Blow Molding Machines: A Complete Guide

In today’s technologically advanced world, manual labour is taking a backseat and machines are taking over the world of production. Look around and you will find a machine for the production of almost everything around you with humans contributing to first its production and then its working. One such innovation is the blow molding machine using which several everyday plastic items and automotive parts are created. Today, this machine is a foundation on which the plastic manufacturing industry is based but how much do you know about it? Not much, right? So, stay tuned while we guide you through everything there is to know about Blow Molding Machines.

What is Blow Molding?

Blow Molding is a process prominent in the manufacturing industry using which hollow objects of plastic including bottles, cans and automotive parts are made. The machine using which this process is undertaken is called a blow molding machine. In blow molding, a tube called a parison is heated above its melting point and put into the cavity of the mould where it takes the desired shape. It is a systematic process which brings to life many of the objects that you see around on a daily basis and is the backbone of the plastic industry.

History of Blow Molding machines

Even though blow molding machines are a product of modern innovations, they didn’t just come into being out of the blue. The process of blow molding is something which has existed for a long time and evolved over the course of centuries to take its present form. Teleologically speaking, it all started in the first century BC through the works of Syrian glass workers and was further developed by Egyptians. From there, it reached America and was developed over the course of the years as a glass manufacturing machine. Then during an effort to make this process more consistent, inventors Enoch Ferngren and William Kopitke discovered the process of blow molding for plastics. That’s how this process of blow molding which is widely used across the world came into being.

What is a Blow Molding machine used for?

The use of blow molding machines is not limited to the manufacturing of plastic bottles but is across industries including automotive industry for the creation of diverse products. Let’s have a look at a few such products.

1.    Sporting goods and toys.

2.    Plastic bottles.

3.    Watering cans.

4.    Coolers

5.    Construction barrels.

6.    Liquid reservoirs.

7.    Consoles.

8.    Electrical covers.

9.    Storage systems.

10. Electrical covers.

11. Fenders.

12. Mud Guards.

Process of Blow Molding.

In blow molding, hollow plastic products are manufactured using different techniques, namely,

1.    EBM Extrusion Blow Molding.

2.    IBM Injection Blow Molding.

3.    Injection Stretch Blow Molding.

Step-by-step process.

Let’s have a look at how this process of blow molding actually works.

1.    Plastic pellets are inserted into the machine through a screw or hopper. This could vary according to the machine that you are using.

2.    In the second step, these pellets are heated till they reach their melting point and take the shape of a tube which is called parison.

3.    Placed inside the machine, compressed air inflates the parison and it slowly takes the desired shape.

4.    Once the plastic cools, the product is removed and the required labelling is done using a Decorating labelling machine.

What materials are used for Blow Molding?

The way blow moulding can be used to create diverse products, it also uses diverse materials for the production process. Given below are the list of materials which are popularly used for the production of blow molding.

1.    Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

2.    High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

3.    Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

4.    K-Resin Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer (K-Resin SBC)

5.    Kostrate

6.    Santoprene

7.    Polyurethane (PU)

8.    Polystyrene (PS)

9.    Polypropylene (PP)

10. Nylon

11. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

Advantages of Blow Molding

There are several molding machines and techniques out there. So, why should you choose blow molding techniques over them? To get some clarity, let’s have a look at some advantages of blow molding technique.

 

1.    Blow molding machines are a revolutionary innovation that lead to the growth and development of the plastic industry. Now, with this technique, a large variety and quantity of products could be manufactured in the most cost-effective manner.

2.    Compared to other moulding techniques like injection molding, blow molding is a more economical option.

3.    When using blow molding machines, you don't have to limit yourself to just one technique.

4.    It promotes the productivity of any plastic manufacturer as it allows the production of larger quantities of products in a short span of time. It’s a proven way to mass-produce products of different kinds in a limited time.

So, this was a complete guide about everything that you would want to know about blow moulding machines. I am sure all your doubts about it would have been clarified by now but in case something is bothering you, contact our experts and they will guide you through it all.