application insights

Blow Molding Processes

What is it; types of blow molding; engineering essentials

An Armology® Guide

What is Blow Molding?

Blow molding forms hollow thermoplastic parts by inflating a hot tube/sleeve (a parison or preform) against a cooled mold with compressed air (and sometimes vacuum), then cooling to shape.
Variants include extrusion blow molding (EBM), injection blow molding (IBM), and injection stretch blow molding (ISBM); plus specialized forms such as 3D suction blow molding and co-extrusion multilayer for barrier packages.

End Products & Who Uses Them

Packaging

Beverages (water/CSD/juice), dairy, edible oils, personal care/cosmetics, household/industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, pharma

Industrial

UN/DOT jerrycans & drums (HDPE; hazardous goods)

Bulk

Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) & liners

Automotive

Fuel tanks, EV/ICE ducts, washer/DEF tanks (EBM & 3D suction)

Medical/ Lab

Diagnostic bottles, wash/reservoirs

Consumer Goods & Toys

Coolers, cases

One of Armoloy injection mold coatings applied to a branded soft drink bottle steel mold

Process Levers for OEEs

How the Best Plants Run

Parison Control (Axial + Radial)

Direct lever for weight reduction and wall‑thickness uniformity; 64–400‑point controllers and flexible die radial systems are mainstream. Expect 5–10% material savings on many parts after tuning.

Air‑Management (PET)

High‑pressure air is expensive; modern air‑recovery and staging cut air cost substantially (vendor solutions from the major blow‑molding OEMs).

Cooling Uniformity

Copper‑alloy inserts or conformal cooling in tough zones; prevents base‑cracks (PET) and speeds cycles.

Preventive Maintenance

Periodic screw/barrel wear audits (ID/OD clearances), filter/screen checks, vent cleaning, pinch‑edge resurfacing; wear tracking prevents dim weight creep and instability.

Leak & Vision Testing

In‑line 100% testing to contain defects.

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