Extrusion Know How
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What's Restricting My Output Rate?
In a single-screw extruder, it could be an improperly designed barrier flighted entry section. Here’s why.
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How to Decrease the Extrudate Temperature in Single-Screw Extruders
In many cases, decreasing the discharge temperature will improve product quality and perhaps even boost rate. Here are ways to do it.
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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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In Single Screw Extruders, Mixing Starts in the Melting Process
While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.
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Troubleshooting Flow Surging in Single-Screw Extruders
Surging can cause lower production rates, higher scrap rates, material degradation and higher labor costs. Here is a guide to troubleshooting this problem.
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Understanding the Incumbent Resin Effect
When you are looking to replace an existing resin with a new one, in trials sometimes the “incumbent” resin will cause gels and other defects. Here’s what to look for.
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EXTRUSION: Melting 101
Learn the basics on how polymer melts in a single screw. Barrel temperature plays less of a role than you might think.
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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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A Guide to Single-Screw Mixers
To design the best mixers for single screws, you must completely understand how polymer moves through a mixer channel or groove.
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Choosing the Right Gearbox and Motor for Your Single-Screw Extruder
Extruder OEMs are typically very good at sizing motors and gear boxes for extrusion applications. But you have the final decision on the acceptance of the design. Here’s what you should consider.
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The Role Barrel Temperatures Play in Melting
You need to understand the basics of how plastic melts in an extruder to properly set your process and troubleshoot any issues. Hint: it’s not about the barrel temperature settings.
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Screw Design Tips to Boost Productivity
In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankland and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.
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What You Need to Know About the Design and Operation of Maddock Mixers
Designed properly, all entering solid polymer fragments and certain types of PE gels entering the Maddock mixer can be trapped and dispersed into the matrix resin. But many are not properly designed. Here’s what to look out for.
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