Containers were initially developed to provide water for offices in the USA, and have long since found a home in supermarkets, retail stores, medical practices and fitness studios all over the world. However, in places where the public drinking water supply is not enough, these containers are extremely useful. As a result, the demand for PC (polycarbonate) water bottles is increasing worldwide.
Polycarbonate (PC) is the most common material used to manufacture water bottle containers. This is due to its material properties for stability, cleaning and transparency. The transparency of the container also allows to visually measure the level of water left in the container. It is easier to check the level of water and then replace it. The high-quality optics of the container also adds an appealing look to the content of the container. The container size of 5 gallons (18.93 liters) is a widely used standard size with high quantities. It is designed in such a way that it fits all dispensers which are common in the market.
BA series with high market shares
Extrusion blow molding plants for BEKUM’s BA series have been firmly established in this market segment for years. The BA 25 by BEKUM is a PC water bottle manufacturing machine that combines high performance and efficiency. The BA 25 has a clamping force of 200kN and has a compact footprint. The clamping unit is stable and devoid of wear and tear. The BA 25 machine has been designed for high durability as well as long production capability and has long provided a reliable and economic contribution to the drinking water supply via water dispensers worldwide.
Clamping and plasticising unit impresses in production
The quality of the BA 25 from BEKUM is apparent: The BA 25 machine is designed for discontinuous accumulator operation as well as bottom calibration and uses parison spreaders with vertical adjustment. Modern controls and hydraulics allow accurate repeatable cycles for high efficiency production. BEKUM extruders use a special screw geometry for optimum homogenisation of the material. An energy-saving AC motor ensures that the material is melted gently at low rotational speeds. The patented spiral mandrel distributor head technology allows uniform wall thickness over 360° of the water bottle and offers reproducible product quality that is second to none. This in-house development practically excludes article thinning and flow marks, ensures a crystal-clear water bottle transparency with a cloud-free surface and, by doing so, enables products of high quality.
Highly transparent PC container with handle on conveyor belt for directional article output
High efficiency at the forefront
The transparent PC containers are blown out in a special blow mould, which has multi-zone temperature control and quick-change magnetic inserts, with or without a handle. The single-station blowers of the machine have an output of 160 containers an hour. The high-output doesn’t compromise article stability and transparency even at demoulding temperatures.
Sophisticated polycarbonate
PC containers are country-specific and made of pure materials , a varying material mix of new material and recycled material, as well as 100% recyclates. While melting, polycarbonate is a sensitive material and requires tailored-made material handling systems for material drying and material inlet. After shaping, the cooled article material and flash are very hard, and require cutting mills. For an optimally coordinated, high-performance periphery, BEKUM brings with it the experience gained from many user projects and relies on tried and tested, high-performance partners.
Practice-oriented automation to increase productivity
Last but not least, automation plays an important role for the user if efficiency should be increased. Especially for containers with an integrated handle, fully automatic and guided flash removal is needed. Furthermore, automated removal with removal grippers and alignment by a turning station for placing on an article production line, increases efficiency of the operation. With its convincing performance characteristics and the system design optimally aligned to PC water bottle production, the BA series is a reference in water bottle production.
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