Blow molding machine delivers stable and enhanced product quality with high productivity

At K 2013, BEKUM Maschinenfabriken GmbH is premiering its fully-electric version of the current 7th generation blow moulding machines with a clamping force of 150 kN. This exhibit, a two-station EBLOW 407 D blow moulder, combines the modular structure of the 07 series with an energy-efficient, all-electric drive. The machine is equipped with a spiral distributor extrusion head that offers significant advantages for product quality as well as productivity. Based on a standard platform, the proven 07 series is in use all over the world and can be ordered with electric or hydraulic drive systems according to the customer’s requirement. To increase production availability, the 07 series has been consistently geared toward ease of service. The fully-electric EBLOW models as well as the hydraulic HYBLOW models allow excellent access to drive components and valve stacks. The units can then be repaired or replaced very quickly, if required. The EBLOW 407 D has a mould width of 500 mm with a mould length of 470 mm and a mould depth of 2 x 130 mm. The mould opening stroke is specified as 250 mm and the maximum mould weight is rated at 400 kg. There is also a choice of three grooved barrel extruders with an L/D ratio of 24D, in screw diameters of 70 mm, 90 mm and 100 mm. Their plasticizing capability varies between 110 and 340 kg/hr. depending on the extruder size and the material being processes. BEKUM provides spiral distributor extrusion heads for its machines, which stand out due to the excellent, uniform parison wall thickness distribution. This provides the operator with significant capability to optimize the parison quality for not only monolayer products, but especially for products with multi-layer structures. There is no need for the customer to compromise on user-friendliness either as the heads can be easily installed from the front of the machine. Not only that, but the design of the head ensures quicker colour changeovers than with standard design principles, which lead to a direct increase in machine productivity. Consumption of purge material for cleaning is also reduced to a minimum. The compact design of the spiral distributor extrusion heads should also be noted because energy for heating them is significantly reduced due to less surface area. The machine has a mould clamping system known as the C-Frame, which was introduced at K 2010 as an innovation, and has now been successfully launched in the marketplace. The design of the BEKUM C-Base Frame, which utilizes clamping platens that move along precise, low-friction linear guides, enables completely symmetrical clamp force distribution over the entire mould area, while maintaining high clamping platen parallelism. The drive can maintain full clamp tonnage and gently cushion fast force changes, if required. With a dry cycle time of 2.5 seconds, the EBLOW 407 D is a very fast machine, allowing shorter production cycles via independent drives and parallel movements. According to BEKUM, the precise repeatability of the EBLOW 407 D sets a high standard. This results in long service life, especially with regard to blow mould cutting edges, which has a direct impact on product quality. The drive system is not only energy-efficient, but it is very precise, gentle on the moulds with non-impact clamping action, and noise emission is noticeably reduced to 72dB(A), as compared to hydraulic designs. Numerous fully-electric EBLOW machines from the current 07 series are operating all over the world. The calibration point always remains in the exact same position in the mould parting line once the mould is closed, thus ensuring consistent quality neck finishes. Furthermore, the design of an EBLOW 407 D clamping unit allows optional installation of an additional bottom calibration station (Tandem Blow) to increase output. Exclusive to BEKUM machines, simultaneous top and bottom calibration is possible, which ensures precise, sealable product neck faces. The optional Tandem Blow bottom calibration station can also be useful for manufacturing products with neck rings in the neck area or for medical bags. The proven quick mould change function and the mould mounting patterns have also been retained. Thus, nearly all standard moulds from previous BEKUM series can be adapted. Servo motors are used in the EBLOW series for mould closing movements. This drive technology performs quick opening and closing movements with the mould carrier unit positioned on linear guides with minimal dead time. By isolating the forcethe guidance, the closing of the mould halves is precisely controlled at all times. The consistently high and precise transmission of force during the clamping process results in ideal article weld formation. Full clamping force is always available independent of mould thickness and without adjustment. The clamping force and speed can be selected and adjusted to meet the process requirements exactly. This allows for optimum weld formation. Precise calibration guidance requires less energy to overcome frictional forces. This also makes an important contribution toward energy-optimized operation for blow moulders. The combination of the greater precision and the higher rigidity of the EBLOW 407 D ensure improved product quality, process reliability and energy efficiency. This results in a whole host of relevant benefits in terms of economic efficiency in everyday processing production. The high-precision calibration with 20kN of calibration force, coupled with the effective support of the mould carrier in the C-Frame ensures consistently high blow moulded part quality, especially in the critical neck area – even after many hours of operation. The machine is resistant to wear and the calibration pin and cutting sleeve service life is significantly increased by the balanced, even load.