FlexBlow commits to Industry 4.0 plant in Lithuania

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Lithuania-based machine manufacturer of versatile two-stage PET SBM technology FlexBlow will further strengthen its position in the fast-growing PET market by moving towards Industry 4.0.

In building a new 3,500m2 manufacturing facility in addition to the existing 10,000m2 site in Kretinga, the company not only aims to expand its capacity but improve its technology.

FlexBlow’s early vision of demand responsive PET bottle blowing has come a long way since its 1994 establishment. Close observation of market development and increasing demand for greater in-house PET container production flexibility has led the company’s strategic progression on continuous technology improvement and versatility.

FlexBlow hopes the new site can transform the company’s processes and operations by introducing a complete manufacturing environment that operates based on real-time data collection and localisation during production, and that it can optimise processes by combining relevant physical and digital technologies, including intelligent robot units programmed to make decisions based on real-time data collected from the production floor.

An on-site testing laboratory, 3D printers for both plastic and metal components, and a working environment designed to foster employee motivation and engagement will form the complete picture of FlexBlow’s new production site, which is set to begin operations as soon as July 2019.

The company’s decision to begin volume production of the new 8-cavity FlexBlow8 Hybrid systems entail progressing from limited supplier capabilities, and becoming self-sufficient and able to fabricate all necessary metal parts. Today FlexBlow’s off-site large-scale metal parts manufacturing site stands complete with a new generation high-precision 5 axis Hyundai milling machine, two-tonne 360-degree overhead cranes, a large-scale sheet metal plasma bending machine, and an industrial large equipment paint spray booth.

Flexblow says that its success is set to continue as the business is well equipped and ready to move towards advanced digital technologies whilst continuing to draw from its strength of knowledge and understanding of the packaging market.

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