Machine spotlight: Sipa introduces new preform system

After presenting its new preform system at NPE2012, Italian blowmolding machine manufacturer Sipa has received positive reaction.

"We actually did not expect the outstanding reaction we are getting," a Sipa spokesperson told PlasticsToday. "Since the NPE, the feedback from some of the major players in the preform business has simply been unexpected."

"The design of the system, its performances as well as the fact that it can install competitors' molds, represent very good arguments for many customers," the spokesperson continued. "We are now in serious discussion with most of the leading global players who, so far, never considered any alternative."

Sipa started engineering and manufacturing PET injection systems in 1989, and its first preform system was introduced in 1995. When designing its new preform system, Xform, the focus was to build a system capable of delivering significant advantages in terms of flexibility, long-term reliability, and reduced TCOs, according to the company.

"Our new preform system can use a very wide range of existing molds from leading producers with virtually no expensive retrofits, revitalizing older tools that in an older system are no longer cost effective due to their slow output," the spokesperson said.

Sipa's patented, two-sided post-mold cooling system holds preforms for four to six cooling cycles. The system features a robust and smooth clamping mechanism, capable of extending the mold life to over 8 million cycles. It also features up to 128 mold cavities for high output, and the mold change-over takes less than three hours, and a cooling system change-over takes less than a half an hour. The system can also handle up to 50% PET regrind (flakes) without the need for a special screw.

"We perfectly understand what happens after the preform is injected, how it is blown into a bottle, how it is filled, capped and packed for final delivery," the spokesperson said. "This know-how, delivers a unique capability in lowering packaging costs."