Polymer Processing - The Choices

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Thermoplastics Processing Methods

Processing Method

Equipment Cost

Tooling Cost

Cycle Time

Precision

Economic Quantity

Injection Moulding

A

A

A

A

A

Blow Moulding

A

B

A

B

A

Extrusion

A

B

D

A

D

Rotational Moulding

B

C

C

B

B

Thermoforming

B

C

B

C

B

Key

A

B

C

D

Costs

High

Moderate

Low

-

Time

<1 min

1-3 min

>3 min

Continuous

Precision

Good

Moderate

Poor

Not applicable

Quantity

> 10K

100 to 10K

<100

>5Km

For more details on the features available for a given processing method see the page on Process Selection (Features).

For more details on the types of polymer suitable for each processing method see the page on Process Selection (Materials).

Thermosets Processing Methods

Processing Method

Equipment Cost

Tooling Cost

Cycle Time

Precision

Economic Quantity

Compression Moulding

B

A

B

A

A

Transfer Moulding

B

A

B

A

A

Injection Moulding

A

A

A

A

A

Liquid Casting

D

C

C

B

C

DMC and SMC

B

A

B

A

A

RIM and RRIM

B

B

B

B

B

GRP (Hand Lay-up)

D

C

C

C

C

GRP (Spray and Match Die)

B

B

B

B

B

Filament Winding

B

C

C

C

C

Pultrusion

B

B

D

B

D

Key

A

B

C

D

Costs

High

Moderate

Low

None

Time

<2 min

2-5 min

>5 min

Continuous

Precision

Good

Moderate

Poor

Not applicable

Quantity

> 10K

100 to 10K

<100

>5Km

Last edited: 11/03/10

© Tangram Technology Ltd. 1998

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