Rotational Molding Comes Of Age As Product Developers Understand Its Strengths, Seek Low Initial Cost
Sept. 28th, 2005
By Robert Dunne
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Additionally, the competition for skilled personnel is stiff, not only among rotational molders, but also among competing processes. Universities typically promote programs that cast the widest net for potential students. Over time, this is likely to yield a comparatively smaller pool of rotational molding engineers who will enjoy the ability to command a premium for their services as the supply of engineers with on the job training declines. Similarly, as molding systems and equipment become more advanced, plant personnel at all levels will require greater competence than ever before.
Environmental issues are also putting many rotational molders on the defensive. Starting in 2006, the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board regulations for evaporative emissions of small off-road engines will be expanded into other states. Though a wide range of new rotational molding materials are being developed to block vapor permeation, most require multi-stage processing and/or additional equipment. Until these materials are proven successful at a reasonable cost, the thousands upon thousands of fuel tanks rotationally molded each year could be produced by other methods, regardless of the decline in overall product quality and performance.
To overcome these issues, many companies are paying increasing attention to controlling their costs. Significant investments are being made in CNC routers, for example, to automate and streamline secondary processes. Some of the largest rotational molders with more than $50 MM in annual sales have been consolidating their multiple facilities to improve efficiencies and adjust production of their proprietary consumer products. Yet for all of the challenges facing rotational molding, its abilities and low costs continue to entice product designers while also attracting new players to the industry.
Robert Dunne is president of Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. (MOD), Saddle Brook, New Jersey (www.meeseinc.com).
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