a full-service prototype and production mold/molding house that builds hundreds of aluminum tools per year,aluminum is an up-and-coming mold material, especially with prototype runs. There seems to be a push in the industry to use aluminum for production tools,There are good applications for aluminum tooling: for less complicated parts and parts that use a non-abrasive material like a polypropylene or a TPO,

then aluminum is a good metal. However, when you get into higher volumes with more abrasive materials (e.g. glass-filled, ABS) that take a lot of pressure to fill a part, the aluminum is going to have a certain amount of life. The question is, What is the life of tool going to be?’ and I don’t know that anyone has the answer to that. To guarantee an aluminum tool for so many pieces I would say is a risky statement.

As for running an aluminum tool, Kleinert believes a little bit of vigilance goes a long way. Any good molder recognizes that aluminum is obviously a softer metal than traditional tool steels so there needs to be a little more TLC, But you can’t be afraid of it either. It needs to be watched a little more than normal. It does require some additional awareness, but that is the case whether using aluminum or steel. Things can happen with either material, and the operator needs to be aware of what he is doing.

It also is critical the mold be designed and built properly, Remember, the tool builder builds the tool, but the molder has to live with it. I think it is a great idea that all parties involved work collectively as a whole—that could save any finger-pointing later and ensure the molder is going to be more aware of what he will be receiving.