Blow Molding of Cosmetic Packaging Industry

 

Blow Molding (also: Blow moulding) and the molding process of polymers is one of the pillars of industrial manufacturing.  In the cosmetic packaging industry, blow molding is widely used for manufacturing cosmetic bottles, such as foam pump bottle, airless bottle, mist sprayer pump, etc.

Blow molding allows industry players to produce parts and plastic cosmetic containers fast and cheap in high quantities. But how does this process work ? This article will give you all the answers in a nutshell.

What is Blow Molding?

Blow molding started in the glass blowing industry where a liquid glass pulp is enclosed in a two-piece mold and then expanded by blowing into to the pulp. This causes the glass retains the contour of the mold and form a hollow area on the inside.

With the invention of polymeric thermoplastics, this technology started to rev up in the plastic bottle industry. Starting in 1977, the number of plastic containers rose from zero to 10 billion plastic bottles in 1999 due to the soft drink companies in the USA. The outcome isn’t exactly good for the environment, but if you use biodegradable materials or recycle thermoplastic bottles made from PET, things look a bit better.

Blow Molding versus Injection Molding

So, what’s the difference between parts made by injection molding and parts made by a blow molding machine? Injection molding creates solid parts, while blow molding creates hollow parts. If you are looking for something that needs only one rigid wall, injection molding is the right process. Think of bottle caps, cases, combs, and housings for computers and televisions. If you need a flexible, structural piece that even can hold fluid, you’re best off with blow molding. No wonder that billions of water bottles stand for the blow molding technology.

How Plastic Bottles are Made?

What are the Advantages of Blow Molding?

Blow molding scores especially at mass producing at a low price. Depending on the quality of the mold, it can produce more than over 1 million pieces before it has to be replaced. The production is also very fast compared to other molding processes, ejecting a finished product every few seconds. Thin walls and water-cooled molds also reduce cycle time. In addition, once the machine parameters are calibrated, the outputs quality is constant. This is achieved because factoring parameters are stable and controllable. The process of blow molding is also perfect for automation, reducing the need for workers working in a monotone environment.