Used PET Stretch Blow Molding Machines for Sale 5

Linear vs rotary stretch blow moulders

Linear stretch blow moulders process preforms through linear motion paths — preform loading, oven heating, blow station, and bottle discharge arranged in linear sequence. Linear configurations typically produce 1,000-8,000 bottles per hour, suiting smaller-volume production and applications requiring frequent format changes.

Rotary stretch blow moulders use circular processing where preforms move through processing stations on a rotating wheel. Preform loading, oven heating zones, blow station, and bottle discharge occupy positions around the rotary wheel. Cavity counts from 6 to 36+ on rotary configurations deliver bottle production rates of 8,000-90,000+ bottles per hour. Rotary architecture dominates major beverage producer high-volume production.

Reheat oven technology

The preform reheat oven represents critical SBM infrastructure. Infrared lamps (typically halogen) heat preforms to optimal forming temperature with controlled temperature profile along preform length. The preform body heats to higher temperature than neck (which must remain rigid during blowing); the preform body temperature must be uniform circumferentially to produce uniform bottle wall thickness.

Oven heating element conditions directly affect bottle quality. Worn heating elements, lamp failures, and controlled temperature inaccuracies all affect preform reheat profile and resulting bottle quality. Heating element replacement is routine maintenance.

Combi systems

Combi systems integrate stretch blow moulding directly with downstream filling and capping within unified hygienic enclosures. The Combi approach eliminates external bottle conveyors, rinsing operations, and contamination opportunities between blowing and filling.

Combi systems particularly serve water bottling and aseptic juice production where contamination control affects shelf life and product safety. The integrated approach reduces total floor space and capital cost compared to separate blower-conveyor-filler installations.

Major manufacturers each offer Combi configurations: Sidel Combi (the original), KHS InnoPET BloFill, Krones ErgoBloc, Sipa Sincro Bloc.

Mould compatibility

Mould compatibility evaluation matters critically for used PET stretch blow moulders. Each bottle program requires specific moulds matched to bottle dimensions (height, body diameter, neck finish), bottle volume, and design features. Used SBM without compatible moulds requires mould acquisition representing substantial additional cost.

Mould inventory from the previous owner — if compatible with intended bottle programs — represents substantial value addition to the base equipment.

Applications and markets

Water bottling represents the largest single SBM application globally — major water producers operate hundreds of SBM machines worldwide. Soft drink production, juice bottling, dairy products in PET, and household chemical packaging cover the broader application range.

Major manufacturers include Sidel (French global leader, the SBO platform), Krones (German, the Contiform platform), KHS (German, the InnoPET platform), Sipa (Italian, multiple platforms), and various regional alternatives.

Browse used PET stretch blow moulding machines on Exapro to compare linear, rotary, and Combi configurations from verified sellers worldwide. When evaluating used SBM equipment, verify oven heating system condition and temperature uniformity, check mould condition and cavity dimensional accuracy, test stretch rod and blow air pressure system function, inspect preform feeding and bottle handling systems, confirm CNC control system function and software version, verify Combi integration if applicable, and validate that machine output capacity and bottle format range match your production requirements.