from the editor

Dear Readers, Welcome to the first edition of the new format of Flowfront. Flowfront begins its life cycle as a semi-annual publication with an issue targeted for spring and fall of each year. Each issue contains a myriad of compelling articles that are focused on technology, academic and R&D breakthroughs, and industry trends and issues. This new magazine format allows us to get more in depth on each topic we cover. Flowfront, unlike other publications that briefly touch on issues important to injection molding professionals, will explore these topics more deeply and help our readers find solutions to the problems they face every day. For this to happen, we need contributions from our readers. We are always on the lookout for application stories, topics of industry interest, and articles discussing technology and automation. If you feel that you have a topic or story to contribute, we encourage you to contact us.

As a consequence, the trend to outsource content creation and manufacturing becomes In this issue, Moldflow product line manager Dean Piepiora explains Moldflow's exciting new Synergy technology inside Moldflow Plastics Insight 3.0. Synergy is a powerful new pre- and post-processor for model preparation and cleanup, as well as for viewing and manipulating analysis results. The technological breakthrough integrates the best features of Moldflow Plastics Insight (MPI) and C-MOLD 2000 (CM2K) products into a single, merged product family. Also in this issue, product line manager Peter Rucinski offers insight to Moldflow's Manufacturing Solutions for automating, controlling, and monitoring injection-molding processes. He gives full, updated descriptions of Moldflow Plastics Xpert, Moldflow Shotscope, and Moldflow EZ-Track manufacturing software solutions.

Each edition of Flowfront will feature innovative commentary authored by Moldflow customers and partners, as well as Moldflow resources. In fact, each month guest author and Gartner Group research director Marc Halpern, Ph.D., will offer his overviews of CAD/CAM/CAE, plastics engineering, e-commerce, and the supply chain. In this issue, he addresses the need for manufacturers and suppliers to develop collaborative product commerce (CPC) networks.

As you will see in this issue, Moldflow customers Avenue Mould (Sligo, Ireland) and Estée Lauder (New York, NY) offer insights as to how these world class manufacturers are using Moldflow products to reduce product development lead times, enhance product quality, and win industry awards! Each Flowfront edition will contain exclusive customer success stories from applications around the world. If you would like your application featured in an upcoming issue of Flowfront, please contact me at laura_carrabine@moldflow.com.

Also in this issue, Barr Klaus, vice-president of technology at Milacron, Inc., comments about how Milacron is responding to the global energy crisis in the Executive Spotlight. This column is a forum for senior management to discuss industry trends, solutions to problems, and what's on the horizon in terms of new technology. In his commentary, Mr. Klaus explains how all-electric injection molding machines can help save manufacturers millions of dollars in terms of conserving energy and why the benefits of converting to all-electric far outweigh the costs of retaining inefficient equipment.

Professor Robert Malloy of the Plastics Engineering Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell provides an interesting historical overview of the Plastics Engineering Program at the school. From its humble beginnings in 1895, the program today is rich in technology and resources. Support and endowments from outside sources such as Moldflow and Milacron are testament to the program's success.

This issue of Flowfront also provides tips and techniques for using Moldflow Plastics Advisers (MPA) 5.0 design-for-manufacture analysis software from product line manager Murali Anna-Reddy. Using MPA tools, designers can test every part and mold concept for manufacturing feasibility before the tool is cut, when the cost of change is minimal.

ProMold's sales and engineering manager, Scott Peters, tells us how the role of mold designer has changed over the course of his career. From overpaid draftspeople to valued team members, Scott says that technically savvy mold designers today are key to a manufacturer's success.

Soon, Moldflow will open its Center for Professional Development. Stephen Thompson, Moldflow's global training manager, explains why the facility came to be and how it will be used. The Center is a corporate university that is being developed for Moldflow customers to help empower their Moldflow users.

Enjoy this first issue. We are excited to bring you the latest news and technology via this format. We welcome reader input and encourage you to submit article ideas, suggestions, and comments about what you like and don't like about the publication. If you have software tips and/or techniques that you would like to share, please do. Send your feedback to laura_carrabine@moldflow.com.

Laura Carrabine Editor