CNC Machining Design Guide

Optimize your designs, reduce machining time, and lower your costs.

Selecting the Right 3D Printer

Discover how to choose the right 3D printer for your needs and the key performance attributes to consider.

Metal 3D Printing Design Guide

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) 3D printing for parts with reduced cost and little waste.

Mechanical Engineers Outlook

Guide for those interested in becoming a mechanical engineer. Includes qualifications, pay, and job duties.

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Materials

Design

Processes

Units

Formulas

Math
Extrusion Blow Molding
Extrusion blow molding is the oldest, simplest, and most common type of blow molding. Common gallon or larger size gas tanks and water tanks are often manufactured using extrusion blow molding. Its procedures are:
1. A hot hollow tube of thermoplastic material is dropped from an extruder. This tube is usually called parison.
2. The parison is then captured in the closed chamber of a divided mold which seals one end of the parison and leaves the other end open.
3. Compressed air is injected through the open end of the parison. The parison is expanded like an inflated balloon.
4. Compressed air continues to blow in until the parison reaches the wall of the mold. The hollow parison now conforms to the shape of the mold cavity.
5. The molded plastic stays in the mold until it cools and hardens. Once released from the mold, further handlings such as rimming and trimming can be performed.
Pros and Cons of Extrusion Blow Molding
Pros
  • Simple
  • Low costs
  • Fast to setup to begin production
  • Allows a wide variety of container shapes
  • Can produce large size containers
Cons
  • Production speed is slower than other newer blow molding methods.
  • Not suitable for precision parts. Wall thickness is difficult to control.
  • Limited to hollow parts.

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FREE Publications
CNC Machining Design Guide

Optimize your designs, reduce machining time, and lower your costs.

Selecting the Right 3D Printer

Discover how to choose the right 3D printer for your needs and the key performance attributes to consider.

Metal 3D Printing Design Guide

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) 3D printing for parts with reduced cost and little waste.

Mechanical Engineers Outlook

Guide for those interested in becoming a mechanical engineer. Includes qualifications, pay, and job duties.

more publications