Blow Molding

Blow molding is used in the manufacture of hollow plastic parts, creating common components like PET bottles, HDPE jugs, and jerry cans. Variations on the process include extrusion blow molding (EBM), injection blow molding (IBM), and injection stretch blow molding (ISBM).

A Purge Solution for the Blow Molding and Compounding Industries

New commercial purge compounds for new industries from Chem-Trend.

ESSENTIAL READING

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Packaging 21 Aug 2023

How to Extrusion Blow Mold PHA/PLA Blends

You need to pay attention to the inherent characteristics of biopolymers PHA/PLA materials when setting process parameters to realize better and more consistent outcomes.

Blow Molding 11 Nov 2022

Avoid Four Common Traps In Granulation

Today, more than ever, granulation is an important step in the total production process. Our expert explains a few of the many common traps to avoid when thinking about granulators

Injection Molding 22 Oct 2022

Understanding the ‘Science’ of Color

And as with all sciences, there are fundamentals that must be considered to do color right. Here’s a helpful start.

Packaging 26 Jun 2022

Solve Four Common Problems in PET Stretch-Blow Molding

Here’s a quick guide to fixing four nettlesome problems in processing PET bottles.

Purging Compounds 1 Nov 2019

Follow These Steps to Purge Accumulator-Head Blow Molders

Preventive purging with a commercial product between resins or colors and during normal shutdown and startup cycles can prevent excessive loss of resin and production time.

Automotive 19 Oct 2016

What Blow Molders Say About All-Electric Machines

They are well established in Europe, but molders in North America are just beginning to come around to all-electrics’ improved performance, maintenance, cleanliness, and—yes— energy efficiency. Here’s first-hand testimony, from the U.S. and abroad.

Latest Blow Molding News And Updates

Packaging 13 Feb 2025

Lightweight Bottle Base for 100% rPET Still Products in High-Speed Production

Sidel’s new StarLITE-R Still base design for still products meets the combined challenges of lightweighting, high-speed production and 100% rPET.

Blow Molding 4 Feb 2025

Simpler Electric Extruder Drive for Reciprocating-Screw Machines

A new electric drive for the extruder screw from Velocity Equipment Solutions (VES) is said to be simpler and more energy-efficient. It’s retrofittable on reciprocating-screw blow molders from any supplier and is available on new custom-built machines from VES.

Blow Molding 15 Jan 2025

Fast Leak Tester for ‘Tricky’ Applications

New BottleStop leak tester from ALPS Inspection handles large, angled-neck and trouble-prone HDPE containers at up to 65 per minute.

Blow Molding 30 Dec 2024

Uniloy Launches E-Store for Genuine OEM Parts

On Nov. 4, Uniloy’s E-store for Genuine Uniloy Parts went live. It’s currently for reciprocating-screw blow molders but will be expanded to other types in future.

Postprocessing 27 Dec 2024

SACMI’s PET Bottle and Labeling Machinery Integrated Into Omnia Techologies

SACMI Bottling and Labelling are now subunits of Omnia’s ACMI.

Thermoforming 9 Dec 2024

Amcor, Berry Merge in All-Stock Deal

Move unites two complementary ��ýes to create a global leader in consumer packaging.

Featured Posts

Packaging 10 Feb 2025

Is There a Better Way to Heat PET Preforms for Stretch-Blow Molding?

Is near-infrared (NIR) heating better, faster and more energy efficient? So far, only two machine builders are making such claims for NIR in place of standard mid-infrared preform heating, though their systems appear to be well accepted. Meanwhile, an altogether different alternative is in the works.

close up on technology 10 Jan 2025

PolyJohn Turns to Blow Molding, Doubles Its Productivity

Leading maker of portable sanitation products knew thermoforming, sheet extrusion, rotomolding and injection molding. Then it found the missing link to higher productivity and new markets: blow molding.

sustainability 17 Dec 2024

Plastics Technology Year in Review: Your Favorite Reads of 2024

A year-end review of the top stories showcasing industry trends, advancements and expert insights. Revisit the articles that captured the attention of the plastics community.

Medical 16 Oct 2024

Custom Molder Pivots When States Squelch Thriving Single-Use Bottle Business

Currier Plastics had a major stake in small hotel amenity bottles until state legislators banned them. Here’s how Currier adapted to that challenge.

Blow Molding 2 Aug 2024

NPE2024 Wrap-Up: Sustainability Dominates Show Floor News

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

Extrusion 17 Jul 2024

Use Interactive Production Scheduling to Improve Your Plant's Efficiencies

When evaluating ERP solutions, consider the power of interactive production scheduling to effectively plan and allocate primary and secondary equipment, materials and resources on the overall production capacity of the ��ý and conclude that this is a key area that cannot be overlooked.

FAQ: Blow Molding

What Are Common PET Stretch-Blow Molding Problems and How Can I Fix Them?

Common problems:

1. Pearlescence and haze

2. Insufficient top-load strength

3. Insufficient base clearance or rocker bottom

4. Drop-impact failure

Fixes: /articles/solving-four-common-problems-in-pet-stretch-blow-molding

How to Fix Uneven Wall Thickness in Stretch Blow Molding?

There are a number of conditions that must be maintained in order to achieve the described result. Following are the various issues that can skew wall thickness, in order of relevance:

Off-center gate

Uneven heating or cooling

Small stretch ratios

How to Fix Pinch-Off Failures?

Part failure along the parting line is related to material processing conditions, parison geometry, molding conditions, mold design, or a combination of these factors. Developing the optimal material shape inside the part at the pinch-off is a key to building parting-line integrity.

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