A new line of stretch-blow moulding machines designed to enable companies in emerging markets to make their first steps into the PET bottle market.
SIPA will build Start Blow machines in China, where it already has manufacturing operations for high-end processing equipment and for moulds.
The new equipment is available in two versions, with two and four cavities respectively, capable of producing bottles at output speeds from 2,000 up to 6,000 bottles per hour. Both models are fully electric, with servo drives governing principal movements, including stretch rods. Every machine axis movement is under closed-loop control.
Within a compact layout, the new machines incorporate numerous technologies, such as low-energy infrared heating, a high-efficiency neck air cooling system, and quick and precise stretch and blow, that are borrowed from SIPA’s existing SFL and SFR high-output linear and rotary stretch-blow moulding machines. The Start Blow conforms to SIPA’s high technical standards, even though it will be an entry-level machine.
Customers will be able to start up production of PET bottles in a matter of hours after the machine arrives in their plant. It will be easy to set up and run—thanks to such features as a user-friendly interface and a compact, simple and reliable preform loading system -low on maintenance, and priced competitively. Delivery times will be very short, in most cases no more than around 45 days.
“The market for bottled water continues to grow at around 8 % every year,” says Enrico Gribaudo, General Manager at SIPA, “but the growth is shifting to emerging markets. With Start Blow, we are meeting the needs of new entrants into the market, and we are offering a solution that fits with local requirements. When companies start up, they need to learn to walk before they run, and learning with Start Blow is very easy.”
As companies using Start Blow grow and gain experience, Gribaudo says, “We will be there to help them with more sophisticated equipment from our various ranges. We can supply the moulds as well as the machines, and we can also provide product development assistance when requested.”
SIPA’s customer service on product development, design and engineering is based on a wealth of experience and expertise that it has built up over many years, creating thousands of containers in collaboration with its customers. This is backed up by its technical knowledge in preform injection moulding and finished container stretch-blow molding. The service, unique in the industry, is particularly useful in helping bottle makers stand out from the competition in an increasingly crowded market.
