Glossary of industry terms E to H
Electroforming (electrodeposited) - A process to produce moulds in which a relatively thin layer of metal (normally Nickel) is electrically deposited onto a model to create the mould tool. The metal is usually backed up with another metal (copper) for added strength.
Engraving - The process used to create mirror image letters, numbers, etc. by cutting into the mould wall to create a mirror image of the result required on the moulding.
Fabrication lines (bolted parting lines, bolted split lines) - A type of parting line where the separate parts or sections of a mould are fitted together and permanently bolted to form a tight seal. A small witness of this fabrication can be seen on the moulding. This is normally required where it is either impossible to manufacture a cast or CNC tool in one piece, or where it is more cost effective to manufacture the tool in several pieces.
Fabricated mould - a mould tool made by machining, forming, welding or fastening metal together. In general, fabricated rotational moulds are made from cold or hot rolled steel or stainless steel. Also used to describe the less common mould tools made from plates or sheets of aluminium.
Family mould - A mould which makes more than one part but the parts are different.
Ferris wheel machine (vertical machine) - A rotational moulding machine design where the oven is at the top, the cooling station at the back, and the service station at the front, with indexing taking place around a horizontal axis. The machine therefore resemble a fairground Ferris wheel, hence the name.
Filling - the placing of moulding material into the mould tool.
Filling port (Loading port) - a port in the tool to allow material to be poured in after the tool is closed where due to the geometry of the moulding it is difficult to load the tool with material when the tool is conventionally open.
Finish - The quality or texture of the surface of a mould which forms the part. The finishes commonly used in rotational moulding are machined, ground, blasted using sand, shot, etched, engraved, or plated. Various surface finishes required by customer, i.e. cast, 120 polish, 180 polish, etc. through mirror finish.
Fins - See heat deflectors.
First off - 1. Initial mouldings produced from a new tool.
2. First moulding produced from a new production run. 3. First finished product produced from a new production run.
Fish Hooks - Witness left on the internal surface of a moulding by the last material still flowing prior to gelling, this only effects moulding made from PVC plastisol.
Flaming - 1. Process used to make the moulding more attractive by increasing the surface gloss level and make split line trimming less noticeable.
2. Process used to oxidise the surface of a moulding prior to applying labels, paint etc.
Flange - The metal added to a split line area of a mould to strengthen the area and to permit the use of bolts and clamps to hold the mould together during moulding.
Flange release - grades of release coating used only on tool flanges to prevent moulding material adhering. These typically give much higher levels of release than ones used on surfaces of the tool that form the moulding.
Flash line - The line on a moulding which occurs at the split (parting) or fabrication lines of the mould.
Flash - excess material attached to a moulding along the split (parting line) or fabrication lines.
Flat split line - A type of split line that has no detail on its vertical surface except for steel dowels and bushes along its length for alignment.
Flexible pattern - a type of pattern that, due to its flexibility, allows casting with undercuts or reverse draft to be produced.
Fluorination - A process carried out after moulding to coat the moulding with a layer of fluorine to improve barrier properties. Normally only used on petrol (gasoline) tanks to meet weight loss from permeation standards.
Frame - The framework around the mould tool used to make it more robust and rigid. It also provides a location for the clamps to hold the tool together and for mounting the fixed sections of the tool to the machine and lifting points on the removable parts of the tool.
Gemini mould (double cavity mould, twin cavity mould) - A mould which makes two identical mouldings. Commonly used when a moulded part with a large cut-out area can be combined with a second part so that the cut-out area is not formed.
Glass beading - the process of applying a finish to the mould tool to produce a semi-gloss finish on a moulding. Glass beads are impacted by compressed air against the surface of the tool whilst it is contained in a cabinet.
Guide pin &bush - A male &female attachment to the mould frame or spider used to achieve the initial alignment of the parts of the mould tool prior to the alignment pins & bushes engaging to achieve the final alignment.
Hairs and tails - A term used to describe a type of fault affecting moulding material. It is the result of poor micro-grinding where the powder is not cut cleanly into particles and instead has shape abnormalities of fine hair like protrusions or larger tapered protrusions looking like tails. The result is poor dry low times and poor flow in the mould tool.
Heat fins - A detail that is normally cast onto the exterior of the mould and increases the surface area that is subjected to the oven air during moulding and therefore increases the rate at which these areas heat up. They are used to increase the mouldability of hard to heat areas.
Heat pipe (heat pin) - A sealed tube containing a heat transfer medium (usually water) which is capable of transferring heat rapidly. Used in moulds to transfer heat to and from areas are difficult to heat and cool.
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