Alternative designations

Injection blow moulding, IBM, IBM procedure

Procedure

Injection moulding is used to create a preform, which is then blown into the finished hollow container. Unlike injection stretch blow moulding or injection blow moulding, no pre-stretching with a mandrel takes place. The procedure makes it possible to utilise the design options of the extrusion blow moulding procedure and the precision of injection moulding.

The manufacturing process is in three stages: Injection, inflation and removal. Injection blow moulding systems consist of a plasticizing unit, a temperature control station (if required) and the actual inflation station. The preform is created by injection moulding onto a core. This can remain on the core when it is removed from the mould, and is then inflated to the final shape in the thermoelastic temperature range in a blowing tool.

We would be pleased to explain which production method would be the most suitable for your needs. Contact us.

Raw materials used

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), PP (Polypropylene), COC (Cyclo-Olefin-Copolymer), COP (Cyclo-Olefin-Polymer), PET (Polyethylenterephthalat), TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), PC (Polycarbonate), PS (Polystyrene), SAN (Styrol-Acrylonitrile-Copolymers) and Barex (Acrylonitrile). Many other materials are also possible.

Use

Containers such as bottles, crucibles, pots or flacons with small or large openings. For packaging liquid and powdery products and tablets. Also for sealed storage of dry contents and single-portion packages.
The content volumes are variable, from approx. 1 millilitre (for eye drops, ear drops etc.) to about 2000 millilitres (e.g. for the food industry).
Pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, body care products, food, food supplements, high-value consumer goods and more.

Advantages

1. Low tolerances
2. Precision opening area with outstanding tightness in comparison to the extrusion blowing procedure, screw closures with injection moulding quality
3. Pressure-resistant
4. Seamless in the neck and base area
5. The wall thickness is more uniform than with the extrusion blow moulding procedure
6. High surface quality
7. Low wastage, waste-free manufacturing, therefore environmentally friendly
8. More design options than with injection moulding
9. Wide range of raw materials can be used, particularly also transparent polymers
10. Large number of cavities possible, therefore suitable for mass production
11. The mould shape is more reliable than with the extrusion blow moulding procedure

Disadvantages

1. No container handles possible
2. Limited hollow container volume (approx. 1000 to maximum of. 2000 ml)