Explore How Process Variables Interact
Adjust the sliders below to see, qualitatively, how heat profile, pre-blow pressure, blow pressure, and stretch rod timing relate to wall-thickness distribution and stretch ratio in stretch blow molding.
This is a simplified, illustrative model, not engineering-grade finite-element simulation. It's built to show the general direction these variables push a bottle's wall-thickness distribution — it does not represent validated performance data for any specific preform, mold, resin, or machine. Use it to build intuition, not to set a process.
What Real Thermal Data Looks Like
Infrared captures from D.E.L.L. PET’s own floor work — the real heat gradients the illustrative model above is built to approximate.
A preform through the reheat stage, imaged with an infrared camera.
Temperature distribution across a conditioned preform.
The same heat-gradient pattern, a separate capture.
A reheat oven's lamp bank, imaged in operation.
What Each Variable Represents
Oven / Heat Profile
How much heat the preform picks up before blow — more heat generally lets material stretch more freely.
Pre-Blow Pressure
An early, lower-pressure blow stage that starts distributing the preform before the main blow.
Blow Pressure
The main blow stage that forces material out against the mold wall.
Stretch Rod Timing
When the mechanical stretch rod extends relative to blow air, affecting axial versus hoop stretch.
Working a Real Process Issue?
This tool is illustrative. For your actual line, preform, and mold, contact D.E.L.L. PET and we'll work from your real process data.