Velocity Equipment launches all-electric quick-change reciprocating blow mold machine

Packaging machinery supplier Velocity Equipment Solutions has announced the completion of two new technologies for the extrusion blowmolding of HDPE containers. The creation of the new technologies completes a three-year R&D effort carried out in close cooperation with Velocity's client Nampak Plastics Europe Limited, a producer of dairy bottles in the United Kingdom. 

"The reciprocating blow mold technology was introduced in the 1960s and has seen only incremental change since then," said Tom Blaszkow, president of Velocity Equipment Solutions. "The new advances in technology we are announcing today not only provide an owner a platform with a lower operating cost, but the quick change capabilities can eliminate the need for multiple production lines to produce multiple containers lowering the owners capital outlay. Finally, our unique clamping technology can increase cavitation to a point where output will rival that of much more expensive platforms such as wheel machines. We are very excited to offer these new technologies to the industry."

The first new technology, which the company claims is the only one of its type worldwide, is the all-electric quick-change reciprocating blow mold machine. This machine uses electro-mechanical actuators to replace the hydraulic cylinders, pumps and actuators common to other reciprocating blow mold platforms. In addition, the failure points common to reciprocating blow mold machines such as ball splines, thrust assemblies and all hydraulic components have all been eliminated. And, all motions on this machine are precision guided, as opposed to the rails and shoes that are common on other machines, leading to longer life of components. The machine was specifically designed for Nampak Plastics in the UK to be changed from an Infini 4 pint/2.3L 35g bottle on 10 heads to 2 pint/1.1L 22g bottle on 12 heads within an 8-hour shift. Its benefits include, according to the company:

The second technology is a quick change high speed rotary impact trimmer capable of changing from one container to another within an eight hour shift. Capable of speeds up to 160 bottles per minute, the machine eliminates common problems associated with other rotary trimmers such as scrap handling and a very narrow operating window. With drive mechanics located above the spindles, the underside is completely open for the scrap handling funnel. Also, although the trim tooling travels in a rotary motion the actual trimming is a conventional impact trim. The machine achieves high speeds and a wide operating window.