A Career In Injection Mold Design

By Author: Randy Hough
Total Articles: 9
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Injection mold design is part of the fast paced world of injection molding. As a mold designer, you must be able to think of new ways of doing things, and you must be adaptable and willing to learn new technologies.

It might look easy because of the powerful CAD programs, but actually, these programs are merely the tools to help develop your design. In the field of injection mold design you often must develop new and original methods of plastic molding.
What is it like to be an injection mold designer?

Most injection mold designers follow a schedule similar to the mold makers. Because their mold designs are eventually going to be builtby the mold makers, these two share a very close relationship

A mold designer spends most of his time at his computer, using powerful CAD programs such as Unigraphics, AutoCAd, SolidWorks, MasterCam and many, many others. Nowadays, the programs are incredibly fast and powerful.

Very often the mold designer will be required to communicate with the various mold makers, CNC programmers, WEDM operators, etc.. This rapport is critical for a successful career as an injection ...
... mold designer.

Usually the designer does not work quite as many hours per week as the mold maker. Often mold designers have a shop background and help out in the mold making shop as well. This is common when work slows down, or there is some down time in the design department .
What career path does an injection mold designer follow?

In the USA, there are primarily two paths to follow. One is to learn on the job and the other is to learn at a design school. Both are common and work well. It is highly recommended that you use the interactive injection mold design tutorial to teach you about mold design. It is self-paced and full of illustrations, animations and just about everything you need to get started.

Mold makers love it when the designer has a mold making background.. For the mold maker, it is always easier to work with a design that shows years of practical experience.. You just can't beat real-life experience!

There are some schools that have great courses on injection mold design.. A background in mechanics, spatial relationships, ability to visualize 3D parts, and mathematics are all essential; though many of these skills are developed as you work in the field.

Does injection mold design have a future

Even in a slow economy, plastic mold making continues to grow and develop.Wherever there is a plastic injection mold producing parts, there has to be a mold designer behind the scenes.

Because we live and operate in a global economy, it is not necessary to even work in the same vicinity as the mold maker, though life is easier if you do. There are many mold designers who freelance out of their own home office and are quite happy doing so. This is a viable alternative for the right person.
Conclusion

Injection mold design is a highly respected occupation with very low unemployment and good pay. Most mold designers have secure jobs that provide a comfortable living with a minimum of occupational hazards, compared to other jobs. It is also quite possible to work as a freelancing mold designer and have considerable freedom of movement.

Randy Hough has a comprehensive website: http://global-plastic-injection-molding.com that is full of resources to help injection molding and mold making companies. Visit our site to learn more about injection mold design and the injection molding process.
Randy Hough has a comprehensive website: http://global-plastic-injection-molding.com that is full of resources to help injection molding and mold making companies. Visit our site to learn more about injection mold design and the injection molding process.