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Versatile rotomolding process suited to wide variety of products
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Rotational
molding is a highly versatile manufacturing option that allows for
unlimited design possibilities with the added benefit of low production
costs.
Process Overview
The rotomolding process starts with a good quality mold that
is placed in a molding machine that has a loading, heating, and
cooling area. Several molds may be placed on the machine at the
same time.
Pre-measured
plastic resin is loaded into each mold, and then the molds are moved
into the oven where they are slowly rotated on both the vertical
and horizontal axis. The melting resin sticks to the hot mold and
coats every surface evenly. The mold continues to rotate during
the cooling cycle so the parts retain an even wall thickness.
Once the parts are cooled, they are released from the mold. The
rotational speed, heating, and cooling tmes are all controlled throughout
the process.
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Design
Advantages
Rotomolding offers design advantages over other molding processes.
With proper design, parts that are assembled from several pieces
can be molded as one part, eliminating expensive fabrication costs.
The process also has a number of inherent design strengths,
such as consistent wall thickness and strong outside corners that
are virtually stress free. If additional strength is required, reinforcing
ribs can be designed into the part.
Rotational
molding delivers the product the designer envisions. Designers can
select the best material for their application, including materials
that meet FDA requirements. Additives to help make the part weather
resistant, flame retardant, or static free can be specified.
Inserts,
threads, handles, minor undercuts, flat surfaces that eliminate
draft angles or fine surface detail can all be part of the design.
Designers also have the option of multi-wall molding that can be
either hollow or foam filled.
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Cost
Advantages
When cost is a factor, rotomolding has the advantage over other
types of processes as well. In comparison to injection and blow
molding, rotational molding can easily produce large and small parts
in a cost effective manner. Tooling is less expensive because there's
no internal core to manufacture. Since there is no internal core,
minor changes can be easily made to an existing mold.
And because parts are formed with heat and rotation, rather than
pressure, molds don't need to be engineered to withstand the high
pressure of injection molding.
Production costs for product conversions are reduced because lightweight
plastics replace heavier, often more costly materials. This makes
rotomolding as cost effective for one-of-a-kind prototypes as it
is for large production runs.
Put Centro's rotomolding expertise to work for you -- contact us now to learn how.
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