Blow molding.

The show will be awash in PET bottles, but there's also plenty of action in new industrial machines, auxiliaries, and controls.

PET stretch-blow molding ranks high in the news at this year's show, especially at the low- to medium-volume end of the scale where custom bottles are booming. Simplicity of design, fast changeovers, and energy and space savings are key features of the latest PET-bottle machines on display. Several new machines are designed to interchange parts and molds with other machines in the line, giving customers more bang for their buck. Extrusion. blow molding machinery makers are also designing new systems with increased modularity and incorporating more ancillary functions such as in-machine trimming.

PET: STRETCH DOLLARS & SPACE

Look for simplified, more compact designs as well as energy efficiency from stretch-blow molding machine vendors. Nissei ASB Co., Atlanta, plans to introduce a new energy-efficient Model PF 6-2B, equipped with six preform and two blow molds for output of 1500 bottles/hr. The PF series needs fewer blowing cavities per preform cavity than previous systems, thereby reducing capital investment. Another advantage is said to be fast (45-min) mold changeover.

These same design advantages are carried over to a new Model PB 170/280-32/8 machine targeted for water and edible-oil bottles. It has 32 preforms and eight blow molds and puts out 7200-7400 bottles/hr.

Nissei's newest HS-045 heat-setting machine reportedly raises PETs hot-filling capability to 190 F - versus 184-185 F with competing heat-set machines. Two versions are available for either 2000 or 4000 bottles/hr.

New model SB III-350LL-40 integrated injection stretch-blow machine for narrow-neck PET bottles will be introduced by Aoki Technical Laboratory of Japan (represented here by FGH Systems, Inc., Denville, N.J.). A simplified and more compact version of the SB III series, this machine can produce long-neck bottles in compressed, round, square, and conical shapes at a rate of 1600-1800 1.5-liter bottles/hr.

A commercial version of the ISB 35 injection stretch-blow molder will be introduced by Jomar Corp., Pleasantville, N.J., which showed a prototype at NPE '94. The machine will run 1.5-oz PET bottles on a 10.5-sec cycle, producing around 3500 bottles/hr.

Look for three less-familiar imported PET stretch-blow machines at the show. West Suburban Services Inc., Aurora, Ill., will show a reheat machine from Mexico aimed at small to medium-sized runs of bottles up to 2 liters. There will also be a machine shown by Matila Industrial Co., Ltd. of Taiwan. American Plastics Technologies, Inc., Schiller Park, Ill., will also introduce low-cost reheat machines from Mexico, which can be viewed at APT's Schiller Park plant.

In the high-output arena, a new 10-cavity B-111 PET reheat stretch-blow molder from Krupp Corpoplast, Edison, N.J., can produce bottles from 250 ml to 3 liters at rates over 12,000/hr.

The new SBO 32/26 reheat model from Sidel Inc., Doraville, Ga., blows single-serve PET bottles in 16 dual-cavity molds and puts out 32,000 bottles/hr. For wide-mouth PET containers, Sidel is introducing the SBO 4WM machine with outputs to 4000 bottles/hr. It can mold containers from 1 qt to 1 gal in neck sizes from 40 to 110 mm. It can even make heat-set jars.

Formex Div. of Electra-Form, Inc., Vandalia, Ohio, will present information on its first four-cavity PET reheat machine, the RSB 4. The RSB series now ranges from one to four cavities, with interchangeable parts and molds. Formex is designing its first eight-cavity RSB model.

In addition, Belliss & Morcom (USA) Inc., West Chicago, Ill., will show new 650-psig packaged air compressors aimed at stretch-blow molding.

HIGHER OUTPUTS, LOWER COSTS

There will be lots of high-output double-sided continuous-extrusion machines on hand. One will be introduced by Bekum America Corp., Williamston, Mich., with in-mold film decorating and complete in-machine trim and transfer, including automated downstream operations. Bekum will also show a new large-platen dual-station blow molder.

The German B&W subsidiary of Johnson Controls Inc., Manchester, Mich., is bringing its new 1500 DEC double-sided extrusion blow molder. It has an output of about 600 bottles/hr and will be displayed by representative FGH Systems.

A new 1-liter Plus 07D fully automatic double-station machine will be introduced by Automa North America, Dublin, Ohio, and will be running 8-oz cosmetic bottles at 2000/hr. Also on hand will be the Plus AT5D 1.5-gal dual-station, dual-head machine, shown for the first time in North America. Automa will present information on its first accumulator-head machine.

Among several new single-sided machines is the model MG-L2-3/ND 3-liter extrusion blow machine from Magic MP, represented by Graphics International Group, Markham, Ont. The single-sided unit runs dual parisons with a 50-mm HMW-HDPE extruder and post-mold cooling and deflashing station.

Plastimac, represented here by American Jet Stream, East Brunswick, N.J., will introduce the PB 500/S single-carriage unit designed for small cosmetic and pharmaceutical bottles. Also new is the PB 4000/S for producing 5-liter view-stripe containers.

A 6-liter, single-sided EBM 6.0 extrusion blow molder will be shown by Jomar for the first time in North America (it was first seen at the K'95 show in Dusseldorf). It will run gallon containers in two cavities.

The new System 4000S single-carriage extrusion blow molder will be introduced by Techne Technipak S.p.A of Italy. The machine uses the same molds and tooling as the existing dual-carriage System 4000 Twin. The 4000S can incorporate in-mold labeling without modification. (Techne machines are no longer supplied through Graham Engineering. A new sales firm, Techne North America, has been established in Chicago.)

Krupp Kautex, Edison, N.J., will show its first U.S.-built machine, the CP120/80. Also new from Krupp Kautex is the economically priced KEB-100 with 60-mm extruder and three-parison head on 100-mm centers.

Very low-cost extrusion blow machines from Hong Kong will also be introduced by American Plastics Technologies and can be viewed at APT's Schiller Park, Ill., plant.

FLEXIBLE INDUSTRIAL MACHINES

Modularity that expands machine options and ease of operation will be stressed by makers of industrial blow molders at this year's show. The modular concept is a key selling point of the new Tracker T800 accumulator-head model from Cincinnati Milacron Plastics Machinery Group, Batavia, Ohio. Clamp, accumulator head, extruder, and power packages all come as pre-engineered standard modules, allowing Milacron to customize the machine at "off-the-shelf" prices and lead times.

The machine will feature Milacron's new closed-loop synchronization of multi-parison push-out speeds and accumulator-head refill, and also the new Quality Tracking System with SPC trending and prediction capabilities (see PT, Feb. '97, p. 57).

A new FlexiMatic intermediate-size accumulator machine (with head sizes from 0.5 to 5 lb) will be featured at the show by Jackson Machinery Inc., Port Washington, Wis. Besides fast tool-change capability, this model features in-machine trimming, leak testing, and printing a date strip on products (PT, Mar. '97, p. 46).

Simplicity of design, ease of operation, and rapid clean-out are key features of new Model 15.60.3 three-layer industrial blow molder from Wilmington Machinery, Wilmington, N.C. It has a tiebarless clamp that is cantilevered off the frame of the blow molder. It uses three reciprocating-screw extruders, which is said to be a simpler approach than using an accumulator head.

A new SE430 (30-lb) accumulator machine from Sterling Davis-Standard Corp., Edison, N.J., includes a 200-hp AC vector drive, 250-ton clamp measuring 48 x 74 in., 4.5-in. grooved-feed extruder, and "H" style part-takeaway system.

RECIPROCATING SCREWS & WHEELS

The Uniloy Series 2000 reciprocating-screw container machines are the main NPE introduction by Johnson Controls. It's said to incorporate the best features of Johnson's Uniloy and Liberty reciprocating models. A key feature is a new screw design that reportedly can raise throughput by 20% or decrease power usage by the same amount. Developed with Great Lakes Feedscrews, Tecumseh, Mich., and Robert Barr, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., the new screw reportedly delivers the productivity gain without sacrificing a homogeneous mix. It's also said to permit an 8-10% reduction in melt temperature, leading to improved part appearance.

Another new reciprocating-screw machine, model RS-25, will debut from Rocheleau Tool and Die Co., Fitchburg, Mass. It has up to six die heads, over 2-lb max. shot capacity, and output rate of 200 lb/hr.

A new small wheel blow molder from Graham Engineering Corp., York, Pa., can produce containers with calibrated neck finishes. Other features include in-mold labeling and coextrusion capability.

A new Model G4008 four-station wheel with 8-ton clamp will be introduced by Garold Automation, Inc., Milton, Ont. It can be equipped with single or dual parisons and in-mold labeling.

Jomar has redesigned its Model 135 injection-blow molder to include guarding that totally surrounds the mold area for added safety and also makes the machine suitable for clean-room use. The machine has also been updated with proportional hydraulics for faster cycles.

EVER SMARTER CONTROLS

Several new options and enhancements for MACO 6000 series controllers will be introduced by Barber-Colman Co., Loves Park, Ill. Two new display-screen choices are the large Optima color flat panels and smaller Lite monochrome LCDs. There are also new EZ-PRO circuit cards for adding closed-loop motion control of molds, carriages, and blow pins (see p. 25); new Breeze 6000 100-point, stand-alone parison control (PT, Feb. '97, p. 15); and new Windows NT software to let processors do their own sequence programming using relay ladder diagrams. New MACO Custom 6000 retrofit controls offer high-end control capabilities in a lower-cost 12-slot chassis. Barber-Colman is even introducing powerful plantwide control and monitoring via its I/A Series software packages based on Windows NT (PT, Nov. '96, p. 29).

New Quick Program microprocessor machine controls will be introduced by KW Environmental, Inc., Middletown, N.Y., which represents MBK of Germany. Features include 64-point parison control, production reporting, and closed-loop PID control.

A new system that weighs a bottle after molding and automatically adjusts the parison program if necessary will be shown by Blow Molding Controls, Ltd., Glendale, Wis.

TOOLING ENTRIES

New modular quick-change molds for PET and HDPE packaging will be on hand from Ryka Blow Molds Ltd., Mississauga, Ont. New ORT core rods from R.J. Abramo Associates, Inc., Holliston, Mass., are said to offer lighter weight and more uniform wall thickness in injection-blown containers. And a new four-layer extrusion head from W. Muller of Germany will be introduced by Meredith-Springfield Associates, Inc., Springfield, Mass.

What to Look for

* More new PET bottle machines from more suppliers than ever before.

* Modular industrial blow molder is easily customized.

* New accumulator-head line comes with in-machine trimming and finishing.

* New reciprocating screw gives higher output, lower melt temperatures.

RELATED ARTICLE: Lots of New Auxiliaries

Here's a brief rundown of new testing and handling auxiliaries that will be on display:

* "Self-learning" LIS-101 inspection system from PTI-Packaging Technologies & Inspection, Tuckahoe, N.Y., checks presence of labels and caps on 800 bottles/min.

* TopWave International, Marietta, Ga., is introducing five new systems for checking container wall thickness, outer dimensions, and top-load strength, as well as PET preform concentricity and neck finish.

* Blow Molding Controls Inc., Glendale, Wis., will introduce new hardware and software enhancements for leak testers, including a new model that meets DOT HM181 requirements for drum recyclers.

* New Robopik universal takeout system from Proco Machinery, Inc., Mississauga, Ont., reportedly simplifies set-up and minimizes changeover time. A single robot takes containers from both sides of double-shuttle machines.

* Look for a new spin trimmer from M.C. Molds, Inc., Williamston, Mich.; two in-line deflashers from JBJ Products and Machinery Inc., also of Williamston; and a two-up deflashing station that fits over a conveyor line, from R&B Machine Tool Co., Saline, Mich.