Abstract: An item of tooling such as an injection mold that is fixedly coupled with a memory device for storing information such as tool identification information, optimal and actual operating parameters, cycle count, and similar information useful for the tracking, use, maintenance, and repair of an item of tooling. Also covered are communication links between the memory device and a logic device such as a controller that monitors and controls machine process parameters.

Abstract: A process for using a data memory device in conjunction with an item of tooling such as an injection mold wherein the tooling is fixedly coupled with a memory device for storing information such as tool identification information, optimal and actual operating parameters, cycle count, and similar information useful for the tracking, use, maintenance, and repair of the tooling.