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Jim Frankland President
Extruding PCR? Consider a Vented Extruder
You’ll need two-stage screws to extract volatiles that post-consumer reclaim will likely contain. Screw design can be a complex balancing act. Here’s what you need to know.
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The Importance of Viscosity in Melting
The calculations required to determine the right melt temperature for each polymer are complicated. Knowing the power-law coefficient and the consistency index of the polymer you run might prove useful.
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Why Are There No 'Universal' Screws for All Polymers?
There’s a simple answer: Because all plastics are not the same.
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Understanding Melting in Single-Screw Extruders
You can better visualize the melting process by “flipping” the observation point so the barrel appears to be turning clockwise around a stationary screw.
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Minimize Sheet Gauge Variation by Roll Design
‘Hour-glass’ sheet gauge can be avoided through a reverse-bending roll design that is out of patent and freely available.
Read MoreConsidering Scaling Up for More Output? Follow These Tips
Keep these calculations handy when you are trying to decide whether a bigger extruder will get you the output you need.
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The Importance of Specific Heat in Screw and Extruder Design
If you ever have to size an extruder drive, knowing the specific heat of the polymer can help you to determine the capability of your equipment.
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Understanding the Influence of Screw Geometry on Melting Rate
They are not as closely connected as most processors think. Here’s why.
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Understanding Roll Deflection in Sheet Processing
Because of roll deflection, sheet stacks made for PS don’t work nearly as well with PP. One solution is to try a top roll that bends in the opposite direction.
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How to Select the Right Cooling Stack for Sheet
First, remember there is no universal cooling-roll stack. And be sure to take into account the specific heat of the polymer you are processing.
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Put Science into Glass-Fiber Compounding on Single Screws
There are still companies that compound glass fibers on single screws. The process is considered an “art,” but can be made more predictable with attention to screw design, speed and length, as well the choice of mixer.
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Extrusion: Follow These Tips to Get Profile Die Design Just Right
Calculating polymer flow is fairly straightforward when designing a die for a simple round profile, but as the shapes get more complicated these calculations can get extremely challenging. Here’s what you need to consider.
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