Rotational Molding

Rotational molding involves placing powdered resin in a mold, clamping it shut, and then heating the tool while rotating it. The resin melts, coats the mold and forms parts. Now, a California company says it can help processors save on their energy costs by heating rotomolds using solar power.

Most of the equipment it makes is tangential to the primary and auxiliary machinery in plastics processors' facilities, but Larry Stoma, design engineer for the Witte Co., a manufacturer of screeners, classifiers, fluid bed dryers, coolers, conveyors, and de-waterers, has shared some solid tips applicable to purchasing any type of used machinery. The Internet makes it easier to find such equipment, but asking the right questions is still key to making sure you understand exactly what you are getting.

Custom rotational molder Remcon Plastics Inc. (Reading, PA) announced new equipment additions to expand its capacity. Remcon recently installed a new Ferry 280 rotational molding machine that increased the company's capacity by 20%. Additionally, 23 employees have been hired, working three shifts to handle manufacturing of new products driven by sales growth.

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Rotomolding processor Remcon began its Lean Manufacturing journey in the 1990s, but really kicked it into high gear about five years ago. Now, with Lean part of the company's culture, the benefits are really starting to hit Remcon's bottom line.

George E. Freeborn, the founder and CEO of Textek Plastics Inc. (San Antonio, TX) who died on March 15 at the age of 84, was an innovator in rotational and injection molding and active in both the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).

A veteran of the U.S. Navy Air Corps (1944-1946), following college Freeborn worked at rotational molders and thermoformers, innovating the first rotomolded plastic street light globe, among other things.

The plastics processor is adding six machines to its Minneapolis facility, as well as customers and a new employee, with an eye to hiring more as business takes off. The company already has rapid prototyping and injection molding capacity; adding micromolding will improve its odds in the medical, aerospace, defense and precision industrial markets that it serves.

Rotational molding is a relatively straightforward process. Yet Peter Mooney, president of Plastics Custom Research Services (PCRS), regards it as “uniquely versatile and cost-effective.” That should get the attention of many part designers and OEMs, which accounts for the growing demand from these groups for more information on rotomolding.
   

In mergers and acquisition news out of the United States this week, label converter and printer Cenveo acquired Gilbreth Packaging Solutions, a converter of full body shrink sleeves and other flexible packaging, in a deal on the East coast. On the shores of the Pacific, meanwhile, Rotonics Manufacturing Inc.'s plans to close its rotomolding facility in Gardena, CA were halted after it was able to sell the operation to Sherman McKinnis, the man who actually founded the company in 1973.

At the midway point in the three-year project's life, the company leading the research says good strides are being made in advancing rotational molding. Processors interested in the Rotoflex project can also track it online.