REACTION INJECTION MOLDING (RIM) VS OTHER PROCESSES Comparison gives us a very positive reaction. Reaction injection molding has many benefits: low tooling costs, short lead-times, large lightweight parts, high tolerances, enhanced design finish, desired chemical resistance properties, 94V-0 and HB ratings, customizing part properties, and molding over metal, wood, glass, computer chips and other parts. Reaction injection molding is generally most cost-effective for the production of a few hundred to several thousand parts, but one RIM Manufacturing client has looked to us to produce more than 1,000,000 parts per year for 10 years. RIM PROCESS VS. INJECTION MOLDING RIM Process Advantages Large, lightweight parts Varying wall thickness with no sink Deep draw Can combine multiple designed parts into one part within a single mold Low-to-moderate cost tooling – machined aluminum Short lead-time Tooling can be used for prototype and easily modified for production parts Material flexibility – elastomers, solid RIM, structural foam, flexible foam, DCPD, etc. Encapsulation of component materials including metals, electronics, plastic, valves, circuitry, etc. Low-to-high production volume Tight tolerances Injection Molding Small-to-mid size parts Requires uniform wall thickness Limited draw Multiple mid-size parts generally require multiple molds High-cost tooling – steel Long lead-time Prototypes require different tooling and tooling modifications are expensive Limited material options Limited encapsulation Moderate-to-high production volume Tight tolerances RIM PROCESS VS. THERMOFORMING & VACUUM FORMING RIM Process Advantages Complex geometry and cosmetically appealing parts Deep draw with structural integrity Varied wall thickness throughout the part Structural integrity molded into parts Molded-in attachment points Tight tolerances Low-to-moderate cost tooling Low-to-moderate production Material flexibility – elastomers, solid RIM, structural foam, flexible foam, DCPD Encapsulation of component materials including metals, electronics, plastic, valves, circuitry, etc. Thermoforming & Vacuum Forming Simple part design and geometry Draw limited and requires post-molding structural features Requires uniform wall thickness Post-molding gluing of ribs Glued attachment points Low-to-moderate cost tooling Limited material flexibility No encapsulation capability RIM PROCESS VS. CAST MOLDING RIM Process Advantages Cosmetically appealing parts right out of the mold Prototype tooling can be used for production parts Tight consistent part tolerances Variable wall thickness without sink Tooling lasts the lifetime of the project Short lead-time on tooling Cast Molding Cosmetic inconsistencies of parts off the mold Prototype and production tooling are different Part tolerance varies from part to part Variable wall thickness generally includes sink Short lead-time on tooling RIM PROCESS VS. SHEET METAL RIM Process Advantages Tremendous design flexibility Large and light-weight parts Structurally strong and durable Molding in color an in-mold painting Variable wall thickness within the same part Affordable part cost Capable of combining multiple parts into one integrated part Provide sound and vibration insulation Corrosion and rust-resistant Part cost is more stable Sheet Metal Limited design flexibility Parts are heavy Post-painting required High part cost Varied wall thickness requires welding multiple parts Multiple parts require labor and assembly costs Structurally stronger parts Part pricing is less stable due to the commodity’s market RIM PROCESS VS. DIE CASTING RIM Process Advantages Lower weight Higher tolerances Greater design freedom No brittle parts Net shape with no machining Corrosion-resistance Die Casting Low tooling cost Shorter lead-time CONTACT US FOR QUOTE Contact Us RIM Manufacturing, LLC 901 West I-20 Weatherford, TX 76087 (817) 599-6521 contact@rimmfg.com Quick Links Home About RIM Process Design & Quality Paint and Assembly Gallery Contact Privacy Policy Downloads Part & Mold Design Guide ISO 9001:2015 Certificate ISO 13485:2016 Certificate RIM Manufacturing Brochure ©2020 All rights reserved. Site by JSL Marketing & Web Design