Plastics Extrusion
Extrusion is a continuous process through which parts of a fixed cross-sectional profile are made. Material is fed through a hopper into an extruder, essentially a rotating screw surrounded by a heated barrel, where it is mixed, melted and pumped through a die. The die gives the part its shape. Types include film extrusion, sheet extrusion, pipe, profile and tubing extrusion.
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ESSENTIAL READING
VIEW ALLHow to Select the Right Tooling for Pipe Extrusion
In pipe extrusion, selecting or building a complementary set of tooling often poses challenges due to a range of qualitative factors. Here’s some guidance to help you out.
Read MoreThe Importance of Barrel Heat and Melt Temperature
Barrel temperature may impact melting in the case of very small extruders running very slowly. Otherwise, melting is mainly the result of shear heating of the polymer.
Read MoreSingle vs. Twin-Screw Extruders: Why Mixing is Different
There have been many attempts to provide twin-screw-like mixing in singles, but except at very limited outputs none have been adequate. The odds of future success are long due to the inherent differences in the equipment types.
Read MoreTroubleshooting Screw and Barrel Wear in Extrusion
Extruder screws and barrels will wear over time. If you are seeing a reduction in specific rate and higher discharge temperatures, wear is the likely culprit.
Read MoreLooking to Run PCR on a Single Screw? Here’s What to Keep in Mind
Just drop it in and mix it up? Sorry, there’s a lot more to it than that. Here is some of what you need to consider.
Read MoreWhat to Know About Your Materials When Choosing a Feeder
Feeder performance is crucial to operating extrusion and compounding lines. And consistent, reliable feeding depends in large part on selecting a feeder compatible with the materials and additives you intend to process. Follow these tips to analyze your feeder requirements.
Read MoreLatest Extrusion News And Updates
Extrusion Consulting to Rep Boston Matthews, Munchy in North America
Machine builder taps extrusion processing experts as North American sales arm.
Read MoreAuto-Profile System for Blown Film Rotating Dies
NPE2024: New technology can slash gauge variation by 50%.
Read MorePipe Extruder, Die Heads Plus a Cobot Demo
Milacron to debut updated extruder, control and die head packages. Also demonstrating how cobots can be used to automate pipe production.
Read MoreCaterpillar Pullers Move Pliable Profiles, Tubing
NPE2024: Versa Machinery’s Caterpillar pullers are designed to pull pliable materials without product deformation.
Read MorePTi Makes Changes in Leadership Structure
Moves aimed at bolstering the future of the sheet extrusion manufacturer.
Read MoreHigh-Speed Puller/Cutter for Tubing, Profiles
Cuts to exact lengths up to 3,000 cut/minute.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
New Blown-Film Cooling Technologies Set to Debut at NPE2024
Cooling specialist Addex to roll out new auto-profiling air ring for rotating dies, and new single-plenum air ring.
Read MoreMaximize the Cooling Capacity of Your Extrusion Line
Maximizing output in extrusion requires a thorough understanding of not only the cooling requirements of the extruder but of the extrudate as well.
Read MoreHow Polymer Melts in Single-Screw Extruders
Understanding how polymer melts in a single-screw extruder could help you optimize your screw design to eliminate defect-causing solid polymer fragments.
Read MoreFilm Extrusion: Boost Mechanical Properties and Rate of Composting by Blending Amorphous PHA into PLA
A unique amorphous PHA has been shown to enhance the mechanical performance and accelerate the biodegradation of other compostable polymers PLA in blown film.
Read MoreBreaking the Barrier: An Emerging Force in 9-Layer Film Packaging
Hamilton Plastics taps into its 30-plus years of know-how in high-barrier films by bringing novel, custom-engineered, nine-layer structures resulting from the investment in two new lines.
Read MoreIs a Gear Pump Right for Your Single-Screw Operation
As with everything else, there are pros and cons, but more of the former. They provide processors higher rates while decreasing the temperature of the extrudate while enabling downgauging.
Read MoreFAQ: Extrusion
However, there are actual limits on increasing output as L/D is increased. Usually these limits are due to the inability of the feed section to deliver more polymer. On smaller-diameter screws, that limit often is determined by screw strength. On small screws you can only go so deep in screw channels before the screw is over torqued and fails. On larger extruders, the efficiency of feeding decreases as the channels get deeper until there is no further increase in output.
There are four main things to consider in selecting the correct stack for your application: the overall cooling capacity, the products to be processed, the mechanical capability, and the rolls’ internal design. Considering just the cooling capacity, the top roll is there to set the sheet thickness as well as its uniformity.
One of the most useful evaluations is the relatively simple calculation of drag flow. Drag flow is simply half the volume of one turn of the metering section per second at a specific screw rpm, which, when multiplied by a units conversion and the melt specific gravity of the polymer, is a very accurate approximation of the output in lb/hr at no head pressure.
Extrusion Supplier Categories
- Web Winders, Unwinds, Rewinds
- Single-screw Extruders
- Saws
- Orientation and Tentering Equipment (for Webs)
- Pipe Corrugators
- Slot Orifice Coaters
- Extruder Screens, Screen Packs, Screen Changers, Breaker Plates, Other Melt-Filtration Equipment
- Sheet Take-off Systems
- Film Take-off Systems
- Web Brakes, Clutches, Chucks
- Extrusion Dies
- Pipe Bellers
- Web Inspection Systems
- Pipe Take-off Systems
- Web Guides, Edge Detectors
- Wire and Cable Take-off Systems
- Pipe Thickness Measuring Equipment
- Roll Coaters
- Dispensing Equipment for Reactive Resin Systems
- Melt Pumps for Extrusion
- Curtain Coaters
- Profiles, Tubing, Hose Take-off Systems
- Calenders
- Cutoff Equipment
- Plastic Lumber Extrusion/Molding Systems
- Web Slitter/Rewinders
- Knife Coaters
- Film, Sheet, Coated Web Thickness Measuring Equipment
- Web Tension Controls
- Multiple-screw Extruders
- Web Cleaning Equipment
- Coextrusion Dies, Feedblocks
- Web Slitters
- Plasma Coating Systems
- Ram Extruders
- Air Knife Equipment
- Monofilament/Multifilament Take-Off Systems
- Rotary Screwless Extruders
- Pelletizers
- Solution Casting Equipment (for Film)
- Air Rings and Internal Bubble Cooling Units
- Profiles, Tubing, Wire Thickness Measuring Equipment