This book offers a detailed analysis of extrusion blow molding from a practical, on-the-job perspective. It presents the history of the technology, and addresses the most effective means of producing plastic products by this process, outlining proven methods from planning and manufacture through product testing. Practical Extrusion Blow Molding also examines aluminum alloy, beryllium—copper alloy, steel, and other materials suitable for molds, details machining methods, reviews raw materials storage methods, presents convenient quick-reference tables for troubleshooting in production, and more.

From the Preface: “...Training in the extrusion blow molding industry is one of today's greatest challenges. Changes in product design through the use of computers and rapid prototyping have meant that consumer items are produced via extrusion blow molding that just three years ago would have been considered impractical. New resins and faster and larger machines with smart control place an even greater burden then ever on the production floor...”

Target Audience: Mechanical, manufacturing, chemical, and plastics engineers, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.

Table of Contents:

History of Blow Molding

Selecting the Proper Equipment for Industrial/Technical Blow Molding

Start-up and Initial Production

Selecting a Blow Molding Material

Extrusion Blow Mold Design

Auxiliary Equipment

The Use of Regrind

Deflashing, Trimming, and Reaming

Testing of Extrusion Blow Molding

Automation, Simplicity, and Profit for Blow Molding

Troubleshooting Guide for Common Blow Molding Problems

Appendices

Glossary: Plastics Terms

Index