PETpla.net Insider 03 / 2012

PET products 42 PET planet insider Vol. 13 No. 03/12 www.petpla.net SBO Compact2 linear blow-moulder Sidel’s SBO Compact2 is claimed to deliver quality and performance levels equivalent to those of its SBO Universal blow-moulder range, and is more robust. With the installa- tion of a servomotor and ball screw assembly, an electrical process has replaced the traditional pneumatic method. Sidel says that the new stretching console enables constant con- trol of the stretching position and speed, which will deliver reliable repetition of the process. Production is also claimed to be more flexible; the machine has the capacity to cope with a variety of bottle sizes. Manual adjustment of pre-blow- ing and blowing start detectors during format changeovers is no longer necessary. Maximum stretching speed has been increased, from 1 to 1.3 m/s, which enables higher produc- tion speeds. Other developments are aimed at improving reli- ability and ease of operation. Sidel says that its longer orienting rollers secure preform stability and infeed fluidity, and that additional panel functions make the machines more ergonomically efficient for opera- tors. Format changeovers are easier because the stretch- ing parameters are managed directly from the HMI (Human Machine Interface), rather than within the machine. The SBO Compact2 can blow simple or standard shapes using either PET or other plastics, from 0.2 l to 10 l containers. It can also handle the blow-moulding of complex packaging, such as asymmetric shapes or flat containers, through the preferen- tial heating process with a possible neck orientation. Deep- Grip packaging, a box-conforming technology, is also sup- ported by the SBO Compact2 platform. Sidel asserts that the range is suitable for water, CSD, juice, dairy, detergent and cosmetic packaging products at speeds ranging from 2400 to 7200 b/hr. Sidel is working to extend process capabilities to manage any type of container, including wide-mouth jars and heat resistant packages. More than 10 SBO Compact2 blow- moulders are currently being installed. www.sidel.com