Economics of Rotational Moulding
Rotational Moulding has a broad niche in the economies of scale. The factors of: design costs, tooling cost, production volumes, unit cost, design functionality, tooling maintenance and increasingly environmental cost all have to be taken in to account.
Unlike other polyethylene moulding processes, rotational moulding does not involve pressure loading. Consequently the mould tools can use more cost-effective materials such as sheet steel and aluminium. Furthermore, rotational moulding tools are simpler to construct as they require only a female element and this can significantly reduce project lead times. The tooling is also easier to modify and maintain, designs can be "tweaked" during the lifetime of the tooling.
It takes high volumes before lower unit costs balances the high tooling cost of other methods of plastic manufacturing. Material cost and energy costs are equivalent however rotational moulding can not be fully automated so labour costs have to be incorporated unit costs. The larger the product, the higher the tooling cost difference will be making rotational moulding the most cost effective method of manufacture for all but small size high volume items.
Rotational moulding is also quick to set up, making small batch production possible to match variable demand. This helps reduce stock holding and potential redundancy of stock.
Few processes use materials as cost effectively or with as little environmental impact as rotational moulding. The vast majority of rotationally moulded products use thermoplastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene which can be recycled and re-used as well as enhancing your environmental policy.
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Find out more about the economics of rotational moulding with Amber Plastics.
Contact Amber or give us a call on 01246 456525 or email: tony.bunting@amberplastics.co.uk