Rotational Molding

Rotational Molding
Rotational molding(roto-molding or roto-mold or
roto-casting), is a plastics molding technology
which is ideal for making hollow articles. It is a
casting technique but unlike most other plastics
processes there is no pressure involved. Molds for
the process are relatively inexpensive as they do not
have to withstand pressure and therefore relatively
short production runs can be made very
economically.
Equipment and Tooling
• Rotational molding machines are
made in a wide range of sizes.
• They normally consist of :
 Molds
 An Oven
 Cooling Chamber
 Mold Spindles
Types of machines used for making rotational
molding
• Rock and Roll machine
• Clamshell machine
• Vertical / Up & Over machine
• Shuttle machine
• Swing Arm machine
• Carousel machine
Types of materials used in Rotational molding
More than 80% of the material used is from the polyethylene family:
Cross-linked polyethylene(PEX), Low-density
polyethylene (LDPE), Linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE), High-density polyethylene(HDPE). Other
compounds are Poly-vinyl chloride(PVC), Nylons and
polypropylene.
Recently it has become possible to use natural materials in the
molding process. Through the use of real sands and stone
chip,sandstone composite can be created which is 80% natural non-
processed material.
Products produced using rotational molding
Products that can be manufactured using rotational molding include
storage tanks, furniture, road signs and bollards, planters, pet houses,
toys etc,. The process is also used to make highly specialised
products, including UN-approved containers for the transportation of
nuclear fissile materials, anti-piracy ship protectors, seals for
inflatable oxygen masks and lightweight components for the
aerospace industry.