Mixing and plasticating machine (100) for continuous conditioning processes, comprising: a housing (10) in which a hollow interior (18) is formed that is delimited by the interior peripheral surface of the housing (10) and extends in the longitudinal direction of the mixing and plasticating machine (100); a screw shaft (12) which extends through the interior (18) of the housing (10), rotates in the interior (18) of the housing (10) during operation and simultaneously moves translationally back and forth; a drive which rotates the screw shaft (12) during operation; and a filling device (36) arranged on the housing (10), for feeding at least one starting material into the interior (18) of the housing (10), the filling device (36) extending through a cut-out (42) that extends through the housing wall (40) or being connected to a cut-out (42) that extends through the housing wall (40), the filling device (36) comprising at least two cavities (54, 54′) that each extend over the height of the filling device (36), which cavities are separated from one another by at least one separating wall (52, 52′).

An improved extruder apparatus is disclosed and which includes a cylindrical barrel having a feed end and a discharge end, the feed end having an inlet in fluid communication with a hopper. The extruder screw is mounted in the cylindrical barrel, and the screw has an outer surface having one or more helical flights mounted thereon, wherein the inlet end of the cylindrical barrel has a support frame mounted thereto, wherein an upper surface of the support frame is connected to a throat of a hopper, wherein an insert is mounted to the support frame and has a lower end which extends down into the cylindrical barrel, wherein the insert has an internal passageway having a first opening on the lower end and a second opening upstream of the screw for relieving the pressure.

An extruder includes an extruder barrel module, an extruder feeder module, a screw motor module, and an electronics module. The extruder barrel module includes an axially extending barrel in which an extruder barrel screw is removably receivable. The extruder feeder module is removably connectable to the extruder barrel module, and has an axially extending flow passage having a feedstock outlet end and a screw motor module mounting end. The screw motor module is removably connectable to the extruder feeder module, and has a motor drivingly connectable with a screw in the flow passage of the extruder feeder module. The electronics module is electrically connectable with the screw motor module and mechanically removably mounted as part of the extruder.

Disclosed are additively manufactured extruder components including a surface layer configured to contact extrudable material. The surface layer has a first additively manufactured metal composition. A base support for the surface layer has a second additively manufactured metal composition that is different from the first additively manufactured metal composition. A functionally graded material (FGM) is formed from the first and second additively manufactured metal compositions connecting the surface layer to the base support.

Disclosed are additively manufactured extruder components comprising a lattice structure formed within a structural support frame that defines an impervious surface and an axial aperture. An axial aperture of a screw segment is configured to couple to a drive shaft, and its impervious surface is configured to contact extrudable material. An axial aperture of a barrel segment is configured to contact extrudable material.

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.

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 plant and method for the online recovery of trimmings generated in an extrusion line of a plastic film includes a cutting apparatus configured to cut side portions, also called trimmings, from the plastic film made leaving a forming apparatus of the plastic film; a conveying apparatus, positioned downstream of the cutting apparatus, that conveys the trimmings; an extruder for treatment of the trimmings; and an apparatus dosing and feeding granules for forming the plastic film made in the extruder, the extruder and the apparatus dosing and feeding the granules being positioned upstream of the forming device. An apparatus for pre-treatment of the trimmings is provided at the inlet of the extruder and includes a shredder positioned coaxially with respect to the extruder.

An improved extruder apparatus is disclosed and which includes a cylindrical barrel having a feed end and a discharge end, the feed end having an inlet in fluid communication with a hopper. The extruder screw is mounted in the cylindrical barrel, and the screw has an outer surface having one or more helical flights mounted thereon. wherein the inlet end of the cylindrical barrel has a support frame mounted thereto, wherein an upper surface of the support frame is connected to a throat of a hopper, wherein an insert is mounted to the support frame and has a lower end which extends down into the cylindrical barrel, wherein the insert has an internal passageway having a first opening on the lower end and a second opening upstream of the screw for relieving the pressure.

Improvements in the extrusion of thermohardenable materials are achieved by cooling the material in the initial zone of the extruder and reducing residence time by use of a prescribed length to diameter ratio and screw speed, particularly useful for intermittent application during robotically controlled mass production.