SPE WORKSHOP: Smart Injection Molding: Hands‑On Design of Experiments (DoE) for Success and Competitiveness
Workshop
Smart Injection Molding: Hands‑On Design of Experiments (DoE) for Success and Competitiveness
April 14,15 & 17, 2026 All workshop days are from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM ET. Online
Summary
This 3-day, practice-oriented workshop introduces participants to the essentials of Design of Experiments (DoE) specifically for injection molding processes. Instead of long theory sessions, the training emphasizes practical application, machine-side thinking, and simple tools that can be applied immediately in daily work. Over three compact 90-minute modules, attendees will learn how to plan, run, and interpret efficient DoE´s that deliver meaningful insights into part quality, process robustness, real ROI (Return Of Investment) and optimization opportunities.
Agenda
(Click each session to expand)
April 14, 2026
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Outline
Key injection molding parameters and their impact on quality
How to frame the right experimental questions
Essential DoE concepts explained without heavy statistics
A hands‑on exercise to build confidence and intuition
April 15, 2026
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Outline
How to prepare and run structured trials
How to collect clean, meaningful data at the press
Machine‑side best practices and common pitfalls to avoid
Methods for producing clear, decisive results
April 17, 2026
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Outline
How to interpret DoE data and identify main effects and interactions
How to find optimal parameter settings
How to build a robust processing window
A real‑world case study linking analysis to measurable improvements
If you can't attend one or several sessions live, or if you want to review some concepts, the recordings will be available after each session.
Andres Urbina is a Mechanical Engineer and has a M. Sc in materials and manufacturing processes with focus in the whole supply chain of polymer processing, trilingual (spanish, english and german). High skills in planning and development of solutions on the plastic industry from the conceptual design, going to the design and mold manufacturing, until the successful product launch and serial production. Knowledge with high detail on injection molding processes, simulation (structural and process), science & engineering of mateials (including testing), training, optimization, research & production.
This workshop is ideal for professionals involved in injection molding, process optimization, tooling decisions, and manufacturing performance. It is especially valuable for:
Process Engineers & Set‑Up Technicians who want practical DoE skills they can apply directly on the molding machine.
Product, Materials & Technical Development Engineers who must understand how process parameters influence part performance.
Tooling Engineers, Moldmakers & Tool Designers seeking data‑driven methods to validate mold behavior and solve issues quickly.
Plant Managers & Industrial Engineers responsible for productivity, scrap reduction, and process robustness.
Sales & Technical Sales Teams involved in RFQs, customer support, costing, and feasibility evaluations.
Purchasing & Costing Specialists assessing manufacturability and process capability.
Students (B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD) preparing for careers in plastics processing and continuous improvement.
Why Should You Attend?
Do you struggle to identify the real root cause of molding defects?
Are you tired of relying on guesswork, intuition, or tribal knowledge?
Do you want to reduce scrap, stabilize processes, shorten startups, and justify process settings with data instead of trial‑and‑error?
If these challenges resonate with you, this workshop is exactly what you need.
Rather than being theory‑heavy, this course focuses on hands‑on, machine‑side Design of Experiments (DoE)—practical tools that you can implement immediately to improve quality, productivity, and overall competitiveness.
Everyday Problems You’ll Address
Why does fixing one parameter seem to create three new problems? Learn how to escape the cycle of reactive troubleshooting by designing structured, efficient experiments.
Which molding parameters actually matter—and which are irrelevant? Replace guesswork with evidence.
How do I diagnose variability without wasting hours of machine time? Use simple, efficient DoE designs that save time and reveal root causes.
Why do “good” parts suddenly fail or drift out of spec? Understand interactions between material, machine, tooling, and environmental factors.
How do I run a structured trial that produces clean, usable data? Avoid common pitfalls that lead to misleading or unusable results.
How can I reduce scrap and cycle time while maintaining quality? Build robust process windows that protect against normal variability.
How do I defend my process decisions using real ROI and clear data? Support improvements with quantitative evidence instead of intuition.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout the course, you’ll practice simple but powerful tools that make DoE easy to apply—no advanced statistics or software required.
Why This Course Matters
Injection molding success depends on predictable processes, low scrap, short cycle times, and strong competitiveness. Yet many plants still rely on trial‑and‑error adjustments and tribal knowledge, leading to:
recurring defects
inconsistent startup behavior
unexplained variation
costly downtime
lost productivity
This workshop gives you a repeatable, structured approach to process optimization:
Understand what to adjust
Understand why it matters
Understand how much it matters
Optimize with confidence
Justify improvements with real data and ROI
You will leave with a practical DoE toolkit that elevates your capability, strengthens your decision‑making, and helps you deliver consistent, high‑quality results.
This educational program is provided as a service of SPE. The views and opinions expressed on this or any SPE educational program are those of the Speaker(s) and/or the persons appearing with the Speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc. (SPE) or its officials, employees or designees. To comment or to present an opposing or supporting opinion, please contact us at info@4SPE.org.
Refund Policy
Full refund 14 days prior to the event start date. Please contact customerrelations@4spe.org for assistance with registration.
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Anti-Trust Statement
No discussion among members, volunteers, or staff, which attempts to arrive at any agreement regarding prices, terms or conditions of sale, distribution, volume, territories, or customers;
No activity or communication which might be construed as an attempt to prevent any person or business entity from gaining access to any market or customer for goods or services or any business entity from obtaining services or a supply of goods;
No activity or communication which might be construed as an agreement to refrain from purchasing or using any materials, equipment, services or supplies of or from any supplier; or
No other activity which violates anti-trust or applicable laws aimed at preventing unfair competition.
