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 Ģ������ƵStories      October 3, 2025

Ģ������Ƶ’s College of Engineering and Technology has been given a software licensing donation from Moldex3D worth $4.17 million. 

Moldex3D donated academic injection molding simulation software licenses to Ģ������Ƶto support the university’s mission of equipping students with industry-relevant knowledge and practical experience in polymer engineering and technology. 

"Mold design and mold flow analysis are considered some of the most complex engineering design challenges in industry, and Moldex3D is the industry standard analysis software,” said Chip Ferguson, a professor in the School of Engineering and Technology who was instrumental in developing WCU’s partnership with Moldex3D. “Faculty will now be able to use this tool and the many Moldex3D professional seminars to expand learning and research capabilities. Our engineering students will also have access to several learning modules and will now be able to use this new tool for undergraduate research or industry sponsored senior capstone projects."  

With access to the same advanced simulation tools used by leading global manufacturers, Ģ������Ƶstudents and faculty will be empowered to enhance curriculum delivery, conduct impactful research, and address real-world molding challenges.  

“This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering strong academic-industry collaboration and to supporting the development of the next generation of plastics engineers,” said Anthony Yang, Moldex3D president. “We are proud to support Ģ������Ƶin its educational initiatives and are excited to witness the positive impact this collaboration will have on your students and the broader engineering community.” 

What got the gears turning for the software licensing donation was a $1,000 gift for Ferguson to attend the 2025 PTEXPO Conference in Chicago. The $1,000 gift was provided by Gabe English of Western Carolina Tool & Mold through the 2024 Mold Maker of the Year award from the Society of Plastics Engineers and Brenda Clark, engineering manager at HASCO. HASCO is an international company with offices in Asheville and WCT&M is located in Arden. 

“At the EXPO I made the case for donations by providing the story behind our engineering expansion efforts here at WCU, the new building, hiring of faculty and staff and started building a relationship with a couple of key folks at Moldex3D,” Ferguson said. “I followed up with several meetings and Moldex3D made the offer to donate the software seats, faculty training, and other learning resources to the college.” 

“I’m excited now to see our students use the software and, through gaining experience, be able to increase their competitiveness in the engineering job market,” he said. “There is a high demand in industry for engineers who understand mold design and Moldex3D.”  

For more information about WCU’s College of Engineering and Technology, visit engr.wcu.edu.