PETpla.net Insider 12 / 2020

PREFORM PRODUCTION PETplanet Insider Vol. 21 No. 12/20 www.petpla.net 19 Collaboration between R&D/Leverage and PET Pak for tailor-made preforms and tooling Versatile preform design and tooling package When R&D/Leverage Europe was contacted by PET Pak d.o.o. Slovenia for a solution to provide bespoke preforms and tooling for a large range of bottles with a 28mm neck finish for cylindrical, dome, bullet and pharma bottles it was a technical challenge: Not only was the inquiry technically demanding for such a varied bottle range, the request was also for various weights and product sizes which included three different neck finishes. R&D/Leverage Europe focused on a versatile preform design and tooling package to provide the best possible solution. The main challenge was to design a preform with flexibility for weight change whilst maintaining optimum stretch ratios for high quality bottles. “The stretch ratios are extremely important to achieve the best possi- ble material thickness variation. PET Pak made it very clear that the quality should not be compromised and also cycle time was very important in order to make the package cost effective.” recalls R&D/Leverage the challenge they faced. The neck finish and related pre- form tooling components were also designed in such a way that the three neck finishes could be used from one preform design with minimal tool change parts. Extensive testing R&D/Leverage has a testing facility in the UK (Product Solutions Laboratory) including nine single stage machines with fully equipped state of the art bottle QA capability. This labo- ratory is dedicated to the development of all PET, PP and other resins for single stage bottle solutions in terms of colour validation, weight reduction, high specifications, preform design flexibility, optimised cycle times and full tooling validation. Tool manufacturing is located within the same campus to provide flexible tooling developments and modifications to support the best quality and efficient service for conver- tor and Brand owner requirements. It was here that testing was carried out for PET Pak, as R&D/Leverage recalls: “The results were immediately very positive and achieved the high technical demand and stringent speci- fication set out by PET Pak.” PET Pak is a manufacturer of top- quality plastic packaging. Mitja Nadoh, Project Man- ager at PET Pak states: “When we were decid- ing about the tooling partner for this demand- ing and impor- tant project it was clear that we needed to select a com- pany which is fast acting, understanding and cooperative; the only logi- cal choice was therefore to work with R&D/Lever- age, who closely cooperated with us and deliv- ered the exact solution we were hoping to get. “ He continues, “Because of our ambition to work only with the best partners in order to pro- vide top-quality products to our customers we are now able to expand with a newly build modern 10,000m 2 production plant, which will allow us to improve our already high production standards and services.” www.rdleverage.com PREFORMS +44 (0) 1254 584210 sales@petmachinery.com petmachinery.com Active for over 25 years, our global network and specialist knowledge makes us the go-to company for the sale or purchase of a PET machine. Commercially savvy, we work closely with our customers and our global network, to make sure everyone gets the best deal. Providing comprehensive advice throughout your sale or purchase; we can arrange dismantling, loading, packing, shipping, specialist insurance and commissioning. If you have amachine to sell or you’re looking to purchase, please get in touch. THE INDUSTRY EXPERTS