Advanced Thermoforming Solutions Ray Products Co. Inc. CONTACT US GET A QUOTE ACCESS LIBRARY ANNUAL SURVEY THERMOFORMING VS. RIM Reaction Injection Molding (RIM) has always been an alternative for prototyping, but recently it’s been presented as a good avenue for small to medium production runs. The truth is that thermoforming is generally a much better option for runs of 100 – 2,000 products per year than RIM. The table below explains some of the reasons why. THERMOFORMING REACTION INJECTION MOLDING (RIM) PROCESS OVERVIEW A sheet of plastic is heated to a pliable temperature, then shaped to a mold using air pressure, a vacuum or both. Two liquid raw materials, polylol and isocyanate, are mixed at a mix-head, then injected into a heated cavity mold. When the material meets the heated tool surface, the chemicals begin to expand to fill the cavity, then solidify into the final part. FINISHED PART APPEARANCE Can be molded in color & texture Offers a high quality unpainted finish Produces an unattractive surface with visible swirling FINISHING OPTIONS High quality finish Easy to paint or silkscreen if desired Surface must be painted in all visible areas Is more difficult to finish TOOLING COSTS $$ $$$ MAX PART SIZE 10' x 18' x 40" 4' x 6' FINISHED PART WEIGHT Lighter Heavier MINIMUM DRAFT 0° or Negative 1° MINIMUM NOMINAL WALL THICKNESS 0.060" 0.125" DESIGN FEATURES Can accommodate molded in attachment points like snap fit features by using undercuts or other molded features Reduces number of bosses required for part assembly, reducing per-part costs and assembly time Cannot form-in snap fit features Increases part costs, tooling costs, project lead times and assembly time and costs ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Fully recyclable products & manufacturing byproducts Non-recyclable products LEARN ABOUT THERMOFORMING Thermoforming vs. Fiberglass Thermoforming vs. RIM Thermoforming vs. Injection Molding The Process of Thermoforming Plastics Thermoforming Industries & Applications Vacuum & Pressure Forming Materials & Tolerances Terms & Definitions Access Our Library LEARN Thermoforming vs. Injection Molding Thermoforming vs. Fiberglass Thermoforming vs. RIM Thermoforming Basics – The Process of Thermoforming Thermoforming Industries & Applications Vacuum & Pressure Forming Materials & Tolerances Terms & Definitions Access our Library PROJECT GALLERY RAY PRODUCTS CAPABILITIES Large Part Thermoforming Pressure Forming Pressure Forming Tooling Fully Robotic Trimming 3D Precision & Quality Control Painting, Finishing, Assembly & Logistics Services ABOUT RAY PRODUCTS Events LATEST NEWS The In’s and Out’s of Pressure Forming – How Ray Products Offers a Complete Partnership 19 January 2021 3 Ways Large Part Thermoforming Redefines What’s Possible 17 July 2020 Announcing our 2019 Plastics Manufacturing Survey Winner 18 May 2020 RAY PRODUCTS 1700 Chablis Ave. Ontario, CA 91761 800-423-7859 info@rayplastics.com We Recycle © 2019 Ray Products Company Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Vive GET A QUOTE CONTACT US