From fragmented workflows to unified precision in mouldmaking

How a French mouldmaker is simplifying CAD/CAM to support quality, productivity and digital continuity

In precision mouldmaking and toolmaking, quality and productivity are inseparable. Tight tolerances, complex geometries and demanding customer requirements leave little room for inefficiency. This is particularly apparent when design and manufacturing workflows are fragmented.

This is the reality Techni-Moules, a company based in Merville in the Haute-Garonne region of France, set out to address. Specialising in the design and manufacture of precision metal moulds and thermoplastic injection parts, the company relies on Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence software to harmonise workflows, simplify data transfers and improve communication between its design office and workshops.

A manufacturing environment shaped by precision requirements

Founded in 1972, Techni-Moules employs around 50 people and offers end-to-end expertise in precision plastics processing. Its activities range from the design and manufacture of metal moulds and injection-moulded parts to the commissioning, modification and renovation of moulds from various sources.

The company serves demanding sectors including aeronautics and aerospace, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and cosmetics and perfumery. Across all of these markets, micron-level precision is a constant requirement.

Previously, Techni-Moules used several general-purpose software solutions operating independently. While powerful, they lacked dedicated mould and tooling functions and resulted in fragmented workflows, complex data transfers and loss of efficiency between departments. To improve consistency, reliability and performance, the company chose to centralise its operations around dedicated CAD/CAM solutions from Hexagon.

Digital continuity from design to manufacturing

Techni-Moules has deployed three Hexagon software platforms to support its operations:

• WORKNC for tool manufacturing and continuous 5-axis machining, used on a MIKRON HSM 600U LP and DMU eVo Linear
• ESPRIT EDGE for 4-axis turning, enabling control of a DMG MORI NL 1500 Y
• VISI for modelling, analysis, mould and tool design, and material flow simulation

Together, these solutions provide digital continuity across design, programming and manufacturing. This supports the specific requirements of precision moulding and tooling while maintaining 100% French production.

The company also benefits from Hexagon’s training and support. Three employees have already completed a six-month training programme with personalised follow-up, and five more are expected to complete the course by 2027. Regular exchanges with a single point of contact help teams deepen their mastery of the software and receive assistance when needed.

Early results on the shop floor

Although the deployment is still recent, Techni-Moules, whose operations run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is already seeing positive results. These include improved communication between teams, faster and more reliable programming, greater flexibility, and higher-quality finished products.

Hexagon technologies are also delivering time savings when preparing accurate quotations, both in terms of costing and lead times. In the longer term, Techni-Moules plans to eliminate paper plans entirely. This will mean working exclusively from screens and benefiting from full digital continuity between design, programming and manufacturing.

Supporting skills, sustainability and French production

Beyond operational gains, the collaboration with Hexagon aligns with Techni-Moules’ wider company philosophy. Corporate social responsibility is a major focus, from eco-design to the reuse of waste within its own production cycle.

Skills transfer is equally important. With an average workforce age of 35, Techni-Moules aims to attract and retain new talent by providing access to cutting-edge yet accessible technology. At the same time they rely on experienced employees to pass on their expertise. By keeping all production at its Merville site, the company continues to position itself as a committed player in French industry.

As Franck Saghaard, Tooling Engineer at Techni-Moules, explains: “By adopting integrated business solutions, we are strengthening our expertise while paving the way for a more sustainable industry. With Hexagon, we have a high-performance, agile production tool that is perfectly aligned with our industrial needs, enabling us to gain consistency, productivity and confidence with our customers.”

Quality control as a critical complement

In addition to its CAD/CAM environment, Techni-Moules also relies on Hexagon metrology solutions, including two high-precision coordinate measuring machines. These systems support laboratory inspections as well as quality validation and compliance checks directly in the workshop.

With this combination of software and hardware, Techni-Moules is strengthening its competitiveness. In addition they are ensuring the high levels of quality required for precision mould manufacturing.