Press release

“Preblow” –a new developmentreduces costs

(Naefels, 7 June, 2012) Netstal has further developed the proven PET-LINE Calitec© System. This innovative cooling system supports preform cooling through internal pressure in the preform. The PET performs are therefore intensively post-cooled without interruption after demolding. Preblow extends thiscooling phase with a blow-out process in the base area. The advantages of Calitec are thereforeincreased still further: Shorter cycle times and continuously improved molding quality.

Innovation

The innovative Preblow process, which is the subject ofa patent application, opens up new and even more efficientopportunities for our customers. Its special aspect:During this process, the preform is blown out in the basearea directly after the injection molding process. Thismeans that both the base contour and, thus, the surface area canbe changed for the first time. By increasing the size of the base contourthrough the blowing process, we also obtain a thinner wall inthe critical base area. During the subsequent blowing process, thiseffect can be used to heat the base area more specifically and moreefficiently. With a larger surface area, the UV lamps in the blowingmachine have to heat a thinner wall. The result: LightBase.

There is a clear advantage compared with the “EcoBase” and “CappelloDesign” solutions now available on the market since completeconsistency is guaranteed throughout the entire process. In additionto the change in the contour, the Netstal experts exerted moreinfluence on the much more important parameters – wall thicknessand material build-up – and improved them significantly. Finally, thewall thickness in an optimum injection molding process is almostinvariable.

During an initial test with 1-liter juice bottles, a weight reduction ofmore than 1 g was attained. The wall thickness was also increasedsubstantially. At the Chinaplas exhibition in April 2012, Netstalpresented a system which produced a preform weighing 15.8 g fornon-carbonated water. Although the bottle quality remained identical,material consumption was reduced by at least 0.5 g material.Calculated over the year, this corresponds to a saving of around 255tonnes. The preforms were produced with 128 cavities at a cycle timeof around 7.2 seconds. All 128 preforms were then reliably blownout identically. The high reproducibility and the much simpler blowingprocess compared with EcoBase and Cappello spoke a clear languageand impressed the visitors.

“Through the development of the Preblow process, Netstal has managedto achieve a first-rate innovative technology. The larger processwindow in the blowing process and the additionally reducedcycle time due to lower material build-up on the base represent considerableadvances in the production of PET bottles”, said ThomasAnderegg, Vice President Sales at Netstal.

Enclosure: Pictures and more information can be found at

Picture explanation:

PET-Preform_comparison_2012_A_sx and B_sx: Weight savingInfluence of the different perform tips on the bottle bases.

Preblow process: Innovation Description of the Preblow process

Press contact:

Christine Grob

Marketing Communication

Phone:+41 (0) 55 618 6443

Email:

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About Netstal

The Netstal product brand stands for first-class, high-performance, high-precision injection molding machinery and system solutions. Netstal customers set a high value on the company’s continuous drive to innovate, excellent service and efficient, high-performance engineering solutions, especially for the beverage, packaging and medical technology industries. The Netstal brand, embodied by the Netstal company with its long engineering tradition in Näfels, Switzerland, has been part of the KraussMaffei Group since 1992.

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About KraussMaffei Group

The KraussMaffei Group is among the world’s leading suppliers of machinery and systems for producing and processing plastics and rubber. Its products and services cover the whole spectrum of injection and reaction molding and extrusion technology, giving the company a unique position in the industry. The KraussMaffei Group is innovation-powered, supplying its products, processes and services as standard or custom solutions which deliver sustained added value along the customer’s value-adding chain. The company markets it’s offering under the KraussMaffei, KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal brands to customers in the automotive, packaging, medical, construction, electrical, electronics and home appliance industries. Continuing a long tradition of engineering excellence, the international KraussMaffei Group currently employs around 4,000 people. With a global network of more than 30 subsidiaries and more than 10 production plants, supported by around 570 sales and service partners, the company is close to customers around the world. KraussMaffei has been headquartered in Munich since 1838.

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