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Introduction
This article presents all the information you need to know about rotational molding. Read further and learn more about the following:
Overview of rotational molding and its history
Types of rotational molding machines
Rotational molding processes
Materials used in rotational molding
And much more...
Chapter 1: Rotational Molding
Rotational molding, commonly referred to as "rotomolding", is a plastic casting technique used to produce large hollow, seamless, and double-walled parts. It is a three-stage process that involves a mold on a rotating frame, a heating chamber, and a cooling chamber. Molds for the rotomolding process are specially designed and are capable of producing single and double wall products.
The main raw material for rotomolding is one of the polyethylene resins, which is loaded into the mold to begin the process. In the heating chamber, the mold is rotated as it is heated. The frame of the mold is capable of rotating the mold to every point of its rotational axis. As the mold rotates, the resin is spread over the interior surface of the mold giving the finished product an equal and even thickness across its surface.
After a set period of time, the mold moves from the heating chamber to the cooling chamber, where the liquified melted resin is allowed to cool before the plastic product is ejected from the mold. Rotationally molded products are of the highest quality and are known for their durability and strength.
Rotational molding is a non-pressure molding process, which makes the toolings of the molds less expensive since they do not have to endure the stress of being pressured. The sizes for rotationally molded products are limitless since the molds and equipment are capable of creating very large complex plastic shapes. There are also few restrictions when it comes to part design, giving the designer freedom to add complicated details.
Included in the products produced by rotational molding are kayaks, sports helmets, display mannequins, water storage tanks, baby cribs, and barriers for road construction. All of these large plastic products can be easily produced using rotational molding at less expense and with great efficiency.
The rotational molding process has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who created ceramics hundreds of years ago. The first application of a more advanced rotational molding process was the production of artillery shells in 1855 and hollow chocolate eggs by the Swiss in 1910 to create a uniform wall thickness and density. In these periods, there were several patents registered to document the nature of this casting process. However, it was regarded as a slow process, and some challenges were encountered, leading to the process not being popularized.
During the 1940s, this process was used to create doll heads and other small toys from polyvinyl chloride plastisol resin using an electroformed nickel-copper plastic. The set-up consisted of only electric motors and gas burners and the finished part was quenched with cold water. This method has attracted many industries to adopt this in their production process, which led to the manufacturing of road cones, marine buoys, and armrests.
Nowadays, rotational molding is used in a variety of applications, producing larger and more complicated parts. The nature of the process is better understood, and equipment design is significantly enhanced. The long heating and cooling cycles remain a major bottleneck for some manufacturers. The development is focused on the modification of rotational molding equipment by developers to accommodate increasing demand.
Chapter 2: Types of Rotational Molding Machines
The standard set-up of a rotational molding operation consists of an arm or cradle, which carries the mold, single or multiple ovens, and cooling chambers. The only difference among the machines is in the direction where the mold travels, following the sequence of the rotational molding process. The machine types used in the rotational molding process are the following:
Clamshell Machine: Clamshell machines are single-station machines wherein molding and cooling occur in one chamber. The mold with resin is loaded and unloaded in the chamber through the front panel. The front panel and cover are locked during heating and molding. After molding, the cover is opened to allow cooling, causing the mold to be swung out of the open oven.
Turret or Carousel Machine: Turret machines rotate at a center pivot and have three to six arms. Each arm has a mold attached to its end and passes through stations in the order of the rotational molding process, from loading, heating, cooling, and unloading, throughout the rotation of the carousel. They are recirculating machines that operate using an MMI interface with a programmable logic controller (PLC).
Carousel rotational molding machines can have anywhere from three up to six arms with each arm being positioned in one of the three locations of the process. They come in fixed and independent arm designs, with independent arm models capable of having more arms that move separately, allowing for the use of more molds, and molds of varying sizes, heating, and thicknesses.
The arms of a rotational carousel mold machine are motorized and controlled independent of the central hub, oven temperature, or dwell time. The turret rotates 120 degrees at the end of each cycle, moves to the next position, and all arms are in a position at all times and never idle.
Shuttle Machine: Shuttle machines have independent arms that rotate biaxially and move the mold from loading, cooling, and unloading (combined stations) to the heating chamber located in the middle of the track. The mold returns to its original position after the process is completed. Shuttle machines are advantageous in maximizing floor space.
The system runs separate molds continuously rather than waiting for one mold to cool before beginning a new cycle. The plastic is injected into the first mold and shuttles the second mold into position. As the first mold cools, the second mold is clamped and has plastic injected into it and sent on to cool. Once the second mold is sent to cool, the first mold is ready to begin the process.
The development of the shuttle method was in response to the time wasted during the cooling of molds, which can have diminishing returns. The idea behind the process is to take advantage of cooling time and make it productive. Aside from the time advantages, shuttle molding machines provide significant cost savings.
The molds for the shuttle process are developed in the same way that standard molds are but have to be engineered to meet the dimensions of the shuttle molding process. The tooling is standard, with few restrictions necessary to meet the conditions of shuttle molding.
Swing Machine: Swing machines also have independent arms, but in this type, it is not needed to operate all arms, which means it can contribute to production efficiency. The arms mounted at the corner of the oven rotate biaxially and swing the mold from the heating to the cooling chamber. Swing machines may have up to four arms. They are good for materials with long cooling and demolding times compared to heating time.
Some swing arm mold machines have two arms attached to the corner of the oven so that the machine has four arms with two pivot points. The machines can run continuously and do not have to stop for maintenance or the installation of new molds.
Vertical Wheel Machine: Vertical wheel machines operate like a Ferris wheel. The molds are contained in a cradle and are moved from loading to unloading, heating, and cooling throughout its rotation. The loading and unloading station is located at the bottom of the wheel, in between the cooling and heating areas. Vertical wheel machines can mold small to medium-sized parts.
Rock and roll machine: Rock and roll machines also have molds contained in a cradle. The cradle swings 45 degrees back and forth on a horizontal axis, 45 degrees or below the horizontal, while rotating 360 degrees on a perpendicular axis. Rock and roll machines produce long parts with small diameters, like canoes and kayaks.
Rock and roll machines have two arms with each arm doing a 360-degree rotation in one direction. As the arms spin, they rock back and forth to evenly distribute the plastic in the mold. To enhance the productivity of the process, the molds are heated before being loaded.
Open flame machine: Open flame machines are regarded as the oldest rotary molding equipment, producing open-ended items.
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Chapter 3: Rotational Molding Process
The steps involved in a rotational molding operation are the following:
Pulverized Resin: Milling or pulverizing are used to change pellets or coarse powders into fine or extra-fine powder. The particle sizes of individual machines differ, which requires that the plastic material be passed through several pulverizers to achieve the proper consistency. The different pulverization methods include batch pulverization, dry milling or grinding, or wet pulverization. The selection of the pulverization method depends on the type of molding process to which the pulverized plastic will be applied.
Raw materials for rotomolding vary in accordance with their physical properties and intended applications. Additives and colors are added to achieve the required characteristics and properties. The various types of polyethylene are mainly used for the rotomolding process and are thermoplastics that can easily be reshaped by heating. The five types of polyethylene are linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and cross-link polyethylene (XLPE).
Loading: A measured quantity of the polymer, which is in powdered resin form, is placed in a hollow mold and secured tightly. The powdered resin must be in fine sizes, homogeneous, and dried to achieve a good flow and prevent bubble formation. The amount of resin loaded is one of the factors which determine the wall thickness of the part.
The hollow mold is made from cast aluminum or fabricated steel sheet and gives the molded part its shape.
A mold release agent is a coating present on the inner walls of the mold. It is used for effective removal of the molded part after cooling, as it prevents sticking from the mold surface. The types of mold release agents are as follows:
Sacrificial coating: This type of mold release agent, usually silicone, comes off with the molded part when it is released from the tool. Hence, it is applied at the start of every loading process.
Semi-permanent coating: Semi-permanent mold release agents are commonly used in most industries. It lasts after several cycles of heating and cooling of the polymer. It is re-applied or topped up before being used up.
Permanent coating: This type eliminates the need for the re-application of a mold release agent, as it is permanently fixed on the mold surface. However, the permanent mold release agent layer can wear off due to scratching and mishandling. The most common permanent mold release agent coating is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Heating: The powdered resin is heated inside the hollow mold while being rotated slowly until all the resin is melted. As the resin melts, it coats the entire inner wall of the mold. The simultaneous action of heating and rotating ensures the uniform distribution of the resin inside the mold. The mold rotates biaxially and is usually slow (less than 15 rpm).
To achieve a good wall thickness distribution, the proper rotation ratio must be determined. This value is the number of rotations per minute (RPM) on the horizontal axis over RPM on the vertical axis. Spheres or cubes can be molded at a rotation ratio of 4:1. For irregular solids, the ratio must be at 1:8 or 8:1, depending on how the manufacturer optimized this factor.
The heating time of the polymer is critical and is one of the parameters which determines the quality of the finished part. Excessive heating time will result in thermal degradation of the polymer and will reduce the end mechanical properties, such as less resistance to wear and impact. On the contrary, insufficient heating time will result in incomplete melting of the polymer. Unmolten grains will not coalesce with the molten resin, which results in bubble formation. This variation has adverse effects on the end-mechanical properties of the product.
Cooling: At this stage, the molten polymer inside the mold hardens and solidifies into its desired shape. The outside of the rotational mold is cooled by natural or forced convection, usually using air. Cooling air is sometimes supplied to the mold internals to maintain dimensional stability during cooling. Water sprays may be used to reduce the cooling time, but this can affect the mechanical properties and dimensions of the part.
The cooling time of the polymer is as crucial as the heating time. Thus, the proper cooling rate must be determined. Cooling rapidly results in uncontrollable warpage and shrinkage of the part. Slow cooling, on the other hand, causes the flow of the molten resin resulting in inconsistent wall thickness.
Demolding or unloading: The cooled part is carefully removed by the operator from the hollow mold tool. An air ejection system can help in lifting the part out of the tool. Once the parts are removed, it proceeds to the next processes, such as inspection and packaging.
Secondary Processes: This can include painting, coating, assembly, welding, the addition of inserts, and so forth. Each type of secondary process depends on the application of the finished product.
Chapter 4: Leading Rotational Molding Machines
There are numerous machines available to perform rotational molding in the United States and Canada. These machines are important in today's society as they enable the cost-effective and efficient production of various plastic products, contributing to industries such as automotive, furniture, medical devices, and toys. We discuss many of these leading machines below.
Manufacturer: Ferry Industries, Inc.
Model: ARM PR-8
Features: The ARM PR-8 is a versatile machine with multiple arms, offering precise and efficient rotational molding. It is equipped with advanced controls and energy-efficient heating systems, enabling consistent production of high-quality plastic parts.
Manufacturer: Rotoline
Model: RL-3200 Carousel Machine
Features: The RL-3200 Carousel Machine is known for its large production capacity and flexibility. It allows for the production of large, complex parts with excellent control over the molding process. The machine's user-friendly interface makes it easy to operate and manage.
Manufacturer: Rotomachinery Group
Model: CARROUSEL ROTO Series
Features: The CARROUSEL ROTO series of machines by Rotomachinery Group comes with independent arm controls, making it ideal for producing a wide range of plastic products with different shapes and sizes. These machines offer customizable molds and efficient heating systems.
Manufacturer: Persico
Model: ROTO2000
Features: The ROTO2000 by Persico is a rotational molding machine that excels in producing seamless and hollow products like tanks and containers. It is known for its reliability and consistent performance in large-scale production.
Manufacturer: Caccia Engineering
Model: Caccia BI-AX
Features: The Caccia BI-AX model is a bi-axial rotational molding machine, which allows for the production of double-walled and multi-layered plastic parts. This capability offers enhanced structural integrity and design possibilities for various applications.
Please note that the rotational molding machine market is dynamic, and newer models may have emerged since this update. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct further research to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information.
Chapter 5: Materials Used in Rotational Molding
The commonly used polymers in rotational molding are presented below. Most polymers used for this process are thermoplastics.
Polyethylene: Polyethylene accounts for more than 80% of the polymers used in industries that use rotational molding. This is due to its low cost and ease of molding. It is readily available in powdered form, unlike non-polyethylene polymers, which are difficult to grind. It also has good chemical resistance and low water absorption.
Polyethylene grades that can be used in rotational are High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE), and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE).
Polypropylene: Polypropylene is the second-most processed plastic and is one of the most versatile polymers available. It has characteristics between LDPE and HDPE. Its valued properties are good chemical, heat, and fatigue resistance.
Polyvinyl Chloride: Polyvinyl chloride is the polymer form of vinyl chloride monomer. It is a strong and rigid plastic and is compatible with many additives to modify its mechanical properties.
Nylon: Nylon comes from the polyamide plastic group. Aside from film and fiber production, this polymer can be used as a molding compound. It is generally tough, with good thermal and chemical resistance.
There are requirements in selecting the polymer to be used for rotational molding, considering the nature of the process steps. This limits the thermoplastics in the following ways:
The molten plastic will be exposed to oxygen at high temperatures, which may result in oxidation and loss of the desired mechanical properties of the polymer. Therefore, the molecule of the polymer material must have groups with antioxidant properties.
The polymer must have high thermal stability for the material to resist permanent changes brought by high temperatures.
The molten material must easily flow within the walls of the mold since flow is dependent on rotational movement only, and there is no pressure involved. The flow characteristics of the chosen polymer at high temperatures must be considered during the optimization phase.
Primary additives improve the mechanical properties of the part and aid in the molding process. Flow modifiers aid in the flow of polymer resin in the molten state to achieve good thickness distribution. Heat stabilizers prevent thermal degradation induced by high temperatures. Fillers increase the stiffness and impact modifiers increase impact strength; however, its amount must be controlled since it causes rough surface and reduced flow. Secondary additives are also utilized to give the finished product special characteristics, such as colorants, flame retardants, and anti-static agents.
Chapter 6: Advantages and Disadvantages of Rotational Molding
The concept of rotational molding is a simple one, but in fact, it is challenging for some manufacturers to achieve a good product out of the process. Rotational molding is valued for its advantages compared to other molding methods. With proper design and settings, the manufacturer and end-user can benefit from the following:
Uniform wall thickness: A consistent wall thickness, on all sides, edges and corners, increase the part's durability. With proper rotational speed and cooling cycles, a uniform wall thickness may be achieved, even on producing thick-walled parts. The corners and edges produced are thicker with rotational molding when compared to blow molding, which stretches the molten material in those areas.
Ease of producing double-walled parts: Double-walled parts are easily made without the need for secondary processing such as welding and joint fabrication. The parts produced have seamless edges, which eliminates the stress points, resulting in increased durability.
Inexpensive tooling: Since the mold does not have to withstand high pressures, it can be manufactured using low-cost materials such as aluminum. Less investment is required for the tooling when only short production runs are required.
Flexibility of production: Different parts can be molded in a single machine at the same time. With some rotational molding equipment that has independent arms, it makes tool management easy; one mold may be scheduled for maintenance activities while the other molds are in use.
Larger parts can be produced: Rotational molding makes the production of large hollow parts possible. The only limitation is the size of the heating and cooling chambers.
Less downstream processes required and minimal waste in production: The part manufactured in rotational molding is only a single part. Hence, it is not required to undergo trimming or stripping steps. Rotational molding also generates less wastage of polymer resin in the form of runners, sprues, and cut-offs.
Ease of decoration: A designer can easily incorporate details such as textures and symbols through the addition of such details on the surface of the tooling.
As rotational molding offers many advantages over other types of molding processes, it does not mean that it is the best for all manufacturers. Here are some disadvantages of this process:
High cycle times and costs: Rotational molding may not be suitable for high-volume manufacturing. The slow rotation during heating to the molten state and gradual cooling of the part and entire tool to room temperature after mold consumes a lot of time during the molding cycle. Cooling water or air systems are available, but it requires additional cost.
Lastly, there are still manual steps involved in the process (e.g. demolding) due to the limited availability of automation features. This also adds to the overall cost of the operation.
Limited material options: Few polymers qualify as the raw material for this process since they require being converted into powdered form to be processed successfully. Polymers other than polyethylene are costly and difficult to grind. Also, this process requires the polymer to have high thermal stability, which limits poly-based resins to be selected.
Shorter service life of the tool: Since it is only made from thin and soft metal, the tool must be replaced after several mold cycles to ensure the quality of the parts being produced due to a lack of repeatability.
Some details and designs are difficult to mold: Uniform thickness on a large flat surface is difficult to mold due to the flow of the resin. Also, rotational molding machines are not capable of molding high-tolerance parts and sharp edges; high-pressure molding may be considered.
Chapter 7: Applications of Rotational Molding
Rotational molding has many applications such as industrial and automotive parts, furniture, materials handling equipment, medical devices, toys, and much more. Some of the notable products made from rotational molding are the following:
Material handling equipment such as durable crates, stackable pallets, containers, and insulating boxes, which are only manufactured by rotational molding
Plastic storage tanks, gallon drums, and carboys for containing small to very large volumes of water and chemicals
Laboratory and medical supplies such as syringes, oxygen masks, and squeeze bulbs
Gardening and agricultural tools used for planting, such as pots, troughs, composting bins, and gardening carts
Sanitary products such as containers for refuse, trash cans, and septic tanks
Marine vehicles and equipment for transportation and water sports such as rowing boats, canoes, buoys, and kayaks produced in a rock and roll molding machine
Safety barricades, traffic cones, and other similar items found on roads and highways
Toys and sporting equipment such as doll parts, footballs, playground slides, gym equipment parts, and floatable objects for swimming pools
Small shelters and housing (i.e. tornado shelters, portable toilets, testing facilities)
Summary:
Rotational molding is a plastic casting technique that produces a hollow, seamless, and double-walled part by heating a powdered resin in a hollow mold tool while being slowly rotated and cooled to solidify. This process started hundreds of years ago, was popularized in the mid-20th century, and is still developing. This process has a variety of applications.
The rotational molding equipment consists of a mold, ovens, and a cooling chamber. The type of rotary molding machine is distinguished by the direction in which the mold travels according to the sequence of the process.
The types of rotational molding equipment are clamshell machines, turret machines, shuttle machines, vertical wheel machines, rock and roll machines, and open-flame machines.
Loading is the first step wherein the fine, homogenized, and dried powdered resin is placed in a mold coated with a mold release agent. The resin is heated while being slowly rotated in a bi-axial direction until it is molten and covers the entire tool. The molded part and the entire mold are gradually cooled by convection to room temperature, wherein they can be safely removed.
Critical parameters of the rotational molding process are heating time, cooling rate, and rotation ratio. These settings determine the mechanical properties and dimensional quality of the parts to be produced.
The polymer resin must have high thermal stability, flow easily in its molten state, and have antioxidant groups in the molecular structure. The resin must be easily ground to powdered form. Polyethylene is the most commonly used polymer.
The advantages of rotational molding are the creation of parts with uniform wall thickness, inexpensive tooling, the flexibility of production, less downstream process, and less wastage of the resin. Large and double-walled parts are also easily created.
The disadvantages of rotational molding are a high cycle time attributed to long heating and cooling cycles, limited material options, short tool life, and difficulty of molding some details.
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