First blow moulding machine for prototypes
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MTT Technologies Group product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 10, 2001
MCP Equipment has launched what the company believes to be the world's first blow moulding machine designed specifically for prototypes and short series production.
MCP Equipment launches this week what the company believes to be the world's first blow moulding machine designed specifically for prototypes and short series production.
From conversations with existing customers in the packaging industry, MCP was aware that designers and manufacturers were searching for a fast means of producing plastic prototype hollow forms in "real" materials.
MCP therefore set about developing a machine which could be installed within design facilities, alongside benchtop vacuum casting machines and other rapid prototyping equipment.
When prototype production is confined to the design department, expensive and disruptive downtime on the main production line is eliminated, neither is there the need to build large and expensive conventional tools for a production blow moulder, which may only be used to mould around 100 or so prototypes.
MCP envisage further key applications for its new MCP 50/E Blow Moulder will be within the automotive industry for short series production of hollow parts such as brake fluid reservoirs, and for the rapid production of prototypes for the medical and toy industries.
There are alternative methods of producing hollow form prototypes, including bonding two vacuum cast halves together, but this is less effective as the parts cannot be produced in production intent material.
By using the new MCP 50/E Blow Moulder, quality prototype bottles and containers can be quickly made available for trials in materials including PE, PP, HDPE and ABS.
The moulding of prototypes in house means a manufacturer can also retain complete control over a project and saves on subcontracted toolmaking costs.
To deliver optimum time and cost savings the new MCP 50/E Blow Moulder can be used in conjunction with the MCP EP250 Rapid Prototype Tooling System which enables the production of a tool for the MCP 50/E in as little as three days! The tooling system itself is quick and easy to process, uses the advantages of existing pattern production techniques and produces a tool suitable for blow moulding up to 5000 parts.
Taking a simple approach to the design of the new blow moulder, MCP based the machine on pneumatic technology in which the company has vast expertise and which they were confident could provide the force and speed required.
It also meant they could deliver a machine which was cleanroom compatible and which required no lubrication.
The blow moulder also incorporates a screw plasticiser to ensure a totally homogenous mix and the ability to master batch.
Containers of up to one litre capacity can be produced from a maximum parison or shot weight of 115gm.
The vertical mandrel over which the parison drops is designed to tilt forwards for ejection.
Moulding parameters are controlled by a sophisticated but easy to use PLC touch sensitive screen.
Machine dimensions are 2000mm high x 1050mm wide x 700mm deep.
Early trials performed by MCP have shown that the time required for the production of prototypes and short production runs can be significantly reduced, especially when used in conjunction with the EP250 Tooling System.
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