The
Extrusion blow molding process begins with the conventional
extrusion of a parison or tube, using a die similar to that
used for making plastic pipe.
To manufacture Plastic Bottles, industry uses a process
known as Blow Molding. This process is used to manufacture
hollow plastic bottles such as; milk jugs, shampoo bottles,
bleach bottles, or any one of countless products you might
see on store shelves.
The plastic is fed in pellet form into
the machines hopper, (this machine is known as a Blow Molder),
the plastic is conveyed forward by a screw inside a heated
barrel being softened by both friction and heat. The softened
plastic is then forced downwards through a circular die
forming a hollow plastic tube called a "parison".
The parison is then clamped inside a hollow
mold and inflated from with-in. The air pressure forces
the parison to inflate against the mold surface, the plastic
cools in the shape of the interior of the mold cavity. The
mold then opens and the plastic bottle is ejected. The bottle
may they be conveyed on to trimming, printing and filling
stations.
Other processes for Blow Molding include
Stretch Blow and Injection Blow.
Extrusion blow molding: Can be used to
process many different plastics, including HDPE,
PP, and LDPE.