LUDLOW, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Meredith-Springfield became the first North American company to purchase the latest iteration of an injection stretch-blow molding machine (ISBM) from Japan’s Aoki Technical Laboratory, Inc., which will enable Meredith-Springfield to economically produce a new product line of premium PET drinkware.
The AL-500LL-50S cuts molding cycle times by as much as 45 percent and production volume is either maintained or it more than doubles on a yearly basis, depending on the size of the container. The machine is also more energy efficient, saves space and reduces equipment and production costs through downsizing of the unit.
The drinkware that Meredith-Springfield will produce is for premium, single-serve use at hotels, conventions, outdoor and poolside venues; anywhere premium cocktails and beverages are served but where using glass poses a safety hazard. The line includes stemless wine and Champagne glasses, carafes, pilsner glasses and other uniquely shaped cocktail glasses.
“This is a game-changing moment for Meredith-Springfield as the acquisition of the AL-500LL-50S creates economic, energy, equipment and production efficiencies for us as we produce a new product line,” said Mel O’Leary, Meredith-Springfield President and Chief Executive Officer. “It is differentiating technology.”
Eiji Nishizawa, President of Aoki Laboratory America, added: “Our high-speed mold release technology enables the molding of a bottle at a cycle that is faster than previous versions of our machines while delivering the same quality.” Nishizawa explained that his company utilizes molding technologies that enable the production of plastic containers with minimum expenditure of energy, including Direct Heatcon®, an original single-stage, three-station system that represents the ultimate in energy-saving molding technology.
“We depend on the Earth for our existence, so at Aoki, we commit ourselves to the protection of our natural environment and the advancement of international culture that makes use of plastic containers,” Nishizawa said.
Aoki will be exhibiting Meredith-Springfield’s sister machine at the National Plastics Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, in May. At the Aoki booth, attendees will see live demonstrations of a 200 mL, 24 gram PET bottle having a 20MM neck finish and cycling 6 cavities at an unprecedented 8.5 second cycle. Existing technology achieves a 19.1 second cycle on the same bottle currently so the production is more than doubled.
Meredith-Springfield will exclusively produce PET articles with its machine. However, it is equipped to run almost any polymer which can be blow molded such as HDPE, PP or Tritan®. For some of the drinkware, Meredith-Springfield will use its patent-pending, proprietary post-molding lip forming process to create a glass-like bead rim on the top openings.
O’Leary said less tooling costs associated with the AL-500LL-50S, “allows for a price point that will enable customers with lower volumes or smaller tooling budgets to enjoy the benefits of one-step stretch blow molding previously achievable only with a major tooling expenditure.”
About Meredith-Springfield Associates, Inc.
An
SQF-certified plastic extrusion and injection stretch blow molding
manufacturing and engineering company in Ludlow, Mass.,
Meredith-Springfield has built a reputation for providing superior,
high-quality finished products and a hassle-free experience to companies
across the globe. The company’s core competencies include project
management of extrusion blow molded articles from concept through
commercialization, and creating process solutions to enable optimal
manufacturing of the most difficult articles. Meredith-Springfield
offers the latest technology for molding PET and other resins to the
existing client base and can take advantage of other global
opportunities. Clients include American Distilling Inc., B&G Foods,
Inc., Clorox, Elizabeth Arden, Jarden Home Brands, OmniMax, PepsiCo, and
Reebok. These are just a few of the companies who in the past, or at
present, enjoy partnerships with Meredith-Springfield. Resin
capabilities include HDPE, PP, PVC, PA, PET, EPET, TPE, TPU, ABS, LDPE
and Fluoropolymers. Serving the medical, packaging, industrial, HBA, and
food industries, Meredith-Springfield consistently demonstrates its
capabilities in world-class product design and manufacturing and deepens
its national and international relationships. Meredith-Springfield is
also a consistent referral for companies of all sizes who need
test-market quantities of custom blow molded prototype samples for
research and development (R&D) and for “out-of-the box” concept
development. For more information, please visit meredithspringfield.com.
About Aoki Technical Laboratory, Inc.
Founded in
1976 by Mr. Katashi Aoki, and based in Nagano, Japan, Aoki Technical
Laboratory plans, develops, manufactures and sells injection
stretch-blow molding machines, molds, auxiliary equipment and parts for
molding plastic bottles. The company has offices and representatives in
Chicago, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Singapore, Shanghai and
Guangdong, China, Thailand, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The
company was the first to produce One-Step ISBM technology and it has
sold 3,600 of its current machine platforms to users worldwide. Aoki
has 350 employees globally supporting sales, machine installations and
service. For more information, please visit aokitech.co.jp/english/offices.
