Introducing High-speed PET Preform Injection System to Improve Efficiency

Yaobang Plastic Co., Ltd. ("Yaobang"), engaged in producing cooking oil bottles and PET bottles for flavouring and daily supplies, is a well-known company in North China’s flavouring packaging processing industry and has factories in Qingdao, Yantai, Yingkou, Wuhu, Taizhou and other places in China.

Yaobang, very experienced in the field of PET packaging manufacturing, now has nearly 100 dedicated injection molding machines and about 30 sets of PET blowing machine, with daily output of PET bottles up to 500,000 pieces. As the supplier for well-known manufacturers, including COFCO, Shinho and Yihai Kerry, Yaobang’s products are widely used in the packaging of cooking oil, candies, pickles, jams and detergent products, etc.

Introducing high-speed PET preform injection molding system

In the packaging industry, PET flavouring preform is a sector more specific than beverage and food packaging, because the size requirements for those PET performs are not unified. Every time contract manufacturers have to carry out production that caters specifically to the requirements for products instead of standardized production, which limits the increase in production volume.  

Thus, few contract manufacturers will introduce the preform injection molding systems. Such introductions will be considered by the manufacturer only in the case of mass production with unified product size.

In 2013, Yaobang in rapid development resolutely set up a factory covering an area of 8,000 square meters in Yantai and introduced Yizumi’s high-speed PET preform injection molding system.

"This is a bold attempt for us," said Yaobang’s Production Director Chen Wenzhong. Yaobang had been using ordinary injection molding machine to produce performs and this was the first time that Yaobang had introduced high-speed preform injection system. Yizumi customized the system which included the injection molding machine, mold and auxiliary equipment such as the dryer, chiller, dehumidifier and manipulator. The turn-key solution provided by Yizumi met the needs of Yaobang’s two production lines and daily production volume of 400,000 preforms.

It is learned that the production efficiency of Yizumi’s preform injection molding system is equal to that of four ordinary injection presses; it is not only highly-stable, but diminishes labor costs. Only two operators are enough.  

"The system really improves our production efficiency and product quality, which ensure our stable deliveries," said Chen Wenzhong. More important, Yaobang had a great deal of trust in Yizumi about this project. From the customization of machine to the layout of the plant, arrangement and installation of water, electricity and gas supply systems and on-site construction and commissioning, Yaobang entrusted all the work to Yizumi and Yizumi succeeded in delivering a turnkey project.

Chen Wenzhong who came from a technical background was a little bit shocked at the result, “Each client is different in PET preform industry, but Yizumi can offer not only custom machine, mold and auxiliary equipment tailored for our product, but complete service and technical support. It shows that Yizumi is very professional in this field.”

Delivering PET preform mold in 35 days

It is known that Yizumi starts with the business of injection molding machine, yet Yaobang is also concerned about its partner’s new mold business. Yaobang placed the first order for a set of 16-cavity preform mold to Yizumi, but it was very challenging as the given lead time was only 35 days.

According to the technicians, production of a set of mold consists of eight procedures: design, purchase of materials, rough machining, hardening and tempering, finishing, polishing, assembly and commissioning. It takes at least 56 days to complete production even if workers continuously work for hours without rest. So it is almost impossible for Yizumi to deliver a set of mold to Yaobang in 35 days.

Yizumi’s staff who was in charge of Yaobang’s project said that except design, supply of materials, machining, production and other steps subject to certain requirements, the rest of work was communication. At that time, suppliers, engineers, sales representatives and workshop staff had worked very closely and spared no efforts to solve all problems efficiently.

Finally, Yizumi managed to deliver the mold in 35 days. What’s more, after the mold arrived at Yaobang’s factory in the morning, it was directly put into use in the afternoon. The performs also passed Yaobang’s test and the tolerance was kept within 0.1g.

"We know more about Yizumi after the cooperation. They are not only a large-scale listed plastics machinery manufacturer, but very dedicated and committed to every new field. They create true value for customers with their products and services," said Chen Wenzhong.

Since that project, Yaobang has been very confident in Yizumi’s mold production capacity and purchased multiple sets of PET molds from Yizumi.

From the injection molding machine to the high-speed PET preform injection molding system and PET mold, Yaobang and Yizumi has established close partnership in the course of deepening cooperation.

Yaobang officials said with the expansion of the Company and the use of more equipment and molds, Yaobang was realizing its strategic product layout step by step. They also hoped that Yizumi would give more support to the optional equipment in the future and facilitate the rapid development of company by offering flexible tailor-made solutions.