A method for controlling polymer viscosity quality in a compounding process of polymers (110) using at least one extruder (111) is disclosed. The method comprises: a) at least one measurement step (112), wherein at least one influence variable affecting viscosity of the compound is determined by using at least one sensor (114); b) at least one prediction step (116), wherein an expected viscosity (117) of the compound is determined considering the influence variable by using at least one prediction unit (118), wherein the prediction unit (118) comprises at least one analysis tool comprising at least one trained model; c) at least one evaluation step (120), wherein the expected viscosity (117) of the compound is compared to at least one pre-defined and/or pre-determined threshold value, wherein at least one item of output information is generated depending on said comparison; and d) at least one control step (122), wherein the item of output information is displayed using at least one display device (124), wherein the output information comprises at least one handling recommendation (126) for at least one setting of the extruder (111). Further disclosed are a computer program, specifically an application, and a controlling system (138) for controlling polymer viscosity quality in a compounding process of polymers (110).

Thermoplastic compositions useful for roadway markings may be produced using a continuous systems and process methods that can reduce costs and improve product quality. Systems may comprise a feed system comprising a plurality of feeders and a mixing system comprising a mixer and a smoothing system. Each feeder may be configured to discharge a material at a feed rate according to a selected product formulation The mixing system may be configured to receive, heat, and combine the materials to produce a thermoplastic material, and discharge the thermoplastic material at a determined discharge rate.

An extrusion apparatus includes a diagnostic system with a material processing section and an extruder screw disposed for rotation in a barrel and surrounded by a shroud assembly. The apparatus includes a temperature control system with heater sand cooler. The apparatus includes a speed control apparatus that has a drive unit and a speed variation device that is coupled to the extruder screw. The apparatus includes a diagnostic system in communication with the material processing section and/or the speed control apparatus. The diagnostic system includes a sensor system in communication with the material processing section and/or the speed control apparatus; and a computer processor in communication with the sensor system and a computer. The computer processor includes a computer readable medium that employs one or more algorithms and that are executable by the computer to generate signals characterizing performance of the material processing section and/or the speed control apparatus.

An extrusion device comprises at least one supply station suitable for containing a material to be extruded; a plurality of propellers operatively connected to at least one supply station for receiving the material to be extruded and at least one extrusion head connected to at least one propeller. Each propeller can also be selectively activated to modulate an extrusion speed and/or a quantity of material to be extruded as an output from the extrusion head.

The smoothing device for plastic films comprises plastic-melt-producing means (1, 5), an adjustable slit die (10) and a roller smoothing unit (16) having cooled smoothing rollers (11, 12), which form an adjustable smoothing gap (13) between each other. Optionally, further rollers (15) are arranged downstream. A thickness gauge (23) measures the thickness of the plastic-film web (22). A controller (30) for controlling the thickness of the plastic-film web (22) may set a setpoint thickness (SD) of the plastic-film web (22) and the volumetric flow rate (SS) of the plastic melt or the line speed (LS). The controller (30) captures the current torques and rotational speeds of the rollers (11, 12, 15) and the current thickness (FD, FD1-FDn) of the plastic-film web (22).

The controller (30) sends setpoint rotational speed signals (C0S, C2S-CnS, CAS) calculated from the captured torques of the rollers (11, 12, 15) to the drives of the rollers and a smoothing-gap setpoint distance signal (GW) for adjusting the smoothing gap (13), and furthermore—in the case of a specified line speed (LS)—setpoint plastic-melt volumetric flow rate signals (SS) to the plastic-melt-producing means, or—in the case of a specified plastic-melt volumetric flow rate (SS)—setpoint line speed signals (LS) to the drives of the rollers (12).

Disclosed are various embodiments of an extruded expandable barrier, and various processes and systems for manufacturing the same. Using various extrusion processes to form an extruded expandable barrier allows for a reduction in tooling costs while also allowing more flexible barrier designs. Such designs can be specifically tailored for a particular cavity or cavities to ensure that the barrier fills the cavity after expansion. In addition, design changes can occur with little to no tooling changes.

An extrusion apparatus includes a diagnostic system with a material processing section and an extruder screw disposed for rotation in a barrel and surrounded by a shroud assembly. The apparatus includes a temperature control system with heater sand cooler. The apparatus includes a speed control apparatus that has a drive unit and a speed variation device that is coupled to the extruder screw. The apparatus includes a diagnostic system in communication with the material processing section and/or the speed control apparatus. The diagnostic system includes a sensor system in communication with the material processing section and/or the speed control apparatus; and a computer processor in communication with the sensor system and a computer. The computer processor includes a computer readable medium that employs one or more algorithms and that are executable by the computer to generate signals characterizing performance of the material processing section and/or the speed control apparatus

An extruder for polymeric materials, includes: a hollow extrusion cylinder, having an inlet for receiving pellets of polymeric material, and an outlet for expelling molten polymeric material; an extruder screw connected to a motor to rotate inside the extrusion cylinder and to move the polymeric material from the inlet to the outlet; heaters coupled to the extrusion cylinder; a sensor system configured to measure values of a recipe parameter and of a monitoring parameter; a processing unit, programmed to store a target value for the recipe parameter and to perform a feedback control to bring the recipe parameter to the target value and to keep it at the target value.

A system for adjusting a gap in a slot die for producing a polymeric web. The system includes a slot die that has a polymer reservoir that extends between a polymer inlet and a melt outlet. The melt outlet has a first edge and a second edge that each extend longitudinally along the melt outlet. The second edge is opposite the first edge. A plurality of actuators move the second edge along a plurality of positions along a length of the second edge. The first edge is spaced apart from the second edge by a gap that has an adjustable profile. A pressure sensor communicates with the reservoir and measures the pressure of the polymer in the reservoir. A control unit with an algorithm correlates the profile of the gap to the pressure in the reservoir. The algorithm is configured to generate control signals to cause the profile of the gap to be uniform.

A method of cleaning a powder coating production line, the method including: providing a powder coating production line including equipment, an automatic cleaning tool, and a monitoring device; receiving, by the equipment, an instruction of automatic cleaning, and allowing the equipment to enter an automatic cleaning mode; cleaning, by the automatic cleaning tool, the equipment of the powder coating production line; monitoring, according to a preset monitoring condition and by the monitoring device, whether the automatic cleaning is completed; stopping the automatic cleaning when the monitoring device indicates the automatic cleaning has been completed, or continuing the automatic cleaning of the equipment; and turning off the automatic cleaning mode of the equipment.