ARM June Rotomolding Seminar Series – Fundamentals, Materials & Advanced Techniques

Join us at ARM HQ in Rolling Meadows, IL—just 20 minutes from O’Hare—for a series of seminars covering key aspects of rotomolding. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to refine your process, these sessions provide practical insights from leading experts.


Instructor: Nick Henwood, ARM Technical Director

A deep dive into the what, how, and why of rotomolding materials, focusing on polyethylene and its alternatives. Topics include:

  • Understanding Polyethylene – Melt index, density, stabilization, and processing behavior.
  • Polyethylene Variants & Alternatives – Crosslinkable PE, rotolining, polyolefin elastomers, and other materials like polypropylene, nylon, acetal, and polycarbonate.
  • Enhancing Performance – Multi-layer molding, fillers, foam applications, and process modifications.
  • Future & Sustainability – Recycling challenges and material innovations.

Instructor: Dru Laws, ARM Hall of Fame Member

This seminar covers core principles of rotomolding, including:

  • Molding Cycle & Temperature Profiles – Heating, cooling, venting, and process variables.
  • Basic Quality Testing – Pre- and post-process testing, wall thickness, skin mapping, and data analysis.
  • Design Considerations – Layer evolution, impact testing, and warpage factors.
  • Oven Process – Heating types, temperature profiles, and rotation reversal.
  • Process Control – Monitoring, troubleshooting, and efficiency improvements.
  • The Rule of Three – Machine layout, temperature profiles, and energy use.

Instructor: Nick Henwood, ARM Technical Director

This session covers advanced techniques for process control, troubleshooting, and scrap reduction, including:

  • Understanding Materials – Polyethylene properties, melt index, and density.
  • Mastering the Process – Temperature curves, eliminating bubbles, thickness control, shot weight, and cure timing.
  • Cooling & Warpage Control – Shrinkage, warpage, and stability.
  • Oven Optimization – Process monitoring, tuning, and efficiency.
  • Multi-Layer Molding – Methods and benefits.
  • Troubleshooting & Scrap Reduction – Top causes of scrap, in-house testing, and process adjustments.

We plan to organize networking events for attendees over dinner on June 3 and June 4.


We recommend the Schaumburg hotels in the Woodfield Mall area, about 5-10 minutes west of our office (1701 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL). There are many brands in that area. In the past, we have sent people to the Spring Hill Suites and received good feedback. 

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