Course Description

Main Extruder Components
• Screw & barrel
• Motor & reducer
• Heating & cooling
• The die

Important Material Properties
• Bulk properties
• Thermal properties
• Melt flow properties
• Other properties

Operational Principles of Extruders
• Solids  conveying
• Plasticating
• Melt conveying
• Venting
• Other functions

Instrumentation of the Extruder
• Temperature 
    • Sensors
    • On-off,  proportional, and 3-mode       controllers
    • Proper Adjustment
    • Deep and shallow sensing
• RPM
    • Analog vs. digital
    • RPM synchronization

Screw design
 • Standard extruder screw 
 • Variations on standard screw 
 • Mixing screws 
 • Barrier type screws 
 • Multi-stage screws for venting 
 • How to improve performance by
   optimizing screw geometry
Die Design
• In-line dies
• Crosshead dies
• Multi-lumen dies
Melt Pumps
• Theory
• Control
Troubleshooting the Extrusion Process
• Machine or material problems
• Wear problems
• Melting problems
• Melt conveying problems
• Solids conveying problems

Laboratory
During this demonstration you will have the opportunity to actually string up and operate a tubing line.  For tutorial purposes, operation will be manual, so that you can see how each of the adjustments on the line affects the final properties of the tubing.

After the regular laboratory session there will be a demonstration of "direct extrusion".  Using patented mixing techniques, recently developed by Dr. Rauwendaal, the functions of mixing additives and of precision extrusion, which formerly required a twin screw extruder plus a single screw extruder can now be accomplished totally within a single screw extruder (or MIXTRUDER)

Laboratory
Similar to Day 2. Except that this time you will be using free air extrusion to make bubble design (tapered tubing on a state-of-the-art line.  Both outer diameter and wall thickness of both large and small tubing sections will be under automatic control.  You will also be using the latest in Statistical Quality Control (SQC) techniques to monitor the quality level of the tubing.
After this laboratory session there will be a demonstration of the new ALTERNATE POLYMER extrusion system, whereby the polymer varies seamlessly from 100% polymer A to 100% polymer B along the length of the tube.
Statistical Quality Control
• Concepts and purpose
• Individual line
• Plant wide

Start-up and Service of Extruders
• Initial check-out
• Quick electrical checks
• Service tips

Afternoon Day 3
The seminar officially ends at 1 p.m.  However, participants are invited to remain as long as desired to get additional hand-on experience and to discuss special problems and applications.

Registration of this seminar is limited to Plastics Processors!




Books authored by Chris Rauwendaal:

Book authored by Holton Harris