Automotive RIM

Large PU mouldings
RIM-Thin-Walled-Parts
Post machined plastic parts
Post machined plastic parts
Large PU mouldings

The Automotive RIM Industry is one of many with exacting standards of performance and quality. To meet this demand, RIM Polyurethane resins are now formulated with a wide range of physical properties to suit the specific performance requirements of this sector. Rapitypes works with its material suppliers to ensure it is fully conversant with these developments and can provide parts which simulate flexible elastomer substitutes, foam-core parts, solid-walled parts and reinforced RIM PU components.

Seat trim
PU parts for automotive use

Prototypes, show cars and pilot production runs are all within the scope of RIM PU production, but more than this, the process is perfectly viable for medium to large sized components in production batch quantities, such as those required by the premium car manufacturing sector.

Although the majority of RIM PU components required by clients in this sector are for ‘under-the-hood’ purposes, we also supply parts in a fully finished condition as well. Parts can be supplied primed, painted or surface treated with graphics to simulate various textures such as carbon fibre. However, our clients are increasingly taking advantage of our in-mould painting capability to achieve high quality paint finishes which are essentially chemically bonded to the surface of the part.

Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) PU can provide very large parts such as bumpers, wheel arch liners, quarter panels and decorative trim, both for exterior and interior use. Rapitypes offer special polyurethane RIM formulations to meet UL94 flammability ratings of V-0 and 5VA and resins with elevated temperature resistance (up to 110°C). All our tools are self-supporting so do not require external frames and lifts to operate them.

As well as small series production, we can provide prototype components very quickly for design evaluation prior to commissioning full production tooling.

Roto RIM moulding

Rotational RIM, or ‘Roto RIM’ is a unique in-house process for the manufacture of hollow or tubular components which compares very favourably with Blow or Rotational Moulding in low-volume production. The addition of bosses and brackets to the components presents no problem, as these can be formed during the RIM rotation process in exactly the same way as they are formed in Blow or Rotational moulding. Roto RIM has been successfully used for production HVAC vents on the EWB Rolls Royce Phantom and washer bottle components for similar automotive use.

Large PU RIM parts
Flexible Rubber and Polyurethane TPE Mouldings

Benefits of Rapitypes Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM moulding)

  • Low-cost tooling for large parts
  • Thin walled components (1.5mm)
  • Short lead-times for large components
  • Low volume production components
  • Large one off or prototype component manufacture up to 2000mm long
  • Low capital investment.
  • Short or long runs
  • Minimum set up
  • Cosmetic surface finishing
  • In-mould coating (no need for post finishing)
  • Integral gaskets and glands
  • Flame retardant materials (V0)
  • Rigid foam buoyant water proof materials
  • Soft foam materials
  • High impact PP like elastomer
  • Encapsulation and over-moulding
  • Roto RIM moulded hollow components

Automotive RIM

RIM PU is the result of a reaction between two liquid components isocyanate and polyol as they are injected into a closed mould at low pressure. The two components are mixed together as they flow into the mould as a low-viscosity liquid and the reaction, which increases the temperature and the pressure at the surface of the tool, forms the polyurethane part in the tool cavity.