A Faster Pace for Tooling
Kraftsman Tooling accelerates automotive mold production with 50% faster CNC programming and efficient electrode workflows
Since opening its doors in 2004, Kraftsman Tooling has served leading automotive manufacturers worldwide and built a reputation for excellence in the design and production of plastic injection molds.
Recognized for its commitment to quality, precision, and reliability, the company has steadily grown as a trusted partner for customers with demanding production requirements and tight delivery schedules.
Based in Pune, India, Kraftsman Tooling employs 34 skilled toolmakers who produce approximately 50 molds annually. The company exports mold components and complete molds to countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and Portugal, and also performs mold design work for domestic and international customers.
The company implemented Cimatron in 2024 to take advantage of its integrated CAD/CAM platform, specialized 3-axis machining capabilities for mold cores and cavities, and tools for automated electrode creation. Its goal was to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and position the company to better meet the evolving demands of the automotive sector.
Cimatron brought mold and electrode design and machining together in one place, and there’s no need to switch between CAD and CAM solutions because the software is fully integrated.
The power of CAD/CAM integration
Prior to implementing Cimatron, Kraftsman Tooling dealt with operational challenges that limited its ability to scale efficiently. Its CAD and CAM processes were disconnected, requiring teams to switch between systems and manually transfer data. CNC programming workflows were time consuming and repetitive, and the electrode design process was fully manual — making it both error-prone and difficult to adapt quickly to design changes.
These inefficiencies created bottlenecks at various stages across the process chain, from engineering through production. Communication gaps between design and manufacturing teams led to delays, particularly when updates required re-calculating toolpaths or repeating labor-intensive processes. As customer expectations continued to rise, the need for a more streamlined, integrated approach became increasingly clear.
The program calculation speed in Cimatron is 50% faster than other software I’ve used.
Implementing Cimatron empowered the company to create more connected and efficient workflows at every step of production.
“Our CAD/CAM and electrode workflows were disjointed, which led to lost time and a higher risk of error,” said Managing Director George Joseph. “Cimatron brought mold and electrode design and machining together in one place, and there’s no need to switch between CAD and CAM solutions because the software is fully integrated. That saves a lot of time.”
With a unified platform in place, the company eliminated many of the manual steps that previously slowed production. Cimatron’s custom post processors, feature detection capabilities, and associative toolpaths — which enable CNC toolpaths to automatically update when CAD designs change — have significantly improved programming accuracy and efficiency.
This seamless data flow is particularly valuable when electrode designs need to be modified. Instead of restarting processes or manually adjusting toolpaths, updates are implemented quickly and reliably, reducing downtime and minimizing the risk of error.
“The program calculation speed in Cimatron is 50% faster than other software I’ve used,” said CAM Programmer Kuldip Pawar. “In other software, patching ribs, holes, or pockets is very time consuming. With Cimatron’s ‘cap internal island’ feature, the same process can typically be completed in just one or two minutes.”
Cimatron helped Kraftsman Tooling make further efficiency gains by enabling the creation of reusable process templates that can be easily applied to repeat jobs. This capability accelerates CNC programming and ensures consistency across projects, helping standardize operations and reduce variability in output.
As a result, Kraftsman Tooling achieved measurable performance improvements across its operations. CNC programming for repeat jobs is now 50% faster, while electrode design time has been reduced from hours to minutes. These gains have translated into shorter lead times, improved resource utilization, and greater overall efficiency on the shop floor.
It makes us lean and pushes us to focus on where to cut costs — and that’s where software like Cimatron comes in.
“There is now more consistent output with fewer manual errors, along with improved collaboration between design and manufacturing,” Joseph said. “We have achieved significant time savings and process improvements that increase shop efficiency and help ensure faster delivery for more satisfied customers.”
Beyond operational improvements, the ability to respond quickly to last-minute design changes has become a key competitive advantage. With more flexible workflows and automated processes, the team can accommodate customer requests without disrupting production schedules.
A roadmap for success
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Kraftsman Tooling has increasingly focused on the Indian market, where tighter margins make efficiency and cost control even more critical. This shift has further reinforced the company’s commitment to optimizing processes and investing in technologies that deliver measurable value.
“It makes us lean and pushes us to focus on where to cut costs — and that’s where software like Cimatron comes in,” Joseph said. “Using Cimatron for CAM programming and electrode design gives us more options and allows us to program much faster. Having tools tailored for electrode extraction ensures we can remain flexible and efficient, even with last-minute modifications.”
Looking ahead, Kraftsman Tooling is well positioned for continued growth. In 2026, the company expanded its capabilities with the opening of a second toolroom in Palakkad, Kerala, increasing production capacity and strengthening its ability to serve both domestic and international customers.
As it continues to scale operations and adapt to changing market demands, Kraftsman Tooling views Cimatron as a reliable long-term partner. With ongoing advancements in CAD/CAM technology and a shared focus on efficiency and innovation, the company expects to achieve even greater productivity gains in the years to come.
