What are the Differences of ISO 9001:2015 and 9001:2008

ISO 9001 is a set of internationally recognized standards that provides a uniform way of measuring a company’s internal quality systems.  ISO was first introduced in 1987, and is administered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.  

The latest version of ISO9001:2015 is replacing the prior version from 2008, as a new standard is introduced about every seven years.  When first introduced in 1987, the standards focused on documentation, saying what you do, and how you do it.  Defining job descriptions, work instructions, and quality checks and balances was a big part of the initial introduction of ISO standards.  

The updated version that came next in 1994 enhanced upon “say what you do”, and added “say what you do, and do what you say” (and prove it).   Further documentation was required to show that you are actually doing what you say you are doing.  Internal audits are emphasized with honest findings, and corrective actions.  

The ISO updates in 2000 turned focus to “continual improvement” and “customer satisfaction”.  Continual improvement projects must be identified, and customer satisfaction must be measured.   The ISO9001:2008 version went into greater depth of all prior versions, emphasizing processes, process owners, measurable goals and how they impact continual improvement and total customer satisfaction.  

With the most recent updates of ISO9001:2015, there is even greater emphasis on business management and leadership, and top-down management involvement.  Each employee should be aware of the organization’s mission statement, quality policy, and what their role is in achieving these goals.  Top management should be involved with communicating the quality management system, and the importance of each employee’s role to the organization.

ISO9001:2015 puts more emphasis on risk based thinking, and having contingency plans in place.  The bottom line is that businesses that adhere to an ISO compliant quality system are poised for the future, with quality systems in place that focus on total customer satisfaction.

Total customer satisfaction reaps many benefits in customer retention, increased volume of business, and new business referrals.  The efficiencies recognized when implementing ISO leads to cost-efficient improvements, thus saving time and money.  

Michiana Global Mold is a superior plastic injection mold designer registered to ISO9001:2015 in the United States, and ISO9001:2008 in China.  We offer offshore mold making options, rebate programs and high-volume discounts.  Contact us today for a FREE injection mold design consultation.  

How to Source a Professional Mold Builder

What qualities are you evaluating when searching for a mold making company?  How do you qualify a mold builder as a preferred vendor?  You probably have a thorough, detailed and organized method of granting vendor approval, including a Quality audit.  As part of your formal process, some critical standards stand out as critically important over others, those would be:

• Engineering Capabilities including modern and updated design software such as UniGraphics or Solidworks with 2D print and file sharing options
• Quality of overall work performed including product quality of steel and components used in addition to high machining quality with modern and automated equipment, checked for accuracy
• Delivery Performance – on time delivery ratio including capacity limits and premium delivery options

Engineering Capabilities

Not all mold making companies have kept up with the times and invested in the modern technology available to mold makers today.  With computer driven milling centers and workhorse EDM machines humming all day, the modern mold making shop must be well versed in the computer driven equipment.    Equipment today can hold several programs, constantly checking for accuracy while doing the work it is programmed to do.  Creating these programs takes skill and knowledge of the mold making process from an experienced mold design engineer.  

Quality of Overall Work Performed

Sourcing a mold making company that is registered to ISO9001 standards gives you added assurances that the quality of product and service will be to your specification.   ISO9001:2015 standards require measuring performance and implementing continual improvement projects, with quick response time to meet the overall goal – total customer satisfaction.  

Delivery Performance

As part of internal audits with an ISO registered company, delivery performance should have a positive ratio with an explanation for any late deliveries.  Mold making shops that use modern technology and perform advanced quality planning procedures delivery quality tools on time, with critical areas planned ahead.    

Top notch mold making shops like Michiana Global Mold provide all of these services, in addition to sampling and checking parts for accuracy prior to delivery.

Michiana Global Mold can assist you with your demanding supply chain requirements with modern engineering capabilities, registration to ISO9001:2015 providing on-time delivery of quality product.   Contact us today for a FREE design consultation and to learn more about our multi-tool discount program.

Expert Brass Forging Die Manufacturer

Copper and brass forgings provide high density parts with very accurate dimensions, achieving a high level of consistency.  Brass forgings are used in several commercial and industrial applications such as automotive, aerospace, marine, transportation, plumbing, lawn and garden, heating and cooling and even the medical industry.  Brass forgings are also used to provide durable strength in architectural applications.  

Due to the precision required of brass forgings used in critical applications, you need a brass forging die maker with expertise in tool making skills.  Michiana Global Mold is a full-service tool and machine shop with vast expertise in manufacturing various molds and tooling, made with top quality components and precision accuracy.  

We have a large capacity modern tool making facility located in the heart of the Midwest in Mishawaka, IN, where we have been supplying quality molds and tooling for over 50 years!  We specialize in complex, precision tooling and brass forging dies, manufactured to your specification within +/- .001”, and on time.  

Michiana Global tackles the complex designs and intricate tooling that others shy away from.  With confidence and experience, we can manufacture your brass forging dies within your tight tolerances, and deliver high volume projects on time.  We manufacture forging dies with a heat treated and polished finish, for single or mass produced production requirements.

With a full-service tool shop, we also do engineering changes if necessary, saving you time and money.  We utilize a full line of CNC machines manufacturing brass forging dies with cost effective, efficient solutions, giving you the best value.   

Our expert design an engineering team can provide a free design consultation or provide reverse engineering services with our experience and CAD/CAM software and equipment.   We adhere all processes to our strict quality policy as an ISO registered mold and machine shop.  

Established since 1964, Michiana Global Mold has over 50 years of experience providing custom, precision injection molds, tooling and forging dies.  Contact us today for a free design consultation and to see how we can save you money on your procurement of brass forging dies.  

Press Considerations for Injection Mold Design

When constructing plastic or rubber injection molds, in addition to the part design the molding environment that the tool will run in is of the utmost importance.  A mold designer must be aware of the injection molding process that the tool is designed for, the press it will run in including the clamping system and whether or not it is a vertical or horizontal clamping press.

Each injection molding press will have a particular clamping pressure that is either delivered in an electric or hydraulic system.  Some molders prefer to use all hydraulic presses, while some have a mix of hydraulic and electric, while other molders use only electric machines.  There are some benefits to both, but the mold designer must be well aware of the power and pressure utilized in the press of choice prior to designing and constructing the injection molds.

A mold designer, and mold builder will need to know the tonnage of the press, the clamping orientation and clamping pressure whether it is electric or hydraulic, and they will also need to know the barrel capacity of the press.  This will determine how much material will be able to flow into the mold, and based on cycle times and cavitation, will determine whether or not the tool is designed to meet projected production volume requirements.

Each injection molding press will also have a certain type of mounting system to secure the mold in the press.  A toe-clamping system is most common, although a skilled mold designer can adapt the tool to fit even a custom designed mounting system.  The platen must be large enough to hold the mold but it must also allow enough room to pass through the tie-bars when loading or unloading the mold.  The tie bars hold the mounting platens in place which securely hold the mold in the press, and also contain the ejection system allowing opening and closing of the mold.

Michiana Global Mold has vast experience designing complex, precision molds for various industries, meeting all requirements of our customers molding environment.  We are valuable addition to any supply chain, providing proven solutions with high performing quality steel molds.  Contact us today for a free design consultation, and to learn more about our discount and rebate programs.