Duane Roberts 
Plastic production using rotation
Rotational molding is the process of plastic component production that will include the use of a rotating mold under heat. It uses the principle of converting powdered polymer into liquid form at high temperature and coat it all over the mold. So, the polymer will stick around the walls of the mold. Once it solidifies, the component shape will be ready. You can do any kind of shapes using this method, and most of the companies will be doing custom rotational molding based on the customer’s requirements. Since the process is simple and looks economical, many people are choosing this process for plastic production. You can find these machines in use in industries where polymer products are manufactured. There will be four steps in the production, and there are many advantages of the process. Let us discuss these in this article.
Process of rotational molding
- At first, you should prepare the mold for your final product using any of the available material with better thermal conductivity. Mostly, people will go for cast aluminum or stainless steel for mold preparation. However, aluminum will show better thermal conductivity than stainless steel, and your cycle times may reduce.
- Secondly, you should pour the raw material into the mold. Usually, the material will be any polymer such as a thermoplastic. Polyolefin is one type of polymer you can use for your products. There are several options with polyolefin like polyethylene and polypropylene to use. You should powder the polymer before placing it into the mold. There are several grinding methods available for making the powder. However, your grinding costs may skyrocket if you choose stronger polymers.
- After placing the powder into the mold, you should close the molding machine and clamp it.
- You can start the rotation of the mold, and after some time you should heat the mold for the fusion process.
- During fusion, the powder will melt into liquid form, and it will coat around the walls of the mold due to the constant rotation.
- After some time, you should stop the rotation and let it cool in the cooling station.
- When cooled enough, the coating will be solidified, and you can take the final component out from the mold using the demolding process.
Benefits of the process
If you choose rotational molding for the production of plastic components, you can enjoy the following benefits.
- You will not have to spend too much on the machinery and tooling. As there will not be any operations under high pressure, you can use cheaper materials for your tools and molds that will be lighter also. It can reduce your total cost.
- The rotational process of coating formation will ensure constant wall thickness to your finished product. So, you can get a properly shaped component with an even structure.
- You can easily make double-walled components using this process.
- As there will not be any joining processes like the use of welding and seaming, riveting, and the likes, you can enjoy the increased stability of your final component.
What are rotational molding and its advantages?
Plastic production using rotation
Rotational molding is the process of plastic component production that will include the use of a rotating mold under heat. It uses the principle of converting powdered polymer into liquid form at high temperature and coat it all over the mold. So, the polymer will stick around the walls of the mold. Once it solidifies, the component shape will be ready. You can do any kind of shapes using this method, and most of the companies will be doing custom rotational molding based on the customer’s requirements. Since the process is simple and looks economical, many people are choosing this process for plastic production. You can find these machines in use in industries where polymer products are manufactured. There will be four steps in the production, and there are many advantages of the process. Let us discuss these in this article.
Process of rotational molding
- At first, you should prepare the mold for your final product using any of the available material with better thermal conductivity. Mostly, people will go for cast aluminum or stainless steel for mold preparation. However, aluminum will show better thermal conductivity than stainless steel, and your cycle times may reduce.
- Secondly, you should pour the raw material into the mold. Usually, the material will be any polymer such as a thermoplastic. Polyolefin is one type of polymer you can use for your products. There are several options with polyolefin like polyethylene and polypropylene to use. You should powder the polymer before placing it into the mold. There are several grinding methods available for making the powder. However, your grinding costs may skyrocket if you choose stronger polymers.
- After placing the powder into the mold, you should close the molding machine and clamp it.
- You can start the rotation of the mold, and after some time you should heat the mold for the fusion process.
- During fusion, the powder will melt into liquid form, and it will coat around the walls of the mold due to the constant rotation.
- After some time, you should stop the rotation and let it cool in the cooling station.
- When cooled enough, the coating will be solidified, and you can take the final component out from the mold using the demolding process.
Benefits of the process
If you choose rotational molding for the production of plastic components, you can enjoy the following benefits.
- You will not have to spend too much on the machinery and tooling. As there will not be any operations under high pressure, you can use cheaper materials for your tools and molds that will be lighter also. It can reduce your total cost.
- The rotational process of coating formation will ensure constant wall thickness to your finished product. So, you can get a properly shaped component with an even structure.
- You can easily make double-walled components using this process.
- As there will not be any joining processes like the use of welding and seaming, riveting, and the likes, you can enjoy the increased stability of your final component.