New record set: order placed for 100th KHS Corpoplast InnoPET Blomax Series IV stretch blow molder
The success story of the next-generation KHS Corpoplast stretch blow molders keeps getting better
A very special moment for KHS Corpoplast came when the contract was signed for delivery of the 100th InnoPET Blomax Series IV stretch blow molder. The order was placed by Western Container Corporation, USA. KHS will supply an InnoPET Blomax Series IV with 24 blow stations. The machine has a maximum capacity of 52,800 PET bottles an hour. Darrel Smith, Corporate Blow Molding Manager at Western Container Corporation, said the following about the new machine: “We expect a lot from this new generation of stretch blow molders. The amount of energy we will save compared to conventional machines is an extremely positive factor. We are also highly impressed with the fact that the InnoPET Blomax Series IV can produce lighter-weight bottles compared to what has previously been possible.” From the moment it was unveiled at drinktec in Munich, the new KHS Corpoplast InnoPET Blomax Series IV generation of stretch blow molders has attracted huge attention in the industry. The experts were highly impressed with the advantages of the new-generation stretch blow molders and expressed the view that the machines would set new standards and attract maximum attention throughout the industry. As it turned out, they were right on the money. The response to the InnoPET Blomax Series IV in the beverage industry has been extremely positive, particularly in the soft drinks, mineral water and fruit juice sectors. The popularity of these machines has continued to increase right up to the present day. Reduced energy, compressed air and material consumption, enhanced performance and flexibility and a smaller footprint are highly impressive advantages which differentiate the InnoPET Blomax Series IV from the previous generation. A wide variety of PET bottles ranging in size from 120 ml to 3 liters can be produced on the InnoPET Blomax Series IV which has a maximum capacity of 72,000 bottles an hour. Featuring an uncompromising modular design, the InnoPET Blomax Series IV comes with between 4 and 36 blow stations, each with a capacity of up to 2,200 PET bottles an hour. The new heater alone, which uses NIR (near infrared) radiation to bring the preforms up to temperature, consumes up to 25% less energy than the previous generation. Moreover, the heating zone only takes up half the original space. Because the stretching process on the InnoPET Blomax Series IV is controlled by servo motor, the stretching motion can now be perfectly matched to the varying speed of the filler section. As a direct benefit, the process is more stable and the scrap rate is lower. In addition, the preforms can be optimized down to the last tenth of a gram of PET material. Frank Haesendonckx, CC manager and product manager for InnoPET Blomax stretch blow molders, KHS Corpoplast, says, "Right from the beginning we were convinced that we had a real highlight in the InnoPET Blomax Series IV. The very great interest shown in the new stretch blow molding system and the high demand for it have, however, still exceeded our expectations. What we are particularly pleased about is that with the InnoPET Blomax Series IV we have obviously managed to satisfy the wishes and requirements of the industry down to the last detail."
