AGAMI This vertical thermoforming machine from Serac Inc. allows companies to use rolls of PP to manufacture bottles that appear identical to those produced using traditional blow molding. The company is targeting applications such as chilled dairy products, aseptic filling, hot filling and microwaveable packaging for the Agami system, which was designed for on-site bottle manufacturing.
WHAT'S NEW? The tubular technology. The plastic sheet is cut into strips, each of which is shaped around a blow pipe. Each strip is then welded lengthwise. The resulting tube is heated and blown into a mold, creating the bottle. Bottle designs are not limited to large necks and small heights, and can be completely round.
BENEFITS Cost savings. The Agami machine requires less auxiliary equipment, such as sleeve applicators, and consumes less energy than other blowing systems because bottles are blown at low pressure — less than 90 psi — and at low temperatures. Producing bottles from rolls of material also saves money in the supply process, with reduced transportation and storage costs.
Serac Inc., Carol Stream, Ill., 630-517-5601, www.serac-usa.com
