Rotational molding can produce plastic parts in a variety of textures, shapes, sizes, and colors. It supports features like undercuts and multiple walls. A lot of rotomolded shapes cannot be produced by other materials and the rotomolding costs are easier to amortize across a range of production volumes.
Keep reading how rotational molding works in producing medical devices:
How Rotational Molding Works
This plastic molding process requires a mold, a molding machine, and a resin powder. Operators will mount the mold to a machine arm and fill it. As the arm rotates the mold, the material is consistently and evenly distributed. Also, the arm moves the mold between stations where processes such as loading, heating, cooling, and unloading take place. When compared to other molding methods, rotomolding uses molds that cost less and take less time to produce. Click https://fibertechinc.net/ to find a reputable rotational molder.
Designing and Manufacturing Plastic Medical Devices
With rotomolding, it is possible to produce irregular shapes that let medical device designers optimize cramped spaces. Also, an increase in the thickness in the outside corners lets designers achieve greater strength and resistance to impact. The use of CNC and robotic routing to process molded products is also possible with rotomolding.
What Makes Rotational Molding Different from Other Methods
Rotational molding uses some of the plastics used in blow molding. Rotational molding materials such as LLDPE, PP, and HDPE are used. As with blow molding, rotomolding utilizes molds that don’t require an inner core. But, unlike blow molding, rotational molding does not generate high pressures. Thus, the tooling used in rotational molding requires less cavity support.
Furthermore, rotational molding supports the utilization of cast aluminum molds which are easier to produce than tools used in injection molding. Also, as rotomolding is a low-press process, the mold’s two halves do not require high-pressure clamping. When compared to parts produced through injection molding, rotomolded parts require bigger tolerances on part dimensions perpendicular to the parting line of the mold. As with injection molding, rotational molding can produce smaller parts; however, it also supports big, complex parts and products.
If you want to learn more about plastic molding for medical devices, get in touch with a reputable rotomolding company. Choose a company with decades of experience whose works include exactly the products you need for your facility. As you do your research, you will come across many companies so make sure to request quotes and pick the one that fits your budget and needs.