ASB to demonstrate first Triple Row, one-step ISBM Machine
Drinktec Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd., Hall A4 – Stand 322 Nissei ASB, a leading manufacturer of machines for injection stretch blow moulding of PET and other plastics, will demonstrate live moulding on ASB’s 215m2 booth together with a display of some of the most interesting recent updates in injection stretch-blow moulded packaging technology.
The newly developed ASB-150DPX expands the company’s flagship ASB-150 based models to three variants: ASB-150DP – single row moulding up to 16 cavities, for very large bottles and jars, ASB-150DPW – double row moulding of medium sized bottles and jars up to 32 cavities and the ASB-150DPX – triple row moulding of small bottles in 36 or 48 cavities.
All models are built on a common architecture so factory layout, key functions, spare parts, maintenance and operator training are common to all, however the newly added DPX model has specific design features to maximise efficiency in small container moulding. The injection clamping stroke is optimised for short cycle small containers. The upgraded hydraulic components provide faster cycle of injection clamping while maintaining smooth machine movement and the servo hydraulic pumps offer up to 30% reduction in energy consumption. The blow air circuit is optimised for small container production offering up to 50% reduced air consumption over standard systems. Although these features were introduced for the ASB-150DPX, items 2, 3, and 4 are also planned to be available in future updates of its stable-mates ensuring that the entire model range maintains its lead over the competition.
This introduction of triple row one-step injection stretch blow moulding is another in a long line of global firsts that Nissei ASB has achieved throughout nearly 40 years at the forefront of the PET container industry, with several areas of the machine design having patents pending or already approved. At Drinktec, the ASB-150DPX will be conducting daily moulding demonstrations of a 100ml, 5.3g yoghurt drink container. This lightweight container design requires a very short preform that would be impossible to handle and re-heat in a two-step system so the one-step moulding process, where the container is formed directly from resin within one machine and held securely by its neck throughout, is the only practical choice. The smaller the container is, generally the more advantageous it is for production using a large one-step machine with high outputs.
With its triple row moulding layout allowing 36 blow cavities, and at a cycle time of 6.4s the ASB-150DPX will achieve a production rate in excess of 20,000bph. Even if a container design such as this could be moulded by re-heat blow moulding, the required floor area for a similar capacity two-step production unit is typically 3-4 times greater, so this one-step solution provides not only technical superiority and enhanced quality, but manages to achieve it in a significantly reduced production space. With the recent rise in prices of PE/PS materials, demand for PET conversion of this type of small container is increasing with numerous specific inquiries from major food manufacturers so the company is confident of good demand for this new model.
The exhibit will also be demonstrating a full line of matched moulding ancillary equipment that ASB is able to supply, such as resin dryer, chiller, mould dehumidifier and mould temperature controllers. An in-house custom designed pick and place take-out unit with conveyor system will also be demonstrated allowing prospective customers to easily install the moulding machine up-stream of a filling line.
