Glass bottle production involves sophisticated machinery, and one crucial player in this realm is the IS (Individual Section) machine. Developed to streamline and automate the manufacturing process, the IS machine plays a pivotal role in shaping molten glass into the final product.
Evolution of IS Machine: The IS machine has a rich history, with its development dating back to the early 20th century. The first fully automated bottle-making machine was completed by Michael J. Owens in 1905, marking a revolutionary advancement. Over time, subsequent innovations led to the creation of variations like the Automatic Milk Bottle Machine, Automatic Press-and-Blow Machine, Lynch Bottle Machine, and Roirant Bottle Machine. These machines shared a common feature - the mold rotation with the working table.
In 1925, the first IS machine emerged as a game-changer. Unlike its predecessors, this machine featured a stationary working table, with molds performing automatic opening and closing actions. By 1930, advancements such as changing the plunger to a blow head resulted in the Press-and-Blow method for manufacturing large-mouth bottles. In the 1960s, German glassworks like Heye Glass further refined the process. It evolved to support single, double, and triple gob delivery, with the IS machine adopting both Blow-and-Blow (for small-necked bottles) and Press-and-Blow (for large-necked bottles) methods.
Common Types of IS Machines:
Owens Bottle Machine (OBM):
Suction-Blow Method
Variants: A, AE (6-section), AN, AR (10-section), AQ, AV (15-section)
Pros: Simple suction process, stable glass weight, uniform bottle glass distribution
Cons: Large machine footprint, requires transfer pit, high energy consumption, short parison mold life
Usage: Primarily for small-neck bottle production
ΠBM Press-and-Blow Bottle Machine:
Press-and-Blow Method
Configuration: 12-section rotary
Pros: Compact footprint, uniform glass distribution
Cons: Fixed molding time, machine stoppage for mold changes
Usage: Suitable for medium and large-neck bottle production
Lynx-10 Bottle Machine:
Blow-and-Blow Method
Configuration: 6-section double rotary
Pros: High production efficiency, high-quality yield
Cons: Large footprint, vulnerability of bottle neck during transfer, susceptibility to machine component wear
Usage: Mainly for small-neck bottle production, adaptable for large-neck bottles
IS Machine (Individual Section Machine):
Blow-and-Blow for small-neck, Press-and-Blow for large-neck
Sections: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10
Pros: Wide production range, partial machine stoppage capability, ability to produce bottles with the same weight but different shapes, stable and secure operation, durable components
Cons: Variation in raw material behavior, uneven temperature distribution after parison contact, resulting in uneven glass distribution, potential for visible wrinkle lines (two gob)
Heye-Moel H1-2 Bottle Machine:
Developed by Heye Glass in West Germany
Improved version addressing IS machine shortcomings
Capable of producing small, medium, lightweight, and ultralight bottles
Considered an advanced and versatile model in the current landscape
These advanced IS machines empower De Varo Packaging with the manufacturing capabilities needed to meet diverse client demands for glass bottle shapes and specifications. As an industry leader, De Varo Packaging remains committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology for delivering high-quality glass packaging solutions to clients worldwide.
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