PETpla.net Insider 11 / 2018

33 TRADE SHOW PREVIEW PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 11/18 www.petpla.net Introducing the latest development: the 4LO blow-moulding machine Since commencing produc- tion in 2010, 1Blow has been producing next-generation stretch blow-moulding machines suited for PET bottle converters. In 2018, these limits are said to be pushed further with the com- mercial launch of the new 4LO stretch blow-moulder. The 4LO is built upon the same, efficient virtual-rotary platform that has been commercialised in numer- ous applications over the last six years. The 4LO possesses all of the superior 1Blow machines features and benefits. Rotary motion is the key to achieving high-speed and low energy consump- tion in machinery through its unique virtual rotary concept. Over 90% of the 4LO machine motions are rotary with a maximum mechanical output of 2,000 bph. All of the main machine motions on the 4LO are driven by servo-motors. Known for their repeatability and reliability, servo-motors are most energy efficient motion system. 1Blow says that comparative operational testing to similar sized competitive machines has demonstrated that their machines can use up to 60% less energy. The 1Blow clamp format and stretch rod pitch were designed for all blow moulds from virtually all other competitive SBM machines on the market. This ability allows customers to utilise existing blow moulds on a 1Blow machine; some of the company’s customers are already using two or three different types of blow moulds. The 4LO was designed to minimise the number and quantity of change parts with the goal of reducing format costs for converting customers. Another benefit of minimising the number and quantity of change parts is that it takes less time to do a machine changeover: in some cases the machine has 50% fewer change parts. Despite its compact footprint, the 4LO has superior internal accessibility for technicians. The virtual rotary concept is spatially efficient and provides many open areas inside the machine large enough to comfortably accommodate a technician. Furthermore, the 4LO machine can accommodate several options, providing more possibilities for various applications and markets:  Preferential and offset neck heating: with this additional specific heating system, selected longitudinal areas of the preform may be specifically heated in order to produce oval bottles. These longitudinal areas may also be moved off-axis from the preform centreline, so that offset neck bottles can be produced.  Neck orientation: this mechanical system puts all the neck finishes on each and every bottle to be in the same orientation. This is invaluable for contain- ers that use a flip-top cap so that is aligns in the proper position for opening and pouring. 1Blow can do this alignment without the need of a specific tab or V-notch on the preform. The system relies on the thread start and thus can use standard preforms, opening us the spectrum of preforms that can be used.  Heat set: this set combines heated blow-moulds with recirculating high pressure air cooling to induce higher cristallinity into the bottles. This higher cristallinity allows the resultant bottles to have heat set resistance for the hot fill process. www.1blow.com Looking for a challenge A specialist in PET packaging for over 30 years, the Société Générale des Techniques has been offering high performance solutions for packaging liquids. SGT has invested in new HDPE injection moulding machines for caps in a new site in Setif, Algeria. This latest- generation equipment will enable the SGT Group to increase its production capacity from 800 million to 2 billion caps per year, with new references for the necks: 29/25, 30/25 high ring, 33mm, 38mm, 38mm hot fill, 28mm, 48 mm and 28 PCO 1881 and 1810. SGT proposes a complete and varied range of 260 PET preforms, 6 types of HDPE caps and 2 lightweight handles for 38MM and 40/48 necks. All these new products will be presented at the All4Pack exhibition on the SGT booth. www.sgt-pet.com SGT Hall 7 booth E 219 1Blow Hall 6 booth F040