PETpla.net Insider 03 / 2019

BOTTLING / FILLING PET planet Insider Vol. 20 No. 03/19 www.petpla.net 33 New hybrid system and in-house metal part production at FlexBlow Setting up to the highest level technology FlexBlow, machine manufacturer of versatile two stage PET SBM technology, further strengthens its position in this fast-growing PET market by moving towards Industry 4.0. In building a new 3,500m 2 manufacturing facility in addition to the existing 10,000m 2 site in Kretinga, Lithuania the company expanded its capacity and improves its technology. FlexBlow’s early vision of demand- responsive PET bottle blowing has gone a long way since this family- owned company first began operations in 1994. Close observation of market development with shrinking PET bottle production batches and increasing demand for greater in-house PET container production flexibility, has led the company to focus their strategic progression on continuous technology improvement in anticipation of their client’s needs for in-house versatil- ity. Today, with the FlexBlow series enjoying a reputation as the two-stage PET SBM machines capable of huge versatility, the think tank at FlexBlow has come up with plans to turn up the volume once again. A new investment has been secured for a new modern manufacturing plant to be built in addi- tion to the existing 10,000m 2 site. The vision for FlexBlow’s new site is set to transform the company’s processes and operations by introduc- ing a complete manufacturing environ- ment that operates based on real-time data collection and localisation during production. To achieve this, FlexBlow‘s technical director and his team have worked together to optimise processes by combining relevant physical and digital technologies, including intelli- gent robot units programmed to make decisions based on real-time data col- lected from the production floor. An on-site dedicated testing labora- tory, 3D printers for both plastic and metal components, as well as a top- notch working environment designed to foster employee motivation and engagement will form the complete picture of FlexBlow’s new production site. The new production site is set to start operations as soon as July 2019. Long-term committed advocates for progressing versatility and responsive- ness of their client’s operations by providing them with adequate tools in a shape of FlexBlow machines, recently the company discovered that continu- ing to push the leading edge of tech- nology meant embracing a commit- ment to self-sufficiency themselves. The company’s decision to start volume production of the new 8-cavity FlexBlow 8 Hybrid systems for increased production capacity of up to 12,000 bph, with bottles sizes from 10ml to 1.5 l, neck finishes from 18-38mm, meant moving away from limited supplier capabilities. It is the way of becoming self-sufficient as far as being able to fabricate all neces- sary metal parts, including heavy duty metal PET SBM machine components in-house. Today FlexBlow’s off-site large- scale metal parts manufacturing site stands complete with a new genera- tion high-precision 5 axis Hyundai milling machines, 2-ton 360-degree overhead cranes, a large-scale sheet metal plasma bending machine, and an industrial large equipment (8,000x4,000x2,600mm) paint spray booth for that trademark quality finish. Flexblow’s says that its success is set to continue as the business is well- equipped and ready to move towards advanced digital technologies whilst continuing to draw from its strength of profound knowledge and understand- ing of the packaging market. www.flexblow.com Sheet Metal Bending machine in the new prodcution hall of Flexblow Filling Special