American Jet Stream, Inc.

After years of talk, all-electric blow molding machines seem poised to make advances.

While occupying a relatively small category of exhibits, blow molding will present no lack of innovation at NPE.

Development of all-electric and hybrid-electric blow molding machines may be gaining momentum, as evidenced by several new models introduced in Dusseldorf.

Show-goers will see a range of new blow molding equipment that offers higher speeds, more cavitation, and faster changeovers.

Improving productivity while minimizing capital cost and floorspace will be central themes of blow molding exhibits at NPE 2006.

At K 2004, at least a half-dozen European machine builders will show new direct-drive extruders running gearless—or nearly gearless—drives with substantially higher rpm and output rates than conventional extruders of the same size.

One of the most interesting innovations in blow molding at K 2004 will be a top-and-bottom blowing system that is said to double bottle output.

NPE will show higher outputs of practically everything, as advances in grooved feeds, servo drives, screw torque, mixing screws, dies, and downstream cooling, cutting, and handling make everything run faster.