The Process and Advantages of Rotational Moulding 

Rotational Moulding

Rotational molding is a process that produces hollow products using cast aluminum or steel molds, allowing for affordable production for small manufacturing runs. This method allows for the creation of various shapes and sizes, giving product designers more flexibility.

Overview

Plastics can be molded using a process called rotational molding, or rotomolding, which is perfect for producing hollow products. It’s a form of casting; however, unlike conventional methods of molding plastic, this one doesn’t require the use of high pressure. Since molds for the technique don’t need to withstand pressure, they may be created extremely affordably for very small manufacturing runs.

Many different kinds of items are manufactured by rotomolding. Since any shape can be made using the method, it gives product designers a lot of leeway. Mouldings’ size is practically limitless, and their uses number in the thousands.

How It Works

The idea behind rotational molding is straightforward. For this process, a hollow mold is used, typically constructed of cast aluminum or steel. The plastic material is typically in powder form. The mold is sealed and progressively rotated on two axes. Polymer melts and “lays up” on the interior of the mold as it rotates at high temperatures in an oven. After the polymer powder has melted completely, the mold is transferred to a cooling station, where it is chilled with air or a mist of water. The component solidifies in the mold as it cools. The process is terminated, and the result is de-molded when the material has cooled to the point where it can be separated from the surface of the mold.

Although the idea of rotational molding is straightforward, everyone who has worked with the process knows that it is actually quite complex. The lack of pressure during the casting process makes it difficult to exert the same degree of control over the material as is possible during high-pressure procedures like injection molding. Ambient temperature and humidity, mold type, material specifications, and powder quality are just a few of the factors that might affect production and the final product.

Materials

Today, 97% of rotomolded items are created from Polyethylene (PE), which has led to a significant reliance on this material by the industry. The process has largely shifted to polyethylene because it is adaptable, malleable, and cheap. When using the casting method known as rotomolding, powder is almost always utilized instead of granules. At room temperature, polyethylene is simple to grind.

Because of how lengthy and harsh the process is on polymers, only PVC (often in liquid plastisol form), Polypropylene, and Polyamide (PA6, PA11, and PA12) have seen significant use. Cryogenic grinding, also known as freeze grinding, is a more expensive method that is required to turn several of these non-Polyethylene compounds into powder. The increased investment in R&D to boost the variety of materials available to businesses is encouraging.

Important Benefits

When compared to other molding techniques, rotomolding stands out for its distinct qualities and benefits.

• Low prices for tools. Since this is a casting technique, no stress is involved. This means that molds are cheap, and low-volume production can be cost-effective. Because of the low cost of entry, rotomolding is an excellent option if you have a brilliant idea for a new product but are unsure of how many would sell.
• Constructing intricate patterns is a breeze. Production complications, including strengthening ribs, molded inserts, and varying surface textures, are easily accommodated by rotomolding.
• Regularly thick walls With rotomolding, the wall thickness is uniform; however, the corners are typically thicker. This improves the durability and reliability of the product. When using techniques like blow molding, the molten material can be stretched at corners or sharp edges, which can lead to thin areas and vulnerabilities.
• When compared to alternative methods, the initial investment and running costs for a rotational molding machine are quite minimal. The technique offers a lot of leeway in terms of manufacturing.
• The size of goods has nearly no constraints, and multiple products can be molded simultaneously.

Products

This technique is so flexible that it can be used to make a wide variety of molds. Rotomolding is utilized in countless industries for thousands of different items. Some important ones are:

• Water and chemical storage tanks with capacities up to 50,000 liters
• Containers, crates, pallets, and insulated fish and cooler boxes are all examples of products used for material handling.
• Litter bins, traffic cones, bollards, dividers, and signs are just some of the environmental products available.
• The use of floatation devices such as pontoons, bouys, and floats
• Vehicle components such as fenders, ducting, diesel fuel tanks, toolboxes, and tractor control panels
• Paddlecraft, craft, and vessels
• Garden accessories include planters, water features, and patio furniture.
• Toys and gym gear for the kids

There has been a significant increase in demand for innovative, design-led objects such as objets d’art for both indoor and outdoor settings, lighting, and high-end decorative products.

Professor Roy Crawford, a forefather of the industry, summarizes the rotational molding procedure as follows:

There’s no denying that the rotomolding industry has evolved and adapted thanks to significant technological developments over the past few decades. The manufacturing process of rotomolding, once considered a dark art, has developed into a highly refined method for producing high-quality goods, some of which are impossible to produce using any other molding technique.

Video: Rotational Moulding: The Process and Advantages