Plastic Injection Molding Jobs: Injection Mold Design

In the fast paced world of plastic injection molding, injection mold design is one of the most interesting and challenging. You will draw upon all of your creative abilities as you develop the injection mold design for new products.

Click here to learn about the injection mold design tutorial...

It might look easy because of the powerful CAD programs, but in reality, they are just tools to help you. In the field of injection mold design you often must develop new and original methods of plastic injection molding.

A typical day in the injection mold design department

Most injection mold designers follow a schedule similar to the mold makers. Because their mold designs are soon going to be manufactured by the mold makers, there is a very close relationship between these two.

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

Very often, working in the injection the mold design department will require you 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. You must be willing to listen and learn from others.

Usually the mold designer does not work quite as many hours per week as the mold maker. Because the injection mold design area is always a step ahead of manufacturing, it is common for the mold designer to also work in the shop. This can be a welcome break from sitting at the computer. Many mold designers have a mold making background and are quite good at precision work.

How do you become a mold designer?

Essentially, there are two paths in the USA. One is to learn on the job and the other is to learn at a design school. Both are common and work well. In either case, it is highly recommended that you use an injection mold design tutorial to study on your own.

Many mold designers come from a mold making background. This is especially helpful to provide a realistic approach to the injection mold design. There is no substitute for practical experience! Mold makers truly appreciate a design that considers the actual manufacturing process.

Several tech schools and universities offer excellent courses on injection mold design. A background in mechanics, spatial relationships, ability to visualize 3D parts, and mathematics are all essential. More essential than anything though, is a willingness to learn and be teachable.

Is there a future in injection mold design?

Like everything else associated with the plastics industry, the answer is yes and no. Yes, because the plastics field is growing all the time and a skilled mold designer is usually in high demand and low supply.

No, because the field is so competitive on a global scale. In this electronic age the mold designer does not even need to be in the same country as the mold maker. I had this experience at one shop; the designer was in Canada and we were in the USA. It worked well, but required considerable phone time on the part of the project manager.

Conclusion

Working in injection mold design is challenging, interesting, secure, well paying and in demand. Anyone interested will find many good courses available and many excellent companies seeking qualified mold designers. 

Click here to find out about the Injection Mold Tutorial...