Stretch Blow Moulding

Research in Injection Stretch Blow Moulding has been ongoing for the past 15 years.  The main focus of the research is in the development of instrumentation and simulation software with the aim of lightweighting PET bottles and optimising the process.

Projects have been carried out in collaboration with local and international companies.  These projects range from short-term material evaluation using our state of the art biaxial tester, training and consultancy work, to long term applied and fundamental research.  Subject areas include: biaxial testing of materials (PET, PP, HIPS), development and implementation of material models in commercial FEA code, in-service performance analysis (topload, shelflife), incorporation of instrumentation in stretch blow moulding, and development of numerical simulations of stretch blow moulding.

The Centre is equipped with a fully instrumented lab scale injection stretch blow moulding machine enabling proof of concept studies to be performed as well as validation of our numerical simulations. 

We have also recently developed a new product for measuring the temperature of the preform before it enters the mould – ThermoScan.  The ThermoScan device is a valuable tool to aid in setup of the process and for process monitoring. It is also essential for providing appropriate input of the inside and outside preform wall temperature for numerical simulations.