Rotational Moulding

The history of rotational moulding can be traced back to the 19th century, when a British arms supplier, R. Peters successfully secured a patent for the manufacture of artillery shells using a combination of biaxial rotation and the application of heat. In the early 20th century, American FA Voelke pioneered the manufacture of wax objects using the process and over the next decade or so, rotational moulding was to become adopted by other manufacturers too. By the 1930s, rotomoulding was even being used to produce hollow chocolate characters and Easter eggs. 

But, it was not until the early 1950s that plastics were introduced to rotational moulding. In the early days, products were limited to dolls heads, road traffic cones, planters and marine buoys. However, during subsequent years, a wide variety of products, applications and materials have been introduced to the rotational moulding process. Globally, manufacturers within the USA and China account for a substantial proportion of rotationally moulded products. However, within Europe – Irish manufacturers are significant players within the industry. Today, Carbery Plastics' plant in Clonakilty, West Cork is recognised as a European leader in the design, development and manufacture of rotationally moulded products.

Process

Rotomoulding is superficially the simplest plastic manufacturing process. It consists of 4 separate stages:

• A measured quantity of polymer is placed inside the mould;
• The mould is placed inside an oven. The mould rotates through a minimum of 2 axes, until all the polymer has melted and adhered to the walls of the tool;
• The mould is removed from the oven and cooled, generally using fans. As the moulded part contracts slightly from the mould during the cooling process, this ensures it can later be easily removed from the tool by a production operative;
• The moulded part is removed from the mould. Any finishing and post-mould operations will be completed thereafter.

Applications

Rotational moulding is ideal for a wide range of product applications, including storage tanks, environmental, containers, children's toys, construction products, product cases and equipment enclosures. In fact, the only limit to suitable rotomoulding applications is the imagination!

Benefits

Rotationally moulded products, typically exhibit a number of significant performance advantages over products manufactured using alternative processes:

• Rotomoulding is ideal for the production of unstressed products, with excellent impact resistance characteristics;
• Rotomoulded products can be frequently manufactured as a single piece moulding - eliminating the requirement for undesirable sub-assemblies;
• A highly automated process combined with modern production control equipment, ensures continuous product repeatability; 
• Inserts can be integrally moulded into rotationally moulded parts to reducing product complexity and improve product performance;
• Controlled wall thickness, allows product strength to be optimised as required and reduces material waste;
• Irish, British, European and international standards for many rotationally moulded products ensure consistent, minimum performance standards.

Furthermore, the availability of both specialist and commodity polymers makes rotomoulding the ideal production process for an ever-growing number of product applications. 

Find out more

At Carbery Plastics, we don't just manufacture rotationally moulded products... we're passionate about our processes and products too. To find out more about rotomoulding, why not call us on +353(0)23 883 3531, e-mail info@carberyplastics.ie or complete our online enquiry form?

Contract Moulding

In addition to our large product range we undertake bespoke moulding on behalf of customers with specific requirements. You will find us both professional and easy to work with.

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