When compared to other processes, it can be seen that the reaction injection moulding process brings many benefits to customers.

The low tooling costs, the short lead times, the light parts, improved design finishes, and the resistance of the parts, are some of the advantages that make this process the selection of many manufacturers.

Thus, this type of moulding is usually more economical for the production of some parts.

• RIM PROCESS VS INJECTION MOLDING

RIM PROCESS	INJECTION MOLDING
Large, lighweight parts	Small-to-mid size parts
Varying Wall thickness with no sink	Requires uniform wall thickness
Deep draw	Limited draw
Can combine multiple designed parts into one part within a single mold	Multiple mid-size parts generally require multiple molds
Low-to-moderate cost tooling – machined aluminum	High-cost tooling – steel
Short lead-tim	Long lead-time
Tooling can be used for prototype and easily modified for production parts	Prototypes require diferente tooling and tooling modifications are expensive
Material flexibility – elastomers, solid RIM, structural foam, flexible foam, DCPC, etc.	Limited material options
Encapsulation of componente materials including metals, electronics, plastic, valves, circuitry, etc.	Limited encapsulation
Low-to-high production volume	Moderate-to-high production volume
Tight tolerances	Tigh tolerances

• RIM PROCESS VS THERMOFORMING & VACUUM FORMING

RIM PROCESS	THERMOFORMING & VACUUM FORMING
Complex geometry and cosmetically appealing parts	Simple part design and geometry
Deep draw with structural integrity	Draw limited and requires post-molding structural features
Varied wall thickness throughout the part	Requires uniform wall thickness
Structural integrity molded into parts	Post-molding gluing of ribs
Molded-in attachment points	Glued attachment points
Tight tolerances	Low-to-moderate cost tooling
Low-to-moderate cost tooling	Limited material flexibility
Low-to-moderate production	No encapsulation capability
Material flexibility – elastformers, solid RIM, structural foam, flexible foam, DCPD
Encapsulation of componente materials including metals, electronics, plastic, valves, circuity, etc

• RIM PROCESS VS CAST MOLDING

RIM PROCESS	CAST MOLDING
Cosmetically appealing parts right out of the mold	Cosmetic inconsistencies of parts off the mold
Prototype tooling can be used for production parts	Prototype and production tooling are different
Tight consistent part tolerances	Part tolerance varies from part to part
Variable wall thickness without sink	Variable wall thickness generally includes sink
Tooling lasts the lifetime of the project	Short lead-time on tooling
Short lead-time on tooling

• RIM PROCESS VS SHEET METAL

RIM PROCESS	SHEET METAL
Tremendous design flexibility	Limited design flexibility
Large and light-weight parts	Parts are heavy
Structurally strong and durable	Post-painting required
Molding in color an in-mold painting	High part cost
Variable wall thickness within the same part	Varied wall thickness requires welding multiple parts
Affordable part cost	Multiple parts require labor and assembly costs
Capable of combining multiple parts into one integrated part	Structurally stronger parts
Provide sound and vibration insulation	Part pricing is less stable due to the commodity’s market
Corrosion and rust-resistant
Part cost is more stable

• RIM PROCESS VS DIE CASTING

RIM PROCESS	DIE CASTING
Lower weight	Low tooling cost
Higher tolerances	Shorter lead-time
Greater design freedom
No brittle parts
Net shape with no machining
Corrosion-resistance