An adaptable mold assembly (10) consists of two mold bases (100, 102). One or both of the mold bases has at least one interchangeable portion (104, 105) removably mounted on the mold base, whose function is to actuate in a direction different from the draw direction. The interchangeable portion is typically used to facilitate the removal of the molded part from the mold, and often functions as a mold slide or pull. The ability to interchange and reconfigure the mold base reduces tooling costs and adds design flexibility to the tool. In another embodiment of the invention, the function of the interchangeable portion (106) is to provide process monitoring, process control or process optimization.