They will benefit from a trip to this fall's K show, that is, with exhibitors in the stretch blowmolding space already giving word of developments sure to improve even the most high-end processing facility. From the show organizer's website, 27 companies exhibiting at the show claim to supply equipment for stretch blowmolding, and a look through the list confirmed that all of the industry's leading suppliers will be there.

For example, stretch blowmolding machinery manufacturer Siapi (Stand 14/C17) plans to introduce its 'HandleMatic' system. This is a patented automatic handle insertion system used to apply and integrate a handle directly during the blowing phase. This new system can be used with the company's entire range of machines and, says Siapi, has been especially welcomed by processors of large PET water containers.

In fact, three of its 2-cavity EA2S blowmolding machines were recently shipped to an unidentified North American customer for the production of 5-gal PET containers, configured with the HandleMatic system, for a project converting from polycarbonate to PET. The company claims more than 400 installations of its two-stage linear blowmolding machines for bottles in PET and other resins.  

Helping to ensure blowing bottles doesn't make you bankrupt is Agr Intl. (Stand 11/B40), which will feature products including its Process Pilot closed-loop control system, a real-time, process management program that works in conjunction with Agr's PETWall Profiler system to automate the blowmolding machine management. The Process Pilot program continuously monitors bottle material distribution data provided by the PETWall Profiler measurement system and automatically adjusts machine settings to maintain optimal bottle distribution and efficient operation.

Additionally, the company will show its OptiCheck system, a vision-based quality management system for rigid plastic containers, that checks all aspects of the product including sidewall, label and seal surface and finish gauging online. The PPT3000 Packaging Pressure Tester provides precise, temperature compensated pressure and volume expansion testing of plastic bottles.

Stretch blowmolding and beverage labelling / packaging machinery manufacturer Krones arrives at K with an oven concept called FlexWave for its Contiform stretch blowmolding machines. FlexWave, claims Krones, uses "significantly" less energy compared to established infrared ovens. It also enhances process flexibility as it functions independent of preform color, grade of PET or the proportion of recyclate used.

Krones (Stand 13/A73) also will introduce its ProShape concept for blowmolding oval or asymmetrical containers. ProShape is a new module for alignment and responsive temperature control for out-of-the-ordinary performs, added to the established heating and stretch blowmolding technology of the Contiform series, to ensure even these oddball preforms are appropriately pre-conditioned. Using ProShape processors can reach outputs of up to 2000 containers/hr/cavity, claims the company.

Stretch blowmolding machinery manufacturer Sidel plans a press conference in late September to detail its K show plans; MPW will report on those at that time.