Document Abstract
ANTEC Papers: 2000
0352: A Comparison between Open Flame and Hot Air Heating Methods for the Rotational Moulding of Plastics
Kearns, M.P., Crawford, R,J* and Corrigan, N. Polymer Processing Research Centre, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 5AH, Northern Ireland *Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
In the 1940’s when rotational moulding of plastics was first developed, open flames were used to heat the mould. In the 1950’s there was a switch to hot air ovens as a cleaner method to heat biaxially rotating moulds. Today hot air ovens dominate the market due to the convenience that they offer the user, although it is widely recognised that they are relatively inefficient as a means of heating. This paper presents results from an experimental investigation to assess the relative merits of open flame and hot air oven rotational moulding machines. Polyethylene mouldings of varying thickness were produced on both types of machine and cycle times were compared by using ROTOLOG to record mould internal air temperatures. It is shown that significant cost savings are possible using the open flame heating method. These savings arise from both lower energy consumption and reduced cycle times.