A single-cavity multi-runner applied to oriented arrangement extrusion molding equipment of graphene fibers includes a first extrusion cavity, the first extrusion cavity includes a first inlet and a first outlet arranged opposite to each other; a first molding cavity, the first molding cavity is arranged in an inclined manner, a second inlet is arranged at the high position end, a second outlet is arranged at the low position end of the first molding cavity, and the second inlet is connected to the first outlet; flow channels, the flow channels are formed by dividing the first molding cavity using baffle plates arranged horizontally and along the flowing direction of a heat-conducting mixture; a second molding cavity, the second molding cavity includes a third inlet and a third outlet arranged opposite to each other, the third inlet is connected to the outflow end of the flow channels.

A method of fused filament fabrication (FFF) additive manufacturing comprises employing a thermoplastic blend comprised of high density polyethylene and a second thermoplastic polymer, wherein the second polymer is a low density polyethylene (LDPE), functionalized polyolefin or combination thereof and the amount of high density polyethylene to the amount of second thermoplastic polymer by weight is a ratio from 1.5/1 to 20/1. LDPE means a polyethylene that have been radically polymerized at high pressure. The method allows for the additive manufacturing article that retains the desirable mechanical properties of HDPE without experiencing the problems inherent in FFF printing of HDPE or use of solid fillers. In a particular embodiment, the additive manufactured article has a continuous phase and the second thermoplastic polymer is present as a discontinuous phase within the additive article manufactured article and the filament used to make the article.

A method of fused filament fabrication (FFF) additive manufacturing comprises employing a thermoplastic blend comprised of high density polyethylene and a second thermoplastic polymer, wherein the second polymer is a low density polyethylene (LDPE), functionalized polyolefin or combination thereof and the amount of high density polyethylene to the amount of second thermoplastic polymer by weight is a ratio from 1.5/1 to 20/1. LDPE means a polyethylene that have been radically polymerized at high pressure. The method allows for the additive manufacturing article that retains the desirable mechanical properties of HDPE without experiencing the problems inherent in FFF printing of HDPE or use of solid fillers. In a particular embodiment, the additive manufactured article has a continuous phase and the second thermoplastic polymer is present as a discontinuous phase within the additive article manufactured article and the filament used to make the article.

Described herein are various embodiments of a valve that may be opened and closed using a thixotropic or “stress yield” material, or other material that temporarily changes phase upon application of energy to the material. More particularly, some embodiments may include a valve that is opened and closed using a granular gel that is a temporary phase change material.

An extruder has a valve assembly configured to move pins to open and close the nozzles in a multi-nozzle extruder head independently. The pins of the valve assembly that are driven by actuators into and out of engagement with nozzles in the extruder head are positioned within sleeves that extend between the valve assembly and the extruder head. A gap is provided between the extruder head and the end of the sleeves proximate the extruder head to enable thermoplastic material leaking from the extruder that contacts the pins to remain in a melted or plastic state so the thermoplastic material does not interfere with the movement of the pins.

A monitor system for monitoring a status of a material in an extruder device is provided. The monitor system includes: a heater, a thermal sensor, a hardness measuring module and a material status monitor. The heater is for heating the material in a material delivering part of the extruder device; the thermal sensor is for measuring a thermal variation of the material; the hardness measuring module is for measuring a first hardness value of the material; and the material status monitor is for determining the status of the material according to the thermal variation and the first hardness value.

A device and a method for filtering viscous or highly viscous liquids, in particular plastics melts, includes use of an oscillating filter plate.

Described herein are various embodiments of a valve that may be opened and closed using a thixotropic or “stress yield” material, or other material that temporarily changes phase upon application of energy to the material. More particularly, some embodiments may include a valve that is opened and closed using a granular gel that is a temporary phase change material.

A filtering device for removing dirt particles and contaminants from a plastic melt is disclosed. The filtering device includes a housing having a filter chamber, an inlet for feeding plastic melt, an outlet for channeling plastic melt out, and a dirt outlet for discharging dirt particles from the housing. The filtering device also includes a filter element arranged in the filter chamber to retain any dirt particles contained in the stream of melt, and a cleaning unit for cleaning the filter element of dirt particles retained by means of the filter element. The cleaning unit having a cleaning head with a scraper member for detaching dirt particles from the filter element. The scraper member is coupled to a servomechanism to press the scraper member onto the surface of the filter element. The servomechanism has at least one bellows cylinder including a foot section, a head section, a deformable bellows element, and a pressure chamber of variable volume.

An extruder has a valve assembly configured to move pins to open and close the nozzles in a multi-nozzle extruder head independently. The pins of the valve assembly that are driven by actuators into and out of engagement with nozzles in the extruder head are positioned within sleeves that extend between the valve assembly and the extruder head. A gap is provided between the extruder head and the end of the sleeves proximate the extruder head to enable thermoplastic material leaking from the extruder that contacts the pins to remain in a melted or plastic state so the thermoplastic material does not interfere with the movement of the pins.