Types of Products Manufactured with Rotomolding
Introduction
Whether in the transportation, medical, merchandising, aerospace, motorsports, leisure, boating, agriculture, or industrial sectors, roto molding allows you to create simple or complex plastic parts tailored to your needs. This technique offers limitless application potential and can benefit all fields. Custom mold fabrication and the wide variety of materials available expand the possibilities. Discover the range and types of products manufactured with roto molding.
The Range of Products Made by Rotomolding
Rotomolding, also known as rotational molding, is an exceptional manufacturing technique. Rotomolding involves heating a plastic resin inside a mold, which is then rotated on multiple axes to distribute the resin and form the desired hollow part evenly.
During the process, molds play a crucial role: they define the final piece's shape, dimensions, and characteristics. Molds are designed and manufactured with precision to ensure a quality result. The possibility of using different types of plastics further increases the possibilities. Depending on the requirements of the desired final piece, the plastic is chosen based on its properties, such as Polyethylene (PE, LLDPE, MDPE, HDPE, XLHDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
Due to its high efficiency, rotomolding is a highly valued manufacturing process for plastic parts. Its unique ability to create complex and durable shapes makes this plastic part production method increasingly popular across various industries.
For example, rotomolding allows the creation of various simple or complex parts of very different sizes in the construction sector. From pipes and pipe fittings to tanks and panels, the rotomolding technique opens the door to countless applications. Its application scope is so broad that listing them all is challenging. From nautical activities to the medical sector, including recycling or the toy industry, the range of products made with rotomolding is vast; the only limit is imagination.
Examples of Products Made by Rotomolding:
Examples of Products Made by Rotomolding
The examples of products made by rotomolding are numerous and varied. They illustrate the diversity and flexibility of this process, which meets specific needs in different sectors:
Sports and leisure products:
Rotomolding is also used in the sports and leisure sectors to manufacture items such as kayaks and canoes, children's toys, playground equipment like slides and swings, camping gear like coolers and water jugs, boat storage chests, snowmobiles or quads, parts and accessories for motorsports, floating docks, floats, etc.
Our rotomolded transport boxes A rotomolded cooler A kayak made by Rotoplast A rotomolded floating dock Snowmobile fairing
A rotomolded floating dock
Snowmobile fairing
The transport sector is also a promising field for roto molding: various body parts on vehicles, such as roofs, wings, or doors, ventilation ducts, trailer components, storage chests in trucks, etc.
The logistics, transportation, and special vehicles sector
Here is an example of a ventilation box made by Rotoplast
Applications in landscaping, urban planning, and events
Plastic parts created by rotomolding also have uses in urban and landscaping projects: flower pots, urban furniture like benches, signage elements like bollards and beacons, equipment for parks and gardens, bars, high tables, high chairs, illuminated decorative pieces, etc.
Rotomolded flower pot
Various rotomolded solutions for safety
Less known but also applicable, safety is another field where rotomolding is the solution for manufacturing navigation buoys and beacons, safety booms (nautical safety barriers) and debris barriers for hydroelectric plants, safety cones and barriers, medical waste containers, fire extinguisher storage chests, hazardous product storage cabinets, etc.
How can you determine if rotomolded plastic is suitable for a project?
Efficient and versatile, the roto-moulding technique allows the creation of hollow plastic parts of various shapes. Before starting, it is essential to carefully evaluate its relevance for your specific project. We consider several elements to make an informed decision.
The characteristics of the part:
Rotomolding is an excellent process for manufacturing complex-shaped parts. Compared to other techniques, it allows for creating parts with almost infinite shapes, limited only by the mold's ability to fill and rotate evenly. Rotomolding is also ideal for making parts without seams or joints, as the plastic resin is evenly deposited on the mold walls during the part's design.
The wall thickness of rotomolded parts can be adjusted and controlled according to needs by adjusting the amount of plastic used and the mold's rotation speed. This process can also be used to manufacture parts of all sizes, from small objects to very large containers of up to 50,000 liters, meeting various applications. However, if the part you envision has significant undercuts or thin walls, rotomolding may not be suitable.
The material properties:
A wide range of plastic materials can be used in rotomolding, including Polyethylene, Polypropylene, or PVC. Choosing the material is another assured advantage with rotomolding: select the plastic based on the desired properties for the final piece, such as its tensile strength or weather resistance, as well as its durability.
Reduced cost and simultaneous manufacturing process:
Other advantages of rotomolding:
Reduced cost and simultaneous manufacturing process: Other advantages of rotomolding: Rotomolding is characterized by low tooling costs, making producing small series or prototypes more financially accessible. A rotomolded mold can cost up to 10 times less than a mold for plastic injection or blow molding. Additionally, the process generates less waste and does not require water, contributing to more environmentally friendly production.
The rotomolding machine can also work on the manufacture of several pieces simultaneously, allowing for the production of multiple units in a single production cycle. This feature is particularly interesting for products requiring various components, as we can create individual pieces simultaneously before assembling them to form a complete unit.
Conclusion
Rotomolding offers unparalleled design flexibility for various industries. This technique allows for producing durable and resistant parts while being cost-effective for small and medium series. With a wide range of materials and colours available, roto molding meets specific needs while ensuring high-quality products. Explore the possibilities of roto molding to benefit from technical and aesthetic innovations in your projects.
