or goods based on industry requirements, a plastic mold design expert will know what improvements to suggest. Without having to re-study standards and criteria to acquire certification, an expert will be able to design for automotive products, overlay products, or the medical business.

*Design software — There are a few design programs that can create molds. The most commonly used software products are AutoCAD, Unigraphics, SolidWorks, and Pro-E, which are all comparable in function. An expert may be familiar with all of the above, but he or she will most likely be an expert in the software that is used frequently. Most designers learn one or two software packages and then practice using them repeatedly in their daily operations. Designers should also be able to establish a database of replacement parts for maintenance crews to use in order to keep the molds in service and repair them rapidly as needed. This might be a spreadsheet with 2D drawings as a guide, or distinct mold parts designed in the same software.

*New product development - Mold design is simply one step in the product development process. Every component begins as an idea, then evolves into a 3D design, and finally becomes a physical mold. To ensure that their design is translated to the mold and that their concept works in trials and production, the designer should participate in the mold fabrication process. The development process entails more than simply watching pieces emerge from a mold. It's about putting money into what works and what doesn't, then fixing and upgrading for the future.

*CNC knowledge and setup — The majority of molds are made using CNC software and machinery. While a comprehensive understanding of programming CNC machines and cut paths isn't essential, knowing the fundamentals of software to generate them should be. Expert mod designers should be able to grasp the concepts, communicate in the target language, and assist tool creators in turning the design into a physical mold.

*Mold Flow Study - An experienced mold designer should be able to help or conduct a flow analysis on their design to see how well it will create parts. These analyses will result in shorter cycle times due to improved molding processes, fewer mold test cycles, and shorter part delivery times. While it may add to the development cost, the designer may finish the analysis fast and make recommendations to improve capacity and efficiency, which will benefit the mold and product in the long run.

*ISO Standards — An expert mold designer should be familiar with the most recent International Standards Organization (ISO) criteria that the part design and production facility follows. To establish compliance for international distribution, the product may be subjected to ISO testing. In that instance, the designer may need to make changes to the part or mold design to accommodate additional testing and documentation requirements.

*Understanding of GD&T – General Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) describes tolerances on a part or product that aren't explicitly stated. The tolerance criteria are determined by a governing set of guidelines such as Mid-America Machining engineering standards, ASME 14.5 GD&T, ANSI 14.5M, or ANSYS standards, which are based on the industry for which the item is designed. An excellent mold designer should be familiar with the fundamentals of GD&T and be able to research any additional needs for a specific industry or product design.

*Knowledge of CMM - A Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) can verify size by measuring parts using a set of datum coordinates or points. CMM machines are often used in the development of molds to ensure that parts fulfill design and tolerance requirements, and then at regular intervals during product manufacturing. An expert designer will grasp the basics of CMM machines and how they are used for verification, as well as be able to assist in the coordination and design of checking fixtures for the product or part that the mold produces.