About
Formed by the trade, run by the trade.
Formed 50 years ago, the Mold Technologies Division ("MTD" for short) is a technical division of the Society of Plastics Engineers, focused specifically on moldmaking and mold design.
To be a leading industry resource for technical information aimed at the advancement of plastic mold engineering technologies, while fostering industry growth, education, and leadership.
In practice, that means fostering growth in the moldmaking and design profession by supporting apprenticeship training, advancing the skills of established mold makers, and promoting the exchange of knowledge on materials, mold design technologies, and mold performance.
It's true our name says "Mold Technologies Division," but we're not limited to injection molding. We work across every corner of the plastics industry where tooling touches a finished product: dies, blow molds, compression molds, and injection molds alike. See Our Industry for the full picture.
01
A forum for exchange
On the design, build, and maintenance of molds, dies, and other plastic-forming tools.
02
A professional network
Of mold makers, mold designers, and related practitioners across the industry.
03
Educational resources
For anyone entering or advancing in the moldmaking and design trade.
Opportunities abound to share the knowledge of moldmaking and design. From RETEC (Regional Technical Conferences) to TOPCON (Topical Conferences) to ANTEC (the SPE Annual Technical Conference), there's a path to publish your peer-reviewed work. Newsletter sponsors can also publish White Papers, sharing research and new products in a "Problem / Solution / Cost of Implementation" format that reaches over 3,000 industry professionals worldwide.
MTD's quarterly, award-winning newsletter republishes peer-reviewed research and papers presented at TOPCON, RETEC, and ANTEC. Members are encouraged to share their research at these conferences, and in the newsletter, as often as possible.
The Mold Maker of the Year award, now over four decades old, set the gold standard, followed by the Mold Designer, Mold Repair/Maintenance Technician, and Apprentice of the Year awards. MTD also presents Conference Speaker Awards for presentation and participation at seminars and conferences.
Nominate someone for an award → · See all of MTD's awards →
The division supports the training of mold makers, designers, and repair technicians, as well as tooling engineers and plastics technologists, through apprenticeship training globally, and through university and community college scholarships (to students) and grants (to academic and research institutions).
Apply for the scholarship → · Apply for a grant →
MTD supports the philanthropic activities of our members by helping establish named scholarships at universities, colleges, and technical schools around the world.
MTD is led by an all-volunteer board of officers, committee chairs, and directors from across the moldmaking and mold design landscape: academia, professional trade associations, industry experts, and student liaisons through SPE Student Sections.