PF36/36-600 1.5-Step PET Injection Stretch Blow Molding machine, featuring ASB’s Vision1™ control and monitoring system. (Photo credit: Nissei ASB)

Exhibition

drinktec 2025: Nissei ASB demonstrates the 1-5-Step PF36 Series, a smart PET bottle molding solution, at 18,000bph

2025-07-23 2:32 min Drinktec 2025, Image processing and vision systems

Nissei ASB Machine Co. Ltd. Komoro-shi, Nagano-ken, Japan

Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd. will demonstrate its PF36-Series 1.5-Step molding machine at the upcoming Drinktec 2025 exhibition.

Success In Japan

Since the launch of the PF36 Series in Japan in 2020, over 60 systems have been delivered to leading beverage companies across the country. Now, ASB is proud to bring this proven solution to the global market.

Short Supply Chain

The PF36 Series is highly suitable for short supply chain versus centralized mass production. By locating smaller production facilities closer to the point of sale, transportation costs are significantly reduced. With flexible production systems in place, the user can adjust output in real time based on actual demand—reducing waste and lowering inventory costs.

Shorter shipping routes lead to lower fuel consumption, reduced logistics expenses, faster delivery times, and a more responsive supply chain. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also supports sustainability goals.

All-In-One Smart Bottle Solution

ASB’s exhibition stand will feature live molding of the highest output model from its PF36 Series line-up, the PF36/36-600.

The PF36 Series is a family of PET injection stretch blow molding machines that combines the advantages of both 1-Step and 2-Step PET bottle molding into one machine, hence the term “1.5-Step Molding”. The displayed model is configured with 36 cavities at the preform injection station while the blow station has 12 cavities, capable of molding bottles up to 600ml capacity.

Bottles can always be blown much faster than preforms can be injected. By designing the PF36 Series with this 3:1 ratio, each section of the machine is utilized at maximum efficiency, enabling shorter cycle times and contributing to reduced operating costs, making the PF36 Series a highly attractive investment for high-output PET bottle production.

Bottles are blown twelve at a time. (Photo credit: Nissei ASB)

Capable of molding up to 18,000 bottles per hour, the machine’s incredibly compact size, and having no requirement for preform storage or handling systems, means that, based on in-house research, only 1/3^rd of the floor space is required when compared with an equivalent output 2-Step bottle molding system.

By installing multiple units over time, owners are able to scale up their production capacity in line with growing demand, and running multiple machines allows greater flexibility of production planning, mold changeovers and planned maintenance without stopping the entire line. Additionally, using residual heat in the preform from the injection station, a feature of the 1.5-Step molding process, energy consumption for molding can be as much as 20% lower compared to an equivalent 2-Step molding system. And, because the system molds its own preforms, product quality is higher, has greater consistency, and there is no risk of defective or damaged preforms from external supply interrupting production.

In line with circular-economy trends, and as will be demonstrated during live molding, the PF36/36-600 is fully capable of molding bottles using 100% recycled PET (R-PET) material without compromising speed or product quality.

Interface of the Vision1 control & monitoring system. (Photo credit: Nissei ASB)

Machine actuation systems are a full hybrid combination of hydraulics, pneumatics and multiple servo motor systems – each system being selected to perform specific functions with optimum efficiency. Machine control and monitoring is via ASB’s Vision1™ system, a proprietary software and hardware package that is fully compliant with the OPC UA global standard protocol for industrial network communication offering a host of possibilities, including networking into factory management software, integration of ancillary equipment control and monitoring, global accessibility to production data and remote off-site diagnosis by factory technical staff.

PF36/36-600 – Live Molding Demonstration

Machine

PF36/36-600 : 1.5-Step Injection Stretch Blow Molding Machine

Molded Product

Type : 500ml PET Bottle
Weight : 13 grams
Material : 100% R-PET
Output : 18,000 bph
Application : Drinking water

13 gram, 500ml water bottles molded in 100% R-PET at 18,000bph. (Photo credit: Nissei ASB)

Additional Information

The molding machine will be demonstrated at Drinktec 2025 together with a range of matched upstream & downstream ancillary equipment including chiller, resin dryer, mold temperature controller, mold dehumidifier, conveyor systems, etc.

ASB’s stand will also be showcasing an exciting range of new developments and packaging technologies including; Though-hole handle molding, Zero Cooling, Returnable & Refillable, lightweight collapsible water servers, canted/tilted neck bottles, & PET Cans, etc.

Nissei ASB@drinktec 2025: Hall C6, Stand 541

www.nisseiasb.com