I thought this would be a great toplc to write about.I've designed countless rotational molded parts and worked with dozens of molders throughout the country.Although the process is called rotational molding,each molder is unique based on their plan layout,staff,equipment,business model,preference of resins,and capabilities.The United States claims to have more than 400 rotational molders,but only a small percentage of these are willing or capable of molding complex custom molded parts.Many custom molders for example require high production minimum orders before quoting a potential project.Some molders limit part size,tool complexity,or wall thickness to specific requirements which are consistent with their machinery,production set up,and cycle times.There are custom molders who are exclusively dedicated to molding low-cost functional parts,which do not have to comply with aesthetic requirements,tight tolerances,or any assembly operations.So what do product designers and industrial designers seek in custom molders? I'll try to provide you with an ideal list of criteria in the following brief paragraphs: 1.Molders who are willing to mold parts in quantities as low as 50 to 300 annually are extremely attractive to designers.There are many applications requiring complex expensive parts that are used in analytical equipment,medical equipment or other specialty products were annual quantities are typlcally less than 500 per year.Although the yearly quantities may be an attractive to most molders,they value for these products is typlcally very high.
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