Apollo extrusion blow molding machines (core product line of Apollo Machinery in Zhangjiagang, China, and Apollo Factory under Wanplas Group) are specially designed for the mass production of jerrycans (plastic turnover barrels/chemical barrels), covering the full capacity range of 200mL~60L. They are mainly compatible with mainstream raw materials such as HDPE and PP, and can meet the requirements of corrosion resistance, leakproofness, high strength and compliance for jerrycans in various industries including chemical, food, lubricating oil and water services. Through modular design, high-precision control and stable continuous operation capability, they have become the core equipment choice for global jerrycan manufacturers, especially occupying a prominent market share in the 20~30L industrial-grade jerrycan field.
I. Detailed Introduction to Core Models (Including Key Technical Parameters)
Apollo has created ABLB (small and medium-sized, 200mL~20L), ABLD (medium and large-sized, 20~60L) and ABLD extra-large capacity series (300~1500L) for jerrycan production. Each model has customized adaptability, and the key parameters are shown in the following tables:
1. ABLB Series (Special for 200mL~20L Jerrycans)
| Model | Maximum Capacity | Dry Cycle Capacity (PC/H) | Screw Parameters (Diameter/L/D Ratio) | HDPE Output (kg/h) | Drive Power (kW) | Clamping Force (kN) | Price Range (10,000 CNY) | Core Application Scenarios |
| ABLB45I/II | 2L/1L | 1550/700×2 | 45mm/24:1 | 30 | 11 | 80 | 15~25 | 1~2L lubricating oil bottles, small food seasoning cans |
| ABLB55I/II | 3L/2L | 1100/950×2 | 55mm/24:1 | 60 | 15 | 120 | 18~30 | 2~3L antifreeze barrels, medium-sized daily chemical containers |
| ABLB65I/II | 5L/3.5L | 1000/800×2 | 65mm/24:1 | 75 | 18.5 | 160 | 22~40 | 3.5~5L edible oil barrels, standard chemical reagent barrels |
| ABLB75 | 8L | 800 | 75mm/24:1 | 100 | 22 | 200 | 28~45 | 8L industrial lubricating oil barrels, medium-sized chemical containers |
| ABLB90 | 16L | 600 | 90mm/24:1 | 130 | 37 | 220 | 35~60 | 16L large paint buckets, industrial liquid turnover barrels |
| ABLB100 | 30L | 500 | 100mm/25:1 | 200 | 45 | 240 | 45~80 | 30L extra-large capacity food-grade storage barrels, chemical raw material barrels |
Note: Dual-station models (suffixed with II) adopt independent drive systems, with capacity increased by 50~100% compared to single-station models, but the equipment floor space increases by about 30%, suitable for mass production of standardized jerrycans
2. ABLD Series (Special for 20~60L Jerrycans)
| Model | Maximum Capacity | Actual Capacity (20L Jerrycan, PC/H) | Screw Parameters (Diameter/L/D Ratio) | HDPE Output (kg/h) | Clamping Force (kN) | Blowing Pressure (MPa) | Price Range (10,000 CNY) | Core Application Scenarios |
| ABLD80 | 30L | 55~60 | 80mm/25:1 | 130 | 260 | 0.6~0.8 | 60~100 | 20~30L chemical raw material barrels, large lubricating oil barrels |
| ABLD90 | 60L | 30~45 | 90mm/25:1 | 180 | 320 | 0.7~0.9 | 80~130 | 50~60L industrial storage tanks, large liquid transportation barrels |
| ABLD120 | 300L | 8~12 | 120mm/33:1 | 350 | 900 | 0.8~1.0 | 200~350 | Extra-large capacity industrial jerrycans, small plastic storage tanks |
II. Analysis of Core Technical Adaptability in Jerrycan Production
1. Raw Material Adaptability and Structural Customization Capability
Apollo equipment is optimally designed for the characteristics of mainstream jerrycan raw materials and supports special structural customization to meet the needs of various industries:
- Raw Material Compatibility: Core compatible with HDPE (high-density polyethylene, accounting for more than 85% of jerrycan raw materials), supporting PP, PVC, ABS and HDPE/PP blended materials, and can process HDPE raw materials with a melt flow rate of 0.3~2.0g/10min, meeting different standards such as food grade (FDA certification), chemical grade (corrosion resistance) and pharmaceutical grade (hygienic grade). Among them, food-grade models are equipped with 38CrMoALA material screws and food-grade die heads, with no material residue, meeting the requirements for packaging edible oil, sauces, etc.
- Multi-layer Co-extrusion Configuration: Optional 1~6 layer co-extrusion module, supporting composite structures such as HDPE/EVOH/HDPE and HDPE/PP. The thickness of the EVOH barrier layer can be precisely controlled within 0.1~0.3mm, and the oxygen transmission rate is ≤5cc/(m²·24h·atm). It can produce high-barrier jerrycans, suitable for packaging corrosive chemicals (such as solvents, acid and alkali solutions) or oxidizable liquids (such as high-end lubricating oil).
- Structural Customization: Supports the production of jerrycans with handles, square shapes and special shapes. Through customized mold interfaces and parison controllers, the handle and barrel body can be integrally formed, avoiding secondary welding and improving structural strength (drop test height ≥1.5m without damage). For the portable jerrycan needs mentioned by MIT Solve, it can be adapted to the molding molds of special structures such as torus shape and square torus.
2. Molding Precision Control (Core Quality Assurance for Jerrycans)
Jerrycans have high requirements for wall thickness uniformity, sealing performance and surface flatness. Apollo ensures molding precision through three key technologies:
- High-precision Wall Thickness Control: Standard equipped with MOOG 100-point parison controller (B&R 50-point system optional for high-end models), which can independently adjust the thickness of 100 axial points of the parison. Combined with the patented accumulator die head (volume 24~70L), the wall thickness deviation is controlled within ±3%, solving the problem of uneven wall thickness at stress-concentrated parts such as the bottom and handle of the jerrycan. For 20L square jerrycans, the wall thickness uniformity of the four sides of the barrel can be further optimized through the die lip fine-tuning mechanism (precision 0.01mm).
- Stable Molding Process: Adopts bottom blow molding technology, where the blow pin is inserted from the bottom of the barrel for inflation, avoiding the deformation of the bottle mouth caused by top inflation. The sealing performance meets the standard (leakage rate <0.1%, in line with UN dangerous goods packaging certification requirements). Equipped with 4~6 heating zones, the temperature control precision is ±1℃, and the HDPE extrusion temperature is stably maintained at 180~220℃, ensuring uniform plasticization of materials and smooth surface of the barrel without flow marks or flash.
- Intelligent Quality Monitoring: Optional online thickness gauge (precision 0.001mm), visual inspection system and high-pressure leak detection equipment, which can real-time monitor the wall thickness of the barrel, surface defects (such as scratches, dents) and sealing performance. Defective products are automatically sorted out, and the scrap rate is controlled below 1%.
3. Automation and Efficiency Optimization
Apollo equipment adopts full-process automated design, adapting to the large-scale production of jerrycans, with the following core advantages:
- Full-process Unmanned Operation: Integrates full-process functions such as automatic feeding, raw material drying, parison extrusion, blow molding cooling, automatic deflashing, in-mold labeling, online leak detection and finished product sorting, reducing 90% of manual intervention. Among them, the automatic deflashing system adopts rotating cutter head + hydraulic cutting, with deflashing precision of ±2mm, adapting to the deflashing needs of jerrycans of different specifications (additional cost 5~100,000 CNY).
- Efficient and Energy-saving Design: High-end models can be equipped with servo hydraulic drive system, which saves 30~40% energy compared with traditional hydraulic models, and the unit energy consumption of 20L jerrycan is only 1.0~1.5kWh/piece. Equipped with PLC-controlled automatic lubrication system, it can automatically inject lubricating oil into key components such as screws, guide rails and clamping mechanisms according to the equipment operation time, reducing wear and improving equipment stability.
- Flexible Production Capacity: The mold replacement adopts a quick mold change mechanism, and the mold change time is less than 2 hours, supporting the production of jerrycans of multiple specifications with the same equipment (such as quick switching from 5L→20L→30L). Dual-station models (such as ABLB65II, ABLB90II) can realize the switching between “one mold two pieces” or “two molds one piece” modes, adapting to different production capacity needs. The actual production capacity of 5L jerrycan can reach 500~600 pieces/hour.
III. Details of Production Capacity Efficiency and Operation and Maintenance Costs
1. Actual Production Efficiency (Adaptation to Jerrycans of Different Capacities)
| Model | Jerrycan Capacity | Actual Capacity (pieces/hour) | Molding Cycle (seconds/piece) | Extrusion Temperature (℃) | Blowing Pressure (MPa) | Cooling Water Flow Rate (L/min) | Unit Energy Consumption (kWh/piece) |
| ABLB65II | 5L | 500~600 | 30~36 | 180~200 | 0.6~0.7 | 60~70 | 0.6~0.8 |
| ABLB90 | 16L | 120~150 | 48~60 | 190~210 | 0.7~0.8 | 80~90 | 0.8~1.0 |
| ABLD80 | 20L | 55~60 | 60~80 | 200~220 | 0.7~0.8 | 90~100 | 1.0~1.5 |
| ABLD90 | 50L | 30~45 | 120~150 | 210~230 | 0.8~0.9 | 120~150 | 2.0~2.5 |
2. Operation and Maintenance Costs and Service Life Guarantee
The core components of Apollo equipment adopt international brands (Mitsubishi PLC, Schneider contactors, Siemens motors, MOOG controllers), with low operation and maintenance costs and long service life. The key points are as follows:
- Wear Part List and Replacement Cycle: ① Screw/barrel (material 38CrMoALA): Service life 8~10 years, can be ground and repaired after wear, and the repair cost is about 30% of the new part; ② Die lip seal: Replace every 6~12 months, single set cost 500~1000 CNY; ③ Heating coil: Replace every 1~2 years, single set cost 800~1500 CNY; ④ Blow pin: Replace every 8~12 months, single set cost 1000~2000 CNY.
- Regular Maintenance Plan: ① Daily: Check oil temperature (controlled at 30~50℃), cooling water flow rate and raw material supply; ② Weekly: Clean the die head, check the precision of the wall thickness control system, and fasten the bolts of each component; ③ Monthly: Calibrate the temperature control system, check the hydraulic oil quality (replace as needed, replacement cycle 6~12 months, cost about 5000~8000 CNY); ④ Annual: Fully disassemble and inspect the screw, barrel and clamping mechanism, and perform precision calibration.
- Equipment Service Life and After-sales Service: The normal service life of the equipment is 15~20 years, the annual effective production time exceeds 8000 hours, and the failure rate is less than 1%. Apollo provides 7×24-hour technical services, global spare parts supply (domestic delivery within 48 hours, international delivery within 72 hours) and operator training to ensure the equipment resumes operation quickly.
IV. Typical Industry Application Cases (Deep Adaptation Scenarios)
1. Chemical Industry (20~30L HDPE Chemical Jerrycans)
Case Subject: A Mexican chemical enterprise (producing coatings, solvents, antifreeze)
Equipment Configuration: ABLD80 standard model (including MOOG wall thickness control, online leak detection system), equipped with 20L HDPE blow molding mold
Core Requirements: Corrosion resistance, leakproofness, compliance with UN 1H2/Y1.8/100 dangerous goods packaging certification, annual output of 500,000 pieces
Production Data: Capacity 60 pieces/hour, annual operation 8000 hours, actual output 480,000 pieces; Raw material HDPE (melt flow rate 0.8g/10min), single piece raw material consumption 1.2kg; Unit cost 15.2 CNY/piece (raw material 12 CNY + energy consumption 1.2 CNY + labor 0.5 CNY + depreciation 1.5 CNY); Market price 22 CNY/piece, annual profit 3.36 million CNY, investment payback period 4 months.
Adaptation Advantages: Multi-layer co-extrusion configuration can adapt to the packaging of corrosive solvents, bottom blow molding technology ensures sealing performance, and strong adaptability to UN certification.
2. Food Industry (5~10L Food-grade Jerrycans)
Case Subject: A Southeast Asian edible oil factory (producing peanut oil, palm oil)
Equipment Configuration: ABLB65II high-end model (food-grade screw, in-mold labeling system, FDA certification), equipped with 5L square jerrycan mold
Core Requirements: Food-grade hygiene standards, no peculiar smell, good barrier property (preventing oil oxidation), annual output of 1 million pieces
Production Data: Capacity 500 pieces/hour, annual operation 4000 hours, actual output 2 million pieces (far exceeding demand); Raw material food-grade HDPE, single piece raw material consumption 0.8kg; Unit cost 8.5 CNY/piece; Market price 12~15 CNY/piece (due to food-grade certification and in-mold labeling, the unit price is 1.3 times that of ordinary barrels), annual profit 7 million CNY, investment payback period 3 months.
Adaptation Advantages: Food-grade components have no material residue, in-mold labeling increases product added value, and meets FDA and BRCGS food packaging standards.
3. Lubricating Oil Industry (2~5L Lubricating Oil Jerrycans)
Case Subject: A domestic lubricating oil manufacturer (producing engine oil, hydraulic oil)
Equipment Configuration: ABLB55II dual-station model (servo hydraulic drive, automatic deflashing), equipped with 2L and 5L molds
Core Requirements: High strength (drop test 1.5m without damage), smooth surface (suitable for label pasting), annual output of 3 million pieces
Production Data: 2L jerrycan capacity 900 pieces/hour, 5L capacity 450 pieces/hour; Unit energy consumption 0.6kWh/piece (servo drive saves 35% energy); Equipment + mold investment 500,000 CNY; Unit cost 8 CNY, market price 12 CNY, annual profit 12 million CNY, investment payback period 2.5 months.
Adaptation Advantages: Dual-station has high production capacity, quick mold change adapts to multi-specification production, and servo system reduces long-term operation costs.
V. Precise Selection Guide (Matching Optimal Solutions According to Needs)
1. Selection by Jerrycan Capacity
- 200mL~5L: Preferred ABLB45II/ABLB55II/ABLB65II dual-station, price 18~400,000 CNY, suitable for small-capacity and mass production (such as lubricating oil bottles, food seasoning cans).
- 5~20L: Preferred ABLB75/ABLB90, price 28~600,000 CNY, adapting to medium-sized industrial barrels and food barrels, balancing production capacity and precision.
- 20~60L: Preferred ABLD80/ABLD90, price 60~1.3 million CNY, professionally adapting to large chemical barrels and transportation barrels, with strong clamping force and stable molding.
- Above 300L: Choose ABLD120/ABLD150, price 2~3.5 million CNY, adapting to extra-large capacity industrial storage tanks.
2. Selection by Production Scale
- Small batch (<100,000 pieces/year): ABLB45I/ABLB55I single-station, investment 15~250,000 CNY, suitable for sample trial production and customized orders.
- Medium batch (100,000~1 million pieces/year): ABLB65II/ABLB75 dual-station, investment 30~500,000 CNY, optimal balance of production capacity and cost.
- Large batch (>1 million pieces/year): ABLB90II/ABLD80, investment 60~1 million CNY, high production capacity and low unit cost, suitable for large-scale production.
3. Selection by Industry Needs
- Chemical industry: Standard MOOG wall thickness control + online leak detection, optional multi-layer co-extrusion module to ensure corrosion resistance and leakproofness.
- Food industry: Food-grade screw + in-mold labeling + FDA certification to ensure hygiene and safety and improve product appearance.
- Lubricating oil industry: Dual-station + servo drive + quick mold change, adapting to multi-specification and mass production, reducing energy consumption.
- High barrier requirements: 2~6 layer co-extrusion module + EVOH barrier layer, adapting to oxidizable and corrosive materials.
Summary and Investment Suggestions
With full capacity coverage, high-precision control, low operation and maintenance costs, and strong industry adaptability, Apollo extrusion blow molding machines have become benchmark equipment for jerrycan production, especially having significant advantages in the 20~30L industrial-grade jerrycan field. Its core competitiveness is reflected in: ① Modular design can accurately match the needs of jerrycans of different capacities, materials and structures; ② International brand core components ensure equipment stability, with annual operation time exceeding 8000 hours; ③ Short investment payback period (2~12 months) and prominent long-term operation cost performance.
Core Investment Suggestions:
- Small and medium capacity (≤5L), mass production: Priority to ABLB65II dual-station, investment 25~400,000 CNY, optimal balance of production capacity and price.
- Medium and large capacity (5~20L), multi-specification needs: Choose ABLB90, investment 35~600,000 CNY, adapting to diversified production.
- Large capacity (>20L), industrial-grade needs: Choose ABLD80, investment 60~1 million CNY, professionally ensuring molding quality and stability.
