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Manufacture high volume, one-piece hollow objects fast and economical.
Blow molding is a fast and economical process, but initial machining costs make design changes problematic. 3D printed molds are a great option for prototypes and short production runs, enabling testing and validation in final production plastics, and ultimately reducing development time and risk.
Blow molding is a manufacturing process that makes hollow plastic parts, such as bottles and other containers. Manufacturing these items is rapid and cost efficient, but prototyping tends to be slow and costly. In the past, blow–molding companies have largely avoided prototyping due to high cost and long lead times. Blow–mold design and the specification of process parameters require skill and precision. A small change in the pinch–off or vent design, die temperature or blow pressure can dramatically affect the molding results. Prototyping enables designers to validate these parameters and accelerate design approval. Read More…
Blow molding uses many common plastics, including polystyrene, polycarbonate (PC) and polyvinyl chloride, and resins including polyethylene.
The blow–molding process has three major variations: extrusion blow molding (EBM), injection blow molding (IBM) and injection stretch blow molding (ISBM).
EBM: An extruder drops a parison (hot, hollow tube of plastic) between two mold halves. One end of the gap is sealed and the other end is left open. Air is injected through the open end, forcing the malleable plastic against the mold walls. Upon cooling, the plastic retains the contour of the mold. This process can produce very large containers, but is not suitable for all materials.
IBM: This two–step process begins with injection molding a preform, which is then heated, placed in a blow mold and inflated. Compared with EBM, this process allows for more careful control over part walls and results in better transparency and surface quality.
ISBM: This method incorporates an additional step where the injection–molded preform is heated, then mechanically stretched before inflation. This contributes to the part’s strength and wall uniformity.
Patterns 3D printed with PolyJet or FDM are a best fit for blow molding when:
• Production levels are low to moderate or custom
• Multiple designs must be considered
• Prototypes are required from the final plastic material
• Design changes are likely
Benefits of PolyJet and FDM tools for blow molding include:
• Lead time reduced by 30 to 70 percent
• Prototype mold cost reduced by 40 to 80 percent
• Stability, eliminating distortion with heat
• Durability through hundreds of cycles
• Little or no need for post processing
3D printing with PolyJet or FDM Technology offers an opportunity to prototype blow–molded products faster and at lower cost. With PolyJet or FDM 3D printing, companies can design a mold, build the tool and blow mold near–production quality prototypes. Advances in PolyJet and FDM 3D printing, including improved surface quality, durability, build speed and cost, make blow-mold prototyping a much more rewarding process. The two Stratasys 3D printing platforms (PolyJet and FDM) can be applied to all three blow–molding methods.
It is important to design the tool with additive manufacturing in mind. Be sure vent areas relieve extreme temperature or pressure and the pinch design will be strong enough to function. Also, metal plates should be inserted on top to absorb the impact of the blowing pin against the mold.
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