Sumitomo Heavy Industries launches “SP300,” a new injection molding machine that supports medium-scale production of PET bottle preforms—Offering integrated proposals and prompt support for Japanese-made injection molding machines, molds, and take-out robots—
May 22, 2026
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Head office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director, President and CEO: Toshiro Watanabe, hereafter referred to as “SHI”) has launched sales of SP300, an injection molding machine designed for medium-scale production of PET bottle preforms (*1), hereafter referred to as “new product.”
By adding this new product to their product lineup alongside the currently available machines “SE-EV-S-HD PET specification” and “SP500E,” SHI is now able to provide the best equipment proposals based on customers’ application and production scale.
| Model | Clamping force | Specification | Number of cavities (Number of preforms molded per shot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE-EV-S-HD PET specification | 2,800 kN to 3,150 kN | In-line screw type (*2) | 24 to 48 cavities |
| SP300 (new product) | 3,000 kN | Screw preplasticizing type (*3) | 48 to 72 cavities |
| SP500E | 5,000 kN | Screw preplasticizing type | 96 to 144 cavities |
■Key features of SP300
(1) Proven molding stability
SP300 inherits the proven mechanism of our company’s flagship precision molding machine SE‑EV‑S and adopts the same screw used in the high‑productivity PET preform molding machine SP500E, achieving highly stable molding performance.
| ● Double center press platens SHI’s proprietary technology is used to achieve a structure that evenly distributes clamping force from the center to the entire mold. Minimizing molding defects, such as flashes that easily form at the center of the mold, and delivering stable quality even for multi-cavity molding. |
| ● PET dedicated screw Developed to support high‑cycle molding and to address insufficient mixing. The PET‑dedicated screw enables stable molding under the same conditions for recycled PET resin as for virgin material. |
(2) Electrification that increases energy efficiency
SP300 adopts electric drives across multiple functions, reducing wasteful electricity consumption while achieving high‑precision operation. Compared with conventional hybrid machines (*4), this configuration is expected to deliver improved energy efficiency.
The clamping unit uses an electric drive that consumes energy only for the required motions, supporting strong energy savings. The injection unit, instead of continuously driving a pump as in conventional machines, employs a servo motor‑driven pump that pressurizes the accumulator only at the required timing, thereby realizing efficient operation. SP300 is the first machine to adopt a servo motor‑driven pump system in hydraulic and hybrid machines, and this technology represents one of the core innovations driving energy savings.
(3) System proposals to support the process from startup through long-term operation
We offer integrated system proposals combining dedicated take‑out robots manufactured in Japan. This approach reduces the workload required for equipment start‑up and enables a smooth start of production. In addition to supporting locally sourced molds, we are also prepared to propose Japan‑made dedicated molds manufactured by SHI, in accordance with customer requirements.
Furthermore, after system installation, our local subsidiaries specializing in the sales and support of injection molding machines provide prompt spare parts supply, service response, and technical consultation, supporting stable long‑term operation.
| ● “PZ-2200,” a dedicated take-out robot developed in collaboration with Star Seiki Co., Ltd. PZ‑2200 features a water-cooled take-off plate and preforms internal cooling. This system allows preforms to be removed from the mold while still at high temperature and then cooled within the take out robot. This shortens the molding cycle compared with conventional processes in which products are fully cooled inside the mold before removal. |
| ● “SP-Evo series,” a dedicated mold optimized for PET resin A dedicated mold with an increased number of manifold temperature control points for hot runner systems, which reduces carbonization and weight variation due to localized high temperatures that often occur during long-term continuous operation. This system supports extensive process settings, enabling multi‑product production. |
■ For more information on SP300, please visit:
https://www.shi.co.jp/plastics/english/blog/en-0065.html
■ For inquiries regarding SP300, please contact:
https://contact01.shi.co.jp/m?f=4906
(*1) A semi-finished product formed into a test tube shape from the resin material used for PET bottles. It becomes the final PET bottle by reheating and expanding (blow molding). *Image for illustration purposes only
(*2) A method that sequentially performs plasticization, dosing, and injection operation. Often used on general-purpose injection molding machines.
(*3) A method that simultaneously performs plasticization and dosing operations alongside injection operation. Suitable for mass production because each operation is performed in parallel.
(*4) A hybrid system combining hydraulic and electric drives.