Speaking about how to maintain efficiency in extrusion, Mr. Vivek Mehta, Managing Director, Sai Extrumech Pvt. Ltd., says, “Extruder output depends on its diameter, length, and speed.”
The extruder is the heart of the extrusion line; hence, the health of the extrusion machine depends upon how the extruder and crosshead are kept. The feed throat temperature should be adjusted and a consistent regrind form should be maintained to improve the extrusion efficiency.
In order to minimise degradation, the screws need to be cooled while processing polymers.
“Extruder output depends on its diameter, length, and speed. Besides this, barrel specification, screw type, LD ratio, gearbox, drive, PLC, crosshead type, and tip & die design are other important parameters to be considered while selecting an extruder,” said Mr. Vivek Mehta, Managing Director, Sai Extrumech Pvt. Ltd.
The output can be calculated either by extruding compound through by-pass/crosshead or from line speed and insulation cross-section.
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Barrel cooling occurs when the extruder screw produces more heat than necessary; therefore, it becomes important to lessen barrel cooling to save energy and avoid resin degradation.
Meanwhile, the tools should be designed in such a way that there is streamlined flow without the possibility of stagnation of the material.
Time, effort, and cost are the three major elements that need to be taken into account. A quick changeover of the product saves time. Being more focused on an external activity, the process of Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) can further reduce the time taken to change the equipment while the machine is still running. Steps should be taken to reduce costs by replacing virgin polymers with recycled plastics, and the use of automation.
