Extrusion Know How
The Right Way to Design Vents in Single-Screw Extruders
Designing vents for single-screw extruders requires understanding of polymer flow in the screw channels. Some designs are more effective than others. Here are some guidelines.
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Extruder Alignment: Important, but Only Half the Equation
The other half? Aligning and supporting downstream equipment. Here are best practices.
Read MoreWhy Compression Ratio is Important
Compression ratios have been pretty much standardized over the years, based on what has typically worked before. But there are quite a few variables that must be considered in order to get the optimum performance from your screw.
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How Much L/D Do You Really Need?
Just like selecting the extruder size and drive combination, the L/D should be carefully evaluated.
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Take Proper Care in Feeding Your Extruder
Everything that happens in an extruder starts at the feed throat, so proper attention to that zone’s temperature pays off in quality and productivity.
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Smaller Screws Impose Bigger Challenges
Very small extruder screws work just about like their larger cousins, but some critical differences make them harder to design and machine.
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How to Estimate and Control Head Pressure
You rightfully worry about melt temperature, but don’t overlook head pressure, because the two are closely linked and will influence line performance.
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Cooling the Feed Throat and Screw: How Much Water Do You Need?
It’s one of the biggest quandaries in extrusion, as there is little or nothing published to give operators some guidance. So let’s try to shed some light on this trial-and-error process.
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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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