It is described an apparatus for the extrusion and mixing of plastic materials, for example rubber-based and silicone-based materials, comprising a dump extruder body whereon two conical screws (2) converging towards an extrusion die (3) suitable for being occluded by closing means (4) are mounted, the conical screws (2) being accommodated within a low-pressure compounding chamber (1) and within a pair of converging conical channels also defining a high-pressure chamber (2), said low-pressure chamber (1) corresponding to an upstream area with respect to an extrusion direction, wherein said high-pressure chamber (2) and/or said low-pressure chamber (1) accommodate a presser body (5, 5, 6), defining a movable wall suitable for causing a controlled change in the volume of the respective chamber (1, 2).

A mixer (2) includes: a pair of rotors (44) arranged to have a gap (SP2) therebetween; a casing (45) in which a chamber (C2) in which the pair of rotors (44) is disposed, an introduction port (51) for introducing a material to be mixed (W) into the chamber (C2), and a discharge port (52) for discharging the material to be mixed (W) from the chamber (C2) are formed; a sensor (80) which is disposed above the pair of rotors (44) and detects variation in position or pressure of the material to be mixed (W); and a control unit (82) which controls rotation of the pair of rotors (44), based on a detection result of the sensor (80).

A formulation for a photopolymer composite material for a 3D printing system includes an acrylate oligomer, an inorganic hydrate, a reinforcing filler, and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator. In the formulation the acrylate oligomer may be found in the range between about 20.0-60.0 w % of the formulation. The inorganic hydrate may be found in the range between about 20.0-50.0 w % of the formulation. The reinforcing filler may be found in the range between about 5.0-60.0 w % of the formulation, and the UV initiator may be found in the range between about 0.001-0.5 w % of the formulation. A method of generating a formulation of a photopolymer composite material for use in a 3D printing system includes using an acrylate oligomer, an inorganic hydrate, a reinforcing filler, and an ultraviolet (UV) initiator.

A kneader internal inspection device according to the present invention suspends and supports a photographing unit, which is arranged in an interior of a kneader and which photographs the interior, so as to be vertically movable in the interior of the kneader. Therefore, such a kneader internal inspection device is capable of easily inspecting the interior of the kneader.

Systems are provided for system for delivering plural materials to plural molding machines according to defined formulations. Material supply units each contains a unique material and is coupled with a set of manifolds that have a mixing chambers. Conduits couple the material supply units with the manifolds. A controller is configured to operate valves to admit select materials from the material supply units into the mixing chamber according to the defined formulations, and to supply the mixed materials to the molding machines.

Systems are provided for system for delivering plural materials to plural molding machines according to defined formulations. Material supply units each contains a unique material and is coupled with a set of manifolds that have a mixing chambers. Conduits couple the material supply units with the manifolds. A controller is configured to operate valves to admit select materials from the material supply units into the mixing chamber according to the defined formulations, and to supply the mixed materials to the molding machines.

A mixing and extrusion machine (10) for the manufacture of rubber mixtures includes a mixer with a converging conical twin-screw (12) with a fixed frame (14) that supports sleeves (16). Two screws (18), being mounted at an angle, are mounted in the mixer (12) in such a way as to move in translational movement between an opening (22) arranged upstream and an outlet (25) arranged downstream of the sleeves. The screws are mounted in the sleeves with removable doors including sliding shutters (40) installed relative to the outlet (25). The sliding shutters move linearly between a closed position, in which the sliding shutters prevent the mixer from discharging the mixture, and an open position, in which the sliding shutters prevent discharge of the mixture through the sides of two counter-rotating rollers (32) of a roller nose type system located just downstream of the outlet.

A mixing and extrusion machine (10) for the manufacture of rubber mixtures includes a mixer with a converging conical twin-screw (12) with a fixed frame (14) that supports sleeves (16). Two screws (18), being mounted at an angle, are mounted in the mixer (12) in such a way as to move in translational movement between an opening (22) arranged upstream and an outlet (25) arranged downstream of the sleeves. The screws are mounted in the sleeves with removable doors including sliding shutters (40) installed relative to the outlet (25). The sliding shutters move linearly between a closed position, in which the sliding shutters prevent the mixer from discharging the mixture, and an open position, in which the sliding shutters prevent discharge of the mixture through the sides of two counter-rotating rollers (32) of a roller nose type system located just downstream of the outlet.

A homogenizer for homogenously blending a feedstock includes a separator, an agitator and a hopper integrated as a single unit in a common housing. The separator receives a material feed, in the form of a fluid medium carrying a composite feedstock, and separates the composite feedstock from the fluid medium. The agitator receives the separated composite feedstock from the separator, and mixes the composite feedstock to yield the homogenously blended feedstock. The hopper receives the homogenously blended feedstock from the agitator and holds the homogenously blended feedstock for release to either a processing machine or a storage container. The homogenizer is controlled by one or more control units that use signals received from a sensor in the hopper to control the delivery of a material feed to the homogenizer, and the flow of feedstock therethrough.

A homogenizer for homogenously blending a feedstock includes a separator, an agitator and a hopper integrated as a single unit in a common housing. The separator receives a material feed, in the form of a fluid medium carrying a composite feedstock, and separates the composite feedstock from the fluid medium. The agitator receives the separated composite feedstock from the separator, and mixes the composite feedstock to yield the homogenously blended feedstock. The hopper receives the homogenously blended feedstock from the agitator and holds the homogenously blended feedstock for release to either a processing machine or a storage container. The homogenizer is controlled by one or more control units that use signals received from a sensor in the hopper to control the delivery of a material feed to the homogenizer, and the flow of feedstock therethrough.