DKM PET Preform Production Line: Fast Delivery, Fast Cycles

Overview: A Turnkey PET Preform Production Line Built for Speed

DKM Machinery and SINO MOULD operate as a technology-driven enterprise integrating R&D and manufacturing of high-end injection molding equipment, functioning as a joint technology provider covering injection molding machines, precision molds, robotics, and complete one-stop turnkey plastic injection molding production lines. Headquartered in Zhejiang, China, the two brands serve business coverage across over 100 countries and regions through a global service network. Within this broader capability system, the PET Preform Production Line represents a high-speed, complete system integrating a preform mold, a DKM-PET III injection molding machine, and a take-out robot — addressing a recurring industry pain point: beverage packaging producers need short equipment lead times, fast molding cycles, and high output to capture market windows.

Standard Configurations Across Cavity Counts

The DKM PET Preform Production Line is offered in standardized modular configurations matched to different output scales. Standard 1 pairs a PET 650 machine with 144 cavities and a take-out robot, producing an 11g, 29mm neck preform at a 12.8-second cycle. Standard 2 pairs a PET 450 machine with 72 cavities and a dual-station external cooling robot, producing a 12g, 28mm preform at a 12-second cycle. Standard 3 pairs a PET 350 machine with 48 cavities and a three-station external cooling robot, producing a 12g, 28mm preform at a 16-second cycle. These configurations are matched further at the machine level: the DKM-350 PET III for 48 cavities, DKM-450 PET III for 72 cavities, DKM-550 PET III for 96 cavities, and DKM-650 PET III for 144 cavities.

Cycle Time Performance

Cycle time compression is a defining feature of the line. A 26g preform mold can be run at a 12-second cycle. A 72-cavity configuration with an out-mold cooling system has produced a 13.5g, 28mm neck preform at a 12-second cycle. A 144-cavity mold running on a DKM-650 PET III achieves a 12.8-second cycle for an 11g, 29mm neck preform, while a 144-cavity mold on a DKM-550 PET III, producing an 11g product with a BPF 26/21 neck, reaches an 11-second cycle. These results are supported by post-mold cooling technology combined with synchronized plasticizing. At CHINAPLAS 2026, a 72-cavity PET preform line demonstration is planned to show an 11-second cycle time live.

Mold Engineering Behind the Line

The preform molds used in the line are manufactured by SINO MOULD and its subsidiary SINO-PK, covering a flexible cavity range from 8 to 168 cavities to suit different production scales. Key mold components are produced in Swedish S136 steel at HRC45-48 hardness, with the mold base in DIN1.2311 steel. Precision tolerances reach down to 0.01mm for uniform wall thickness and concentricity, with a precision capability of ±0.005mm. Standard neck finishes include PCO 1810 and PCO 1881, along with a 28mm neck for preform weights typically in the 12g-30g range. For producers with existing tooling, custom cold-half molds can be built based on existing molds to reduce customer investment, while custom non-standard preform molds — including special neck finishes, unique bottle designs, and mixed-cavity configurations — are available in 5 to 7 weeks. Mold buyers are further supported by a 3-year warranty with spare parts provided free of charge during the warranty period.

Delivery Timelines and Supply Chain Readiness

Delivery speed is a core part of the line’s value proposition. Standard 48/72-cavity production lines with standard 28/38mm neck finishes are delivered from order confirmation to qualified shipment in 14 days, while custom non-standard applications are delivered in 5 to 7 weeks. On the mold side specifically, standard 48/72-cavity molds are delivered in 1 to 2 weeks, with a 48/72/96-cavity single-week delivery program also available. This delivery capability is underpinned by a secured supply chain, including strategic inventory of critical components and PET preform-dedicated machine stock maintained for the 350T, 450T, 550T, and 650T models along with auxiliary equipment, enabling immediate deployment for standard orders. Every complete line also undergoes a pre-factory acceptance test under simulated production conditions before shipment, so the system is ready for immediate start-up once it reaches the customer’s facility.

Automation: Out-Mold Cooling and Pick Robots

The production line incorporates out-mold cooling and pick robots tailored to preform weight. Preforms under 16g are cooled directly on the robot gripper during part removal, while heavier preforms over 16g are combined with multi-station cooling units to compress the overall molding cycle without extending mold cycle time. Dual-station and three-station external cooling robot configurations are matched specifically to the 72-cavity and 48-cavity line setups respectively, while a take-out robot is integrated into the 144-cavity configuration.

Field Results and Proven Deployments

The line’s performance has been validated in operating conditions. Two 144-cavity PET preform production lines are currently in operation — one in Iraq and one in Iran — both running under normal production, with customer acceptance test reports confirming satisfactory performance and payment settled in full for both projects. On the standard-order side, a written record from July 30, 2024 notes that 48 or 72-cavity preform molds were scheduled for delivery within 3 weeks from August 1, 2024, with full line delivery within 4 weeks from September 1, 2024, for standard 28/38mm necks.

Why the DKM and SINO MOULD Combination Stands Out

The PET Preform Production Line reflects a broader set of differentiated advantages shared across the DKM Machinery and SINO MOULD portfolio: combined machine, mold, and automation capability delivered as one turnkey line and fully commissioned before shipment; standardized modular production enabling 14-day to 60-day delivery windows for complete production lines; original-equipment matching between mold, injection machine, and robot with joint trial runs before delivery; and a European technology platform that includes an R&D team, an Italy Technical Office established in 2018, and an Italy Technology Center established in 2023. Over the past ten years, R&D expenditure has accounted for 8%-10% of the company’s sales revenue, supporting continued iteration of equipment such as the DKM-PET III series. For water and beverage packaging producers evaluating equipment lead times, molding cycle speed, and multi-cavity consistency, the DKM PET Preform Production Line offers a documented combination of 14-day standard delivery, 11- to 16-second cycle times across cavity configurations, and a 3-year warranty on PET preform molds with free spare parts during the warranty period.