February 12, 2018

Westfall adds rapid prototyping and short-run molding businesses 10 Day Parts, Inc.

Westfall Technik combines two premier plastics prototyping businesses with its toolmaking and molding businesses in the Southwest U.S.

Corona, California and Hayward, California – February 9th, 2018 – 10 Day Parts Inc., formerly known as Advanced Technology, Inc., and Elfy’s, Inc. have been acquired by Westfall Technik, Inc., a recently formed global holding company that provides highly productive plastics manufacturing solutions to medical, packaging and consumer goods industries.

10 Day Parts, Inc. offers extremely fast and cost-effective rapid tooling and injection molded parts.  In most cases, 10 Day Parts can build tooling and provide molded parts within 10 business days.  This cost-effective tooling is capable of over one million shots.  Molded parts are produced from the exact materials, with the exact surface finishes and colors, and offer design-for-manufacturing (DFM) leverageable to full scale production.

Elfy’s Inc. provides innovative front-end solutions for medical devices and components as well as other markets. The team is particularly trusted with demanding medical applications and brand owners know to trust Elfy’s where others have tried and failed.

These acquisitions support the Westfall Technik vision to build a market-leading integrated network of plastics experts that provide optimum engineered solutions throughout the plastics manufacturing process. Westfall Technik can now offer comprehensive DFM services quickly and comprehensively. Both companies provide rapid prototyping and short-run molding to the medical, industrial and consumer goods industries, bringing more than 300 new customer relationships, early product development support, reputations for excellence, and experienced engineering talent to Westfall Technik.

About Westfall Technik
Westfall Technik is a new global holding company which provides highly-productive plastics manufacturing solutions to medical, consumer packaging and consumer goods industries. Westfall Technik’s competitive advantages include modern automated systems, correlative molding processes, and effective industry 4.0 concepts.  The results for brand owners include high quality, excellent value, fast response for shorter time-to-market, 100% inspection and traceability from pellet to pallet and beyond, supply chain security compliance, and reliability from a team you can trust.

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January 25, 2018

Protecting Your Investment – Packaging, Shipping, and Handling at Mold Craft

The employees at Mold Craft thrive in the perfection driven culture that is required for making precision molds. They work hard to make their customers happy by delivering the highest quality products on the market and they want to make sure that those high-quality products make it to the customer in perfect condition. For that reason, Mold Craft spends additional time and resources on packaging, shipping, and handling.

At Mold Craft, each mold is treated with the utmost caution and care as if it were a piece of fine jewelry. They want to make sure that each customer’s mold is taken care of throughout the entire design, build, and ship process. Mold Craft uses the same CAD program (SolidWorks) to design their packaging as they do to design their molds. That means that each mold gets its very own custom crate and packaging. Mold Craft’s crates are unique because of their “easy-off” wing nut system. Instead of unscrewing 20-30 sheetrock screws to get to your mold, simply unscrew 2 wing nuts and the crate top lifts right off revealing easy access to all the eyebolt holes, not buried with sidewalls surrounding the mold. This lends itself to a truly unique unboxing experience. When it comes time to ship a mold, the mold gets strapped down in the crate and the crate gets screwed down to a custom pallet to ensure that each mold is transported securely to its destination. Mold Craft Vice President, Justin McPhee, said, “Not only do we take care of our customer’s stuff when it ships to them, but also throughout the entire manufacturing and subcontract processes.”

It is important to note that Mold Craft does not just make custom packaging for when it is sent out to the end user, but rather, Mold Craft makes custom packaging for the mold components for all necessary shipments, including those to another vendor for texture, laser engraving, coatings, sampling or any other service. Mold Craft cares about its customers products as much as its customers do. When making spare parts for molds, Mold Craft makes custom foam inserts that fit into custom wooden cases. The foam is cut with precision, the parts inserted like a 5S tool drawer, a desiccant pack added to absorb moisture and the latches taped shut to ensure that they reach their destination without moving during travel. Customers can also request that their spare parts be shipped in Pelican cases which are made of hard plastic and are sealed air tight so that water can’t get in the box.

When it comes to shipping within the Twin Cities, Mold Craft uses a courier as opposed to a traditional trucking company. They do this to ensure the package is cared for throughout the entire process and minimize the time on a truck. When shipping across the country, Mold Craft generally ships via 2-Day Air Service as opposed to ground to reduce damage from bumps while in the back of a delivery truck for 1,000 miles or more. Molds at Mold Craft truly do get a first-class experience.

Mold Craft puts a lot of effort into making high quality products and they want to make sure that same pride they put into making the mold goes into making sure it gets to its destination in pristine condition. Mold Craft can accommodate any special shipping requirements as needed for local, cross-country or international shipments. When buying from Mold Craft, you can be sure that your mold is being taken care of and protected like a piece of fine jewelry.

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December 28, 2017

Mold Craft – Reflecting on a Year of Success

This time of year, it is good to take a step back and reflect on all the accomplishments of the past twelve months. Because life can get incredibly busy we don’t get to take enough time celebrating all of the great things that are happening around us.

That is especially true this year at Mold Craft as we have had one of our busiest years yet. Our team managed to ship out 267 projects! To help accomplish that, we added an experienced designer, an experienced milling specialist and an entry level Wire EDM specialist with plans to add even more in the coming year. At the beginning of 2017 we set a goal to build 5 micro molds for the year. With the help of several multi-mold programs and the great work of our sales team we landed 12. Perhaps our biggest move of 2017 was the addition of our new Battenfeld Micro Power 15t injection molding press, which is housed at our newly finished Tech Center. The addition of this machine will allow us to continue to develop our molds and provide the industry with micro mold sampling capabilities as we look forward to more enhancements in the coming year.

At Mold Craft, our co-workers are our family and we are very proud to say that many of us had moments to be thankful for in 2017. We ask a lot of our team and we get back even more than we ask so we love to hear all the positives that our team members have accomplished outside the shop. Some members of the Mold Craft family moved into new homes, some completed major home renovations, and our Mold Craft family even got a little bigger as we welcomed in new babies and grandchildren. For these reasons and so many more, 2017 was a good one for Mold Craft.

Mold Craft also considers itself an integral part of our community. We strive to leave a positive impact to our local, national and business community. That is why we enthusiastically participated in the Gen Z Program, which provided 4 local high school students with week-long hands-on training this past summer. And for the third year we hosted 3 local schools as part of MFG Day to advocate for careers in manufacturing. Of course, it is not just about outreach, sometimes it is just about giving back. We continued to support wounded service members through the iWarriors.org program and for the first time this holiday season, Mold Craft collected gifts for Toys for Tots. The support from our team members and our community was top notch as we donated a total of 106 toys this year.

As we continue to reflect and think back on the successes of the year, a major theme sticks out – solidarity. Without everyone working together we could not have achieved so much, or been able to look back so fondly on what was a challenging and fulfilling year. Soon we will look ahead to 2018 and make plans to outdo ourselves. But, before we do that we will all gather to celebrate our successes and each other at our annual Christmas party. It is certain to be a great time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at Mold Craft!

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December 8, 2017

Westfall Launches; Acquires Fairway Injection Molds, Inc. and Integrity Mold Inc.

New Group Combines Core Competencies to Provide High Performance Plastics Manufacturing Solutions

Walnut, California and Phoenix, Arizona – October 20, 2017 – Fairway Injection Molds, Inc. and Integrity Mold Inc. have been acquired by Westfall Technik, Inc., a newly formed global holding company, which provides highly productive plastics manufacturing solutions to serve the medical, packaging and consumer goods industries. Westfall Technik was founded by Brian Jones, who has 30 years of executive experience in the plastics manufacturing industry. Both companies have premier customers and are committed to uncompromising operational excellence and customer service in their fields.

These acquisitions are the first steps in the realization of a vision to build a market-leading group of plastics experts whose combined synergies and integrated network provides optimum engineered solutions throughout the plastics manufacturing process.

Westfall Technik brings the most advanced technology and processes to market by partnering with only the high-performing plastic solution providers. The result is reliable solutions, fast time to market, with excellent value, 100% inspection and traceability from pellet to pallet and beyond, and supply chain security compliance from a team you can trust.

Westfall Technik Expansion Plans

The innovative group of plastics specialists will be successively built up organically and through strategic acquisitions. Westfall Technik is supported by a strong partnership with growth private equity firms Lee Equity Partners and BlackBern Partners, who combined have over $1.8 billion of assets under management. Accordingly, Westfall is in active acquisition discussions with premier tool makers and injection molding operations.

Rahul “Billy” Nand, Partner at Lee Equity said, “We are excited to support Brian and the team as they execute on their vision to create a market leading plastics solutions provider.  We look forward to continuing their long-term track record of success in delivering high performance results through Westfall Technik.”

Jonathan Bernstein, Managing Member at BlackBern Partners added, “It is a great privilege to partner with Lee Equity in sponsoring Brian and his team’s ambitious business plan. It is equally rewarding to have well respected businesses like Fairway and Integrity share in the Westfall vision.”

These prospective new members have complementary core competencies and regional capabilities. They will continue to operate independently and will be linked globally to other world class suppliers.

“We have a no-bureaucracy culture to optimize our customer response time, ensure efficient service, and provide excellent customer satisfaction,” says Brian Jones, Founder of Westfall Technik.

Notes to Editor

The advantages of the Westfall Technik group are many faceted and far reaching. The focus on quality and productivity requires optimization of every stage of manufacturing. It starts with a top quality – high cavitation tool with innovative technology, continues to efficient and reliable automation systems, integrated correlative molding practices and ease of operation. Years of experience and know how combined with international plastics experts ensures not only success today but continuous improvement to stay in the lead. The strength of the group also includes unique barrier and IML technology for a variety of medical and packaging applications like coffee pods and medical disposables.

About Westfall Technik

Westfall Technik, a newly formed global holding company which provides highly productive plastics manufacturing solutions to serve the medical, packaging and consumer goods industries. Westfall Technik’s competitive advantage is its modern technology applied to automated systems and correlative molding processes, and effective industry 4.0 concepts. Westfall Technik brings the most advanced technology and processes through collaboration and flawlessly executes the solutions in well-established world class facilities. The result is a reliable solution with an excellent value from a team you can trust. Westfall Technik’s approach meets brand owners demand in areas such as: high quality and value, a fast response for shorter time to market, 100% inspection and traceability from pellet to pallet and beyond, and supply chain security compliance. For more information, please visit www.Westfall-Technik.com.

About Lee Equity Partners

Lee Equity Partners is a New York–based private equity firm that partners with successful management teams to build companies with strong growth potential. Lee Equity targets equity investments of $50 to $100 million in middle market control buyouts and growth capital financings in companies with enterprise values of $100 million to $500 million that are located primarily in the United States. The firm invests in a range of industries where the team has deep relationships developed over decades, including financial, healthcare and business services, consumer and media. For more information, please visit www.LeeEquity.com.

About BlackBern Partners

BlackBern Partners LLC invests in mature operating companies in the lower middle market, partnering with management teams that have a proven track record of success and providing capital to realize organic growth and acquisition opportunities. BlackBern is industry agnostic and focuses on situations where it can see specific opportunities to add value. A flexible mandate allows BlackBern to tailor investments for companies with a wide range of capital needs. For more information, please visit www.blackbernpartners.com

Media Inquiries

For Westfall Technik:
Perry Morgan
Westfall Technik, Inc.
845.325.7245
perry.morgan@westfall-technik.com

For Lee Equity Partners:
Caitlyn MacDonald
Lee Equity Partners
212.906.4930
CMacDonald@leeequity.com

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December 7, 2017

Tim Bartz & iWarriors – Supporting Wounded Veterans

Tim Bartz is well known in the mold making industry as the co-owner of Mold Craft, but many may not know that he is also the co-founder of a non-profit organization that is very close to his heart. Tim Bartz, along with his wife Kim, co-founded a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization called iWarriors. Since its inception iWarriors has raised nearly $375,000 for severely injured warriors to support them through their recovery.

Tim and Kim started iWarriors in 2011 after they got an opportunity to support the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines which is one of the most highly decorated Regiments in the USMC and is commonly referred to as “The Fighting Fifth.” After their 2010 tour of duty in Afghanistan many of the marines sustained injuries and returned home as single, double or triple amputees. One of the battalion member’s fathers happened to be an industry colleague of Tim Bartz. Upon returning from Afghanistan, this young man asked his father if there was a way he could help his injured buddies while they were receiving treatment, which prompted a call for donations.

Tim and Kim answered the call and went on to raise over $10,000 to provide care packages for the wounded soldiers. They decided to gift iPads to help the wounded soldiers stay in touch with loved ones and entertain themselves with movies and music while they underwent months of surgery, rehabilitation, and recovery. They then personally delivered the care packages to Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA where the Sailors and Marines were undergoing treatment. Moved by their experience, as soon as Tim and Kim returned home, they started the non-profit organization and the rest is history.

Tim and Kim have broadened the call to action and have reached out to business colleagues of their own in the hopes of providing more care packages to our wounded warriors. Christina Fuges, a colleague of Tim Bartz and the Editorial Director of MoldMaking Technology said, “The men and women of this mold making community never cease to amaze me with their care and generosity. It’s contagious. I personally believe in their mission so much that my family continues to donate to iWarriors.” Christina has supported iWarriors for many years not only by donating, but by promoting the charity organization in MoldMaking Technology magazine.

Since 2011, iWarriors has been raising funds through 5k runs, golf tournaments, the iSledders snowmobile event, and many more. More than 98% of the $375,000 that has been raised has gone towards paying for nearly 600 iPad gift packages. The iPad gift packages include a personally engraved iPad, an Otterbox Defender Series protective case, headphones, and an iTunes gift card for apps, movies, etc. Sargent Charles Caswell of the U.S. Army said “I am completely blown away, I never expected to find all the extras inside the box and the inscription on the back of the iPad had me choked up. Thank you so very much. I never expected anything like this I am truly thankful very for everything.”

Tim and Kim Bartz are passionate about supporting our wounded warriors and they will continue to raise money and support them through their recovery via iWarriors. They are so thankful to share this passionate and support through partnership with the AMBA. Kym Conis, managing director of the AMBA, has described iWarriors as, “an extremely valuable tool to wounded members of our US Armed Forces.” If you or your organization are interested in learning more about iWarriors, hosting an event or donating to help the cause, please go to https://www.iwarriors.org. Every dollar donated goes towards helping our wounded service members.

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November 2, 2017

MFG Day 2017: The Future of Mold Craft

October is an exciting time for Mold Craft. Fall has begun, it is the start of the fiscal year, school is back in session, and we are host to one of the thousands of Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) events around the country. MFG Day was founded by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International in 2012 to dispel the misconceptions around careers in the manufacturing industry. On the first Friday of October, North American manufacturers open their doors to local schools, career guidance counselors, the community and anyone interested in learning about modern manufacturing. This year there was so much interest from local schools that Mold Craft held the event over multiple days. Between October 6th, 2017 and October 12th, 2017, Mold Craft hosted 72 students and 5 faculty career counselors, teachers and administrators from 3 local high schools.

Everyone at Mold Craft plays an important role in welcoming the MFG Day attendees and truly showing the great work environment at Mold Craft. Each group is first welcomed by Mold Craft’s owners, Tim Bartz and Justin McPhee, before being split into smaller groups and taken on an in-depth tour of the facilities where they are encouraged to engage and ask questions. Jeremy Kerg, the College and Career Pathway Coordinator from White Bear Lake High School liked the format and said, “I thought it was really great to break the kids into smaller groups and you gave them a lot of time to ask questions. The kids picked up on the enthusiasm that all your employees showed on the tour. You really catch the vibe that people are proud of the work they do at Mold Craft.” This pride and enthusiasm was evident as each respective group was led through a manufacturing department by one of Mold Craft’s senior team members who, in addition to explaining the expertise required of their area, also shared how and why they chose a career in manufacturing.

During the presentation, groups were led through six stations; Design & Engineering, (Computer Numeric Controlled) CNC Steel Milling, CNC Electrode Milling and Sinker EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), Wire EDM, Career Path Planning and a final presentation at the Technology Center demonstrating the latest technology in micro injection molding. At each station, the local students and faculty were shown that manufacturing is not the dark, dingy, low skilled career that many still believe, but rather that it is a high-tech, well-paying field that allows skilled workers to use some of the latest technology to create essential items for everyday life.

With an estimated 80% of manufacturers having trouble finding the skilled workers they need; this event allows Mold Craft to create relationships and find the next generation of mold makers. To that end the event was a great success. Bryan Farmer, the College in the Schools (CIS) Physics and Engineering Teacher from Mahtomedi High School said, “The kids were very impressed with the tour yesterday, I heard comments like: ‘Pretty cool and amazing’, ’I want to work there now’, ’It was cool to see bigger and better versions of machines we use at school’.” These students were presented with a new perspective and more options for their futures than what they may have thought possible and whether they end up at Mold Craft or find success somewhere else in the manufacturing sector, we know we have had a positive impact on our community.

We truly appreciate the great interest that we receive from the schools and members of our community on MFG Day and throughout the year. For more information on MFG Day, visit MFG Day or contact JALiddell@mold-craft.com to schedule a shop tour. MFG Day happens once a year but we are always willing to open our doors for those interested in the manufacturing industry.

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September 15, 2017

Wittmann Battenfeld and Mold Craft are TIGHT! (+/- .0001”)

Wittmann Battenfeld and Mold Craft, through a common set of customers, have formed a strong relationship in recent years based on similar core values and commitment to providing a high-quality product. You could say they are “tight,” because of their mutual commitment to perfection. Mold Craft’s expertise is in precision micro mold building with tight tolerances. In fact, Mold Craft’s mantra is, “Our Molds Aren’t Quite Perfect. They’re +/- .0001”.”  Mold Craft builds micro molds specifically engineered to utilize the purpose-built machines manufactured by Wittmann Battenfeld. Both companies strive to meet the rapidly growing demand for small, tight-tolerance, extremely high-quality medical components.  This partnership helps their customers combine high-quality micro molds with precision injection molding machines to produce finished parts with some of the tightest tolerances in the industry.

Mold Craft and Wittmann Battenfeld partnered up to present micro-molding at the most recent Amerimold conference, showcasing Mold Craft molds in Wittmann Battenfeld’s press. During the show, Wittmann Battenfeld ran their MicroPower 15t IMM using one of Mold Craft’s micro molds. Shortly after the conference, the MicroPower 15t was delivered to Mold Craft and placed in their newly renovated Tech Center.

Mold Craft will be utilizing their new machine to provide micro mold sampling. In addition to a mechanical sample, the press will develop a production molding process during micro mold sampling. This will help Mold Craft provide much more information to clients, which will cut down on validation time and expense.

Mold Craft initiates the micro mold project process with their Design for Manufacturing, or DFM, where they design the mold so that it can be successfully manufactured. With the Wittmann Battenfeld MicroPower 15t now in-house, Mold Craft has the ability to sample a customer’s micro mold on site, which will continue to improve customer project timelines, ensure mold functionality and reduce the need for coordinating with outside vendors. This is just another step in the evolution of Mold Craft’s dedication to providing their customers with the highest quality product possible.

This relationship is also beneficial for Wittmann Battenfeld. Wittmann Battenfeld is able to showcase its remarkable, state-of-the-art precision presses that maintain optimized energy and cost efficiency even in tight tolerances. When combined with Mold Craft’s tight tolerance micro molds, these IMMs can really maximize their versatility and demonstrate their ability to outpace and outperform other molding machine manufacturers.

Stay tuned as Wittmann Battenfeld and Mold Craft’s relationship grows. Make sure to look for them both at the upcoming NPE2018 Conference in Orlando, Florida from May 7th – 11th, 2018.  Both companies are exhibiting in the West Hall; Wittmann Battenfeld will be at booth W3742, and Mold Craft, Inc. will be at booth W4207, where they will once again be showcasing a Wittmann Battenfeld MicroPower press featuring a rotary platen, EOAT and robot with camera and Mold Craft micro mold producing precision 100µ filter screen 2 cavity 3 plate micro mold with one “A” side and 2 “B” sides featuring .004” x .004” shut offs and .002” radii making POK parts weighing .007 grams.

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September 12, 2017

Advocating for the Industry: Mold Craft Joins Plastics Manufacturing Washington Fly-In

Recently, our vice president, Justin McPhee, flew into Washington, DC to meet with government officials and discuss issues facing the plastics industry. Justin and several other representatives from the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) met with U.S. Representative Tom Emmer and staffers representing U.S. Representative Betty McCollum, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Al Franken.

Tax reforms for better business

Justin and his fellow industry representatives advocated for comprehensive and permanent tax reform that would lower corporate tax rates and income tax rates, allowing for more equal tax treatment. They encouraged government representatives to enact legislation to stimulate industry confidence in the economy allowing for investment in innovation, expansion and job creation.

Less regulation, more opportunity for all

Focusing on more granular problems facing the plastics industry, the representatives encouraged the staffers they met with to allow open competition for materials on federally funded projects. They pointed out that many local building codes are outdated and don’t allow for the use of plastic pipes, even though they meet all the specifications required for the project. Specific examples like these helped drive home the point that open competition helps decrease expenditures for large projects.

Justin also spoke about promoting a stronger free trade policy to open international markets to U.S. exports and level the playing field. His fellow advocates talked about modernizing NAFTA and increasing exports to Mexico and Canada as well as countries, like China, that do not have trade agreements with the United States.

Investing in the future of the industry

The fly-in group also addressed the need for federal funding to support state and local career and technical education programs. This increase in funding would help to close the skills gap and train qualified workers at all skill levels for manufacturing. Justin also highlighted Mold Craft’s Gen Z Connection program, an educational outreach program with local high school students, as an illustration of the work the plastics industry is putting into solving the skills gap on its own.

The group of plastics representatives also encouraged the passing of regulatory reform to put the rule-making process back in the hands of Congress, using sound science and input from both the plastics industry and consumers.

Justin and rest of the leadership team at Mold Craft are grateful for the opportunity to advocate for an industry they are passionate about. They’re optimistic about the future of their efforts and eager to see the effects of their work in future legislation.

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September 2, 2017

Extreme Welcomes a New Master Mold Maker

On the 1st day of September 2017 Extreme Tool & Engineering notched another company “first” during a congratulatory company picnic.  With the entire company assembled in a circle with bright warming sunshine coming down & plates filled with juicy pulled pork (smoked on-site by Lead-Moldmaker/Chef Andy Laurin) Extreme presented and awarded Jake Zielinski of Bessemer, MI with his American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) Master Moldmaker certification.  This certification removed “apprentice” Moldmaker from Jake’s title and replaced it with “master”.  This simple title change to signify his Journeymen’s Certification as Moldmaker did not happen overnight and was not Jake’s original path.

Jake began working at Extreme Tool & Engineering when he was 16 as a general laborer performing odd jobs such as injection molding press operation and janitorial work.  After high-school, Jake went went down the 4-year college path chasing a Mechanical Engineering degree as that was touted as the best path to personal and professional success.  During his first semester of his sophomore year, Jake returned to Extreme in a new capacity as a Mechanical Engineer intern.  This internship planted Jake squarely in the Moldmaker’s finishing department at Extreme where many Master Moldmakers performed their craft.  Mold making is an extremely technical profession requiring the mastery of complex mechanical systems and manufacturing processes such as CNC-milling, Wire-EDM, Sinker-EDM, surface grinding, hand polishing and more.  Jake rapidly fell in love with the Moldmaker profession because the Moldmaker is the person responsible to fit, adjust, time and assemble hundreds of components into the finished product.

Jake knew the path to becoming a Master Mold Maker was the path he wanted to go down because it combined the best of both worlds.  This realization caused some personal turmoil due to dealing with the stigma of leaving a 4-year college degree program to enter the work force as an apprentice, which would “only” result in a certification.  As a highly-inquisitive person, Jake began asking the journeymen Master Mold Makers he was supporting how they reached such a high level of precision-manufacturing prowess.  The Journeymen Master Moldmakers on staff at Extreme all shared with him that their certification was obtained through apprenticeship programs.  Jake approached the senior leadership at Extreme to see if they would invest in him by providing an apprenticeship program.  With several years of background employment history with Jake already, Extreme jumped at the chance to secure this bright young man within their workforce and agreed to provide the program.

Fast forwarding several years, Jake Zielinski of Bessemer, MI is the first graduating apprentice to achieve Master Mold Maker from Extreme Tool & Engineering.  Jake is an incredible asset to Extreme Tool & Engineering and just as big of an asset to the community he lives in.  Serving as a High-School football coach, musician in Marty’s Goldenaire’s & living life faith-based has rewarded everyone around Jake, as well as himself, with a rich and accomplished life.  Jake has a couple of decades to practice his new Journeyman’s craft of Master Mold Maker and Extreme is excited to watch this community-focused young man set the bar for those who come to follow in his footsteps.

To commemorate Jake’s accomplishment on becoming Extreme’s first apprentice turned journeymen Master Moldmaker, Extreme Tool & Engineering owner Mr. Mike Zacharias gifted Jake a brand new Custom Nosler .338 Win Mag rifle featuring a Kevlar stock that won’t ever give up, like Jake.  Mike Zacharias closed the celebration by saying “going first is never easy, but not only has Jake completed the initial segment of a life long journey, but he’s played an active role in creating a path for others to follow. From this day on and for every day after Jake can be proud to say he was Extreme’s First!”

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August 15, 2017

Design for Manufacturing

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) is the process of designing parts in such a way that they can easily be produced with the end goal in mind of cost and part efficiency, and is an industry standard in the world of manufacturing. The DFM process is relevant in virtually all manufacturing industries and is based on the part that is being manufactured as well as the equipment and processes available to build said part. At Mold Craft DFM is anything but standard, we work with our customers to design and build the best possible mold, going above and beyond meeting standards as defined by the industry.

The DFM process at Mold Craft starts with a customer who wants a new injection mold to efficiently recreate their part. The mold designers at Mold Craft will look at the part and define its “manufacturability.” This is based on a number of different variables such as what material the customer wants their part to be made of, the quantities required, the tolerances required, etc. If the mold designers at Mold Craft can find a way to make the part more manufacturable, it will make the mold more efficient and therefore will save the customer time and money in the long run. Jim Currey, the Engineering Manager at Mold Craft said, “Here at Mold Craft, we utilize the DFM process to give our customers the best experience possible. The DFM process ensures that our customers receive the highest quality mold, with complete interchangeability, producing very close tolerance molded parts.”

If a part is not easily manufacturable (moldable), Mold Craft will work with their customers to make their part more manufacturable in order to improve the quality of their injection mold. Mold Craft’s goal is to design and build an impressive and durable mold for their customer that will meet or exceed industry standard of one million cycles. To do that, Mold Craft needs to have an understanding of every single feature of the part being molded all the way down to how different materials will react in their molds. This is especially relevant with Mold Craft micro mold design, build and sampling for the medical industry with implantable resins such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone) materials (materials that can be left in the body). PEEK materials are very difficult to mold with and therefore require a thorough understanding.

Mold Craft realizes that certain areas of a mold are going to wear faster than other areas so Mold Craft designs their molds to make those areas replaceable. “Some areas such as gates, thin steel, shutoffs and core pins can be replaced without replacing the entire cavity. This saves our customers time and reduces the total cost of ownership over the life of the mold”, says Tom Emmons; Mold Craft’s Operations Manager. That is just one example of how Mold Craft custom designs a micro mold.

Design for Manufacturing is an integral part of the injection mold design process at Mold Craft. Mold Craft takes the time to develop a deep understanding of the customer’s part and recommend improvements to make the part more manufacturable so that we can design and build the most efficient injection mold possible. It is all in a day’s work, here at Mold Craft.

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