All-electric blow molding machines have been gaining in popularity, as was demonstrated during NPE. Companies like Kautex Machines Inc., North Branch, N.J., and Bekum America Corp., Williamston, Mich., have been touting their all-electric capabilities. Recently, Velocity Equipment Solutions LLC, New Castle, Pa., announced a significant business re-alignment to support growth for its all-electric reciprocating blow molding technology. And BBM Maschinenbau und Vertriebs GmbH, Langenberg, Germany, last month had a booth at the 2015 Blow Molding Conference, held by the Society of Plastics Engineers in Pittsburgh.
Velocity President Tom Blaszkow says his company's reciprocating blow molding technology will expand the market for new machinery and the operating advantages will drive many blow molders to replace their fleets rather than to continue to invest in 50-year-old technology.
Blaszkow concedes that other companies make electric continuous extrusion or shuttle machines. But the reciprocating platform is the dominant technology for lightweight containers for dairy, juice and water, as well as some industrial segments. The new machinery technology arose from a three-year research and development project with partner Nampak Plastics Europe Ltd., Newport Pagnell, England, a producer of HDPE bottles.
Velocity introduced its technology in 2014. The first machine was specifically designed for Nampak. The past year has been devoted to getting the machine past developmental status into full commercial capability. The company will add engineering and technical staff in the coming months to support commercial startup of a second-generation machine.
HDPE container sizes made with the machine can range from a 2.5-ounce juice container to a 2.5-gallon F-style container, or anything in between. Machines are available with 2.5-inch, 3.5-inch, or 4-inch extruders.
The new machine uses electromechanical actuators rather than the hydraulic cylinders, pumps and actuators common to other reciprocating blow molding machines, thus lowering energy consumption.
The molds remain under the die head and open and close but do not shuttle. As the screw moves forward, the parison is pushed out into the molds for blowing.
Sebastian Walter, business development manager with BBM, said that his company is focused on growing its all-electric extrusion blow molding technology in North America. Its machines include single-station and double-station models with horizontally moving clamping units and parallel extruder movement. The company has offered all-electric extrusion blow molding machines since 2006 and now is looking to expand its presence in the United States.
All-electrics run much more quietly, are cleaner to operate and result in 30-50 percent energy savings, the company says.
Merle R. Snyder, senior correspondent
Contact:
BBM Maschinenbau und Vertriebs GmbH, 49 52 48 82 38 0, www.bbm-germany.com
Velocity Equipment Solutions LLC, 800-521-1368, www.velocityes.com
