A simulation apparatus includes an 1D analysis unit which performs a low-dimensional fluid-flow analysis of material in an arithmetic object field of a kneading device, based on setting information including physical property of the material, and configuration data and an operation condition of the kneading device for kneading the material, an area selection unit which receives selection of an object area as an object of a high-dimensional fluid-flow analysis in the arithmetic object field, and a 3D analysis unit which extracts physical quantities of the material relating to the object area, based on a result of the low-dimensional fluid-flow analysis, and performs a high-dimensional fluid-flow analysis of the material in the object area, based on the extracted physical quantities and the setting information.

In a multi-shaft extruder for the processing of free-flowing material having a barrel and a plurality of co-rotating, tightly intermeshing conveyor shafts (1 to 3) arranged in parallel which have at least two flights and are each guided in a bore (1 to 3) in the barrel, each conveyor shaft (1 to 3) is spaced with the ridge (O) of one of its flights from the bore wall (1, 2, 3) by a clearance over at least part of the processing length of the extruder, whereas a gap is formed between the ridge (a, b, c) of another of its flights and the bore wall (1, 2, 3). The conveyor shafts (1 to 3) are arranged in an offset manner relative to each other at an angle such that, at least in one rotational position, the conveyor shaft (2) arranged between two conveyor shafts (1 to 3) is coatable with the free-flowing material on its flanks (A, B) between its ridges (b, O) by means of the gap-forming ridges (a, c) of the two adjacent conveyor shafts (1 and 3), with the said flanks (A, B) being cleanable again from the free-flowing material by means of the ridges (O) of the two adjacent conveyor shafts (1 and 2) spaced from the bore wall (1, 2, 3) by a clearance in at least one further rotational position of the conveyor shaft.

A dispersive mixing element for co-rotating twin screw extruder is disclosed. The element for co-rotating twin screw extruder comprises of a continuous flight helically formed thereon having a lead L, wherein either the flight transforms at least once from an integer lobe flight into a non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L and transforms back to an integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L or the flight transforms at least once from a non-integer lobe flight into an integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L and transforms back to a non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L.

An element for a co-rotating twin screw processor, the element having a lead L and at least one continuous flight helically formed thereon and, wherein the flight transforms at least once from a first non-integer lobe flight into a second non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L and transforms back to the first non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L.

A process for extruding plastic compositions is provided. The process comprises providing a multi-screw extruder with screw elements and conveying, kneading, mixing, degassing or compounding the plastic compositions in the multi-screw extruder using the screw elements.

A dispersive mixing element for co-rotating twin screw extruder is disclosed. The element for co-rotating twin screw extruder comprises of a continuous flight helically formed thereon having a lead L, wherein either the flight transforms at least once from an integer lobe flight into a non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L and transforms back to an integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L or the flight transforms at least once from a non-integer lobe flight into an integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L and transforms back to a non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead L.

The invention relates to mixing elements that have a larger number of basic geometric periods per section and an improved dispersing effect for multi-shaft screw extruders comprising screw shafts that co-rotate in pairs. The invention further relates to the use of the mixing elements in multi-shaft screw extruders, a corresponding screw extruder comprising the mixing elements, and a method for extruding kneadable materials.

A planetary roller extruder with planetary spindles and stop ring. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The present invention relates to new screw elements for multi-screw extruders with pairs of co-rotating and fully wiping screws.

The invention relates to a process for extruding plastic compositions, in particular polymer melts and mixtures of polymer melts, above all thermoplastics and elastomers, particularly preferably polycarbonate and polycarbonate blends, also with the incorporation of other substances such as for example solids, liquids, gases or other polymers or other polymer blends with improved optical characteristics, with the assistance of a multi-screw extruder with specific screw geometries.