When considering purchasing custom plastic moulding, it is important to consider the type of plastic moulding is best for you. Rotational plastic moulding, also known as roto moulding or rotational casting is a method of forming plastic that lends itself well to a particular type of product. Unlike injection moulding or other methods, rotational moulding can produce larger plastic products. However it is not without its disadvantages. There are some designs that are simply not possible with a rotational moulding set up. Knowing what is possible should help you make an informed decision for when you need to purchase custom plastic moulding for your product.

Size

Rotational plastics lends itself well to creating large plastic objects that simply aren’t possible with some other conventional methods. This allows people to design plastic products for applications in construction and infrastructure. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t make something small using rotational moulding.

Design

The types of designs that work well with rotational moulding are typically symmetrical and hollow. This means the ideal plastic product is something geometric, such as water tanks, road barriers, etc. This may limit you if you intend to produce small intricate products. However, if you need something that needs to be one solid piece then rotational moulding might be advantageous. 

For more information on what is possible with rotational moulding, read our previous blog on custom plastic moulding.

If you have an idea for a plastic product and don’t know where to start contact the team at rotational plastics. Call 0800 768 284, we can help you with the design of your product to ensure it is a suitable bit for rotational plastic moulding. Creating a custom moulding can be a lengthy process, so having an invested team is important to ensure the success of your product.

Do you have an idea that you think would make a great plastic product? Many people do but think that turning it into reality is unrealistic. However, this is far from the truth, and producing a product from an idea is not as hard as it may seem.

When it comes to custom rotational plastic moulding, no idea is too far fetched. Once you have an idea for an item or product, the technicalities will need to be worked out. How it will be constructed, the size and scale, will it be once piece or several etc. The mould for the item will also need to be made, so that it can be constructed.

If you are unsure of how realistic your design is, or are unsure of the technical aspecs of the design, we are able to work with you on the design to make it viable. There are certain conditions that need to be met, such as wall thicknesses, to ensure that the item will be strong enough, hold it’s shape and withstand the circumstances it’s to be used in.

Once we have all these points worked out, it’s time to make the product. This is where the equipment is set up to make your specific item, which includes the mould. Once the equipment has been set up, it is very easy and often much more economically efficient to make a large quantity of the item, since the setup has already been done.

Now the actual plastic moulding takes place. This usually consists of four main stages.

1. A measured amount of polymer (plastic, usually in powder form) is loaded into the mould.
2. The mould is then headted in an oven while rotating, which melts the polymer and adheres it to the walls of the mould. The mould is rotated through two or more axes and at different speeds to avoid an accumulation of polymer powder in one spot. The amount of time the mould is in the oven is critical, as too long and it can impact the strength of the product, due to the polymer degrading, and too little time in the oven means the polymer will not melt completely which can result in large bubbles in the polymer.
3. Now the mould will be cooled, usually by use of a fan. This part can take some time, as it needs to cool enough so that the polymer solidifies and sets, and it’s cool enough to be handled safely by the operator. Upon cooling, the part will shrink and come away from the mould, making removal easy.
4. Removal of the part from the mould.

At this point your product is a reality which you can see, hold, and use. The creation process is not as complex as it may seem, it just takes knowledge, experience and the right equipment to produce the results. If you have a product you would like to see realised, get in contact with us today to discuss your idea!