Reforming ProcessesBlow Moulding

What is It?

The Process used to manufacture hollow products such as drinking bottles, fabric conditioner containers and washing up liquid bottles.

The Machine

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Diagram 3

The Process

The plastic is heated in the same way as injection moulding.

An extruded parison is inserted into the split mould die.

The split mould closes, sealing the parison at one end.

Hot compressed air forces the plastic onto the shape of the mould.

The process continued……

The mould is cooled and the plastic hardens.

The mould opens and the product is ejected.

The process is repeated.

The Process - Animation

http://www.bpf.co.uk/downloads/files/BlowMoulding.swf

The Products

Blow Moulding - Advantages

Intricate shapes can be formed such as screw heads on bottles.

Moulds produce accurate products. Highly automated process. Products require very little finishing. Suitable for high volume production. Low unit cost for long production runs. Textures can be added to the surface of the

product.

Blow Moulding - Disadvantages

Moulds are very expensive to develop and produce.

Not suitable for small production runs. Large amounts of waste created.