Blow moulding(or blow-forming) is one of the technologies used by Fisem in the process of transformation of plastic materials and is particularly suitable for the manufacturing of a variety of hollow body items, from different types of tanks, canisters, and air ducts, among others.

The blow moulding in plastic processing: historical background

The basic principle of blow moulding in plastic processing comes from the glass blowing. The first machine conceived for this process was created by Enoch Ferngren and William Kopitke. Later, this machine was sold in 1937 to the Hartford Empire Company, a step that determined the birth of commercial blowing. As the glass is very fragile, plastic was introduced in the process to replace glass; the first manufacturing of plastic bottles dates back to 1939, in America, followed by Germany which is currently one of the leading manufacturers of blow moulding machines.

Blow moulding process: how does it work

The blow moulding process is quite simple and intuitive, and it consists of several phases.

• A preliminary step is based on the insertion of granule raw material in a heated cylinder.
• Due to the high temperature, the material becomes pasty and it is mixed by means of a screw and extruded or injected so to form a tubular plastic preform (also called parison).
• The preform is then clamped in a specific mould according to the final shape of the product.
• Air is blown to inflate the plastic so to make it adhere to the walls of the mould.
• Once the material has cooled and hardened, the mould is uncoupled, and the final product is ready; this phase concludes the moulding process.

The reputation in blow moulding is the result of experience and competence that enables Fisem to produce a wide variety of products and to customize colour and shape, according to the specific needs of the customer.