The future of tradition - How die & mold makers are shaping their transformation
Whether plastic housings for alarm clocks, toothbrushes, smartphone cases or technical components in key industries such as mobility, medical, aviation, space or die & mold - many things in our everyday lives would not be possible without the basis of precise tools and molds. Tools and molds are the invisible heroes of industrial production. However, the industry is under pressure: declines in the automotive sector, intense competition and a high demand for skilled workers are putting many companies under pressure.
At the same time, companies have to deal with increasing regulatory requirements, the call for sustainability and the Digital Transformation. The question of how all the small and medium-sized companies in the sector in particular can react in this strategically and technically challenging environment is therefore omnipresent. The good news is that these challenges also present opportunities.
Five key trends that are shaping change
- Standardization creates efficiency: Although many tools are unique, processes and components can be standardized. This not only facilitates automation, but also reduces throughput times and manual errors. Those who standardize can produce more flexibly and economically - even in small quantities.
- Sustainability as a competitive advantage: customers are increasingly paying attention to the environmental footprint of their supply chain. Certifications such as ISO 14001 or ISO 50001 are opening the door to new orders. Material cycles, energy-efficient machining strategies and adaptive cooling lubricant supply help to combine ecological and economic goals.
- Additive manufacturing opens up new freedoms: 3D-printed mold inserts with conformal cooling improve cycle times and quality in injection molding. Metallic 3D printing is also gaining importance in repair and post-processing - an innovative field with great future potential.
- Automation makes us less dependent on the skilled labor market: pallet storage, flexible robot systems and AMR solutions are increasingly taking over secondary processes. At the same time, the integration of touch probes, CAM systems and machine controls enables a continuous process chain - even for batch size 1.
- Digital transformation as a driver for competitiveness: from feature-based programming to real-time data from the machine: those who use data intelligently in the future will be able to shorten throughput times, ensure quality and even better control energy-intensive processes. Digital assistance systems also prevent collisions in the process and protect valuable machine resources.
Practical solutions: an example of integrated thinking
Modern machine tool suppliers such as DMG MORI show what integrated solutions can look like: Combined additive and subtractive processes (DED hybrid), automated zero-point measurement, integrated tool management and adaptive machining cycles pave the way for a continuous and, above all, scalable process chain - digital from the CAD model to series production.
Expansion of the business model
This puts die & mold making companies in a position to diversify their product range beyond traditional boundaries in addition to their basic performance capabilities and to be able to offer existing machinery and therefore their services efficiently across niches. This in turn can open up additional sources of income, improve machine utilization and, as a result, make the company more resilient to industry fluctuations.
DMG MORI – Partners in the changing world of die & mold making
DMG MORI accompanies companies on this transformative path with tailor-made solutions. As a driver of Machining Transformation (MX), DMG MORI bundles its expertise in the areas of process integration, automation, Digital Transformation (DX) and Green Transformation (GX). The result: greater efficiency, higher quality and greater independence - even with small quantities and under difficult market conditions. As a result, innovation becomes daily practice and evolutionary change becomes a real competitive opportunity.
Conclusion: Now is the right time for transformation
The die & mold making industry is facing a profound renewal. Those who invest in automation, sustainability and digitization at an early stage not only secure their competitiveness but also position themselves as innovation partners in an increasingly data-driven industry. However, this is not about "moonshots" or disruptive upheavals, but about taking smart steps towards the future.
