A dairy beverage facility has two blow mold lines manufactured by an OEM. These lines make three different bottle sizes (12, 28, & 52oz). To start, preforms travel through high-temp heating elements that get the preforms up to a certain temperature before going into the molds to be blown up into 12, 28, 52oz bottles. On the outsides of the heating elements, there are ceramic heat shields that keep the heat directed toward the preforms to maintain temperature ensuring the bottles mold to the proper size with no defects. Over time, these heat shields become brittle due to the constant high temperature which causes them to break and chip away. On each line, there are a total of six shields that get replaced once every 3-6 months.

With the help of BDI, the customer wanted to get away from the OEM and the high prices they charge for MRO parts. BDI Denver worked with our Part Replication Team to replicate the ceramic heat shields and reduce customer MRO cost while improving the life of the shields. Teaming with a Supplier Partner, BDI was able to identify a superior alternative shield material called Alumina. This new shield material is an industrial oxide ceramic material that is hard and long lasting.

The customer installed the BDI replicated heat shields and currently has more than doubled the life of the older, more expensive, OEM shields. Not only are the replicated shields lasting longer, while reducing downtime and maintenance, but they are also saving money not having to buy from the OEM.

Contact us today for BDI Replication solutions that can help your operation!