Aerospace & Defense Technology - April 2023 - 10

Robotic Rotational Molding
Creates New Opportunities
for Military
and Aerospace
Applications
I
nnovative robotic rotational molding technology allows
for the use of new materials in manufacturing parts and
hard cases for military and aerospace applications. This is
creating opportunities for new product geometries, tighter
tolerances, and less waste than traditional plastic molding.
There are thousands of applications within the aerospace
and defense industries using plastic parts and storage containers.
Today, the production of specialized parts and protective
hard cases for military applications can call for unique materials
to meet more stringent standards (flammability, high
heat/cold tolerances, airtightness, watertightness, electromagnetic
interference shielding, multi-layering, to name a few).
Meeting these strict requirements can be challenging when
using traditional molding processes such as rotational molding,
thermoforming, blow molding, or injection molding.
In recent years, a growing number of companies have
turned to robotics to enhance their manufacturing capabilities.
In the world of specialty plastic molding, robotic rotational
molding offers a new approach for designing custom
parts and protective hard cases. This technology allows for
precise control of multiple heating and cooling zones, customized
material flow, optimized material use, increased
product quality, consistent part traceability, instant cycle data
collection, reduced cycle times, focused cycles for highly engineered
resins, and elimination of labor-intensive processes.
Robomold robotic rotational molding is a leading-edge technology
that is ideal for military, OEM, and aerospace applications
where precision and repeatability are essential. This robotic
rotational molding technology allows for tighter tolerances,
which can be held with precision-distributed heat and material
control for consistent part repeatability with optimized strength
to weight ratios. It also allows for unsurpassed design flexibility,
which includes the ability to layer different compounds and
coatings into finished parts where conventional rotational molding
cannot satisfactorily meet evolving design requirements.
10
Robomold technology is ideal for:
* Creating unique product geometries
* Meeting tight tolerances
* Highly engineered resins
* Producing lighter specialty components
* Meeting reinforced mechanical properties
* Meeting or exceeding MIL-STD 810F
* Materials difficult for traditional molding methods
* Preventing electromagnetic interference
* Full automation manufacturing
Enhanced Process Control and Layering Materials
Many products need to withstand extreme temperatures out in
the field. Traditionally, to meet those tolerances, manufacturers
prefer metals such as aluminum or steel because of their heat resistance.
However, there may be some applications where heat-resistant
plastic, such as Polybenzimidazole (PBI), can match the performance
of some metals, in terms of heat resistance, wear and
tear, strength, and longevity. PBI is one of several high heat resistant
plastics that lends itself well to robotic rotational molding.
Robomold allows for more exact temperature control with numerous
control zones used to reach the ideal temperatures needed.
mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology, April 2023
http://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology - April 2023

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