Blow Molding Machine Changes The Plastic Bottle Industry

Blowing moulding machines have become an indispensable part of the plastic bottle manufacturing industry. They have revolutionized the way plastic bottles are produced by making the process easier, faster and more efficient. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the blowing molding machine, its history, principles of operation, types, advantages, and applications.

Over the years, the plastic bottle has become the most preferred packaging material for beverages, edible oils, and a range of other liquids. Plastic bottles have several advantages over traditional glass and metal containers, including lightweight, safety, reusability, and cost-effectiveness. The blowing moulding machine has played a significant role in the widespread adoption of plastic bottles as the preferred packaging material. It has simplified and automated the process of manufacturing plastic bottles, making the task faster, cost-effective, and more efficient.

The origin of the blowing molding machine can be traced back to the early 20th century when plastics were first developed. However, the first commercial blowing molding machine was invented in the 1930s by inventors, Michael Egon Junker and Gustav Appel. The original design was rudimentary and used hydraulic pressure to push molten plastic into a mold. It was limited in speed, accuracy, and quality of output. In the 1950s, the development of the accumulator-head extrusion machines marked a significant improvement in the production of plastic bottles, as it could produce large numbers of bottles at once, resulting in a significant reduction in costs.

Blowing moulding machines convert small plastic pellets into finished plastic bottles ready for packaging. The machines use a process of heating, extrusion, and molding to produce plastic bottles of all shapes and sizes. The process begins with the melting of raw plastic pellets in the machine's extruder section, followed by the extrusion of the melted plastic into a parison. The parison is then placed inside a molding cavity, where it is inflated with air to achieve the final shape of the bottle. The bottle is then removed from the mold cavity and cooled.

There are four main types of Blowing moulding machines currently in use in the industry.

Extrusion blow molding - This process is widely used for high-volume production of hollow objects, particularly bottles. Extrusion blow moulding involves melting the plastic pellets in a screw-driven extruder and then pumping the molten plastic into a Die head at the top of the machine. The Die head has a hollow tube designed to shape the material for the final product.

Injection blow moulding - This process involves melting the plastic pellets and then injecting them into a mold cavity, where they are blown to the desired size and shape. Injection blow moulding machines are used for the production of small bottles, usually in the range of 5 to 500 ml.

Stretch blow molding - This process is similar to both extrusion blow moulding and injection blow moulding. The difference is the introduction of a preform, which is first shaped prior heating, then stretched and blown to a final size. Stretch blow molding machines are ideal for producing lightweight bottles for water, soft drinks, and juice.

Reheat blow molding - This process involves using pre-formed bottles or containers or performs. The machine heats up the bottle or preform and then blows air inside to stretch and shape the material to the desired size and shape.