Reliance Industries Limited

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

PREFORM BLOWING ON REHEAT BLOW MOULDING MACHINES

S.No
1

PROBLEM Fails to blow up.

REASON 1. Preform temperature too low. 2. Blow air pressure too low. Note: First blow sometimes fails to blow up, wait for few shots before taking action. Temperature of pre-form body is lower than bottom. Note: First blow sometimes fails to blow up, wait for few shots before taking action. Preform temperature too low.

SUGGESTION 1. Increase perform heating temperature 2. Check blow air pressure

Bottom comes away on blowing (Stretch rod goes through preform upon blowing). Whitening of parts spread across the container Pearl-essence Whitening of part of the product ( no gloss and transparency )

Adjust temperatures corresponding to the body location.

Reduce overall heat or residence time.

Preform temp. too high. Note: Crystallisation occurs if stretch temp. is not between 85 ~ 100C (185-212F)

Lengthen preform-cooling time.

17-April-2003

PET BUSINESS GROUP

Trouble shooting Reheat Blow Moulding Page 1 of 4

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Reliance Industries Limited

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5

PROBLEM Streaks.

Gate not forming in the center

Depression below the neck area

REASON 1. Due to stretching of milky (hazy) portion. 2. Uneven preform temperature. 3. Stretch rod tip may be damaged 1. Secondary blowing taking place too early. 2. Primary blow air pressure too high. 3. Temperature of lower part of preform too high. 4. Longitudinal stretch speed too low. Collapsing due to vacuum creation

SUGGESTION 1. See troubleshooting procedures for preform moulding. 2. See troubleshooting procedures for preform moulding. 3. Check for possible damage / loose pieces 1. 2. 3. 4. Delay secondary blowing. Reduce primary air pressure to 3 ~ 6 kgf/cm2. Lower temp. of this part. Adjust stretching speed.

Excess material at the base Crater

1. Preform temperature too high. 2. Uneven preform wall thickness. 3. Primary blow too late or too low

Introduce primary pressure early i.e. reduce delay Note: In some semi-automatic blow moulding machines there is no provision for primary pressure. Check with equipment supplier and incorporate this feature. Other wise, getting a uniform wall thickness distribution is not possible. 1. Keep preform temp. as low as possible. 2. Check thickness uniformity of preforms and straightness of preform. 3. Adjust primary blowing.

17-April-2003

PET BUSINESS GROUP

Trouble shooting Reheat Blow Moulding Page 2 of 4

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Reliance Industries Limited

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9

PROBLEM Low impact strength.

1. 2. 1. 2. 3.

10

11 12

Unsatisfactory contours. (Longitudinal direction) Low side wall stiffness Unsatisfactory contours ( circumferencially )

REASON Preforms were not made with properly dried resin. Not oriented or insufficiently oriented. Preform temperature low. Blow air pressure too low. Insufficient air flow

Preform temperature too high. 1. Uneven preform temperature & wall thickness. 2. Preform may have been sticking to core pins due to condensation while making preform

SUGGESTION 1. Moisture level in the material should be at < 0.004% 2. Orient adequately. Some times, redesigning the bottle bottom also helps in good impact strength. 1. Raise preform temperature. 2. Increase air pressure. 3. Increase airflow volume. 4. Provide adequate air vents / clean air vents. Keep preform temperature as low as possible. 1. Preforms are not rotating uniformly before heating lamps or before heating elements. 2. Refer note on mould sweating and if preforms are made in house or advise your preform supplier on this. Note: When preform are made with condensation on mould parts, either groove rings, whiteness or wavy structure is visible on preforms. Reject those preforms and try other preforms. 1. Check air system dryer. Minimum pressure due point of air is 3C or lower. 2. Check air filters. 3. Clean blow cavities.

13

Small lumps present.

1. Water in the blow air. 2. Dust or dirt in the blow air. 3. Dirt in blow cavities.

17-April-2003

PET BUSINESS GROUP

Trouble shooting Reheat Blow Moulding Page 3 of 4

Market Technical Services

Reliance Industries Limited

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14

PROBLEM AA Content

REASON 1. Problem with preform making. 2. Reduce re-heating time or temperature

SUGGESTION Material may not be dried properly while making preforms. Note: Moisture content in material should be < 0.004% while making preforms. Preforms require proper packing and protect them from heat during storage. 1. Keep preform temperature as low as possible. 2. Adjust heater temperatures/positions and blow timings to spread material to weaker areas. 3. Correct primary blow timer. 4. Check cooling water for temperature and pressure. Note: Blowing at low temperature gives better rigidity, but gives less thermal stability.

15

Top load of empty 1. Preform temperature too high. bottle too low 2. Distribution of wall thickness is not (Look at sample bottle uniform. after top load test). 3. Wrong primary blow time 4. Unstable cooling water temp. and pressure

17-April-2003

PET BUSINESS GROUP

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