Ferron Mold and Tool

The Challenge

Ferron Mold and Tool needed a CAD/CAM package for their vast and varied job types that would allow them to learn it as they went, and in a quick fashion that would not sacrifice productivity.

• Fully associative wirepaths are linked with your geometry. You can modify any element of the job and immediately get updated wirepaths without starting over.
• Mastercam’s CAD File Change Recognition tracks files form Mastercam or any other CAD system and will show you what’s been changed for easy wirepath updating.
• Mastercam is quick and easy to learn, and has unrivaled customer and technical support.

Ten years ago, Norm Ferron, an experienced mold builder, decided to start his own injection mold building company. With little more than a machining center and a surface grinder, Ferron Mold and Tool opened their doors determined to produce high quality molds and make a name for themselves in a challenging and precision-driven industry. Over the years, Norm’s philosophy has always been to do thorough research on the equipment and software that he needs to keep his shop operating at the highest level of efficiency and profitability, while maintaining the utmost in quality and accuracy. Analyzing every need and the impact it will have on production, each purchase, from consumable to software to machine tool equipment, is well thought out and planned. The integration of any new item into the shop is carefully considered, and efficient workflow from computer to machine is paramount, keeping every job being worked on in the shop as profitable as possible.

Since their full-service mold shop does milling, turning, grinding (fitting), wire and sinker EDM, it was imperative that Ferron Mold and Tool choose a software that would operate seamlessly with all of the machine’s in their shop. This software would be receiving many different types of files, and had to be able to translate the data automatically into programs that could be read and utilized by all of the machines in the shop.

As with every other purchase that he makes, Norm did thorough research before committing to one complete system. Ease of use and adaptability were key in his decision to purchase Mastercam CAD/CAM software. This software yields fast turnaround time from the initial point of programming, to the actual job run on the machine. Ferron relies on quality and accuracy. Mastercam software allows them to maintain their shop’s success.

Both Norm and Ferron Mold and Tool’s programmer Matt, agree that Mastercam gets the job done in the most efficient manner possible. Frequently, with jobs that come through the shop, they have to totally overhaul an existing mold through reverse engineering. Mastercam allows them to do this quickly and accurately. Both men appreciate the fact that you don’t have to be a “math wiz” to calculate geometries and part parameters. The software does it for you. This in turn, shortens production time and maximizes productivity.

According to Norm, after ten years, Ferron Tool and Mold has grown into a successful, quality-driven mold building shop. They have a full complement of quality equipment and a staff of six people. Because of their reputation for accuracy and precision, they have a large customer base serving a variety of industries.

In fact, in addition to ‘almost’ having a hard time keeping up with all of the work coming in right now, they are maxed-out on available floor space for the equipment that may need to play a role in their inevitable expansion. All good problems to have, but nevertheless, all additional things to research and consider as Ferron Mold and Tool looks toward their bright and successful future.