Tooling innovations at NPE focused primarily on multi-cavity closure and medical applications, though there was also a substantial emphasis on large automotive and appliance parts.

Most of the emphasis is on valve gating and on doing more in less space. Other highlights include standardized mold components, some impressive feats of moldmaking creativity, and advances in mold simulation.

A number of new mold components were shown at last month’s Amerimold expo in Rosemont, Ill., sponsored by Gardner Publications, publisher of Plastics Technology and Moldmaking Technology magazines.

K 2010 news in tooling aims at helping injection moldmakers speed product to market.

A standard line of expandable cavities is offered for the first time by Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: New versions of two software programs for managing mold maintenance were introduced at the recent NPE show in Chicago by Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill.

Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill., introduced a new standardized line of expandable mold cavities at the NPE show last month.

WEB EXCLUSIVE A new generation of ProFile mold-management software from Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill., will debut at NPE.

Two new standardized mold components are available from Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill.

Specially tailored packages of 3D computer-aided design software have been available to injection mold designers for at least a decade.

A new line of metric top locks from Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill., provide positive guidance between the cavity and core and reportedly will not bind up if there is unequal thermal expansion of the mold halves.

MoldTrax 4.0 is the latest version of a mold performance and maintenance documentation system from mold-maintenance expert Steve Johnson (see Mold Shop, p. 57). His fi rm, MoldTrax, Ashland, Ohio, formed an alliance with Progressive Components International Corp., Wauconda, Ill., which now offers his software along with its own mold-management software.

Center runners, gates with small inserts, and other mold areas with limited access for cooling may benefit from the new Inlet Cascade from Progressive Components International Corp., Wauconda, Ill.

Several new standardized components that can save time and expense in moldmaking were introduced recently by Progressive Components International Corp., Wauconda, Ill.

Two new series of tooling components designed to reduce friction and wear come from Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill.

New free online software from Progressive Components, Wauconda, Ill., lets users quickly estimate tooling costs.

The internet is redefining the tool-design process. Some mold designers are finding that using the Web to manage a tool project can shorten lead times, cut costs, and make sure vital data get to all participants in a project.