Challenges and Solutions in the Molding Process of Cosmetic Glass Bottle Packaging

In the field of cosmetic packaging, glass bottles are favored for their elegance and high-end image. However, the molding process of glass bottles is not without challenges. Below is an overview of the potential issues encountered during the molding process of cosmetic glass bottles and their solutions.

**I. Design and Mold Making Issues**

1. **Mold Material Selection**: Cosmetic glass bottles have high requirements for the mold material's oxidation resistance. Traditional gray cast iron and ductile cast iron have insufficient oxidation resistance, leading to short mold service life. To address this issue, the industry is turning to austenitic stainless steel as a mold material, which has excellent oxidation resistance, high-temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance, significantly improving the durability and service life of molds.

2. **Complexity of Mold Design**: The diverse and unique shapes of cosmetic glass bottles increase the complexity of mold design. To meet this challenge, advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) technologies are being employed to ensure precision and efficiency in mold design.

**II. Production Technology and Cost Issues**

1. **Temperature Control in Shaping**: The increase in shaping temperature for cosmetic glass bottles poses higher demands on the mold's oxidation resistance. By adopting solid solution treatment and stress relief annealing processes, the durability and stability of molds can be significantly improved.

2. **Cost-Effectiveness**: The production cost of cosmetic glass bottles is relatively high, especially the cost of mold development. Manual molds cost about 2500 yuan, while automatic molds are around 4000 yuan, and more complex molds can cost tens of thousands of yuan. To control costs, companies need to optimize production processes and increase automation levels.

**III. Post-Processing Issues**

1. **Screen Printing and Spraying**: In the screen printing and spraying process of glass bottles, color and adhesion are key. High-temperature ink screen printing has a dull color, while low-temperature ink screen printing has a brighter color but requires higher-quality ink that is prone to falling off. To ensure quality, strict testing and control of ink and screen printing processes are necessary.

2. **Cap Sealing**: The cap process includes electrochemical aluminum engraving, gold plating, and etching lines, which need to be used in conjunction with gaskets and inner caps to enhance sealing effects.

**IV. Material and Process Issues**

1. **Inconsistent Glass Bottle Thickness**: This can lead to bottle damage or squeezing by the content under cold conditions. To solve this problem, reasonable filling volumes need to be tested during filling, and protective measures should be taken during transportation.

2. **Environmental Protection and High Strength**: In the production of cosmetic glass bottles, adding strontium fluoride in conjunction with cesium sulfate and indium phosphide can enhance the glass's impact resistance while using waste glass to reduce environmental pollution.

**Closing Remarks:**

Although the molding process of cosmetic glass bottles is full of challenges, the industry is moving towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly direction through technological innovation and process improvement. We look forward to more innovation and surprises in the future production of cosmetic glass bottles.