Regulating Blowmolding Ensures PET Bottle Quality

At core of system, INTELLIMASS unit from Pressco Technology Inc., Cleveland, OH, determines base weight via infrared light generated by sensor modules.

13/10/07 Equinox system detects, corrects material distribution problems by monitoring base weight of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, adjusting blowmolding parameters as needed.

Billed as world’s first automatic blowmolding regulation system, Equinox system from Sidel, Clichy la Garenne, France, eliminates need for traditional quality control process, which involves manual sampling, measurement, machine adjustment, a time-consuming procedure that can take up to 90 minutes and result in production of thousands of out-of-tolerance bottles. At core of system, INTELLIMASS unit from Pressco Technology Inc., Cleveland, OH, determines base weight via infrared light generated by sensor modules. After performing statistical analysis of weight measurement, system adjusts pre-blow pressure or start of pre-blow cycle if necessary.

Automatic regulation of blowmolding process enhances efficiency of Sidel’s rotary blowmolding machines, ensures consistent output of high-quality bottles, reduces waste. If Equinox system fails to bring base weight curve within tolerances, it alerts operator, identifies out-of-spec station so additional corrective action can be taken.