Seamless. Efficient. Automated.
K3D – Kautex 3 Dimensional
Shaping complex Pipe Systems with Precision and Efficiency.
The K3D series is the ultimate solution for producing complex, three-dimensional pipe systems with unmatched efficiency and precision. Specifically designed for applications in the automotive industry, it combines superior functionality, compact machine size, and seamless part quality – with no welding seams and minimal material waste.
Applications such as air ducts, intake manifolds, and fuel filler pipes demand complex geometries that push conventional blow molding to its limits. Kautex’s K3D machines meet this challenge by using suction blow molding or horizontal parison insertion to form parts without pinch seams or excessive flash. The result is cost-efficient, material-saving production with consistently high quality.
For even greater flexibility, the optional SeCo technology (hard-soft-hard) enables precise control of properties such as flexibility and rigidity – making it ideal for duct sections under pressure or requiring enhanced assembly flexibility.
Why K3D?
Seamless
3D blow molding delivers superior part quality by eliminating welding seams entirely. This ensures uniform wall thickness, avoids weak points caused by material accumulation or notches, and maintains full mechanical strength. Even challenging materials - such as those with poor bonding properties or short glass fiber reinforcements - can be processed with confidence. The result: seamless, more durable products with fewer limitations.
Efficient
Lower flash weight makes 3D blow molding inherently more efficient. By reducing material waste, the process allows for smaller extruders, lower clamping forces, simpler deflashing systems, and more compact auxiliaries like conveyors, and chillers. This not only reduces capital investment but also cuts operating costs, as less material processing means lower power consumption in both drive motors and heating systems. Less waste, lower costs, greater sustainability.
Automated
The integration of smart 3D technology and automation ensures high process stability with minimal operator intervention. Precise material handling, automated part removal, and intelligent process control deliver consistent output and higher uptime. For manufacturers, this means greater productivity, fewer errors, and the flexibility to handle a wider range of applications with ease.
Process Know How
Flexibility by Design – Choose between a vertical or horizontal parting line to match your application. Horizontal molds reduce cost and complexity, while vertical molds enable suction blow molding for advanced production flexibility.
Suction Blow Molding Technology – Perfect for pipe- and channel-shaped articles, suction blow molding offers a smarter way to produce complex geometries. The process delivers seamless, more durable parts with significantly less scrap -a win for both quality and sustainability.
Sequential Coextrusion (SeCo) – SeCo blow molding combines different material layers (e.g., Soft–Hard–Soft) in one part, delivering strength, flexibility, or heat resistance where needed. Perfect for complex ducts and pipes, it ensures lighter, more cost-efficient, and recyclable production with reduced material use and energy demand.
CoExtrusion – Filler pieps require a multilayer parison is no problem for K3D. Up to 7-layer CoEx is possible.
High Temperature Ready – HT-ready machines process special materials for demanding applications like turbocharger pipes and engine-near components. With tailored options for PA or PPS, they ensure parts that withstand heat and perform reliably even under the toughest conditions.
PWDS Integration – Optimize your material usage with advanced wall-thickness control. PWDS technology ensure homogeneous article walls even at heavily bended pipes and consistently high product quality.
Industrial Robots – Manage both parison and article handling, giving you maximum flexibility in product design and process flow. This ensures precise, reliable operations while opening the door to more complex geometries and integrated production steps.
K3D Article Range
High-temperature resistant pipe for turbocharger systems. Manufactured with seamless precision to ensure reliable airflow, durability under thermal stress, and reduced material waste.
Wide range of complex 3D pipe geometries produced without welding seams. Designed for automotive applications such as air ducts and filler pipes, combining lightweight design with high functional reliability.
Complex technical ducts and connectors with flexible and rigid sections. Ideal for intake manifolds, ventilation, and fluid systems – produced cost-efficiently with superior dimensional accuracy.
What Our Customers say:
One of the reasons we have been successful in our latest expansion project has been due to Kautex’s expertise and knowledge in large part blow molding equipment.
Our partnership with Kautex is built on trust, quality, and shared values. The performance of our KBB Series once again has proven that Kautex is the right technology partner for us – reliable, innovative, and supportive
Cutting-edge technology is essential if you want to survive in this business. As the world’s leading supplier of extrusion blow molding machinery, Kautex helps us to be constantly pushing the boundaries in terms of flexibility, efficiency and quality.
We selected the Kautex machines because they provide us with the highest standards and required production reliability at all times. Kautex has unparalleled technical expertise that encompasses the entire extrusion process.
We constantly analyse the efficiency of our processes and benchmark the energy consumption of our machines making the KBB400 Kautex machine perform top of the class.
For 40 years we have set benchmarks with the precision and repeatability of machines and equipment supplied by Kautex.
Kautex gives us a real sense of security thanks to its first-class machine technology and excellent customer service, and we want to continue having this guarantee of success.
We need to improve the efficiency of our production lines while reducing operating costs. So Kautex’s advanced technology and services make it the ideal partner for us.
When it comes to tightly calculated cycle times, high demand on product quality, flexibility and delivery reliability, benchmarks have to be set to comply with high customer expectations. With Kautex machines and services we can achieve those targets.
Thanks to our long-term and futureoriented partnership with Kautex Maschinenbau, we set benchmarks in our product quality for a challenging automotive market.
Key technical data
| Blow Molding Machine | K3D-HP | K3D-HPD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clamping Force | kN | 100 | 100 |
| Clamping Stroke | max mm | 500 | 500 |
| Width | ~ mm | 5700 | 11000 |
| Lenght | ~ mm | 6300 | 7600 |
| Height | ~ mm | 5500 | 7100 |
| Mold Data | |||
| Mold Width | max mm | 800 | 800 |
| Mold Length | max mm | 1600 | 1600 |
| Mold Tickness | max mm | 2x300 | 2x300 |
Download the complete Data Sheet for detailed Specifications and Configuration Options. Or simply contact Kautex for even more Details.
The KBS Product Range
- Clamping Force: 100 kN
- Clamping Platten SIze: 800x1200 mm
- Number of Cavities: 1-2
- Extrusion Type: Continuous / Discontinuous
- Number of Layers: Mono up to CoEx-7
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More InformationK3D Options
Starting from a standard model, we offer a wide range of upgrade options to create a tailor-made solution for every application.
Layout
K3D Machines gives you freedom in designing your production line. Choose between single- or double-station machines with either a compact mono-layer platform or a flexible CoExtruision design tailored to your products. Handling can be configured for maximum efficiency with robotic transfer or linear systems for parison handling and article take-out.
Suction Blow Molding Technology
Perfect for pipe- and channel-shaped articles, suction blow molding offers a smarter way to produce complex geometries. The process delivers seamless, more durable parts with significantly less scrap -a win for both quality and sustainability.
Flexibility by Design
Choose between a vertical or horizontal mold parting line, depending on your application. A horizontal setup allows easy parison insertion and reduces mold costs thanks to lower complexity and clamping force. The vertical arrangement supports suction blow molding, offering flexibility for specialized production requirements.
High Temperature Ready
HT-ready machines handle special materials for demanding high temperature applications like turbocharger pipes and engine-proximate components. Special options for PA or PPS-based materials ensure reliable production of parts that withstand heat and maintain performance—engineered for durability and confidence in the toughest conditions.
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Your direct contact
Planning on adding a KBS to your Production? Get in touch with us!
