ABSTRACT
From initial approaches to standardization of parts to Henry Ford's first assembly line to flexible manufacturing cell, automation has been the vehicle to produce a quality product most economically. Blow molding, which is a relatively new manufacturing process, has been lagging in addressing automation. Automation to reduce manufacturing costs is becoming a necessity. Automatic part removal is the simplest and singularly most cost effective improvement to manual blow molding machines. Blow molders using accumulator head type equipment are seeing profit pressures and are addressing automation. Blow molding also has the same potential and the same problems to remain competitive through the use of automation. A less expensive band-aid approach to automating bottle blow molding equipment is adding of takeout systems to older machines. Blow molding automation requires quality molds and equipment that is repeatable from blown parts to finishing operations.
