Continuous extrusion blow molding:

In the continuous process, a stationary extruder plasticizes and pushes molten polymer through the head to
form a continuous parison. For large part blow molding, accumulators are used to prevent sagging of the
parison.
Intermittent blow molding:
In the intermittent process, the melt is accumulated in the barrel and pushed out in one shot. Intermittent
blow molding is used in the fabrication of dairy bottles, amongst other applications, because of its high
production speed.
Co-extrusion blow molding:
Co-extrusion blow molding makes it possible to combine materials with different properties to create a
finished product most suitable for a particular application. This process can be used to fabricate products
which contain several layers in their wall structures. The various parts of the structure can be optimized for
the best balance between properties and cost.
Injection blow molding:
Injection blow molding starts with an injection molded pre-form, which is then reheated, and blown into its
final shape in a mold.
Injection stretch blow molding:
Injection stretch blow molding starts with an injection molded pre-form which is reheated, and stretched
with a pin while simultaneously being blown in a mold. This conversion process is typically used to produce
PET bottles.
3-D blow molding:
3-D blow molding is a recent development in which a robot arm is used to position the parison in a threedimensional mold, prior to being blown. Advantages are low trim-off, and the ability to produce complex
shapes. It is typically used to produce automotive parts.

there are three main types of blow molding: extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, and
injection stretch blow molding.

Extrusion blow molding

Continuous and Intermittent are two variations of Extrusion Blow Molding.
with continuous extrusion the weight of the parison drags the parison and makes calibrating the wall
thickness difficult.
Examples of parts made by the EBM process include most polyethylene hollow products, Milk
bottles, shampoo bottles, Automotive ducting, watering cans and hollow industrial parts such as
drums.
Advantages of blow molding include: low tool and die cost; fast production rates; ability to mold
complex part; Handles can be incorporated in the design.

Disadvantages of blow molding include: limited to hollow parts, low strength, to increase barrier
properties multilayer parisons of different materials are used thus not recyclable. To make wide neck
jars spin trimming is necessary

Injection blow molding[edit]

This is the least-used of the three blow molding processes, and is typically used to make small
medical and single serve bottles.
The preform mold opens and the core rod is rotated and clamped into the hollow, chilled blow mold.
The end of the core rod opens and allows compressed air into the preform, which inflates it to the
finished article shape.
Advantages: It produces an injection moulded neck for accuracy.
Disadvantages: only suits small capacity bottles as it is difficult to control the base centre during
blowing. No increase in barrier strength as the material is not biaxially stretched. Handles can't be
incorporated.

Injection Stretch blow molding process[edit]

This has two main different methods, namely two-stage process and Single-stage .
Advantages: Very high volumes are produced. Little restriction on bottle design. Preforms can be
sold as a completed item for a third party to blow Disadvantages: High capital cost. Floor space
required is high. Only suits round bottles
Advantages: Highly suitable for low volumes and short runs. As the preform is not released during
the entire process the preform wall thickness can be shaped to allow even wall thickness when
blowing rectangular and non-round shapes.
Disadvantages: Restrictions on bottle design. Only a champagne base can be made for carbonated
bottles.

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The Plastic Molding Processes:

Injection Molding
In Injection Molding, melted plastic is forced into a mold cavity. Once cooled, the
mold can be removed. This plastic molding process is commonly used in massproduction or prototyping of a product. Injection molding machines were made in
the 1930s. These can be used to mass produce toys, kitchen utensils, bottle caps,
and cell phone stands to name a few.
Blow Molding
Blow molding is like injection molding except that hot liquid plastic pours out of a
barrel vertically in a molten tube. The mold closes on it and forces it outward to
conform to the inside shape of the mold. When it is cooled, the hollow part is
formed. Examples of blow molding products are bottles, tubes and containers.
Equipments needed in setting-up a blow molding business are relatively higher than
injection molding.
Compression Molding
In this type of plastic molding, a slug of hard plastic is pressed between two heated
mold halves. Compression molding usually uses vertical presses instead of the
horizontal presses used for injection and blow molding. The parts formed are then
air-cooled. Prices of equipments used for compression molding are moderate.
Film Insert Molding
This plastic molding technique imbeds an image beneath the surface of a molded
part. A material like film or fabric is inserted into a mold. Plastic is then injected.
Gas Assist Molding
Also called gas injection molding is used to create plastic parts with hollow interiors.
Partial shot of plastic is then followed by high-pressure gas to fill the mold cavity
with plastic.
Rotational Molding
Hollow molds packed with powdered plastic are secured to pipe-like spokes that
extend from a central hub. The molds rotate on separate axes at once. The hub
swings the whole mold to a closed furnace room causing the powder to melt and
stick to the insides of the tools. As the molds turn slowly, the tools move into a
cooling room. Here, sprayed water causes the plastic to harden into a hollow part. In
this type of plastic molding, tooling costs are low and piece prices are high. Cycle
time takes about 40-45 minutes.
Structural Foam Molding
Structural foam molding is a process of plastic molding usually used for parts that
require thicker walls than standard injection molding. Inserting a small amount of
nitrogen or chemical blow agent into the plastic material makes the walls thicker.

Foaming happens as the melted plastic material enters the mold cavity. A thin
plastic skin forms and solidifies in the mold wall. This type of plastic molding can be
used with any thermoplastic that can be injection molded.
Thermoforming
In this plastic molding process, sheets of pre-extruded rigid plastics are horizontally
heated and sucked down into hollow one-piece tools. When the hot plastic solidifies,
its shape conforms to that of the mold.
Tooling costs are usually low and piece prices vary on the machinery.