In extrusion, plastic granulate is plasticized by converting mechanical energy into thermal energy. The mechanical energy required for this (torque and rotation of the screw) is generated with the aid of electric motors, i.e. from electrical energy. The additional heaters often only contribute a small part to the overall energy […]
Voids/blowholes/vacuoles are frequent quality problems that can occur especially in the manufacture of thick-walled products. Although the cause of this problem is well known, it is often difficult and time-consuming to avoid it. When cooling plastics from melt temperature to ambient temperature, the specific volume or density of the plastic […]
Compressed air leaks are one of the biggest hidden cost drivers in production companies. For this reason, compressed air leakage detection is carried out at regular intervals in many companies. However, such actions are time-consuming and often very unpopular with the responsible employees, since reliable leak detection is usually […]
During extrusion, the plastic is heated from the ambient temperature level to an elevated temperature level (usually >180 °C) so that the materials melts and becomes plastically deformable. After forming the product (film, tube, profile, rod, etc.), the product is cooled down to ambient temperature to achieve dimensional stability. Thus, […]
In extrusion, the temperature distribution inside the product is a very relevant value whose knowledge can contribute to understanding a variety of effects or problems. However, measuring the internal temperature of an extruded product is difficult in most cases, because in a continuous process such as extrusion (with sometimes very […]
The term Industry 4.0 or Smart Factory is on everyone’s lips. But what is hidden behind this term and what does it mean for the plastics processing industry? What opportunities and chances arise from this and what risks does this “trend” entail? The industrial revolution began with the use […]
Plastics – material of the 21st century Plastics belong to the group of polymers. A polymer is an organic material and consists for the most part of carbon and hydrogen. Polymers are big molecules that have the shape of a chain (chain molecule) in which a great many identical subunits […]
In different extrusion processes, curvature (or bowing, sabre-running, katana effect, etc.) represents a major quality problem and is often difficult to get a grip on. The cause of the curvature is almost always an inhomogeneous thermal situation of the product during cooling and can often be greatly reduced or completely […]
In the processing of plastic, additives offer the possibility of changing the properties of polymers and adapting them to a corresponding task. A distinction is made between additives that have an influence on the process ability of the plastic and additives that have an influence on the product properties. Frequently […]
Compressed air – the most expensive source of energy in production The generation of compressed air is cost-intensive and has a comparatively low efficiency due to high conversion losses (waste heat generated by compression). Nevertheless, the use of compressed air in industrial applications has remained, or is still a growing […]
10 possible causes for die drool and solution approaches The formation of die drool during extrusion is a frequently occurring problem whose development cannot yet be clearly explained to this day. Die drool formation refers to deposits in the area of the nozzle exit, which are initially perceived as a […]
The collapsing of pipe ends is one of the most common problems in the extrusion of pipes and occurs especially when high production speeds are used on the production lines. The reasons for the geometric shape deformation are internal stresses. The reduction of the problem is often possible with simple […]
Identifying the “real” cause of a problem is usually the most important step if a sustainable solution is to be achieved. Often fundamental mistakes are made in this area and either “workarounds” are developed which merely help to avoid the problem or fake causes are eliminated. Various methods exist for […]
Collapsing of pipe ends is one of the most common problems in the extrusion of pipes and occurs especially when high production speeds areused on the production lines. The reasons for the geometric shape deformations are internal stresses. The reduction of the problem is often possible with simple means. […]
Different extrusion tool concepts can be used for the extrusion of rotationally symmetrical semi-finished product geometries (e.g. pipes, hoses, jackets, blown films, blow molds). Typical applications are the use of spiderleg dies, screenpack dies, heart curve but also the use of spiral mandrel distributors. From a price point of view, […]
The extrusion of pipes, profiles, sheets, films, solid and hollow rods or other semi-finished products can cause a wide variety of problems that can impair the economic efficiency of the processes. These problems may concern the production itself, but may also have arisen from the market or external circumstances. We […]
The extrusion of pipes, profiles, sheets, films, solid and hollow rods or other semi-finished products can cause a wide variety of problems that can impair the economic efficiency of the processes. These problems may concern the production itself, but may also have arisen from the market or external circumstances. We […]
The extrusion of pipes, profiles, sheets, films, solid and hollow rods or other semi-finished products can cause a wide variety of problems that can impair the economic efficiency of the processes. These problems may concern the production itself, but may also have arisen from the market or external circumstances. We […]