Blow molding. (What to See at NPE 2003).

More output, bigger parts, more complex shapes, and more automation are the themes to look for in blow molding equipment at NPE. Developments range from a big step forward in PET bottle outputs to new all-electric machines for HDPE and PVC to ever-larger machines for industrial parts.

PET bottle deluge

In PET stretch-blow molding, mammoth output tops the agenda. Sidel's SBO-24 reheat unit will run 0.5L water bottles at a 60,000/hr rate--20% above the previous highest rates--making it possible for blow molding to keep pace with the fastest filling machines in soft-drink bottling plants.

SIG Corpoplast has boosted its maximum output by 15% with its new Blowmax 20 Series III. This 20-station machine molds 30,000 half-liters/hr.

Sipa boosted output of its SFR reheat machine by going from a single-sided to dual-sided configuration. The new model SFR 16/32 will run 20-oz soda bottles at 40,000/hr. Aoki, Automa, and Nissei ASB will also show recently upgraded stretch-blow machines, and both Uniloy Milacron and Krones will talk about ones that aren't at the show.

NPE will also afford a look at several lesser-known nameplates in stretch-blow equipment. Germany's Spilles Maschinenbau will run 5L PET household and industrial chemical CHIC) bottles with handles--an alternative to 1-gal HDPE bottles. France's ADS is showcasing a two-cavity, 3200-unit/hr machine tailored for odd-shaped and asymmetric PET bottles. Other suppliers on hand include China's All-Right Machinery, Mexico's Beutelspacher, Taiwan's Chum Power Machinery; Spain's Luxber, Italy's Mag-Plastic, and France's Steca.

High tide of polyolefin bottles

In extrusion blow molding, NPE shows the increasing availability of clean, quiet, energy-saving, and more precise electric machines. New all-electric models will be displayed by Magic, JSW Plastics Machinery, and Blow Moulding SRL.

In rotary shuttle or vertical wheel equipment, Graham Machinery Group will demonstrate an 80% boost in output with its new GEC-4/600 six-parison, 24-cavity machine, which will run 8-oz juice containers at 7200/hr.

Hunkar Laboratories is presenting a novel approach to parison control for vertical wheels. It controls parison drop on the basis of wheel position rather than time. That is said to correct for variations in rpm and provide big reductions in reject rates.

Rao Design International plans to push aseptic blow-fill-seal (ABFS) extrusion blow machines for polyolefin medical and pharmaceutical containers.

In injection-blow molding, Jomar will unveil its first model with a horizontal injection unit. And U.S. molders will get their first look at Korean injection-blow from Dima Inc.

Bigger, more complex parts

In industrial blow molding, the emphasis is on machines that can produce large parts and more complex 3D shapes, along with a trend toward increased automation and integration of finishing steps. For example, Jackson Machinery is introducing a production cell for LDPE sheathing used to anchor seat belts. The dual-head, dual-cavity, accumulator-head unit doubles output of the previous machine and eliminates labor by integrating trim, hole-punch, and inspection steps.

SIG Kautex says the U.S. market is ripe for 3D blow molding-a way of making convoluted parts for automobiles and appliances. SIG will display its SB8 unit making automotive ducting with the suction blow molding technique. New 3D suction blow molding systems are also being highlighted by MBK-Maschinenbau Koetke of Germany.

Davis-Standard is displaying a 30-lb size of its new spiral-diverter accumulator head that reportedly reduces color change time by 70%. The new heads also accommodate larger tooling--up to 26 in. O.D. vs. the previous 18 in. maximum to 26-in. O.D. That gives these heads a fit in the growing market for long, flat panels in car interiors.

Though they won't be at the show, the Tracker line of accumulator-head machines from Uniloy Milacron has grown with three larger sizes, the biggest having a 325ton clamp and platens of 74 x 110 in. The firm has also redesigned its accumulator heads to accommodate larger tools for flat panels.

Exhibitor Listings Includes primary machinery, auxiliaries, components, and controls. New developments appear in boldface type.

ACCUFORM SRO 

Booth 10748 (Exhibiting w/Compuplast International)

Czech company supplies simulation software for blow molding and for shrink-sleeve in-mold decorating.

ADS

Booth 5794

French supplier is showcasing a new two-stage PET machine designed especially for asymmetric bottles. The two-cavity G62 runs 3200 bottles/hr.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE

Booth 8405

Showing extruder screws, auxiliaries, and downstream equipment for blow molding.

AF U.S.A. INC.

Booth 4581

Will demonstrate upgraded versions of 40-bar air compressors used in stretch-blow molding PET.

AGR TOPWAVE LLC 

Booth 891

Introducing infrared real-time, non-contact monitoring of PET bottle wall dimensions at up to 40,000 bottles/hr. PetWallPlus with Vision combines a camera vision unit with the existing PetWallPlus. Also showing new PG9810-lVIL IX device for speedy verification of barrier-material distribution in multilayer preforms.

AKEI PLASTIC-MACHINE MFY. CO.

Booth 12724

Hong Kong supplier of a diverse range of blow molding equipment, including accumulator-head systems.

ALL-RIGHT MACHINERY CO. LTD.

Booth 12543

Canadian distributor of cost-effective, semi-automatic and manually fed, low-volume reheat stretch-blow machines made in China. Machines have up to three cavities.

AMERICAN JET STREAM INC.

Booth 708

Plastimac Div. will show new PB30/S extrusion blow molder for up to 30L polyolefin containers. It has a 30-ton clamp and is said dramatically reduce energy use.

AMERICAN PLASTICS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Booth 4526 (Exhibiting w/Rao Design International)

Supplies aseptic blow-fill-seal extrusion blow molders. Specializes in turnkey production systems.

ANKER PET EQUIPMENT LTD.

Booth 7925 (Exhibiting w/British Plastics Federation)

British firm rebuilds and supplies spare parts for PET reheat stretch-blow machines. Also supplies new turnkey machine and mold systems. Will highlight use of electric servo motors for oil-free bottle blowing.

AOKI LABORATORY AMERICA INC.

Booth 9933

Rolling out model SBIII-250LL-50S, a high-output version of its three-station, single-stage injection stretch-blow machine. Versions with one to 10 cavities make 120-cc to 3L bottles. An 8cavity, 4800-bottle/hr unit will be demonstrated.

APS PLASTICS SYSTEMS LLC

Booth 12436

Offers reciprocating-screw extrusion blow machinery.

AR EXTRUSION INC.

Booth 13416

Displaying a new three-layer head for blow molding equipment. Supplies up to seven-layer coex heads.

AUTOMA SPA

Booth 677

Highlighting the upgraded NSD-50 injection stretch-blow unit with Moog-Buhi PC controller. Also showing the improved Plus AI15D extrusion blow machine for six-layer containers.

BEKUM AMERICA CORP.

Booth 1849

Will demonstrate new double-station 06 Series BM-506D and BM-406D units, which handle parts up to 20L and 12L, respectively. Also introducing single-cavity model BA-25 for 5-gal PC water bottles and up to 20L HDPE oil containers.

BELLISS & MORCOM

Booth 4399

Offers oil-free compressors for use with PET stretch-blow equipment.

BELVAC PRODUCTION MACHINERY

Booth 13113

Showing new DTF400 rotary trimming and finishing system rated at 12,000 bottles/hr. Also showing modified FT Series flange trimmer for DevTech Labs' blow, trim, and curl (BTC) process.

BEST USED MACHINERY CO.

Booth 3149

Sells used blow molding machines.

BEUTELSPACHER SA. de C.V.

Booths 12607, 12416 (Exhibiting w/Mexican Trade Commission)

Showing new laboratory and low-production, two-cavity, reheat stretch-blow machine running 20-ox PET water bottles at 1200/hr.

BIMETALUX DIV., SPIREX CORP.

Booth 1045

Supplies extrusion and injection barrels for blow molding.

BLOW MOULDING PARIS & SYSTEMS

Booth 876 (Exhibiting w/Canadian Plastics Industry Association)

Canadian firm will exhibit new trimmer for dome cutting of wide-mouth PET jars. Also displaying new parison simulation and design program.

BLOW MOULDING SRL

Booth 7019 (Exhibiting w/Vistar Machinery International)

Italian supplier will show the new BM 5000 D, its first all-electric extrusion blow machine. The dual-cavity unit reportedly uses 50% less energy and 30% less cooling. North American distributor is Vistar Machinery (Booth 7019).

BRAUM PLASTIC ENGINEERING

Booth 5975

Molds Unlimited Div. supplies blow molds and mold components. Also distributes foreign-made, semi-automatic PET reheat stretch-blow machines.

CANADIAN FEED SCREWS MANUFACTURING LTD.

Booth 9713

Showing screws and barrels for blow molding.

CANTERBURY ENGINEERING Co.

Booth 12513

Supplies screws dedicated to blow molding and injection stretch-blow equipment.

CHEN WAY MACHINERY CO.

Booth 7129

(Exhibiting w/Taiwan Trade Center)

Taiwanese firm supplies accumulator-head and continuous-extrusion blow molders, as well as PET heat-setting equipment.

CHUM POWER MACHINERY CORP.

Booth 7525 (Exhibiting w/Taiwan Trade Center)

Taiwanese company supplies reheat stretch blow machines, PET heat-setting equipment, and bottle design services.

CMP SALES INC.

Booth 9363

North American distributor of equipment from India's Central Machine Products. Will show video on cost-effective shuttle-style extrusion blow molders capable of speedy color and tool changes.

CONFORMA CLAD INC.

Booth 4367

Applies wear-resistant hard facings to screws, barrels, and dies.

DAVIS-STANDARD

Booth 5107

New 30-lb accumulator head with spiral diverter design cuts color-change time by 70%.

DIMA INC.

Booth 9746

Introducing to the U.S. Korean-built injection-blow machinery. A three-station, 65-ton model will be running HDPE eye-fluid bottles in 12 cavities.

EISBAER TROCKENTECHNIK GMBH

Booth 11050 (Exhibiting w/Austrian Trade Commission)

Austrian firm's compressed-air cooling systems are said to increase productivity and improve product quality.

EPCO LLC

Booth 1409 (Exhibiting w/Brown Plastics Machinery)

Remanufactures blow molding machines. Will show two new retrofit control systems for blow molding, primarily for accumulator-head machinery. Model E-6500RS is based on Eurotherm components. High-end E-7000B PC-based operator station has extended networking capability.

FANUC ROBOTICS AMERICA INC.

Booth 9540

Supplies robotic equipment for parts take-out and trimming. At Conair's booth (2616), a 6-axis Fanuc robot with new Accuflash software will simulate robotic deflashing and trimming of a blow molded child's safety seat.

FASTI USA INC.

Booth 8546

Discussing improvements in internal air cooling of blow molded parts.

FGH SYSTEMS INC.

Booth 2855

Demonstrating upgraded Press-blower model DSE 140 injection-blow machine for TPE CVJ and rack-and-pinion boots. It has PC-based controls.

FONG KEE IRON WORKS CO.

Booth 7525 (Exhibiting w/Taiwan Trade Center)

Taiwanese firm supplies continuous-extrusion and accumulator-head blow molding machines.

GLYCON CORP.

Booth 1285

Supplies intensive-mixing screws for high-output blow molding. Recently introduced highly wear-resistant feed throats.

GRAHAM MACHINERY GROUP

Booth 9901

Introducing GEC-4/600 rotary shuttle model with up to 80% higher productivity than existing models. Will be running 8-oz stock juice containers at 7200/hr. Also operating a C30 reciprocating-screw extrusion machine to make 5gal PC water bottles.

GRAPHICS INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Booth 5171

Distributes blow molding machines made by Magic and Meico SRL of Italy.

GUILL TOOL & ENGINEERING

Booth 4381

Showing new 1000 Series mono- and multi-layer dies based on a spiral-diverter design.

HEINS PCM MACHINERY LTD.

Booth 876 (Exhibiting w/Canadian Plastics Industry Association)

Discussing shuttle-type continuous-extrusion blow molders for up to 3L polyolefin bottles. Also discussing a spin trimmer with new safety features.

HESTA-GRAHAM GMBH & CO.

See Graham Machinery Group.

HUNKAR LABORATORIES INC.

Booth 3028

Showing new no-frills, low-cost EZ100 parison programmer (100 points) with touchscreen programming, zoom control, and ability to control two heads independently. Also unveiling user-friendly Series II version of the 311 Series 64-. point parison programmer. New software for wheel machines controls parison drop on the basis of wheel position rather than time. Also showing new Hydro-Jet 2 servo valve (5-gpm) with increased dirt tolerance and precision.

HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.

Booth 1870

Discussing the IndexSB one-stage injection stretch-blow machine for mid-volume and wide-mouth applications.

IMPROVED BLOW MOLDING EQUIPMENT

See Graham Machinery Group.

JACKSON MACHINERY INC.

Booth 5761

Exhibiting for the first time a dual-station, two-cavity, accumulator-head machine integrated into an automated production cell for LDPE seatbelt anchors.

JBJ PRODUCERS & MACHINERY

See M.C. Molds.

JOMAR CORP.

Booth 5566

Introducing revamped Model 85-S, 72ton injection-blow machine with the company's first horizontal injection unit. Also unveiling "New Look" version of the Model 40 injection-blow machine that meets more stringent safety standards. Showing Model 6-D extrusion blow molder for soft-touch cosmetic bottles.

JONH HUAH PLASTIC MACHINERY

Booth 7525

Chinese supplier of extrusion blow machines and heads and injection-blow molding machines.

JSW PLASTICS MACHINERY INC.

Booth 1576

Launching JEB-R all-electric extrusion blow model aimed at smaller (100cc to 1.5L) PP and HDPE bottles. Dual-parison unit has a head design said to minimize weld lines and facilitate set-up.

KASS AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Booth 615

Featuring a redesigned deflashing and dual neck-finishing system with servo-control for 2.5-gal containers and a new slip-resistant SGH225 spin trimmer for blown bottles.

KORTEC INC.

Booth 6352

Introducing 144-cavity Ultra coinjection molding system for three-layer barrier PET preforms. Output is 35,000/hr. Also debuting two- to eight-cavity Intro coinjection molding system for 8 to 12 million preforms/yr.

KRONES INC.

Booth 9525

Exhibiting new heat-set (H) version of its two-stage reheat stretch-blow system. This one-sided, 8-cavity Contiform H will mold single-serve PET containers. Also discussing new Contiform SK40 reheat stretch-blow system capable of 60,000 single-serve PET bottles/hr. Also new is a robotic palletizer that can handle up to 40,000 bottles/hr.

LUXBER SL

Booth 9925 (Exhibiting w/Trade Commission of Spain)

Spanish firm supplies extrusion blow and injection stretch-blow machines.

MAGIC NORTH AMERICA

Booth 5171 (Exhibiting w/Graphics International Group)

Showing new EPL3/D two-sided, 6-cavity, all-electric extrusion blow machine running 800-cc HDPE household-chemical bottles at 2200/hr.

MAG-PLASTIC MACHINERY CO.

Booth 9158 (Exhibiting w/Sprimag)

Offers Italian reheat stretch-blow systems with single or dual cavities for 0.2L to 5L PET bottles.

MAUSER MASCHINENTECHNIK GMBH

Booth 4119

German company showing blow molded HDPE drums and pictorials of proprietary extrusion blow molding systems for drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).

MBK-MASCHINENBAU KOETKE GMBH

Booths 5761, 4052 (Exhibiting w/Jackson Machinery and A.L.B.A Enterprises)

German company sells continuous-extrusion shuttles and accumulator-head machines, including new 3D suction blow molding systems.

MBK NORTH AMERICA

Booths 5761, 4052 (Exhibiting w/Jackson Machinery and A.L.B.A. Enterprises)

Newly represents blow molding machinery firms MBK-Maschinenbau Koetke, Meccanoplastica, and Rikutec.

M.C. MOLDS INC.

Booth 3249

Showing redesigned DST-2000 spin trimmer for hard-to-trim containers.

MECCANOPLASTICA

Booths 5761, 4052 (Exhibiting w/Jackson Machinery and A.L.B.A. Enterprises) Italian firm offers single- and dual-sided continuous-extrusion shuttle systems for up to 5L polyolefin containers, as well as an all-electric, 3-station injection-blow machine with horizontal barrel.

MEICO S.R.L.

Booth 9161

Italian company supplies accumulator-head machines.

MINATECH INC.

Booth 10807

Discussing parts-handling and positioning robots for automating accumulator-head and shuttle-style blow molders.

MOOG INC.

Booth 2676

Announcing a major upgrade of its line of controllers for blow molding.

MTM SYSTEMS

Booth 870 (Exhibiting w/Lectro Engineering)

Unveiling a compact takeaway and deflasbing system with high-strength grippers and a telescoping robotic arm.

W. MULLER U.S.A. INC.

Booth 10505

Showing new three-layer coextrusion head designed to put nylon in the exterior layer of scratch-resistant cosmetic bottles.

NEW CASTLE INDUSTRIES INC.

Booth 4739

Supplies screws and bimetallic barrels for blow molding.

NISSEI ASB Co.

Booth 5901

Introducing ASB-150DP, a higher-output, single-stage, four-station injection stretch-blow machine with 165-ton clamp and 30% shorter dry-cycle time. It can have 2 to 16 cavities.

OSSBERGER

See FGH Systems.

H.R. PAARVIO

HANDEL & HOLDING

Booth 10626

German firm supplies screws & gear-boxes.

PLAMASA SA

Booth 9925 (Exhibiting w/Trade Commission of Spain)

Spanish company supplies blow molding equipment and tooling.

PLASTICOS B.S., SA DE C.V.

See Beutelspacher

PLASTICS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Booth 4392

Introducing "virtual prototyping" software for PET preforms.

PLASTIMAC SPA

See American Jet Stream.

PROCO MACHINERY

Booth 9520

Displaying new robotic takeout equipment for shuttle-style extrusion blow machines optimized to handle odd-shaped containers. Also unveiling a linear leak tester.

PROGRESSIVE COMPONENTS

Booths 3210, 4143, 4342, 9304

Introducing its first standardized blow mold tooling components. Line includes in-mold guillotines, deflashers, and quick-change head tooling.

RAO DESIGN INTERNATIONAL INC.

Booth 4526

Introducing aseptic blow-fill-seal machine and Clean-in-Place and Sterilize-in-Place modules for cleaning machinery.

RIKUTEC

Booths 5761, 4052 (Exhibiting w/Jackson Machine and A.L.B.A. Enterprises)

German supplier of accumulator-head machines with heads as large as 400 liters and with coextrusion capability.

ROCHELEAU TOOL & DIE CO. INC.

Booth 9855

Displaying an 8-cavity RS-25 reciprocating-screw extrusion blow molder configured for up to quart-sized EDPE bottles and suitable for full-body shrink labels.

SARAC PLASTIC PROCESSING MACHINERY

Booth 13347

Turkish company supplies used and new blow mold tooling and distributes some brands of blow molding machines.

SIDEL

Booth 5139

Introducing SBO-24 DC, a 24-station, dual-cavity; rotary reheat stretch blow unit with the highest capacity ever--60,000 bottles/hr. Its novel preferential heating system occupies a third less space than conventional pre-form ovens.

SIG BLOWTEC

Booth 1615

Introducing BlowPac 4/6-100 D, a dual-sided, six-station (12-cavity) linear shuttle for medium-volume runs of polyolefin bottles. It incorporates new controls.

SIG CORPOPLAST

Booth 1615

Showing the new Blowmax 20 Series III one-sided, 20-station, reheat stretch-blow machine for production of bottles up to 3L. It will run 0.5L water bottles at 30,000/hr. It has linear ovens and features faster mold opening and closing.

SIG KAUTEX

Booth 1615

Demonstrating SB8 3-D suction blow molding unit with 8-ton clamp, suitable for making automotive fuel filler pipes, convoluted coolant pipes, and complex air ducts.

SIPA S.P.A

Booth 9946

Demonstrating its first dual-sided rotary reheat stretch-blow machine. Model SFR 16/32 is a 16-station, 32-cavity system with vertical mold opening. It puts out 40,000 bottles/hr.

S.T. SOFFIAGGIO TECNICA SRL

See Meico SRL.

SPILLES MASCHINENBAU GMBH

Booth 10562

German firm will show a new two-cavity linear reheat stretch-blow machine running 5L PET water bottles.

STECA S.A.

Booth 12427

French company makes injection machines for PET preforms with up to 32 cavities and semi-automatic reheat stretch-blow machines, typically with two cavities.

SURFACE ENGINEERING & ALLOY CO.

Booth 7215

Guarantees double the conventional screw life with proprietary carbide coating.

TECNOLOGIA B.S., S.A. DE. C.V.

See Beutelspacher.

UNILOY MILACRON

Booths 1640, 3006

Discussing new one-stage injection stretch-blow machine for wide-mouth containers. Model U750-130 has a blowing clamp force of 60 tons and injection clamp of 130 tons. Also discussing new sizes of Tracker accumulator-head machines--140, 295, and 325 tons-and redesigned accumulator heads for larger tools.

WESTERN FEED SCREW

Booth 10324

(Exhibiting with Romax)

Unit of Romax makes screws for blow molding.

WILMINGTON MACHINERY

Booth 2870

Introducing single-cavity, 24-station vertical wheel designed to make six-layer barrier bottles at up to 4500/br. Machine layout is modified to extend mold length and minimize flash.

WTR SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL

See Graham Machinery Group.

ZAGA SA

See Meico SRL.