Blow molding is a manufacturing process that uses air pressure to form hollow plastic parts like bottles. There are three main blow molding processes: extrusion blow molding where a tube of molten plastic (parison) is captured in a mold and inflated, injection blow molding where a preform is first injection molded and then blown, and stretch blow molding where preforms are first made via injection molding and then reheated and blown into shape. Blow molding can make parts from various plastics like PET, HDPE, and PP. It is used widely to make containers and bottles for foods, drinks, chemicals and more.
3. “Blow molding, also known as blow forming, is a
manufacturing process by which hollow plastic parts are
formed.”
It is used to made hollow parts such as plastic bottles.
4. Process Material
Blow molded parts can be formed from a variety of
thermoplastic materials, including the following:
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
7. BASIC PROCESS
TWO MAIN PROCESSES
TO preform (or parison) of hot plastic resin in a
somewhat tubular shape is created.
A pressurized gas, usually air, is used to expand the
hot preform and press it against a mold cavity. The
pressure is held. until the plastic cools.
8. The blow molding process begins with melting down the
plastic and forming it into a parison . The parison is a tube-
like piece of plastic with a hole in one end in which
compressed air can pass through. The parison is then
clamped into a mold and air is pumped into it. The air
pressure then pushes the plastic out to match the mold.
Once the plastic has cooled and hardened the mold opens
up and the part is ejected.
9.
10. EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDING:
In Extrusion blow molding (EBM), plastic is melted and
extruded into a hollow tube (a parison). This parison is then
captured by closing it into a cooled metal mold. Air is then
blown into the parison, inflating it into the shape of the
hollow bottle, container or part. After the plastic has cooled
sufficiently, the mould is opened and the part is ejected.
1)Reciprocating screw. 2)Compressed
air.
3)Hopper. 4)Granules.
5)Barrel. 6)Heaters.
7)Grinding, Mixing. 8)Actuator's
hydraulic generator.
9)Draw plate. 10)Core/Punch.
11. INJECTION BLOW MOLDING
Injection Stage Molten polymer is injected into a heated preform
mould. The preform is the partly shaped product that will be used to make
the final hollow product by being blown into shape. The preform consists
of a fully formed neck with a thick tube of polymer attached.
Blowing Stage The preform is passed to the hollow, chilled blow
mould. Compressed air is blown through the core rod into the preform
material, inflating it and forcing it against the sides of the mould.
Ejection The blow formed polymer is allowed to cool. It is then
removed from the blow mould and stripped off the core rod. The product
then passes to the quality control section and is tested for leaks
12. Stretch Blow Molding
• In the stretch blow molding (SBM) process, the plastic is first
molded into a "preform" using the injection molding process.
These preforms are produced with the necks of the bottles,
including threads (the "finish") on one end. These preforms
are packaged, and fed later (after cooling) into a reheat
stretch blow moulding machine. In the SBM process, the
preforms are heated (typically using infrared heaters) and
then blown using high pressure air into bottles using metal
blow moulds.
13. ADVANTAGES:
• Well suited to low and high production rates.
• Quick product revisions for increased flexibility.
• Tooling is less expensive than other molding.
• Each part price is less than Rotational Molding.
• Trim and flash reusable into finished parts.
14. DISADVANTAGES:
• Environmental Disadvantages effecting.
• Process and Material Limitations.
• Inability to produce bottles with calibrated neck
finishes.
• Machines typically dedicated to a narrow range of
sizes.
• Trimming required