World's first triple-row, one-step blow molder headed to NPE

The world's first triple-row, one-step injection stretch blow molding machine will produce more than 20,000 miniature liquor bottles an hour in 48 cavities that cycle every 8.6 seconds at NPE2018.

Developed by Nissei ASB Machine Co. Ltd., the ASB-150DPX, shown at Booth S19045, has an "unprecedented" 48 cavities mounted in a triple row layout for molding small bottles, the company said.

The machine will be one of five producing bottles, jars and flasks at Nissei ASB's booth, which at nearly 8,000 square feet will represent the Nagano, Japan-based company's largest presence at the exhibition.

The ASB-150DPX will make 50-milliliter bottles that are 10.5 grams in a process that the company says starts with a "very small" preform that would be impossible to handle and reheat in a two-step system. With one-step molding, the container is formed and held by its neck through the process, which Nissei ASB says reduces scuffing and provides superb visual quality.

The machine, which also triple molds in 24 and 36 cavities, made its debut at Drinktec in Munich last fall. NPE will be the first time it is shown in North America.

Nissei ASB says it is seeing strong interest for the model from the dairy industry for flavored milk and yogurt-based drinks. For these products, the containers are typically molded in 36 cavities.

The 24-cavity configuration can mold round or oval containers up to 300 ml with a 38 mm neck, which suits it for single-serving juice or water bottles, Nissei ASB says.

The machine also has a small footprint, especially compared to the floor area for a similar capacity two-step production process, which would be three to four times larger, according to the company.

The new model, which is the third in the ASB 150DP series, also was designed with features aimed at maximizing efficiency. The features — some patented and others patent-pending — include an optimized injection clamping stroke, upgraded hydraulic components, and a blow air circuit that reduces air consumption up to 50 percent.

The model also has servo hydraulic pumps that the company says reduces energy consumption up to 30 percent as part of the standard offering.

Nissei ASB says it developed these features for the new model but will incorporate them into the other machines in the series as updates in the future.

The company also will show the next generation of an entry-level, four-station, one-step injection stretch molding machine for niche markets. Called ASB-12Mv2, the machine has an upgraded control system and shortened cycle time for heavy-weight containers made from PET.

Nissei ASB says the new control system supports Industry 4.0 standards and integration with the Internet of Things while most of the improved cycle time "comes from the intensive use of the conditioning system in the second station."

At NPE, the machine will mold a 40 ml PET cosmetic container with a thick 2 mm wall that the company says will resemble glass. The cycle has been reduced from about 40 seconds to 13.4 seconds, Nissei ASB adds.

The model also will be fitted with an optional long stroke injection unit that can increase shot size by 50 percent for large containers, heavy-weight cosmetic bottles or materials like polypropylene.

In addition, the company will show its HSB-6N machine molding 650 ml heat-resistant PET beer bottles in a cycle time of 4.5 seconds for a production rate of 4,800 bottles per hour; the HSB-2M/6 molding heat-resistant jars suitable for a metal, twist-off lug-type closure; and the ASB-70DPHv4 molding a 700 ml copolyester reusable drinking flask.