Tell us about a time when a mold you created did not meet the design requirements. How did you handle the situation?

Sample answer to the question

One time, I was tasked with creating a mold for a plastic product. After completing the mold, we discovered that it did not meet the design requirements. I immediately informed my team and we conducted a thorough analysis to identify the issue. It turned out that there was a miscalculation in the dimensions, resulting in the mold being slightly smaller than required. To address this, we decided to modify the mold by adding inserts to adjust the dimensions. I worked closely with the design engineers to ensure the modifications were accurate. Once the modifications were made, we tested the mold and it successfully produced the desired product. We also took this opportunity to update our quality control processes to prevent similar issues in the future.

A more solid answer

In my previous role, I encountered a situation where a mold I created did not meet the design requirements. The first step I took was to thoroughly analyze the mold and compare it to the design specifications. It became evident that there was a miscalculation in the dimensions, causing the mold to be slightly smaller than needed. I immediately informed my supervisor and the design engineers, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Together, we brainstormed potential solutions and decided that modifying the mold by adding inserts would be the best course of action. I collaborated closely with the design engineers to ensure the accuracy of the modifications and incorporated their feedback throughout the process. Once the modifications were complete, we conducted several tests to verify that the mold now produced the desired product. Additionally, I suggested implementing a more robust quality control process to catch similar issues earlier in the future. As a result of our efforts, we successfully resolved the issue, met the design requirements, and improved our overall quality control measures.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details and examples to showcase the candidate's problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and collaboration skills. It highlights the candidate's proactive approach in identifying the issue, the collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and the suggestion for process improvement. However, it can be further improved by including quantitative results or metrics to demonstrate the impact of the candidate's actions.

An exceptional answer

During my tenure as a senior Mold Maker, I encountered a situation where a mold I created fell short of meeting the design requirements. In order to address the issue, I immediately initiated a comprehensive root cause analysis to determine the exact cause of the problem. It was discovered that there was a discrepancy in the tolerance specifications for certain critical features of the mold. To rectify the situation, I collaborated with the design engineers to redefine the tolerance limits and make the necessary adjustments to the mold. Additionally, I worked closely with the quality control team to ensure that the modified mold underwent rigorous testing to verify its compliance with the updated design requirements. The modified mold successfully produced the desired product within the specified tolerances, which helped minimize scrap and reduce rework costs. This experience taught me the importance of meticulous attention to detail in mold design and fabrication, as well as the significance of collaboration and open communication with cross-functional teams.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer goes above and beyond by providing a detailed account of the candidate's problem-solving process, attention to detail, and collaboration skills. It demonstrates the candidate's ability to conduct a root cause analysis, their collaboration with design engineers and the quality control team, and the quantifiable impact of their actions. The candidate showcases a sophisticated understanding of tolerance specifications and the implications of design discrepancies. This answer effectively showcases the candidate's expertise and experience in mold making.

How to prepare for this question

Familiarize yourself with the design validation process and quality control procedures specific to mold making.
Be prepared to discuss specific instances where a mold you created did not meet the design requirements and how you resolved the situation.
Highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, such as design engineers and quality control personnel.
Demonstrate your attention to detail and problem-solving ability by providing specific examples of how you identified and addressed issues in mold design or fabrication before.
Emphasize the importance of continuous improvement and proactive measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

What interviewers are evaluating

Problem-solving ability
Attention to detail
Collaboration skills