Page 67 - Plastics News August - 2023

TECHNOLOGY

Robotic Rotational Molding Drives New Precision in Plastics Molding

A fully automated process, the robot- While different types of ingredients
ic rotational technology we have de- may work just fine with traditional
molding methods, there are some
materials and combinations of materi-
als that work extremely well with ro-
botic rotational molding technology.
With this technology, manufacturers
he technology offers consistent can obtain a more perfect product,
Tpart-to-part repeatability, opti- wasting less material while increasing
mized strength-to-weight ratios, and consistency.
wide-ranging design flexibility. For example, robotic rotational mold-
The worlds of baking and plastics ing optimizes many of the innovative
molding may seem miles apart on materials on the market, including
the surface, but in reality, they actu- veloped at Gemstar Manufacturing is thermoplastic acetal copolymer and
ally have a lot in common. In both, we ideal for meeting unique product ge-
strive for perfection — consistently ometries, achieving tight tolerances,
creating a perfect finished product. and utilizing highly engineered resins
with unique requirements. It also is
While we may consider baking to be helpful in producing lighter specialty
more of an art and plastics molding components, meeting reinforced me-
to be more science-based, the fact is chanical properties, and utilizing ma-
that both boil down to using the right terials difficult for traditional molding
ingredients, applying the right tem- methods.
perature at the right time, and using
the right baking tool, be it a pan or a It starts with the ingredients
mold. Any skilled baker knows that the in-
We may part ways, however, when it gredients you use will affect the out-
comes to technology. While a master come of the final product. That’s also
baker may refuse to inject modern the case in plastics molding. However,
technology into their process, in plas- with the introduction of robotic rota-
tics molding, we embrace it. Case in tional molding technology, manufac- thermoplastic polyester elastomer. In
point — the use of robotic rotational turers have more options to consider. image 2, the tank on the right-hand
molding, which is driving more preci- The pinpoint precision of robotic ro- side is made from nylon using conven-
sion into the plastics molding process tational molding technology allows tional rotational molding; the tank on
and creating new standards in perfec- manufacturers to combine different the left is made out of a thermoplastic
tion. materials to produce higher quality acetal copolymer, optimized by ro-
products. There are many types of
Robotic rotational molding is a lead- resins — including polyethylene, ny- botic rotational molding.
ing-edge technology that delivers lon, and polypropylene — and within Temperature — science or art?
tighter tolerances, which can be held these, there are many subcategories,
with precision-distributed heat and such as linear-low-density, high-den- Master bakers care deeply about tem-
material control. This technology of- sity, and even cross-linked polyethyl- perature. That’s part of the art of bak-
fers consistent part-to-part repeat- ene. It’s easy to fall into the trap of ing.
ability, optimized strength-to-weight thinking, “We have a resin in stock, so With traditional methods of molding,
ratios, and unsurpassed design flex- we can just use that one.” Each type controlling the temperature in the
ibility, which includes the ability to lay- and grade of resin has its strengths manufacturing process also is an art.
er different compounds and coatings and weaknesses, which can affect the But with robotic rotational molding,
into finished parts. final product. it’s now an exact science that is fully
automated.

PLASTICS NEWS 6767
August 2023
August 2023 PLASTICS NEWS