Rotational Molding vs Injection Molding

We are often asked by prospective customers which plastic manufacturing process is best suited for their products.  Many times, the discussions are with entrepreneurs who have a great idea but don’t know how to see it to fruition.  There are several factors to consider when determining the right process for your product. These include size, volume, complexity, and costs.  Let’s highlight some of the pros and cons for rotational molding and injection molding.

Rotational Molding Pros

Ideal for large hollow and double-walled parts

Uniform wall thickness

Lower tooling and start-up costs

Rotational Molding Cons

Slow production cycles

Lower production

Less precision and detail compared to injection molding

Injection Molding Pros

Ideal for mass production of small to medium sized parts

Suitable for parts requiring tight tolerances and surface detail

Fast production cycles

Injection Molding Cons

High initial tooling costs

Expensive for low volume production

We have seen examples where customers focused on lower start-up costs choose to rotomold their product to prove the concept and to assess sales.  Once proven, injection molds were purchased to lower the pricing for the product due to higher volumes and much faster processing.

API offers rotational and injection molding from our facility in Gainesville, Texas.  Let us support you on your next project.