*Sustainable manufacturing leader expands capacity with innovative – and even bigger – Solar Rotational Molding system*
Central Coast, California – August 2024 – LightManufacturing Inc., a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing technologies, today announced the grand opening of its second facility in California. The state-of-the-art site houses the company’s latest innovation: the SRM4, an advanced Solar Rotational Molding system capable of producing water tanks up to 2000 gallons in size.
The SRM4, where SRM stands for “Solar Rotational Molding”, represents a significant leap forward in LightManufacturing’s molding capabilities, with a larger maximum product size, more sophisticated control and measurement technology, and robust, easy-to-maintain construction. The SRM4 is heated by the firm’s latest-generation H1 heliostat, featuring easy to clean mirrors and robust wind management systems. Each H1 ‘block two’ heliostat can deliver up to 2000 watts of heat to a rotational mold. The new location features an initial array of 48 heliostats, with plans to upgrade to 96.
Rotational molding, a 60-year-old process used globally to create durable products such as water tanks, boats, furniture, coolers, storage boxes, and toys, traditionally relies on burning natural gas for heat. This conventional method emits over a pound of greenhouse gasses for every pound of product made. LightManufacturing’s patented SRM technology revolutionizes this process by using concentrated solar heat, eliminating the expense and emissions of burning fossil fuels.
“Our latest SRM4 system is a game-changer. It allows us to mold larger products more efficiently than ever before,” reports Ben Presley, Lead Engineer at LightManufacturing, “all while maintaining our commitment to zero-emission manufacturing. This is the future of rotational molding.” Cost savings by eliminating natural gas range from 15-30% of total product cost – a huge change to molding economics.
Key features of the SRM4 and LightManufacturing’s patented Solar Rotational Molding process include:
- Capacity to mold water tanks up to 2000 gallons, a significant increase from previous models
- Utilization of heliostats – computer-controlled mirrors that track the sun and focus its rays onto molds
- Current systems deliver up to 100,000 watts of energy to a target, with next-generation SRM4 machines capturing over 200,000 watts
- Zero carbon footprint for the molding process, eliminating the cost of fossil fuel energy
- Modular design built into modified shipping containers for rapid deployment
- Ability to set up on bare land without infrastructure, utilities, or permanent buildings
- Reduced transportation costs and emissions by enabling production close to where products are needed
This revolutionary approach to manufacturing combines sustainability with flexibility, allowing LightManufacturing to achieve any temperature needed for the molding process while maintaining a commitment to environmental responsibility.
LightManufacturing is already producing and selling products made with this innovative technology. Water tanks of 290 and 575-gallon capacities are currently available for purchase on the company’s website at https://centralcoast.lm.solar/.
The firm is also offering contract molding services to other companies needing cost-competitive and sustainable plastic molding. For more information about LightManufacturing Inc. and its innovative Solar Rotational Molding solutions, visit https://lm.solar.
### About LightManufacturing Inc.
LightManufacturing Inc. is at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing technologies, specializing in Solar Rotational Molding (SRM) and other vertical markets. Committed to innovation and environmental responsibility, the firm offers solutions that meet the needs of a changing world.