Chad Wahl
White Bear Lake,MN
Summary
I have a lot of experience building molds from start to finish with demanding deadlines. I often have 3 to 4 jobs going at one time and have to keep track of where they all are including outsourcing some operations to shorten lead time while still finishing the tool on time and in budget. I work closely with fellow employees and outside sources to keep new molds and revised mold work progressing to finsih before the required completion dates as much as possible.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Mold Maker
I-Tek Medical
Blaine, MN
01.2022 - Current
- Inspected molds for accuracy, fit and finish prior to assembly.
- Collaborated closely with engineering staff during the development phase of new projects.
- Repaired existing molds by welding and remachining or replacing damaged parts.
- Utilized precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers and height gauges to ensure proper dimensions of the finished product.
- Fabricated prototype parts from various materials using manual machine tools such as drill presses and lathes.
- Maintained detailed records of work performed on each mold project, documenting material used and labor hours spent.
- Identified areas of improvement within the manufacturing process that would lead to increased productivity.
- Assembled molds using a variety of tools grinders, CNCs and manual fitting techniques.
- Provided technical support to assist in resolving issues related to mold design or construction.
- Worked closely with Quality Control personnel during inspections of completed products.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to tight deadlines.
- Troubleshot problems with existing molds, making necessary modifications to improve performance.
- Calibrated machining parameters for optimal efficiency when operating CNC mills and lathes.
- Performed preventative maintenance on all mold-making equipment.
- Set up and operated CNC milling machines to cut mold components from aluminum, steel and conposite materials.
- Examined mold for accuracy and separated patterns from molds.
- Observed automatic molding machines to quickly correct malfunctions or material jams.
Mold Maker
State Tool Inc.
White Bear Lake, MN
05.2002 - 01.2022
- Collaborated closely with engineering staff during the development phase of new projects.
- Repaired existing molds by removing worn or damaged parts and replacing the areas with new steel.
- Utilized precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers and height gauges to ensure proper dimensions of the finished product.
- Maintained detailed records of work performed on each mold project, documenting material used and labor hours spent.
- Assembled molds using a variety of hand tools such as drills, taps, reamers, saws and grinders.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to tight deadlines.
- Troubleshot problems with existing molds, making necessary modifications to improve performance.
- Set up and operated CNC milling machines to cut mold components from steel blocks.
Mold Maker
Mo-Tech Corporation
Oakdale , MN
07.1996 - 04.2002
- 2 years experience as a mold polisher.
- 4 years as a Mold Maker making parts for 32 and 48 cavity lead intensifier molds for Exide corporation's battery terminals.
- Utilized precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers and height gauges to ensure proper dimensions of the finished product.
- Maintained detailed records of work performed on each mold project, documenting material used and labor hours spent.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MNAssociate of Applied Science - Tool And Die
St. Paul Technical College
St. Paul MNSkills
- Strict attention to detail
- Continous efforts to reduce lead times and increase accuracy
- Polishing from C3 to A1 finishes
- 22 years experience in the operation of 5 different brands and controllers of CNC (YCM, SuperMax, Makino, Hyundai amd HAAS)
- 18 yrs experience in the operation of 3 different brands of sinker EDM (Makino, Sodick, Mitsubishi
- 12 years experience operating a Sodick wire EDM
Timeline
Mold Maker
I-Tek Medical
01.2022 - Current
Mold Maker
State Tool Inc.
05.2002 - 01.2022
Mold Maker
Mo-Tech Corporation
07.1996 - 04.2002
Some College (No Degree) - Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Associate of Applied Science - Tool And Die
St. Paul Technical College