Blow Moulding

Blow Moulding

Blow moulding is a commercial manufacturing process that uses thermoplastics. Only hollow products are made from blow moulding.
Blow moulding typically produces products such as plastics bottles and containers. The typical plastic used is PET (polyethylene - terephthalate), PE ( polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PP (polypropylene) because they are strong and flexible enough to keep liquid and fizzy drinks secure
Advantages
1. It makes hollow shapes easily
2. Once it is set up, it is a rapid manufacturing process
3. Shapes that aren't circular can be produced
Disadvantages
1. The moulds used to make the product are expensive
2. Shapes such as triangles are difficult to produce
3. It is hard top create products with complex angles
Process
1. 1. Plastic granules are dropped into the hopper and fed into the machine
2. 2. The granules are pushed through the heater by an Archimedes screw.
3. 3. They melt and are pushed through the end of the machine and into the mould
4. 4. The mould clamps to the molten plastic and cuts it free from the machine
5. 5. Compressed air is blown into the molten plastic
6. 6. A hollow shape is formed within the mould
7. 7. The mould separates and the hollow shape is released

Resource summary

	Created by Emma Chester over 10 years ago