PET Technologies releases PET stretch blow moulding machines
PET Technologies has recently brought to the market APF-Max, a new generation of flexible PET stretch blow moulding machines, its output varying between 3,000 and 14,000 bph, while the bottle volume is between 0.1 and 6 L. The product range includes six basic models and five extra.
The first of its customers emphasise its user-friendly design, streamline form, alternative colouring, modular concept and controller that is easy to operate. They also highlight that all the communications are connected via the top of the machine with the electric cabinet backside. The machine is divided into two parts for transport convenience.
APF-Max blow molder is equipped with B&R PLC whilst a central lubrication system facilitates easier machine maintenance.
In terms of flexibility, the APF-Max series has a range from two to eight cavities configurations. It also offers:
- Wide range of preform neck standards. The same machine can produce both 100ml bottles for sanitisers, for example, and 1L wide neck jars for coffee.
- Increase of output of existing blow molder. The machine will convert a 4-cavity model with output 7,000 bph to reach 14,000 bph. It is enough to install additional cavities and make respective changes in the heater.
- Wide range of bottle formats, from 100 ml up to 6 L. To produce up to 2 L bottles, the machine has 5 cavities. When switching to 1 gallon bottles, the machine is readjusted for 3 cavities.
- Hot fill option: it is applicable to the whole APF-Max series and is an additional advantage to the features described above.
APF-Max blow molder’s flexibility allows it to keep pace with a quick-change system, as to use many mold sets for wide range of PET bottles with minimum change over time. The blow mold is equipped with non-spill quick-change connections and is replaced in one piece.
Thus, 15 minutes are enough to change the blow mold and start to produce another bottle format. 108 mandrels in the heater of the 8-cavity blow molder can be changed in just four minutes.
The all-electric configuration allows the Servo drives to provide more precise positioning together with high speed, stable heater conveyor speed and blowing process. The stretching rod position is automatically controlled depending on the bottle height when switching from one bottle format to another. Preblow is also controlled via PLC.
The APF-Max is equipped with the short-wave near infrared heating system (NIR), although it is not a common method for the PET blow moulding market, preform heating is more efficient as less kilowatts are consumed. The advantages of the NIR heating system for PET bottles production are as follows:
- Uniform temperature distribution between the inner and outer parts of preform wall
- Reduced heating time
- Compact heater size
- Reduced energy consumption of blow molder.
Ceramic reflectors are used for better preform heating and to reduce energy consumption, alongside its automatic temperature regulation.
The company highlights the APF-Max as universal, operator-friendly, economic and flexible. The machine has high output whilst having compact dimensions and is equipped with a double air recovery system to cover the demand of low pressure and pressure for preblow. Avida (Russia) and Kazan milk plant are among the company’s first customers and have installed three of the APF-Max.
For more information, visit: pet-eu.com.
