| In the fast paced world of plastic molding, injection | | | | there is a slowdown in design and a lot of work in the |
| mold design is one of the most interesting and | | | | shop. How do you become an injection mold designer? |
| challenging jobs to be found. You will draw upon all of | | | | Essentially, there are two paths in the USA. One is to |
| your creative abilities as you develop the design for | | | | learn on the job and the other is to learn at a design |
| new products. | | | | school. Both are common and work well. |
| It might look easy because of the powerful CAD | | | | Many plastic molding designers come from a mold |
| programs, but in reality, they are just tools to help you. | | | | making background. This is especially helpful to provide |
| In the field of injection mold design you often must | | | | a realistic approach to mold design. There is no |
| develop new and original methods of plastic molding. | | | | substitute for practical experience! |
| This sometimes requires a lot of creativity and | | | | Several tech schools and universities offer excellent |
| inventiveness. What is a typical day like for injection | | | | courses on plastic injection mold design. A background |
| mold design? Most injection mold designers follow a | | | | in mechanics, spatial relationships, ability to visualize 3D |
| schedule similar to the mold makers. Because their | | | | parts, and mathematics are all essential. |
| mold designs are soon going to be manufactured by | | | | Is there a future in injection mold design? |
| the mold makers, there is a very close relationship | | | | Like everything else associated with the plastics |
| between these two. | | | | industry, the answer is yes and no. Yes, because the |
| A mold designer spends most of his time at his | | | | plastics field is growing all the time and skilled designers |
| computer, using powerful CAD programs such as | | | | are in high demand and low supply. |
| Unigraphics, AutoCAd, SolidWorks, MasterCam and | | | | No, because the field is so competitive on a global |
| many, many others. Nowadays, the programs are | | | | scale. In this electronic age the designer does not even |
| incredibly fast and powerful. | | | | need to be in the same country as the mold maker. I |
| Very often the mold designer will be required to | | | | had this experience at one shop; the designer was in |
| communicate with the various mold makers, CNC | | | | Canada and we were in the USA. It worked well, but |
| programmers, WEDM operators, etc.. This rapport is | | | | required considerable phone time on the part of the |
| critical for a successful career as an injection mold | | | | project manager. Conclusion Working in injection mold |
| designer. | | | | design is challenging, interesting, secure, well paying and |
| Usually the designer does not work quite as many | | | | in demand. Anyone interested will find many good |
| hours per week as the mold maker. Often mold | | | | courses available and companies seeking qualified |
| designers have a shop background and help out in the | | | | designers. |
| mold making shop as well. This is especially common if | | | | |