Digitalization of the Injection Molding Tooling Process Using ERP
Valencia Heredia, Aurelia Fabiana (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061021970
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061021970
Tiivistelmä
Abstract
Digitalization is increasingly critical for enhancing operational efficiency, traceability, and knowledge management and industrial environments. Despite this, many injection molding companies continue to rely on physical documentation and tacit operator knowledge, resulting in inefficiencies, production delays, and a heightened risk of error. This thesis investigates the digitalization of the injection molding tooling process through the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system at Ecoaims Oy, a Finnish manufacturer specializing in optical sports equipment.
Adopting a qualitative and descriptive methodology, the research identified several key challenges: the absence of digital records, disorganized storage systems, reliance on outdated paper documentation, and a lack of visual assembly instructions. To address these issues, the project introduced standardized tooling codes, integrated mold setup instructions and CAD based visuals into the ERP system, and restructured workflow to improve traceability and facilitate knowledge transfer.
The results indicate that digitalization enhances data accessibility, reduces dependency on individual expertise, lowers setup related errors, and supports operator training. However, organizational barriers including limited ERP access, resistance to change, and insufficient training continued to impede full adoption.
In conclusion, the digitalization initiative has established a strong foundation for improving tooling traceability, operational quality, and efficiency. Nevertheless, realizing its full benefits requires sustained organizational commitment, structured training programs, and cultural alignment. This study offers both practical strategies and theoretical insights to support digital transformation efforts in small scale manufacturing environments.
Digitalization is increasingly critical for enhancing operational efficiency, traceability, and knowledge management and industrial environments. Despite this, many injection molding companies continue to rely on physical documentation and tacit operator knowledge, resulting in inefficiencies, production delays, and a heightened risk of error. This thesis investigates the digitalization of the injection molding tooling process through the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system at Ecoaims Oy, a Finnish manufacturer specializing in optical sports equipment.
Adopting a qualitative and descriptive methodology, the research identified several key challenges: the absence of digital records, disorganized storage systems, reliance on outdated paper documentation, and a lack of visual assembly instructions. To address these issues, the project introduced standardized tooling codes, integrated mold setup instructions and CAD based visuals into the ERP system, and restructured workflow to improve traceability and facilitate knowledge transfer.
The results indicate that digitalization enhances data accessibility, reduces dependency on individual expertise, lowers setup related errors, and supports operator training. However, organizational barriers including limited ERP access, resistance to change, and insufficient training continued to impede full adoption.
In conclusion, the digitalization initiative has established a strong foundation for improving tooling traceability, operational quality, and efficiency. Nevertheless, realizing its full benefits requires sustained organizational commitment, structured training programs, and cultural alignment. This study offers both practical strategies and theoretical insights to support digital transformation efforts in small scale manufacturing environments.