A new drivetrain technology developed by New Castle, Pa.-based Velocity Equipment Solutions LLC seeks to improve the productivity and energy efficiency of reciprocating screw blow molding machines.
The privately held company filed a U.S. provisional patent application for the alternative drivetrain technology that replaces numerous high-maintenance components with a single component that is maintenance-free over its life, Velocity President Tom Blaszkow said in an email.
"The technology concerns the system used to develop and apply the torque to the extruder screw as well as the transfer of the thrust force to the extruder screw from whatever source," Blaszkow said, adding he couldn't elaborate without a confidentiality agreement.
Blaszkow expects the packaging supplier's development will replace technology used today that dates back to the 1960s.
"We believe this is a game-changing innovation that will provide major operational efficiencies for blow molders," Blaszkow said.
Founded in 2010, Velocity Equipment and its predecessor companies have been manufacturing packaging machinery for more than 45 years.
For reciprocating screw blow molding machines, the drivetrain generates the energy to rotate the extruder screw and plasticize the polymer. It also transfers the thrust force generated from whatever source to the tail of the screw, which forces it through the barrel and extrudes the parison or parisons out of the nozzle or nozzles.
Blaszkow described traditional drivetrain systems as a costly and inefficient combination of hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic motors, gear reducers, v-belts, and ball spline thrust bearings compared to the new simpler alternative.
He said a big advantage of the new technology is that it delivers a minimum of 15 percent energy savings over systems currently used, in large part because of the elimination of some components.
With energy costs second to only resin for plastics processors, Blaszkow said the new technology will significantly improve processors' financial results.
The simpler new drivetrain also replaces enough components to dramatically lower maintenance needs over the life of the blow molding machine, which improves productivity and reduces costs, Blaszkow said.
In addition, a new reciprocating blow molding machine equipped with the new drivetrain would cost less than a machine with today's existing drivetrain technology, according to Blaszkow.
"The new technology costs less than the components it replaces. In addition, it requires less labor to assemble," he explained.
A retrofit is available, too, for all reciprocating blow molding machines made by Velocity as well as competitors.
Blaszkow expects the alternative drive train technology will be immediately embraced by producers of packaging, particularly bottles.
"It is more energy efficient, has a lower capital cost, and is maintenance-free over its life, which is longer than the existing drive system components," Blaszkow said. "Based on interest from a small number of selected clients, we expect that acceptance will be quick and widespread."
Velocity's first machine equipped with the new drivetrain should be completed by early second quarter.
The company submitted a provisional patent to establish a filing date for the invention and is following up with a non-provisional patent application that requests the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to review the invention and grant a patent.
Blaszkow said he will make other announcements in the near future that will build on the technology.
Velcoity formed in 2010 after purchasing the assets of the equipment division of Portola Packaging Inc., which was based in San Jose, Calif., until it moved in 2005 to the site in New Castle, Pa.
Other predecessor companies include Portola Blow Mold Technologies, The Cap Snap Co. NEPCO and Allied Tool.
Velocity is owned by an investment group that is comprised of the management team of the former Portola equipment division.