Injection Blow Molding Heat Transfer Fluid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing injection blow molding (IBM) process requires significant operator discretion and expertise, leading to high capital, operating, and maintenance costs due to the complexity of split parison molds with multiple water lines, which complicates temperature control and affects the efficiency of the molding process.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an injection blow molding system with a split parison mold assembly featuring shiftable die sets and monolithic neck and body mold halves, along with contoured heat transfer channels, allows for precise temperature control through a heat transfer fluid source, minimizing operator intervention and simplifying the mold design and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual thermolators and water lines are used to control temperature at different locations in the parison mold, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual thermolators and water lines into a single integrated thermolator unit that supplies heat transfer fluid to multiple channels within the mold. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining temperature control capability across different mold locations, thereby reducing device complexity and operating costs without sacrificing temperature control precision
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual thermolators are used to control water temperature at different water lines, then temperature control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring significant operator discretion and trial-and-error adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated thermolator system incorporates automated temperature sensing and control mechanisms that allow the system to self-regulate temperatures at different mold locations without requiring continuous operator intervention or trial-and-error adjustments. The system automatically monitors and adjusts heat transfer fluid temperatures based on sensor feedback, thereby maintaining temperature control precision while dramatically improving ease of operation
3Manufacturing precision
If complex split parison molds with multiple water lines are manufactured, then temperature control capability is improved, but capital costs and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple water lines and thermolator functions into a unified mold design with a single thermolator unit, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces capital costs, and lowers maintenance requirements while preserving the ability to control temperatures at different locations in the parison mold
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces operator discretion, lowers costs by simplifying the mold design and maintenance, and enhances the efficiency of the injection blow molding process by providing consistent temperature control for forming parisons.
Implementation Method 1
The water lines may be supplied with water at different temperatures depending on the location of the water line relative to the neck or body of the parison being formed
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of water lines formed in the split parison mold near the parison-forming surfaces. The water lines may be supplied with water at different temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
An injection blow molding (IBM) system and method for forming a plurality of parisons and molded articles. The IBM system includes an injection station having two die sets and two mold half assemblies. Each of the mold assemblies is attached to one of the die sets. The mold half assemblies are configured to cooperatively form the exterior shape of the necks of a plurality of parisons. Heat transfer channels formed in both the die sets and the mold half assemblies are fluidly connected with each other, such that a heat transfer fluid can be routed to the mold half assemblies via the die sets.