Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for friction (spin) welding separate parts of a plastic component to one another. The apparatus includes a rotational drive assembly coupled to a turret assembly arranged to be rotationally driven thereby about a longitudinal axis. The turret assembly includes at least one drive mechanism and a plurality of spindle assemblies disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, each spindle assembly defining a spindle axis and including coupled to a chuck configured to receive and hold a first part of the plastic component. The chuck is configured to move along the respective spindle axis to contact the first part of the plastic component with a second part of the plastic component. The at least one drive mechanism is configured to move the chuck and the first part relative to the second part at a speed sufficient to permanently bond the first part to the second part during rotation of the turret assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a plastic container, comprises injection molding a container preform having a finish portion and a body portion, engaging the container preform with a transfer arm with the finish portion located in a predetermined orientation with respect to the transfer arm, contacting the container preform with a first brake adapted to substantially prevent rotation of the container preform with respect to the transfer arm, transferring the container preform from the transfer arm to a blow molding wheel with the finish portion in a predetermined orientation with respect to the blow molding wheel, enclosing the container preform within a blow mold cavity, and blow molding the container preform into a plastic container. A blow molding apparatus for making a plastic container is also disclosed.