6 MoldMaking Technology —— JANUARY 2018
THIS MONTH ON
moldmakingtechnology.com
From the Editor
Happy New Year! Gardner Intelligence reports
growth opportunities for mold builders this year
and beyond and even notes specific future spend-
ing plans on technology (see the related article on
page 14). This positive projection in growth and
spending is coincidentally timed with what I call
the trifecta of trade shows: NPE, Amerimold
and IMTS.
These upcoming events will help make 2018 a
big year for moldmaking, in terms of big oppor-
tunities to learn and grow. With NPE taking
over Orlando in May, Amerimold moving into Detroit in June and IMTS
occupying Chicago in September, both the metalworking and plastics side
of mold building will have the spotlight. What a perfect and powerful
opportunity to research equipment and processes and to learn about new
business prospects. And, MMT will be right there with you and for you, as
we cover each event in print, online and live.
On top of this (and of special, personal importance to me), MMT will
celebrate its 20th anniversary! It was exciting when we launched the
magazine 20 years ago, and it is still an exciting time for the industry. We
are honored to celebrate this milestone with
you, and we look forward to many more years.
I recall sitting at a table with founder Joe
Prischak and then partner Gary Orfe back in
1997, planning out the mission and focus of a
magazine dedicated to the unique challenges
and complexities of mold manufacturing.
This industry, which is utterly dependent on
accurate, repeatable and efficient technologies
throughout the design and build stages, was so
worthy of a publication of its own. So, after much research, the premier
issue hit the streets in April 1998. In this year's April issue, we are excited
to revisit the people, companies and topics that filled the pages of MMT 's
first six issues. However, you do not have to wait until April to see anni-
versary coverage. Beginning this month, take note of our 20th anniversary
emblem throughout the issue, which identifies original MMT supporters.
Last, but certainly not least, 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of our
annual Leadtime Leader Awards, which continue to grow in industry
importance and prominence. Our running list of winning shops demon-
strates the value of the honor to businesses and their employees. During
Amerimold this year, we will feature a panel of past winners who will
share their best practices for continually raising the bar in mold manufac-
turing. Mark your calendars for June 13–14 today!
We hope you will join us in celebrating the good news and our mile-
stones not only by continuing to read MMT and by attending Amerimold,
but also by sharing your ideas and feedback throughout this special year.
Feel free to drop me an email at cfuges@gardnerweb.com , or call
513-338-2187.
2018: A Big Year
Christina M. Fuges
Editorial Director
VIDEO: The Meaning of the Gardner Business Index
With the Gardner Business Index, Gardner Intelligence makes
understanding trends in manufacturing as easy as possible.
short.moldmakingtechnology.com/gbimmt
BLOG: Take a Look Inside
Deep Hole Drilling
Take a look at deep hole drilling
with MMT's Christina Fuges, as
she reports on a UNISIG event
that showcased its USC-M five-
axis, deep hole drilling and milling
machine.
short.moldmakingtechnology.
com/deepdrill
SLIDESHOW: Four European
Countries in Three Days
MMT's European Correspondent
Barbara Schulz joined The German
Association of Tool and Mold
Makers (VDWF) and 40 moldmakers on a three-day trip to visit
original equipment manufacturers and innovative mold shops
in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
short.moldmakingtechnology.com/tourthree
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING:
Democratizing 3D Printing
of Injection Molds
MMT's Christina Fuges writes
about the ways in which full-
service design and mold delivery,
moldmaking materials, and a
low-cost, high-precision printer
minimize the technical risk of 3D-printed mold tryout.
short.moldmakingtechnology.com/amavante
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Follow @ MMT_ChristinaF