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Automation of injection molding and moldmaking was framed as essential before the skilled labor shortage exploded, but now, in the face of the yawning skills gap, applying robotics to take on jobs that people are increasingly unwilling to perform is critical to manufacturing’s survival.

At the upcoming collocated and (August 29-30; Minneapolis, Minn.), multiple presentations will directly address automation in the injection molding and moldmaking industries, giving attendees the opportunity to hear from suppliers and users of automation on  and where robotics can be applied.

In the , three suppliers of automation will look at how and when to add automation to the molding floor, in these presentations:

• Is Now the Time to Automate? Cost/Benefit Analysis of Various Automation Applications; Darin Thompson, Wittmann
• Choosing the Right Projects to Automate; Chris Parillo, Yushin America
• Automation — Finding Value, Cutting Waste and Perfecting Process With Simple Robotics; Bill Egert, Logic One

At the collocated (registration to either event grants attendees access to both programs), three leading toolmakers will share their experience with bringing automation into the production of injection mold tooling:

• Using Automation to Solve the “Productivity Puzzle”; Troy DeVlieger, PFAFF Molds
• Choosing Between a “Lights Out” or “Unmanned” Automation Strategy; Louie Fields and Rhonda Lustenberger, Decatur Mold Tool and Engineering
• A Three-Phased Approach to Automation; Tim Galbraith, Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing

Bring your automation questions to Minneapolis and the and and go back to your facilities with some answers.