Blow Molders Are Expanding

Besides The Flexcraft Co., a medical and packaging blow molder in Neptune City, N.J. (flexcraft.com), that is expanding apace (see this month’s On-Site feature), at least two other blow molders are adding capacity. One is Eagle Manufacturing, Wellsburg, W.Va. (eagle-mfg.com), which installed in May its 14^thDavis-Standard blow molder for molding large HDPE storage drums (photo). The machine has dual 40-lb accumulator heads. According to Dave Harvey, Eagle’s v.p. of operations, “One of the best improvements from previous models is the cooling design with forced-air blowers on the barrel. We’re able to attain consistent process-temperature control without dealing with the maintenance of a closed-loop system.”

Meanwhile, In Ludlow, Mass., Meredith-Springfield Associates, Inc. (meredithspringfield.com) is adding 5000 ft² of light manufacturing space, plus 12,000 ft² of warehouse space and 1000 ft² for three new loading docks, bringing the total facility to 83,000 ft². The expansion will make room for six more blow molding machines. In coming months, the firm plans to install two new extrusion blow molders—a Bekum 155 and R&B/Sika 850 long-stroke—as well as an Aoki AL-1000 injection stretch-blow machine. (See PT, March ’19 for an On-Site profile of the company.)