CHICAGO — Bekum America Corp. introduced new machines and debuted its largest double-station shuttle blow molding machine, the BM-704DS, at NPE 1997 in Chicago. It is the largest currently available in the marketplace, the firm claims.
Larger mold platens with higher clamping force allow for the production of 10 cavities of 1-liter bottles or four cavities of 10-liter containers.
Other features found in the BM Series include full in-machine hydraulic bottle trimming, standard quick-change features for all molds and tooling items and a three-stage article take-out for optimal cooling cycle prior to trim.
A station-to-station article transfer with water-cooled transfer pins, improving neck cooling and finish dimensions, also is available.
The dual-station machine produces a 2-gallon, F-style, high density polyethylene container. With four-cavity production, it yields about 1,000 containers per hour. It includes complete in-machine transfer and trim, leak detection and weigh scale with process feedback.
Bekum's new BM-505D twin-station blow molding machine offers a new in-mold labeling approach. The firm has developed a system of placing labels and removing bottles with the common movement of the take-out system.
The machine integrates the same features as other BM-Series machines. Production capabilities include as many as 12 cavity applications, producing 2- to 21/2-ounce containers.
At the show, the company ran a four-parison, eight-cavity mold of an 18-ounce, oval HDPE bottle with speeds as fast as 2,200 bottles per hour. The bottles also have an in-mold polyolefin film label. The unit uses in-line leak detection and visual inspection systems for label placement.
The Williamston, Mich.-based firm's new high-output PET machine is the RBU/RBS reheat stretch blow molding machine. It is configured for two, four and eight cavities.
The RBS-880 has an output rate of 8,800 containers per hour. From initial preform feeding through the discharge of finished bottles, all functional sequences are synchronized mechanically. The main control system includes full-parameter storage capabilities and automatic preform temperature control.