Injection blow molding

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blow_molding
The process of injection blow molding (IBM) is used for the production of
hollow glass and plastic objects in large quantities. In the IBM process, the polymer is injection
molded onto a core pin; then the core pin is rotated to a blow molding station to be inflated and
cooled. This is the least-used of the three blow molding processes, and is typically used to make
small medical and single serve bottles. The process is divided into three steps: injection, blowing
and ejection.
The injection blow molding machine is based on an extruder barrel and screw assembly which
melts the polymer. The molten polymer is fed into a hot runner manifold where it is injected
through nozzles into a heated cavity and core pin. The cavity mold forms the external shape and
is clamped around a core rod which forms the internal shape of the preform. The preform
consists of a fully formed bottle/jar neck with a thick tube of polymer attached, which will form the
body. similar in appearance to a test tube with a threaded neck.
The preform mold opens and the core rod is rotated and clamped into the hollow, chilled blow
mold. The end of the core rod opens and allows compressed air into the preform, which inflates it
to the finished article shape.
After a cooling period the blow mold opens and the core rod is rotated to the ejection position.
The finished article is stripped off the core rod and as an option can be leak-tested prior to
packing. The preform and blow mold can have many cavities, typically three to sixteen
depending on the article size and the required output. There are three sets of core rods, which
allow concurrent preform injection, blow molding and ejection.
Advantages: It produces an injection molded neck for accuracy.
Disadvantages: only suits small capacity bottles as it is difficult to control the base centre during
blowing. No increase in barrier strength as the material is not biaxially stretched. Handles can't
be incorporated.

Injection stretch blow molding process

This has two main different methods, namely Single-stage and two-stage process. Single-stage
process is again broken down into 3-station and 4-station machines. In the two-stage injection
stretch blow molding process, the plastic is first molded into a "preform" using the injection
molding process. These preforms are produced with the necks of the bottles, including threads
(the "finish") on one end. These preforms are packaged, and fed later (after cooling) into a reheat
stretch blow molding machine. In the ISB process, the preforms are heated (typically using
infrared heaters) above their glass transition temperature, then blown using high-pressure air into
bottles using metal blow molds. The preform is always stretched with a core rod as part of the
process.
Advantages: Very high volumes are produced. Little restriction on bottle design. Preforms can be
sold as a completed item for a third party to blow. Is suitable for cylindrical, rectangular or oval
bottles. Disadvantages: High capital cost. Floor space required is high, although compact
systems have become available.
In the single-stage process both preform manufacture and bottle blowing are performed in the
same machine. The older 4-station method of injection, reheat, stretch blow and ejection is more
costly than the 3-station machine which eliminates the reheat stage and uses latent heat in the
preform, thus saving costs of energy to reheat and 25% reduction in tooling. The process
explained: Imagine the molecules are small round balls, when together they have large air gaps
and small surface contact, by first stretching the molecules vertically then blowing to stretch
horizontally the biaxial stretching makes the molecules a cross shape. These "crosses" fit
together leaving little space as more surface area is contacted thus making the material less
porous and increasing barrier strength against permeation. This process also increases the
strength to be ideal for filling with carbonated drinks.
Advantages: Highly suitable for low volumes and short runs. As the preform is not released
during the entire process the preform wall thickness can be shaped to allow even wall thickness
when blowing rectangular and non-round shapes.
Disadvantages: Restrictions on bottle design. Only a champagne base can be made for
carbonated bottles.