Injection molding machine for container

Types of injection molding machines for containers

Food and beverage industries routinely utilize injection molding machines for containers.

Following are some categories that business buyers should take into account:

• Hydraulic injection molding machine

  In hydraulic injection molding machines, hydraulic oil powers the moving parts of the equipment. The modern industry is still dominated by hydraulic technology. Oil pressure is generated compactly to carry out the tasks of injecting, clamping, and molding, driving the equipment.

• Electric injection molding machine

  The driving motors of electric injection molding machines are all servo motors, which mainly use electric energy to drive gears and belts. The gears and belts change the vehicles' positions to inject plastic into the container mold. The three main tasks of injection, molding, and clamping rely on electric power to achieve them. In recent years, electric injection molding machines have gained great popularity due to their energy-saving and high-precision qualities.

• Hybrid injection molding machine

  Hybrid injection molding machines balance the drawbacks of electric and hydraulic power by using electric servos for injection and hydraulic pumps for clamping and hold-down. Electric motors and hydraulic pumps cooperate to complete the task of injection molding containers. Although hybrid injection molding machines are underdeveloped compared to electric and hydraulic, they have quickly gained popularity. This is because they combine the benefits of energy conservation and high precision with inferior hydraulic and electric driving. In the near term, it will be a superior selection for business buyers of injection molding machines.

Specifications and Maintenance Injection Molding Machine for Containers

Specifications

• Capacity: The capacity of injection molding machines for containers is measured in grams or tons. As a container can be made from a lightweight material like plastic, the capacity will be in grams, and the machine will be able to produce several hundred to several thousand grams in one cycle.
• Clamping Force: The clamping force will vary according to the size and weight of the container. A large-scale industrial container will need more clamping force than a small one. For reference, a typical clamping force may be 50 tons.
• Hopper Size: The size of the hopper will determine how much raw material can be fed into the injection molding machine. The material may have to be heated before being put into the hopper, especially if it is an advanced plastic with special properties. The standard size of a hopper is around 15 to 40 liters.
• Injection Time: The speed of injection into the mold will reduce the overall cycle time. The time taken to inject the material into the mold varies but can be as fast as two seconds. Current injection molding machines have faster speeds and quicker cycles.
• Power Consumption: Power consumption is high when heating the raw material, transforming it into liquid form, injecting it rapidly into the mold, and cooling it. The capacity and energy used while molding will determine the energy consumption. It can be around one to five kilowatts.
• Number of Cavities: The number of cavities in the injection molding machine for container pots varies according to the machine's size and capacity. A large industrial machine may have four to six cavities, and smaller machines may have two to three.
• Mold Locking System: The mold locking system secures the mold while injecting the plastic into the cavity to form the desired shape. It prevents movement or misalignment of the mold. There are hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance of injection molding machines helps extend the machine's life span, avoid breakdowns, and save repair costs. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations is very important. Here are a few general maintenance tips to follow:

• Regular Lubrication: The injection molding machines have many moving parts, which need lubrication to minimize friction and wear of the parts.
• Regular Cleaning: Over time, dust and debris build up on the machines, which need to be cleaned. A cleaning helps improve the air quality around the machine and enhances the functioning of the machine.
• Periodic Inspection and Testing: Over time, parts of injection molding, like the hoses, belts, chains, and cables, become loose and worn. These need to be replaced to avoid any major breakdowns.
• Calibration: The precision required in injection-molded parts is very high, and the molds need to be calibrated correctly. This ensures that the material is distributed evenly within the cavity and that no burning or melting issues occur while the material is in the cavity.
• Fluid Levels: Hydraulically operated injection molding machines work on hydraulic fluids and pressures to push and pull the molds and insert parts. The hydraulic oil and pump need to be checked periodically to ensure there is sufficient pressure to carry out the operations smoothly.
• Temperature Control: The temperature of the injection molds needs to be monitored continuously to ensure melting and cooling at the required rate. Advanced plastics have properties that need special temperature regulation.

Scenarios

• Packaging Industry:

  In recent years, the rapid development of e-commerce has significantly boosted the demand for plastic containers and packaging. With more people shifting to online shopping, there's an increasing need for durable, convenient, and customizable packaging. Plastic injection molding machines for containers play a pivotal role in meeting this demand by producing wide varieties of packaging solutions, from bottles to boxes, swiftly and efficiently.

• Food and Beverage Production:

  Injection molding machines make versatile containers for the fast-growing food delivery industry, from sanitary takeaway boxes to reusable cutlery and containers. As takeout continues to thrive, the need for such containers will only increase.

• Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics:

  These machines are essential in producing precise, hygienic containers, particularly for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Bottles, jars, and tubes require exact molds to ensure dosages, brand visibility, and user-friendliness.

How to Choose an Injection Molding Machine for Containers

When selecting an injection molding machine for containers, it is essential to consider the molding machine's size, control system, auxiliary equipment, energy efficiency, and safety features.

• Machine size: The harge and clamping units of the injection molding machine should be compatible with the resins used to produce the containers. Molding machines have different sizes to accommodate varying container sizes. Use a container size calculator to determine the ideal machine size. Consider the container's design and the production volume. It's better to choose a smaller machine for producing large volumes because it is more cost-effective.
• Control system: Injection molding machines have different types of control systems, such as PLC with a touchscreen and pushbutton controls. The PLC system provides more precise control and better data logging for the production process. Consider the type of control system needed for the container's production requirements.
• Auxiliary equipment: Consider the additional equipment needed to operate the injection molding machine. This includes loaders, drying ovens, and chillers. Evaluate how much additional equipment is needed and its cost.
• Energy efficiency: Hydraulic machines use a lot of energy during their operation. Considering the energy-efficient features of the machines is essential for long-term cost savings. Look for features such as standby mode and servo motors. The standby mode puts the machine in a power-saving mode while waiting for the next cycle. Machines with servo motors use less energy by matching the motor output to the work's demand.
• Safety features: Safety features on the injection molding machine include safety guards, safety interlocks, and emergency stop buttons. Safety guards enclose moving parts so operators don't accidentally touch them. Safety interlocks prevent the machine from starting if the guard is open. Emergency stop buttons allow the operator to stop the machine abruptly in emergencies. Consider these safety features and their benefits when selecting the injection molding machine.

Injection Molding Machine for Container Q & A

Q: What is the working principle of an injection molding machine for containers?

A: The injection molding machine for containers works through three major steps: melt delivery and injection, mold closing and filling, and cooling and mold opening. The three steps repeat to create plastic containers.

Q: What are the advantages of using an injection molding machine for plastic container production?

A: Using the injection molding machine to make plastic containers has many benefits. The machine can create containers of different shapes and sizes. So, there will be many container options for customers. Also, the injection molding machine makes very precise containers. This means that the parts are uniform and interchangeable. Lastly, the production speed of the injection molding machine is very fast. This is good for making large volumes of plastic containers.

Q: What types of plastic are suitable for injection molding containers?

A: The types of plastic that work well with the injection molding machine are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene (PE). These plastics are strong, cheap, and easy to mold.

Q: What is the production capacity of an injection molding machine for containers?

A: The injection molding machine for containers makes about 1200 to 2800 containers per hour. The exact speed depends on the size of the container, the complexity of the design, and the capacity of the molding machine.