What is Rotational Molding?

resin powderRotational Molding is a process using a pre-measured amount of powdered plastic resin being placed in a mold. The molding machine indexes the mold into an oven where the mold and the plastic is brought up to a specific molding temperature. While the mold is heated it is being rotated continuously on its vertical and horizontal axes. Hence where the name "rotational molding" was created. This rotation process brings all the surfaces of the mold in contact with the plastic material that now has been heated and is a liquid material. This process continues until all the plastic material, initially placed in the cavity, has been picked up and molded to the hot mold surface forming a uniform wall thickness.

Next, while still rotating, the machine indexes the mold out of the oven where it was heated into a cooling chamber. Air cools the mold and the molten plastic material inside the mold. This cooling process continues until the molded part has been cooled sufficiently to form a solid stress-free wall thickness.  

rotational moldingThe loading and unloading station then receives the cooled mold. The mold is then opened and the part removed. At this point the process is repeated with a new batch of pre-measured powdered plastic being placed in the cavity.

A finished part can be constructed using numerous rotationally molded pieces. For example: The Sky Shed Pod www.skyshedpod.com is a designed product that is rotationally molded in sections to create a top of the line finished product.