Shuttle or Carousel rotary molding machine, which one is better?
If you have recently entered the rotational molding industry or if you intend to improve or expand your business, you must have heard the name of carousel and shuttle machines.
Both devices have their own advantages and each is beneficial to the industry in some way.
Comparing and clarifying the differences between the two will lead to a suitable choice that meets the needs of your activity. In the following, the reason for the importance of this analogy is explained in detail.
Why is choosing a rotary molding machine so important?
The key to achieving a successful production and a reliable product is the correct choice of rotational molding machine.
By estimating and considering parameters such as production volume, factory area and the capital of choosing the device according to these parameters, it is possible to achieve the desired result and obtain customer satisfaction. That is why choosing the right device is very important.
What is the main difference between these two?
In the following, after a brief presentation on the rotational molding process, the workings of each of these devices and then the major differences between the two are given.
What is rotational molding?
Rotational molding is one of the methods of producing plastic products.
The rotational production method is used in the production of a wide range of large and hollow products such as water tanks, kayaks, tables and chairs, statues, etc.
In this method, products can be produced at a much lower cost than other molding methods (such as plastic injection molding, air molding, etc.). The interesting and important thing is the cost-effectiveness of circular molding, which is true even in low production runs.
In rotational molding, as shown in the picture, the mold is first filled with the required amount of polyethylene powder and after closing it is exposed to heat for a certain period of time.
After finishing the heating process, the mold enters the cooling area and at the last stage, the mold is opened and the product is taken out.
It should be noted that in all stages except the last stage (removing the product), the arms are rotating so that the plastic powder is completely spread and as a result, the thickness of the walls is the same and its shape is prevented.
carousel
Carousel rotational molding machine consists of a central axis and other arms move around it. These arms rotate the molds in both horizontal and vertical directions and also move them between the chambers of the four stages. Molding (loading, heating, cooling and removing the product) is moved from place to place.
This device can have up to 4 arms and 6 chambers. The movement of the arms of the device can be independent and fixed.
Fixed arms
In a carousel device with fixed arms, all arms are moved with each other and the time spent in all chambers is equal to each other. The application of this model is in the case that the time required for each step is the same. For example, if a plastic tank mold needs 20 minutes of time in the oven and 20 minutes in the cold room, then Fix arms are the best choice.
Independent arms
The movement of the arms in this model, as can be guessed, is independent of each other. Therefore, you can use molds of different sizes and achieve different thicknesses. The time spent in each of the chambers depends on the size of the mold and the amount of polyethylene powder inside them.
Get advice from our experts for free in order to make an accurate choice that suits your factory and product.
Shuttle
Shuttle rotary molding machine consists of two offset, straight or C-shaped arms and a central furnace and two cooling areas on the sides. In the new models of this device, up to 4 arms and 4 cooling areas are also used outside the device.
The Shuttle rotational molding machine has all the advantages of the independent carousel machine, occupies a smaller area and also has a lower cost.
Service and maintenance of shuttle machines is easier compared to carousel machines. It is also possible to easily change the templates. This point helps the producers who produce several different products in a day and often need to change the mold.
According to what was said, in general, choosing the right rotary molding machine depends on the production parameters you want. Parameters such as production circulation, number and variety of products, available production space, etc. play an important role in the selection.
The shuttle machine is superior to carousel machines with fixed arms because:
- From an economic point of view, it is more economical to produce a shuttle device.
- They occupy a smaller area.
- It is easier to change the templates in them.
- They are suitable for producing several different products with different cooking times.
- Their service and maintenance is easier.
- Its main parts such as gearboxes, electric motors and steering boards are more available.
According to what was mentioned earlier, carousel machines with fixed arms are more suitable for productions with low product variety, but their production circulation is simply not more than the shuttle machine.
But comparing the carousel machine with the shuttle machine, it can be said that the only different things are the cost of production and the area occupied by each one. The production circulation using shuttle machines, because it is directly related to the number of times of changing the mold, the number of furnaces and arms, may not always be more than carousel machines.
