PET blow molding machine is an automated equipment specifically designed to process PET (polyethylene terephthalate) preforms into various specifications of PET plastic bottles through blow molding technology. It is one of the key equipment in the plastic packaging industry, widely used in beverages (bottled water, carbonated drinks, fruit juice, tea drinks, etc.), food (edible oil, sauce, etc.), daily chemical (shampoo, detergent, etc.), medicine and other fields.
Development History
The development of PET blow molding machines is closely related to the development of the plastic industry, and its development history can be traced back to the early 20th century. The following are the main development stages of PET blow molding machines:
Origin and Early Development: The principle of blow molding technology originated from the blowing of glass products. In 1938, Enoch Ferngren and William Kopitke manufactured the first commercial blow molding machine and sold it to the Hartford Empire Company, marking the official beginning of plastic blow molding processing technology. In the early days, the variety and quantity of plastic products were very limited, the blow molding process was relatively simple, and the degree of equipment automation was low, mainly used to produce some simple plastic containers.
Technological breakthroughs and widespread applications: During World War II, blow molding technology began to be used to produce low-density polyethylene small bottles, meeting the demand for small packaging containers at that time. In the late 1950s, high-density polyethylene was born, and with the continuous improvement of blow molding machine technology, blow molding technology has been widely applied. The volume of hollow containers continues to increase, significantly improving production efficiency and gradually being applied in more fields such as industrial packaging. At the same time, different molding processes such as extrusion blow molding and injection blow molding have also emerged, enriching the means of blow molding technology.
Modernization and Intelligent Development: In the 1980s, with the rapid development of the domestic plastic industry, the PET fully automatic blow molding machine industry began to enter a stage of rapid growth. Domestic enterprises introduced, digested, and absorbed advanced foreign technologies, gradually realizing the localization of blow molding machines. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the PET fully automatic blow molding machine industry has entered a mature stage. Advanced sensor technology, automation control technology, and Internet of Things technology have been widely used in blow molding machines, achieving precise monitoring and automatic adjustment of equipment operating parameters, greatly improving the stability of the production process and the consistency of product quality. At the same time, in response to the growing demand for environmental protection, bottle blowing machines have also made significant progress in energy conservation, consumption reduction, and the use of recyclable materials.
In addition, some internationally renowned enterprises have also played an important role in the development of PET blow molding machines. For example, in 1980, Sidel launched the world’s first commercial production solution for PET beverage packaging – the SBO blow molding machine for producing carbonated soft drinks, with a production speed of 3600 bottles per hour. In 1997, Krones launched its first Contiform blow molding machine, which has since been continuously updated and upgraded to improve its production capacity and performance.
Classification method
There are many classification methods for PET blow molding machines, and common ones can be classified according to the degree of automation, production structure, production capacity, applicable bottle types, etc., as follows:
1. Classified by degree of automation
1. Semi automatic bottle blowing machine
Characteristics: It requires manual participation in processes such as bottle blank feeding and finished product handling, with only the core blow molding process being automated.
Advantages: Low equipment cost, simple structure, suitable for small batch production or trial production.
Capacity: Typically tens to hundreds of bottles per hour, suitable for small beverage factories, laboratories, or customized small orders.
2. Fully automatic bottle blowing machine
Features: The entire process from automatic feeding, preheating, conveying, blow molding, cooling of bottle preforms to automatic output of finished bottles does not require manual intervention and can be linked with subsequent equipment such as filling lines.
Advantages: High production efficiency, strong stability, suitable for large-scale industrial production.
Production capacity: Thousands to tens of thousands of bottles per hour, which is a mainstream application type widely used in large beverage and food enterprises.
2. Classified by production structure (number of blow molding stations)
1. Single station bottle blowing machine
Features: Only one preform can be processed at a time, and the next cycle can be carried out after blow molding, with a simple structure.
Applicable scenarios: Small production capacity requirements, such as laboratories and small batch customized bottle shapes.
2. Multi station bottle blowing machine
Features: Multiple preforms are processed synchronously through a rotating worktable or conveyor chain, and preheating, blow molding, cooling, and other processes are completed at different workstations for continuous production.
Advantage: Significantly improving efficiency, it is the mainstream structure of fully automatic bottle blowing machines.
Common number of workstations: 4-32 workstations (or even more), the more workstations there are, the higher the hourly production capacity.
3. Classified by production capacity (speed)
1. Low speed bottle blowing machine
Capacity: ≤ 3000 bottles per hour, mostly semi-automatic or simple fully automatic equipment, suitable for small and medium-sized batch production.
2. Medium speed bottle blowing machine
Capacity: 3000-10000 bottles per hour, suitable for medium-sized production lines, balancing efficiency and cost.
3. High speed bottle blowing machine
Capacity: ≥ 10000 bottles per hour, with some high-end equipment capable of producing over 50000 bottles per hour. Equipped with high-precision mechanical structures and intelligent control systems, it is suitable for the high-capacity needs of large beverage enterprises, such as bottled water and carbonated beverage production lines.
4. Classified by applicable bottle type/process
1. Standard bottle blowing machine
Suitable for producing PET bottles in conventional shapes (such as round bottles, square bottles), widely used in beverage, food, daily chemical and other fields, it is the most common type.
2. Irregular bottle blowing machine
For the design of special shaped bottle bodies (such as irregular curved bottles, handle bottles, flat bottles, etc.), customized molds and more precise blow molding control are required, commonly used in high-end packaging (such as cosmetics, gift packaged beverages).
3. Hot filling bottle blowing machine
We specialize in producing PET bottles that can withstand high temperatures (65-95 ℃), suitable for hot filled beverages such as tea drinks and fruit juices. The bottle body needs to undergo special processing to ensure stability at high temperatures.
4. Wide mouth bottle blowing machine
Used for producing PET bottles with larger bottle mouth diameters (usually ≥ 38mm), suitable for packaging solid or semi-solid products (such as sauces, nuts, cosmetic pastes, etc.).
Different categories of blow molding machines correspond to different production needs, and enterprises will choose suitable equipment based on their own production capacity, product type, cost budget, etc. With the development of technology, fully automatic, high-speed, and multifunctional bottle blowing machines are becoming the mainstream trend in the industry.
Advantages and disadvantages
There are mainly three types of PET blow molding machines: semi-automatic, linear fully automatic, and rotary fully automatic. Their respective advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
Semi automatic PET blow molding machine
Advantages: Low cost, minimal initial investment, suitable for small businesses or small-scale production with limited budgets. The operation is relatively simple and easy to get started, with low technical requirements for operators and no need for extensive professional training. It has a certain degree of flexibility and can adjust the production rhythm at any time according to production needs, suitable for producing bottles of various specifications and shapes.
Disadvantages: Low degree of automation, requiring more manual operations, high labor intensity, low production efficiency, and limited output. The stability of product quality is poor and is greatly affected by human factors, such as inconsistent blowing pressure and temperature control. The hygiene level is relatively low, and during manual operation, it may cause contamination to the preform or bottle, making it unsuitable for the production of products with extremely high hygiene requirements.
Linear fully automatic PET blow molding machine
Advantages: The transmission system is mostly driven by servo motors, and the synchronization is easy to control, which can ensure the stability and accuracy of the production process. The locking mechanism is driven by hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic cylinders, which have a large locking force and are suitable for producing bottles with high sealing requirements. Some fully electric linear machines are driven by servo motors or cam mechanisms, with minimal vibration, which can improve the quality and production efficiency of bottles.
Disadvantages: The output of the rotary fully automatic bottle blowing machine is relatively low, and the single-mode output is generally between 800 bottles/hour and 1200 bottles/hour. The number of mold cavities is usually 4-10. The compatibility of the equipment is generally poor. For bottles of different volumes and shapes, it may be necessary to replace different molds and adjust parameters. The production flexibility is not as good as that of semi-automatic bottle blowing machines. The structure of a linear bottle blowing machine is relatively complex, with high maintenance costs and high technical requirements for maintenance personnel.
Rotating fully automatic PET blow molding machine
Advantages: High production efficiency, large number of mold cavities, continuous production, single mode output can reach 1500 bottles/hour -2000 bottles/hour, which can meet the needs of large-scale production. The product quality is stable, and high-precision bottle blowing mold closure system and advanced control system are adopted to ensure the dimensional accuracy and appearance quality of the bottles. The degree of automation and intelligence is high, and the entire production process is independently completed by machines, with a friendly human-machine interface that is easy to operate and monitor.
Disadvantages: High equipment prices, large initial investment, suitable for financially strong and large-scale production enterprises. The requirements for bottle preforms are high, and it is necessary to use preforms that are suitable for the blown bottle shape, otherwise it may affect product quality. The structure of the equipment is complex, and installation and debugging are difficult, requiring professional technicians to operate and maintain it.
Working principle
The working principle of PET blow molding machine is based on the thermoplastic properties of PET material. Through the process of “heating softening high-pressure blow molding cooling shaping”, the prefabricated PET bottle blank is processed into plastic bottles of the desired shape. The core steps are as follows:
1. Bottle preform feeding and transportation
Feeding: Prefabricated PET preforms (resembling test tubes, with one end open and the other end closed, pre made by injection molding process) are fed into the equipment through an automatic feeding system (such as a hopper, conveyor belt, or robotic arm) to ensure that the open end of the preform is facing upwards for subsequent positioning.
Transportation: The preform is accurately transported to the preheating station through a conveyor track or rotating worktable, and is fixed by a positioning device (such as a chuck) during the process to prevent deviation.
2. Preheating of preform
Heating softening: The preform enters the preheating furnace, and the infrared heating tube (or heating plate) inside the furnace uniformly heats the bottle body of the preform (the bottle mouth is usually not heated or only slightly heated due to the need to maintain hardness for subsequent sealing).
Temperature control: Based on the characteristics of PET material, the heating temperature is usually controlled at 80-120 ℃ to soften the preform wall to a “high elastic state” (moldable but not flowing). Preheating should be uniform to avoid uneven thickness or crystallization of the bottle due to local overheating (resulting in white mist).
Rotating heating: In some equipment, the preform will rotate with the conveying mechanism to ensure uniform heating in the circumferential direction, laying the foundation for the symmetry of subsequent blow molding.
3. High pressure blow molding
Mold positioning: The preheated preform is quickly transferred into the blow molding mold, the mold is closed, and the open end of the preform is fixed by a fixture to form a closed chamber.
High pressure inflation: The blowing needle is inserted from the open end of the preform and high-pressure compressed air is injected into the interior (usually at a pressure of 10-40 bar, adjusted according to the size and wall thickness requirements of the bottle).
Adhesive molding: Under the action of high-pressure air, the softened PET bottle blank wall is forcibly stretched and tightly adhered to the inner wall of the mold, completely replicating the shape of the mold (such as circular, square, irregular, etc.), forming the final contour of the bottle body.
4. Cooling and shaping
Rapid cooling: The blow molding mold is equipped with a circulating cooling water channel inside. When the bottle body is attached to the mold, the cooling water quickly takes away the heat of the PET material, solidifying it from a high elastic state to a glassy state, and fixing the shape and size of the bottle body.
Pressure holding cooling: During the cooling process, a certain air pressure (pressure holding) is usually maintained to prevent deformation of the bottle body during cooling shrinkage, ensuring uniform thickness of the bottle wall and meeting dimensional accuracy standards. The cooling time depends on the size of the bottle, usually ranging from a few seconds to a dozen seconds.
5. Demoulding and bottle retrieval
Mold opening: After cooling is completed, the blow molding mold automatically opens and the blowing needle exits.
Bottle output: The formed PET bottles are taken out of the mold through a robotic arm, conveyor belt, or pneumatic device, and transported to subsequent processes such as inspection, filling, labeling, etc., completing one production cycle.
Summary of Core Principles
The essence of PET blow molding machine is to utilize the plasticity of PET material after heating and the ability to shape after cooling, and to achieve the transformation from preform to finished bottle through the physical process of “thermal softening external force (high-pressure air) shaping cold curing”. The entire process requires precise control of heating temperature, blow molding pressure, cooling time and other parameters to ensure key indicators such as transparency, strength, and sealing of the bottle body, meeting the packaging requirements of industries such as food and beverage.
Semi-automatic PET blow molding machine
The working principle of the semi-automatic PET blow molding machine is consistent with that of the fully automatic blow molding machine (both based on “heating softening high pressure blow molding cooling shaping”), but the degree of automation is relatively low, requiring manual participation in key processes. The specific process is as follows:
1. Manual feeding (bottle blank placement)
The operator needs to manually place the prefabricated PET preforms into the preform fixing seat (or positioning fixture) of the equipment one by one, ensuring that the open end of the preform is facing upwards and the position is upright (some equipment requires manual placement of the preform on the positioning structure below the blowing needle).
This process does not have automatic feeding and conveying mechanisms, and relies entirely on manual placement, which is one of the core differences from fully automated equipment.
2. Bottle preform preheating (semi-automatic heating)
The preheating and blow molding stations of some semi-automatic equipment are separated: the pre arranged preforms are manually placed in an independent preheating furnace (or heating rack) and heated by infrared lamps (temperature 80-120 ℃). During the heating process, the preforms need to be manually rotated at regular intervals (or the equipment comes with a simple rotation function) to ensure uniform heating of the bottle body.
Another part of the simple equipment integrates preheating and blow molding: after the bottle blank is placed, the equipment automatically moves the heating component (such as the heating ring) to locally heat the bottle blank. After heating is completed, the heating component is manually removed (or the equipment is automatically reset).
3. Manual mold closing and high-pressure blow molding
The preheated preform needs to be manually transferred to the bottom of the blow molding mold (or operated directly on the original positioning seat), and the operator manually closes the mold (by locking it with a mechanical handle, hydraulic rod, or pneumatic switch) to ensure that the mold is tightly fitted and forms a closed chamber.
After the mold is closed, the blow molding switch is activated, and the equipment automatically injects high-pressure air (usually 10-30 bar) into the bottle blank through the blowing needle. The softened bottle blank expands under pressure and adheres to the inner wall of the mold, forming the shape of the bottle body.
During the blow molding process, the equipment automatically maintains pressure (maintaining air pressure for a few seconds to ten seconds) to ensure that the bottle body is fully formed.
4. Cooling and manual demolding
After blow molding is completed, the cooling water (or air cooling system) inside the mold rapidly cools the bottle body (the cooling time is manually observed or controlled by a simple timer).
After cooling, the operator manually opens the mold (releases the locking device), and then manually takes out the formed PET bottle from the mold (some equipment has a simple ejector device to assist in bottle retrieval).
5. Loop operation
After removing the finished bottle, repeat the above steps: manually place the new bottle blank → preheat → close the mold → blow mold → cool → open the mold to take the bottle, completing one production cycle.
The semi-automatic PET blow molding machine completes production through “manual participation in key steps+equipment execution of core processes”, suitable for small batch production (such as small beverage factories, laboratory trial production, customized bottle shapes), with low equipment cost and simple operation, but low efficiency (usually producing tens to hundreds of bottles per hour), requiring certain proficiency of operators (such as heating uniformity, mold sealing, etc., which need to be manually controlled). The core of its working principle is still to utilize the thermoplasticity of PET material, but replacing the “automatic conveying, automatic mold closing, automatic material picking” and other links in the automation process with manual operation, reducing equipment complexity and cost.
Core components
Different types of PET blow molding machines (such as semi-automatic, fully automatic, high-speed fully automatic, etc.) have common core components in their structural composition, as well as unique structures due to differences in automation level and production efficiency.
1. Semi automatic PET blow molding machine (basic type)
The semi-automatic bottle blowing machine has a relatively simple structure and relies on manual participation in key processes. The core structure includes:
1. Rack and support system
A stable metal frame supports various components (such as heating and blow molding mechanisms) to ensure the stability of the equipment during operation.
2. Manual feeding positioning device
A simple preform holder (or chuck) used for manually placing preforms to ensure accurate positioning of the open end.
3. Preheating mechanism
Independent preheating furnace (or heating ring): equipped with built-in infrared heating tubes, some with manual rotating devices (to assist uniform heating of preforms), without automatic conveying function, requiring manual insertion/removal of preforms into/from the heating zone.
4. Blow molding molds and locking devices
Single or double blow molding molds (designed according to production capacity) with cooling water channels inside the molds.
Manual mold locking mechanism: Mold opening and closing are achieved through mechanical handles, pneumatic pull rods, or hydraulic rods, which require manual operation to close/open.
5. High pressure blow molding system
Blow needle: Insert into the open end of the preform and connect to a high-pressure gas source.
Air compressor or high-pressure storage tank: provides compressed air at 10-30 bar, equipped with a simple pressure regulating valve.
6. Cooling system
Small chiller or cooling water tank: connected to the mold water channel through pipes to achieve circulating cooling, with low cooling efficiency.
7. Control system
Simple control panel: includes heating temperature adjustment, blow molding time/pressure setting, start/stop buttons, and simple automation logic.
2. Fully automatic PET blow molding machine (standard type)
The fully automatic bottle blowing machine realizes the full process automation from bottle blank feeding to finished product bottle picking, with a more complex structure, including:
1. Automatic feeding and conveying system
Bottle preform hopper: stores a large amount of bottle preforms and feeds them through vibration or gravity.
Sorting mechanism: Sort the messy bottle preforms into a uniform posture with the opening facing upwards to avoid material jamming.
Conveyor track/star wheel: Accurately transport the preform to the preheating station, and fix it with a positioning chuck.
2. Continuous preheating furnace
Closed furnace body: equipped with multiple sets of infrared heating tubes (temperature controlled by zones) to ensure uniform heating of the preform to 80-120 ℃.
Rotating conveying mechanism: The bottle blank rotates through the heating zone with the chain or star wheel to ensure uniform heating in the circumferential direction. A cooling device is installed at the bottle mouth to prevent softening.
3. Multi station blow molding unit
Rotating worktable (or linear conveyor): integrates multiple blow molding mold stations, running synchronously with preheating and bottle picking processes.
Automatic mold locking device: driven by servo motor or hydraulic system, quickly closes/opens the mold to ensure sealing.
High pressure blowing needle component: automatically inserts into the opening of the bottle blank, injects 15-40 bar high-pressure air, and works with a stretching rod (some equipment) to longitudinally stretch the bottle blank, improving the strength of the bottle body.
4. Efficient cooling system
Integrated chiller unit: Provides continuous circulating cooling water, rapidly cools the bottle body through dense water channels inside the mold (cooling time 3-10 seconds), and some molds are equipped with air cooling assistance.
5. Automatic bottle picking and conveying
Mechanical arm or bottle shifting mechanism: Remove the molded bottle from the mold to avoid contamination caused by manual contact.
Conveyor belt: Transport finished bottles to the testing area or subsequent packaging process, with some equipped with bottle bottom cooling devices (to prevent deformation).
6. Intelligent control system
PLC control system: integrated touch screen, can set parameters such as heating temperature, blow molding pressure, cooling time, etc., real-time display of equipment operation status (such as fault alarm, production capacity statistics).
Sensor feedback: Key parameters are monitored through temperature and pressure sensors, and automatically adjusted to ensure stable production.
3. High speed fully automatic PET blow molding machine (mass production type)
The high-speed machine is designed specifically for large-scale production (such as beverage bottle mass production), with a structure that enhances efficiency and stability on the basis of full automation:
1. High speed feeding system
Large capacity storage bin+high-speed billet sorting machine: capable of processing tens of thousands of preforms per hour, coupled with servo driven conveying star wheels, ensuring continuous feeding without interruption.
2. Precision preheating system
Multi stage heating furnace: Control heating power according to different areas of the preform (bottom, middle, shoulder), equipped with a hot air circulation system to improve heating uniformity and efficiency.
Dynamic temperature compensation: Real time monitoring of preform temperature through infrared thermometer, automatic adjustment of heating tube power, suitable for high-speed production (preform passing speed is fast, precise temperature control is required).
3. Multi cavity rotary blow molding system
High speed rotating worktable: equipped with 10-48 sets of blow molding molds (the number of mold cavities increases with production capacity), with a rotation speed of 30-60 revolutions per minute, and coupled with a cam driven locking mechanism, achieving millisecond level mold opening and closing.
High pressure air supply device: During the blow molding process, air supply is carried out in stages (pre blowing, main blowing, and pressure holding) to ensure rapid molding of the bottle body and uniform wall thickness, with a pressure control accuracy of ± 0.1 bar.
4. Rapid cooling and energy-saving design
Dual circulation cooling system: The mold is divided into bottle body cooling and bottle mouth cooling circuits, using high-efficiency heat exchangers, and the cooling efficiency is increased by more than 30% compared to the standard model.
Waste heat recovery: using preheating furnace exhaust gas to heat cooling water or combustion air, reducing energy consumption.
5. Fully automatic detection and elimination
Integrated online detection device: Automatically identify non-conforming products through visual system (detecting bottle defects and uneven wall thickness) and pressure testing (sealing), and remove them by pneumatic device to avoid flowing into the next process.
6. Industrial grade control system
Multi axis servo linkage control: coordinates the synchronization of feeding, preheating, blow molding, bottle picking and other processes, with fast response speed (millisecond level), supports remote monitoring and data traceability (such as production batch and parameter recording).
Through structural differences, it can be seen that the core of the evolution of PET blow molding machines is the improvement of automation level (reducing manual labor) and efficiency optimization (increasing mold cavity, improving speed, and strengthening control) to adapt to the needs of different production scales (small batch customization → large-scale production).
Comparison of core differences among different types of structures
| Types | Semi automatic bottle blowing machine | Fully automatic bottle blowing machine (standard type) | High speed fully automatic bottle blowing machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding Method | Manual placement | Automatic billet sorting+conveying | High speed automatic billet sorting+large capacity material storage |
| Preheating efficiency | Single/small heating, manual intervention | Continuous rotating heating, automatic temperature control | Multi zone heating with dynamic temperature compensation |
| Number of blow molding stations | 1-2 sets of molds | 4-10 sets of molds | 10-48 sets of molds, high-speed rotation |
| degree of automation | Manual participation in feeding, mold closing, and bottle retrieval | The entire process is automated, without the need for manual labor | Fully automated+online detection, unmanned |
| Capacity (bottles/hour) | 100-1000 | 1000-10000 | 10000-100000+ |
Application
The PET blow molding machine is a key equipment that processes PET preforms into various hollow containers through stretch blow molding technology, and its application covers a wide range of industries that require packaging containers. The following are its main application areas and characteristics:
1. Food and beverage industry (main application areas)
Bottled water: including mineral water, purified water, natural water, etc. PET bottles have become the mainstream packaging due to their high transparency, light weight, good sealing, and moderate cost. The bottle blowing machine can produce containers ranging from 330ml small bottles to 18.9L large buckets of water, suitable for different scenarios such as portable and household use.
Carbonated beverages: carbonated beverages such as cola and Sprite have high pressure resistance requirements for PET bottles. The blow molding machine optimizes the stretching ratio and blowing pressure to produce bottles with uniform wall thickness and strong explosion resistance, avoiding deformation or rupture caused by internal pressure.
Juice and tea beverages: These beverages often require high-temperature filling (such as hot filled tea beverages), and the blow molding machine can produce high-temperature resistant PET bottles (processed through special materials or processes) that can withstand filling temperatures of 60-95 ℃ while maintaining stable bottle shape.
Dairy products: such as yogurt and milk (small capacity), PET bottles have good barrier properties (some require the addition of barrier layers), which can extend the shelf life of the product. Blow molding machines can produce wide or narrow mouth bottles according to demand, making them convenient to use.
2. Daily chemical and home cleaning industry
Washing and care products: Shampoo, shower gel, laundry detergent and other products are often packaged in PET bottles. The blow molding machine can produce various shaped bottles (such as curved or textured), matched with different bottle cap designs to enhance product aesthetics and user experience.
Cleaning agents: dishwashing detergent, disinfectant, etc. PET bottles have strong chemical resistance (avoid long-term contact with highly corrosive substances), and blow molding machines can produce large capacity (such as 1-5L) containers to meet household or commercial needs.
Cosmetics: Some skin care products (such as cosmetic water and essence) use small PET bottles. The bottle blowing machine ensures the transparency and surface smoothness of the bottles and improves the product grade through high-precision mold and control.
3. Pharmaceutical and healthcare industry
Medicinal packaging: Some oral liquids (such as syrup and oral liquid) use PET bottles, and the bottle blowing machine needs to operate in a clean environment (such as complying with GMP standards) to ensure that the bottle body is free of impurities and odors, and has excellent sealing performance to prevent drug contamination or deterioration.
Health product packaging, such as nutrient solutions, health drinks, etc., requires high safety and barrier properties for PET bottles. The blow molding machine can produce small capacity, easy to open bottle shapes, and also supports aseptic blow molding process (with aseptic filling line).
4. Other special fields
Industrial packaging: PET bottles can be used for small chemical reagents, lubricants, etc. The blow molding machine adjusts the wall thickness and material of the bottle body according to the characteristics of the medium (such as adding anti UV additives to prevent the liquid from deteriorating due to light exposure).
Disposable products: such as travel wash bottles, portable spray bottles, etc. The bottle blowing machine can efficiently produce small size, lightweight PET bottles to meet the cost of one-time use and environmental protection needs (some can be recycled).
The core application of PET blow molding machine lies in adapting to the performance requirements of different industries for containers, such as pressure resistance, high temperature resistance, barrier properties, transparency, shape complexity, etc. At the same time, by adjusting production capacity (from semi-automatic hundreds of bottles/hour to high-speed fully automatic tens of thousands of bottles/hour), it meets the diversified production needs from small family workshops to large factories. With the increasing demand for environmental protection, bottle blowing machines are also developing towards lightweight (reducing raw material consumption), application of recyclable materials, and energy-saving processes (such as optimizing heating systems), further expanding their application scenarios.
Manufacturers
Chinese manufacturers
Suzhou Yuda Robot Co., Ltd.: It is a technology-based enterprise specializing in the research and development and manufacturing of intelligent warehousing, bottle blowing equipment, filling machines and other equipment. Suzhou Yuda has a wide range of fully automatic bottle blowing machine models, with optional production capacity sizes. For example, the YDHBA-2L-6 fully automatic bottle blowing machine has a stable single machine production capacity of up to 15000BPH (0.2L-0.75L). There are various styles of semi-automatic bottle blowing machines, such as YDB-2L-4 one out four semi-automatic bottle blowing machine and YDB-2L-2 one out semi-automatic bottle blowing machine, which can produce various plastic bottles such as mixed bottles, oil bottles, soda bottles, etc.
Taizhou Huangyan Baixing Machinery Co., Ltd. is located in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. It is a professional company that manufactures and develops PET blow molding machines and blow molding molds, with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing blow molding equipment. Its main products include BX series fully automatic, manual, and semi-automatic two-step blow molding machines, which are exported to multiple countries and regions such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Guangzhou Dayilong Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd. is a well-known packaging machinery manufacturer in China. Its PET blow molding machine products have the characteristics of high automation and stable performance, which can meet the needs of different customers and are widely used in industries such as food, beverage, and daily chemical.
Guangdong Leshan Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.: Focusing on the field of plastic machinery, with years of research and production experience in PET blow molding machines, its products cover a variety of types of blow molding machines, and are highly praised by customers for their good cost-effectiveness and high-quality after-sales service.
Shanghai Ziqiang Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of PET blow molding machines. Its products include fully automatic and semi-automatic blow molding machines, which have the advantages of reasonable structure, easy operation, and stable performance. It has a certain market share in the domestic market.
Suzhou Tongda Machinery Co., Ltd., located in Suzhou, Jiangsu, is a professional manufacturer of blow molding machines. Its main products include fully automatic blow molding machines, plastic molding equipment, CNC blow molding machines, etc. It has certain technical strength and market share in the field of plastic molding.
Cangzhou Dangxian Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. is located in Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Hebei Province. The company specializes in various equipment such as blow molding machines, plastic bottle blowing machines, and hollow blow molding machines. Its products cover different types of blow molding machines such as fully automatic and semi-automatic.
Guangdong Zhongsheng Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. is located in Nanhai District, Foshan, Guangdong Province. It is an enterprise specializing in the research and production of PET blow molding machines. Its products include PET semi-automatic blow molding machines, PET fully automatic blow molding machines, and other related products. It also provides injection molds, blow molding molds, and other related products.
Qingzhou Xinghe Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. is located in Qingzhou City, Shandong Province. The company’s business scope includes the sales of mechanical equipment, packaging special equipment, etc. Its blow molding machine products have a certain customer base in the local and surrounding areas.
Taizhou Jinmi Machinery Co., Ltd. is located in Huangyan District, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province. It was established on January 7, 2025, and mainly engages in the manufacturing, sales, and research and development of plastic processing equipment. Its products include plastic processing equipment such as PET blow molding machines.
Foreign manufacturers
Sidel: A well-known packaging equipment manufacturer in France with over 40 years of professional technology and experience in the field of blow molding machines. The EvoBLOW XL series ultra high speed ultra large PET bottle blowing machine launched by it can blow up to 10 liters of ultra large capacity PET bottles, suitable for packaging bottled water, edible oil, and other food categories.
Krones: A renowned German manufacturer of liquid packaging equipment, its PET blow molding machine products are known for their high precision, speed, and stability, and are widely used in industries such as food and beverage, occupying an important position in the global market.
Nissei ASB Machine: A professional plastic processing machinery manufacturer in Japan, with advanced technology in the field of PET blow molding machines. Its products cover various models from small and medium-sized to large, suitable for production needs of different scales.
Sipa: An Italian packaging equipment manufacturer specializing in the research and production of PET blow molding machines. Its products are popular in the market for innovative design and efficient performance, especially in high-speed blow molding machines.
Price
The price of PET blow molding machines varies depending on factors such as the degree of automation, production capacity, and brand of the equipment. The following are the price ranges for some common types of PET blow molding machines:
Semi automatic PET blow molding machine:
A semi-automatic mineral water bottle blowing machine ranging from 50ml to 2L: typically priced between $2900-3300.
A semi-automatic PET bottle blowing machine with a capacity of 5 gallons (approximately 18.9 liters) costs approximately $5000-8000.
Low cost semi-automatic plastic beverage water bottle blowing machine: The price is relatively low, usually between $1800-2600.
Fully automatic PET blow molding machine:
A fully automatic preform stretching blow molding machine with a capacity of 100ml-2L: priced at approximately $8000.
6000BPH fully automatic PLA, PET, PP bottle blowing machine: priced between $19500-20000.
20L large capacity fully automatic PET blow molding machine for water and mineral water treatment: priced between $22000-25000.
Blowing, filling and capping machine:
High speed fully automatic PET bottle plastic blow molding filling and capping machine: relatively high price, about $90000.
Fully automatic combined water production PET bottle manufacturing blow molding machine (blowing, filling and capping integrated machine): The price can reach $440000.
In addition, according to relevant market analysis data, the price of domestically produced fully automatic PET blow molding machines for 2.5-5-liter containers is about 150000-360000 yuan, while the price of imported equipment can reach around 1 million yuan. Large or highly automated rotary PET blow molding machines are priced at over 500000 to 1 million RMB.
Common faults and solutions
During long-term operation, PET blow molding machines may experience various malfunctions due to equipment wear, improper operation, raw material issues, or environmental factors. Common malfunctions and their causes are roughly as follows:
1. Malfunctions related to bottle body molding
1. Bubbles appear on the bottle body
Reason: Uneven heating of the preform and high local temperature leading to raw material decomposition; The preform itself contains bubbles or impurities; Compressed air contains moisture or oil stains, which can enter the bottle and form bubbles; Poor exhaust and residual gas during blow molding.
Example: If a section of the heating lamp tube is damaged and the corresponding position of the preform is not heated enough, it is easy to produce bubbles due to uneven stretching during blow molding.
2. Uneven thickness of the bottle body
Reason: Poor quality of preform and uneven wall thickness; Inaccurate positioning of the mold and deviation from the center of the preform; The position of the stretching rod is offset, and the force is uneven during stretching; Unreasonable blow molding pressure or blowing time settings result in imbalanced material distribution.
3. Wrinkles appear on the bottle body
Reason: The heating temperature of the preform is too low, resulting in insufficient material ductility and wrinkling during stretching; The initial pressure of blow molding is too low, and the material cannot quickly adhere to the mold; Impurities or scratches in the mold cavity hinder material adhesion.
4. The bottle mouth is deformed or damaged
Reason: The temperature of the bottle mouth mold is too high or too low, which affects the cooling and shaping process; Excessive heating of the bottle preform and mouth leads to softening and deformation; Insufficient clamping force, resulting in displacement of the bottle mouth during blow molding; Mechanical collision with bottle mouth during demolding.
2. Equipment operation related faults
1. The device cannot start normally
Reason: Power connection failure, such as leakage, open circuit, or unstable voltage; The emergency stop button has not been reset; Control system (such as PLC) program error or sensor failure; Damage to power components such as motors and drivers.
2. Heating system malfunction
Reason: Burning or poor contact of the heating lamp tube; The temperature sensor malfunctions, resulting in inaccurate temperature control; Poor heat dissipation in the heating zone, triggering protection mechanism when the temperature is too high; Heating circuit short circuit or contactor malfunction.
3. Abnormal air pressure
Reason: Air compressor malfunction leading to insufficient gas supply; Air leakage or loose joints in the trachea; The pressure reducing valve and solenoid valve are damaged and cannot adjust or control the air pressure normally; Filter blockage affects the quality of compressed air.
4. Mold related malfunctions
Reason: The mold is not securely installed and shakes during operation; The mold cooling water circuit is blocked, resulting in poor cooling effect and poor bottle shaping; Mold wear or deformation, affecting the dimensional accuracy of the bottle body; The demolding mechanism is malfunctioning, and the bottle cannot fall off smoothly.
3. Other common faults
1. Decreased production
Reason: Decreased device operating speed; Frequent occurrence of unqualified bottle body needs to be removed; Extended blow molding cycle (such as unreasonable heating and blowing time settings).
2. Abnormal noise or vibration
Reason: Wear and looseness of mechanical components (such as bearings and gears); Motor imbalance; The tightness of the transmission belt is uncomfortable; The gap between the mold and the equipment connection is too large.
3. Control system alarm
Reason: Temperature, pressure, time and other parameters exceed the set range; Sensors detect abnormal signals (such as missing preforms or bottles not being removed); Program error or system communication failure.
Most of these faults can be prevented through regular maintenance (such as cleaning molds, inspecting circuits and circuits, calibrating sensors), and standardized operations (such as setting parameters correctly and using qualified preforms). When a malfunction occurs, it is necessary to gradually investigate based on the equipment model and specific symptoms, and if necessary, contact the manufacturer’s technical support.
Solutions for common malfunctions of PET blow molding machines
Malfunctions related to bottle body molding
Bubbles appear on the bottle body: Check if the heating lamp is working properly to ensure even heating of the preform; Select qualified bottle preforms without bubbles or impurities; Install an air dryer to remove moisture and oil from compressed air; Optimize the exhaust system of the mold to ensure smooth exhaust during blow molding.
Uneven thickness of bottle body: Select bottle preforms with uniform wall thickness; Adjust the position of the mold to align with the center of the preform; Adjust the position of the stretching rod to be located at the center of the embryo tube; Reasonably set the blow molding pressure and blowing time, and adjust the stretching ratio and inflation ratio according to the requirements of the bottle body.
Wrinkles appear on the bottle body: increase the heating temperature of the preform appropriately to enhance the material’s ductility; Increase the initial pressure of blow molding to quickly adhere the material to the mold; Regularly clean the mold cavity to remove impurities and scratches.
Bottle mouth deformation or damage: Adjust the temperature of the bottle mouth mold to reach the appropriate cooling and shaping temperature; Control the heating temperature and time of the preform bottle mouth to avoid excessive heating; Increase the locking force to ensure the stability of the bottle mouth position during blow molding; Optimize the demolding process to avoid mechanical collision with the bottle mouth.
Equipment operation related faults
The device cannot start normally: check the power circuit to ensure proper connection and stable voltage; Check if the emergency stop button has been reset; Check the control system program, repair or reprogram any errors, and verify that the sensors are functioning properly; Check the power components such as motors and drivers, and replace them promptly if they are damaged.
Heating system malfunction: Replace the burnt heating lamp tube, inspect and repair the parts with poor contact; Regularly calibrate temperature sensors to ensure accurate temperature control; Improve the heat dissipation conditions in the heating zone and clean the heat dissipation channels; Check the heating circuit, repair the short circuit issue, and replace the damaged contactor.
Abnormal air pressure: Check the operation of the air compressor, repair or replace faulty components; Check the trachea and joints, repair the leaking parts; Replace damaged pressure reducing valves and solenoid valves, and adjust the air pressure according to equipment requirements; Regularly replace filters to ensure the quality of compressed air.
Mold related malfunction: Reinstall the mold to ensure a secure installation; Clean the mold cooling water circuit to ensure cooling effect; Regularly inspect the wear and tear of molds, repair or replace molds that are worn or deformed; Check the demolding mechanism, repair or replace damaged components, and ensure that the bottle falls off smoothly.
Other common faults
Decreased production: Check the operating parameters of the equipment, such as motor speed, to ensure that the equipment operates at a normal speed; Analyze the reasons for the unqualified bottle body and take corresponding measures to reduce the rate of unqualified products; Optimize blow molding cycle and adjust heating, blowing and other time parameters reasonably.
Abnormal noise or vibration: Check the wear of mechanical components such as bearings, gears, etc., and replace worn parts in a timely manner; Tighten loose components; Adjust the installation position of the motor to ensure its balance; Adjust the tightness of the transmission belt; Check the connection between the mold and the equipment to ensure a tight connection.
Control system alarm: According to the alarm prompt, check the parameters such as temperature, pressure, time, etc., and adjust them to the set range; Check if the sensor is working properly and replace it promptly if there is a malfunction; Check the control system program, fix program errors or communication failures.
Common faults and solutions of semi-automatic PET blow molding machines
Due to its relatively simple structure and frequent manual intervention, the semi-automatic PET blow molding machine has common faults with fully automatic equipment, as well as unique problems caused by the characteristics of semi-automatic operation. The following are specific faults and solutions:
1. Bottle molding related malfunctions (related to operation and equipment calibration)
1. The bottle body is not fully blown (not fully formed)
Reason:
Inaccurate positioning during manual placement of preforms results in a deviation between the stretching rod and the center of the preform;
Insufficient blow molding pressure or short blowing time, resulting in insufficient stretching of the material;
The heating temperature of the preform is not sufficient, the ductility is poor, and it cannot fit the mold cavity.
Solution:
Standardize the operation to ensure that the preform is smoothly placed into the mold positioning slot, and if necessary, install positioning assistance devices;
Check the pressure of the air compressor, adjust the parameters of the blowing valve, and extend the blowing time (such as increasing from 0.8 seconds to 1.2 seconds);
Check the power of the heating lamp tube, increase the heating time or adjust the lamp tube spacing to ensure that the preform is uniformly heated to the appropriate temperature (usually PET material is heated to 90-120 ℃).
2. Bottle mouth cracking or deformation
Reason:
Improper force during manual bottle retrieval and placement resulted in damage to the bottle mouth due to stress;
Insufficient cooling of the bottle mouth mold, poor shaping effect, and easy deformation when taking out the bottle;
Improper adjustment of the locking force, too loose causing displacement of the bottle mouth position, and too tight squeezing the bottle mouth.
Solution:
Train operators to handle gently and avoid pulling or pulling forcefully;
Check the cooling water circuit of the bottle mouth mold, clean up blockages, and ensure smooth circulation of cooling water;
Re calibrate the locking device and adjust the locking pressure to the appropriate range (refer to the equipment manual, usually 5-10 bar).
3. The bottom of the bottle is concave or white
Reason:
Insufficient pressure holding time in the later stage of blow molding, resulting in incomplete shaping of the bottle bottom;
Excessive heating at the bottom of the preform causes the material to age and become brittle;
The stretching rod descends too deeply, squeezing the bottom of the bottle.
Solution:
Extend the holding time (e.g. from 1.5 seconds to 2 seconds) to ensure sufficient cooling of the bottle bottom;
Adjust the position of the lamp tube in the heating zone to reduce the heat at the bottom of the preform;
Calibrate the stroke of the stretching rod, shorten the descent distance, and avoid contact with the bottom mold of the bottle.
2. Equipment operation and mechanical failures (related to semi-automatic structures)
1. Manual operation buttons malfunction (such as start and lock buttons)
Reason:
Oxidation or wear of button contacts, resulting in poor contact;
The control circuit is loose or short circuited, and the signal cannot be transmitted;
The emergency stop button has not been reset, triggering safety protection.
Solution:
Disassemble the button, sand the contact points with sandpaper or replace the button directly with a new one;
Check the button connection harness, re plug and fix loose connectors, and investigate short circuit points;
Check the status of the emergency stop button, rotate and reset it before attempting to operate.
2. The mold opening and closing may be stuck or unable to close
Reason:
There are impurities (such as plastic debris) on the mold slide rail, which hinder sliding;
Insufficient pressure or leakage of the mold opening and closing cylinder, insufficient power;
The wear of the mold positioning pin leads to alignment deviation.
Solution:
Regularly clean the mold slide rail and apply lubricating grease (such as silicon-based grease) to reduce friction;
Check the cylinder air pipe joint, replace the leakage sealing ring, and adjust the air source pressure to the equipment requirements (usually 6-8 bar);
Replace the worn locating pin and recalibrate the mold alignment accuracy.
3. Unstable supply of compressed air
Reason:
The output pressure of the air compressor fluctuates, or the capacity of the air storage tank is insufficient;
The air intake filter of the equipment is clogged, resulting in a decrease in air flow rate;
The valve core of the manual blowing valve is worn, resulting in air pressure leakage.
Solution:
Check the operating status of the air compressor to ensure stable pressure (the set value should be 0.5-1 bar higher than the required pressure of the equipment), and replace the large capacity air storage tank if necessary;
Regularly disassemble the filter, clean or replace the filter element;
Disassemble the blow valve, replace worn valve cores or seals, and ensure that the valve is tightly closed.
3. Heating system malfunction (common problem with semi-automatic equipment)
1. The heating lamp does not light up or does not heat up locally
Reason:
The filament of the lamp tube is burned out, or the wiring terminals are loose;
Heating thermostat malfunction, unable to output heating signal;
The protective cover of the heating area is not tightly covered, triggering safety interlock protection (some equipment designs).
Solution:
Replace the burnt out lamp tube and re tighten the wiring terminals;
Detect the output voltage of the thermostat and replace the temperature control module in case of malfunction;
Ensure that the protective cover is closed properly and trigger the interlock switch.
2. The heating temperature fluctuates between high and low
Reason:
Temperature sensors (such as thermocouples) are offset in position and cannot detect accurately;
Temperature controller parameter setting error (such as improper PID adjustment ratio);
The fluctuation of power supply voltage affects the heating power.
Solution:
Reposition the sensor position to ensure it is close to the heating zone and not in contact with the lamp tube;
Re calibrate the PID parameters of the thermostat according to the equipment manual;
Install a voltage regulator to stabilize the power supply voltage (usually requiring 220V ± 10%).
Summary
The malfunctions of semi-automatic PET blow molding machines are often related to the standardization of manual operation and maintenance of basic components. Daily attention should be paid to:
Operator training to reduce misoperation;
Regularly clean vulnerable parts such as molds, slides, filters, etc;
Regularly check the circuit and air circuit connections, and replace aging parts in a timely manner.
Most faults can be solved through simple debugging or replacement of spare parts. For complex problems, it is recommended to contact the technical support of the equipment manufacturer.
Maintenance
Different types of PET blow molding machines (such as semi-automatic, fully automatic, high-speed fully automatic, etc.) have both commonalities in maintenance and differences in structural complexity and operational intensity. The following are maintenance points for different types of equipment:
1. Common basic maintenance (universal for all types)
Regardless of the degree of automation of the equipment, the following basic maintenance is the core, which directly affects the lifespan and production stability of the equipment:
1. Cleaning and maintenance
Mold system: Clean the plastic residue and oil stains in the mold cavity and exhaust groove after daily production to avoid accumulation that may cause scratches or poor molding of the bottle body; Wipe the surface of the mold with a specialized cleaning agent (such as neutral release agent) every week to maintain smoothness.
Heating system: Clean the dust and plastic splashes on the surface of the heating lamp every week to ensure heating efficiency; Check the insulation layer inside the heating hood every month and replace it promptly if it is damaged to avoid heat loss.
Mechanical components: Apply lubricating grease (such as lithium based grease) to moving parts such as slides and guide columns daily to prevent wear and tear; Clean the oil and debris on the chains and gears every week, and add chain oil.
2. Maintenance of pneumatic system
Daily discharge of condensate water from the air compressor storage tank and equipment air circuit to prevent moisture from entering the solenoid valve and cylinder and causing corrosion;
Check the trachea joints and valves for air leaks every week, and replace the seals or joints if they are damaged;
Replace the compressed air filter cartridge every month (adjust according to the frequency of use, shorten the cycle when there is a lot of dust in the environment) to ensure a clean air source.
3. Circuit system inspection
Check weekly whether the wire connectors are loose or overheated, whether the terminal blocks are oxidized, and tighten or clean them in a timely manner;
Blow the dust inside the control cabinet with compressed air every month to avoid short circuits;
Regularly calibrate temperature sensors and pressure sensors (such as thermocouples and pressure gauges) to ensure accurate signals (recommended once every 3 months).
2. Key points of classified maintenance
1. Semi automatic PET blow molding machine (simple structure, with a lot of manual intervention)
Maintenance of operating components:
Check the sensitivity of manual operation buttons (such as start, lock, and blow buttons) daily, and sand or replace the buttons with sandpaper when the contacts oxidize;
Check the wiring of the foot switch (if any) every week to ensure stable signal when pressed and avoid misoperation.
Mold positioning mechanism:
Check the wear of mold positioning pins and buckles every month, tighten them when loose, and replace them when worn severely to prevent deformation of the bottle mouth caused by positioning deviation of the preform.
Simple transmission system:
Semi automatic equipment is often driven by cylinders or simple motors, and it is necessary to check the cylinder piston rod for scratches and leaks every month. When the sealing ring ages, it should be replaced in a timely manner; Lubricate the motor bearings every six months.
2. Fully automatic PET blow molding machine (high integration, automatic embryo feeding, forming, demolding)
Embryo delivery system maintenance:
Check daily whether there are any foreign objects blocking the preform conveying track, whether the track spacing matches the preform, and adjust it to be smooth without any jamming;
Check the wear of the embryo delivery star wheel and fork every week. Tooth wear can cause deviation in the transportation of bottle embryos, and it needs to be repaired or replaced in a timely manner;
Clean the sensors (such as photoelectric switches) of the embryo delivery mechanism every month to avoid dust blocking and causing detection failure.
Fine maintenance of molding system:
Check the verticality and surface smoothness of the stretching rod every two weeks. If it is bent or scratched, it needs to be straightened or replaced to prevent the preform from breaking during stretching;
Check the parallelism of the locking mechanism every month. Uneven locking force can cause mold deformation, which needs to be calibrated by adjusting the pull rod nut (refer to the locking force parameters in the equipment manual).
Automated control system:
Backup device programs every month to prevent accidental loss; Check if the connection between PLC and touch screen is stable, and unplug the communication cable if it becomes loose;
Please have professional personnel calibrate the servo motor and driver parameters every quarter to ensure stability during high-speed operation (such as feeding speed and mold locking accuracy).
3. High speed fully automatic PET blow molding machine (production capacity>6000 bottles/hour, high load operation)
Enhanced maintenance of core components:
High speed transmission system: The gearbox and synchronous belt pulley should be checked daily for abnormal noise during operation, and the gear oil should be replaced every 3 months (according to the specified model of the equipment, such as synthetic gear oil); The tension of the synchronous belt is calibrated weekly. If it is too loose, it is easy to slip, and if it is too tight, it will accelerate wear.
Quick mold changing system: If the equipment supports quick mold changing, check the positioning accuracy and locking device of the mold changing guide rail every week to ensure that the center of the mold is aligned with the stretching rod after mold changing (deviation should be ≤ 0.1mm).
High frequency heating system: The heating frequency of the high-speed machine is higher (usually>50Hz). Check the cooling water circuit of the high-frequency generator every month, clean the scale (which can be cleaned by circulating citric acid solution), and avoid overheating and burning; If the heating coil is deformed, it should be straightened in a timely manner to prevent uneven magnetic field from causing excessive temperature difference in the heating of the preform.
Security system check:
Test the response speed of the emergency stop button and safety light barrier every week, and immediately shut down the equipment after triggering without delay or misoperation;
Check the sealing and interlocking devices of the protective door every month to prevent foreign objects from entering or accidental contact by operators during high-speed operation.
3. Long term maintenance recommendations (by cycle)
Daily: Clean, inspect air path drainage, lubricate key moving parts;
Weekly: Check sensor and transmission component wear, button/switch sensitivity;
Monthly: replace filters, calibrate sensors, and check circuit connections;
Every 3-6 months: in-depth maintenance (such as replacing gear oil, calibrating servo systems, and polishing molds);
Every year: Please have the manufacturer’s technical personnel conduct a comprehensive inspection to evaluate the lifespan of core components (such as motors and heating modules).
Through targeted maintenance, equipment failures such as bottle jamming, poor molding, and downtime can be effectively reduced, and the service life can be extended. Especially for high-speed machines, attention should be paid to monitoring the wear of high load components to avoid large-scale production delays caused by minor failures.
Purchase suggestions
There are mainly semi-automatic, fully automatic and other types of PET blow molding machines. When purchasing, it is necessary to consider multiple factors such as production scale, product requirements, budget, etc.
Production scale
Semi automatic PET blow molding machine: suitable for small-scale production or laboratory use. Its price is relatively low, generally ranging from a few thousand yuan to tens of thousands of yuan, such as some low consumption wide mouth PET water bottle beverage bottle semi-automatic one blow two models that may cost around 4000-5000 yuan. If the initial production scale of the enterprise is small, the order volume is unstable, or small batches of new product trial production are needed, semi-automatic bottle blowing machine is a more economical and flexible choice.
Fully automatic PET blow molding machine: With higher production efficiency and capacity, the price is relatively high, and equipment with one out of four or higher configurations can reach tens of thousands to millions of yuan. For example, the quotation for the complete set of automated equipment for fully automatic six speed PET mineral water beverage bottles of certain brands may range from two to three hundred thousand to one million. Suitable for enterprises with large production scale and stable order volume, able to meet the demand for large-scale production and reduce the production cost per unit product.
Product specifications and requirements
Bottle capacity: Different blow molding machines are suitable for producing bottles of different capacities, such as 5L to 20 liter edible oil bottles, 18.9L large barrels of water, etc. It is necessary to ensure that the production capacity of the selected equipment can cover various specifications of bottles that need to be produced.
Bottle shape characteristics: If producing standard bottle shapes, most blow molding machines can meet the requirements; But if it is the production of irregular bottles, such as asymmetric bottles, elliptical bottles, bottle shapes with natural handle positions, etc., it is necessary to choose a blowing machine with special functions, such as a two-step linear stretching blowing machine, which can perform side directional heating and other operations for irregular bottles.
Accuracy and Quality: High precision control systems can improve product consistency and yield, reducing waste generation. For industries with high requirements for bottle quality, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc., it is necessary to choose blow molding machines with advanced control systems and good precision.
Equipment performance and configuration
Transmission system: Linear blow molding machines are mainly driven by servo motors, with a few using cylinder propulsion. The synchronization of fully electric linear machines is easy to control; Most rotary blow molding machines are driven by deceleration motors and driven by synchronous belts. They run synchronously in and out of the bottle, making it easier to detect the origin.
Locking mechanism: Linear blow molding machines mainly use hydraulic cylinders or cylinder drives for locking, which can easily cause equipment vibration during operation. Foreign fully electric linear machines use servo motors or cam mechanisms for driving, resulting in less vibration; The rotary bottle blowing machine mainly adopts pin type or rotary type mold locking, with a simple structure and controlled unlocking and locking by guide rails.
Brand and after-sales service
Brand reputation: Priority should be given to well-known brands such as Suzhou Yuda and Guangzhou Dayilong in China, and Kautex in Germany. The equipment of these brands usually has stable performance, reliable quality, and many application cases for reference.
After sales service: Good after-sales service is the guarantee for the normal operation of equipment. It is necessary to understand whether the supplier provides installation, commissioning, training, regular maintenance and other services, as well as the timeliness and price of spare parts supply.
