The process by which hollow articles are made with plastic is known as rotational molding or Rotomolding. Plastic is used in this process at high temperature and very low pressure, and the rotations are biaxial to get proper shape and design. This process is very economical and can be used to make complex plastic products. However, as in old times, it was very difficult to make and mold products as they do not have that much technology.
Now in this modern era, it has become very convenient when the process of rotational molding has come out. This process is eco-friendly and hollow products of different shapes and sizes can be easily made, which was very difficult in old times. Moreover, new products can be made from old plastic as it is used in powdered form so products can be recycled.
Molds Used In Rotational Molding
The molds used in this process should be perfectly designed so as to avoid extra time and can be easily made in the scheduled time. In addition, it should be check that the molds used should be of good quality to get a good quality product as these molds defines the outer shape of the product.
The cost of the mold mostly decides the molds production process. These are mostly made of aluminum as they are cost-effective; heat transfer is also good in these. It becomes easy if the rotational molding customers get the molds to form the mold provider, which is in-house molders, as they can create and fix these molds.
Limitations and Their Solutions
- Flat Walls
The most common problem faced is flat walls, as it is difficult to get a flat surface by a rotational molding process. They try to make hollow vessels in which they avoid internal structure. Professionals avoid flat surfaces by incorporating some geometry that is by breaking large flat surfaces into some structures.
- Material Flow
The other plastic molding companies use pellets or firm, but rotational molding company uses this as raw material in powder form. So getting the material to flow is very difficult to overcome or minimize; this problem uses five times the wall thickness between the walls or surface in products, and this effort will be helpful in problem relating material flow.
- Sharp Corners
Molds with sharp corners should be avoided as they minimize the material flow in the molding process. This causes voids in the sharp corners product because the material does not flow properly. In addition, the corners are not filled properly due to these sharp corners and edges hence must be avoided whenever it is possible.
In Closing Lines
It is a very good and inexpensive technique to mold plastic and forms different hollow products. As almost everywhere and in every work these products are used. Most industries like the furniture industry and even the medical department use this rotational molding method. Also, it is a good earning source for many in-home rotational molds providers.