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Italian machine builder delivers sequential blow molding presses to global Tier 1s, engineering plastics supplierItalian machine builder delivers sequential blow molding presses to global Tier 1s, engineering plastics supplier

Reports renewed interest in sequential suction technology, which in previous years had seen a significant decrease when compared with the "boom" in requests for single-material suction technology.

Stephen Moore

February 7, 2017

2 Min Read
Italian machine builder delivers sequential blow molding presses to global Tier 1s, engineering plastics supplier

Monza, Italy-based extrusion blow molding machine manufacturer ST Soffiaggio Tecnica s.r.l. has delivered three of its ASPI SECO machines for the production of sequential extrusion blow molded engine compartment ducts to European and Korean Tier 1 component suppliers.

One machine will go into production in Turkey, consolidating the presence of ST Soffiaggio (Italian for blow molding) in one of the most important countries for the production of motor vehicles. The second blow molding machine marks a further milestone for the company, being the first unit destined for the fast-growing Indian automotive industry.

Italian sequential extrusion blow molding machine can take on high heat resins at processing temperatures in excess of 350°C.

Last June an official ceremony celebrated the delivery of an ASPI SECO machine to the DuPont European technical centre in Meyrin (Geneva, Switzerland). These recent sales confirm a renewed interest in sequential suction technology, which in previous years had seen a significant decrease when compared with the "boom" in requests for single-material suction technology.

The ASPI series blow molding machines are supplied in the SECO configuration when it is necessary to produce parts with two different materials arranged in sequence. This sequential coextrusion utilizes a parison that presents, in an alternating manner, different physical-mechanical characteristics. In this way it is possible to obtain parts with flexible sections and more rigid sections, thereby avoiding the time and cost of assembling more components. This technology also reduces the product cost, compared to a single-material solution, because each of the two resins is used only in those sections where it is needed.

The two new ASPI SECO machines have the same clamping unit (with maximum opening of 1,400 mm) and identical plasticization units (two 60 mm extruders), but differ in some other characteristics: the clamping forces are 15 and 20 tonnes, respectively, and the accumulator head capacities are 1.0 and 1.5 liters. A special attribute of both machines - not common on this dual material type of machine - is the possibility to reach a process temperature in excess of 350°C. This characteristic makes them suitable for processing not only any engineering plastic available today for blow molded engine compartment parts, but also new plastic materials that could be developed in the coming years for applications at even higher temperatures: the challenge to replace metals continues.

About the Author

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

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