Page 58 - Plastics News April 2024

TECHNOLOGY

At NPE, Cypet to Show Latest Achievements in Large PET
Containers

Maker of one-stage ISBM machines chine for molding these large cubes, three machines installed in the U.S.
will show off new sizes and styles of expected to begin prototype produc- (one started up in February) and two
handled and stackable PET contain- tion in June. in Mexico.
ers, including novel interlocking prod- FIG 2 Cypet tooling system molds FIG 3 Cypet now can mold four PET
5-gallon returnable water bottles in
four cavities using one extruder —
said to be a first. Photo Credit: Cypet
Technologies

New Capabilities
ucts. the preforms horizontally, after which
FIG. 1 Cypet one-stage ISBM ma- they rotate to a vertical position for
chines are based on a horizontal in- extraction by a robot, which places
jection machine base. Images: Cypet them in the stretch-blowing cavities.
Technologies Multifunctional Tooling
At the upcoming NPE2024 show in As previously described, Cypet’s one-
Orlando, Florida, Cypet Technologies stage ISBM machines are based on an
of Cyprus will display PET contain- injection molding machine frame (Fig-
ers made on its one-stage injection ure 1), to which special tooling and
stretch-blow molding (ISBM) ma- automation have been added. Pre-
chines, including several new applica- form injection and container stretch-
tions with unusual and even unique blowing cavities are contained in the
shapes. As reported in a February same mold. The preforms are molded
2022 Close-Up article, Cypet builds horizontally, then the cavities rotate to
machines for PET bottles, jars, jer- a vertical position, where a robot ex-
rycans, drums and pressure vessels. tracts the preforms and places them
Its equipment can mold containers in the blowing cavities located above According to Sideris, Cypet produced
from 20 ml up to 120 L or more, but injection cavities (Figure 2). Among several “firsts” in 2023. One was its
it tends to specialize in systems for recent modifications of the system is first machine producing 5-gallon re-
larger containers. In 2022, Cypet an- a means of rotating the preform be- turnable water bottles with a new
nounced its largest machine yet, ca- fore blowing to orient the injection- version of an integrated ring handle
pable of making 1,000 L intermediate molded handles in a particular posi- (injection molded with the neck fin-
bulk containers (IBCs) from PET. It is tion. Business development leader ish) in four cavities (Figure 3). Sideris
now building its first commercial ma- Michalis Sideris says Cypet now has says this is the first one-stage ISBM

60 PLASTICS NEWS April 2024