Introduction
The manufacturing process of the hollow containers like jars, bottles, pots, and others is quite complex. Everything needs to be done with precision so that the internal volume can be created perfectly so as to meet the design of the product. Also, press machines are used to give the jars the perfect shape from the outside. Apart from this, to give a smooth finish, filing and lathing are the additional steps to be followed.
However, amongst all these works, it is the creation of the cavity inside which is perhaps the most difficult task. Several techniques are there with which the inner cavity can be created as per the desired dimensions, injection blow molding being the most preferred one.
This article talks about this process and how to find the best injection blow molding machine manufacturer, and other relevant facts. With this basic knowledge, you will have the much-needed clarity so that you can choose the best injection blow molding machine manufacturer for your needs.
What is injection blow molding?
Blow molding is a wonderful process of creating hollow plastic or polymer objects. However, this process lacks precision and the ability to produce bulk quantities. This is where IBM or Injection Blow Molding comes in. Here, the molding is carried out in two separate steps; and unlike blow molding, the IBM process requires two molds rather than one.
In the normal blow molding process, a plastic or polymer element is first filled with air such that it can expand. This is called a parison. Once done, it is then placed between two mold pressing halves, which will continue to apply pressure on the parison till it takes the shape of the mold. Once the process is completed, the finished product is taken out.
Below is a detailed description about how the IBM or Injection Blow Molding process is usually carried on in the industries.
- The concerned liquid polymer is used to form the preform by placing the material inside the mold. The preforms are generally a tube-like version with a proper neck, similar to the design of the final product to be made.
- Once the preform is still warm and more plastic, it is placed between the final mold which is in the shape of the product needed.
- An air blower is injected into the preform’s body through the neck.
- As soon as the preform’s structure is secured within the mold halves, air is blown and the pressure forces the preform walls to expand and take the shape of the mold.
- Each final mold will have cooler tubes which will help in bringing down the molding temperature and harden the plastic material.
- Once completed, the final bottle will be ejected from the mold and then sent for packaging.
Advantages of injection molding
1. Accurate neck shaping
One of the major requirements in the bottle and jar manufacturing is the shaping of the neck. With the Injection Blow Molding process, this requirement can be met easily as the preforms neck is formed with the first mold. Hence, a lot of accuracy is established during the neck designing and formation.
2. High-quality surface finish
The insides of the molds are free of any kind of roughness and uneven surfaces. Also, as air is blown from inside and the preform has thick walls, no wear and tear or unevenness will be observed along the surface of the final product after ejection.
3. Precision in dimensions
If you are choosing the best injection blow molding machine manufacturer, you won’t have to worry about the product quality, finish and dimensions. They use high-tech IBM machines will give you an upper hand in getting the dimensions correctly, no matter how complicated the surface design is.
4. Waste-free production
One of the major advantages of the IBM process over the normal blow molding is the production of zero waste. Hence, it is an environment-friendly manufacturing process.
5. Ideal for bulk quantities
With the help of the best IBM machines, businesses can produce the hollow jars and containers in bulk quantity as each machine comes with multiple cavity processors.
Disadvantages of injection molding
- The entire costs of the IBM process are more than extrusion blow molding and hence, is posing a challenge to the industry.
- The ratio of the maximum to minimum wall thickness of the preform must be maintained below 1.5 to avoid the weld lines.
- If the preform’s thickness is more than 6 mm, the proper structure during the air injection can’t be obtained.
- Multiple molds need to be designed to obtain the final products from the preforms.
GS Machinery and their Blow Molding Machines
Since a decade now, GS Machinery has been designing and manufacturing injection blow molding machines for various industries, starting from pharmaceutical to milk packaging industries. Their expertise and market experience has enabled them to design high quality IBM machines that can cater to the growing advancements of the technologies and the increasing supply and demand market.
With their IBM machines, bottles having an inner volume of 2 ml to 1500 ml can be manufactured and that also by using different polymer materials like the PE, EVA, and the PP. The resultant materials have even wall thickness with no weld lines and scraps, glossy and smooth surfaces, and perfect cap fitting around the necks.
As the best injection blow molding machine manufacturer, GS Machinery has three main products:
G-30S
- Can handle different polymers like PC, PE, PP, and others
- Bottle’s internal volume ranging from 2 ml to 800 ml
- Fully automated machine
- Can be used to produce small bottles like eye drops, ear drops, and others
G-50S
- Based on servo-system technology
- Can make bottles having a volume range of 50 ml to 800 ml
- Materials supported are PE, PS, PC, PP, and SAN
- Reduced cycle time up to 3 seconds
- 2 seconds dry time cycle
- Saves 30% power
- Air controlled bottle ejection module
G-70S
- Can manufacture bottles from 100 ml to 1000 ml internal volume
- Special U-clamping lock system for more security
- Saves 40% power with the servo technology
- High precision neck modeling
- Balanced wall thickness of the product
Conclusion
Injection Blow Molding process has become more popular than other blow molding techniques owing to the high level of accuracy and precision it offers in the manufacturing of the plastic bottles and containers. With injection blow molding machine manufacturer like GS Machinery, you can choose from different types of IBM machines as per your business requirements.