The continuity of a functional layer of a web (32, 60, 78) is assessed by forwarding the web, detecting (42, 63) the presence of the functional layer and a discontinuity and/or a thin region in the functional layer, and generating a signal in response to the discontinuity and/or thin region. The functional layer comprises a detectable component (360) in a thermoplastic composition. The detecting is carried out by a machine vision system capable of detecting the detectable component (360) in the functional layer. The detectable component (360) can be active or passive. Also included are systems for carrying out the process.

A method for detecting irregularities on a material strand made of an elastomeric material comprises the steps of: (a) providing a material strand which defines a longitudinal axis along which the material strand is to be conveyed; (b) bringing a detection element in contact with the material strand, wherein at least one of the detection element being movably mounted in a direction of deflection transverse to the longitudinal axis and a force can act on the detection element in a force direction, (c) setting up a relative movement between the detection element and the material strand along the longitudinal axis; and (d) detecting at least one of a deflection of the detection element in the deflection direction and a force acting on the detection element in the force direction, so as to detect irregularities in the material strand.

A method changes the material from a feed mixture to a subsequent mixture in a feed device of an extruder, the method comprising the steps of detecting a change request for changing the material, emptying a mixing area of a mixing device of the feed device, identifying the completion of the emptying of the mixing area, and filling the mixing area of the mixing device with the subsequent mixture after the completion of the emptying has been identified.

Systems and methods for rapid measurement of the chemical and structural properties of plastic articles are provided. The systems and methods involve measuring both mechanical deformation of the plastic article and x-ray fluorescence of the plastic article in order to determine changes in composition as a result of contamination and/or issues associated with plastic article manufacturing lines. The systems and methods can be performed in minutes, compared to hours or days for typical testing methods.

A rubber extrusion device includes a head mounted with a die having: an extrusion port variable member disposed at a front end position of an extrusion flow path to move in a direction allowing an area of an extrusion port to change; and a rectifying body that enters and exits the extrusion flow path from a front end side of the extrusion flow path. A rubber extrudate is manufactured by: positioning the extrusion port variable member at a desired position in its movement direction; positioning the rectifying body at a desired position by moving the rectifying body in an extension direction of the extrusion flow path while being in contact with an inner wall of the extrusion flow path; and extruding unvulcanized rubber from the extrusion port by feeding the unvulcanized rubber into the extrusion flow path.

A 3D drawing arrangement includes a feeding passage, a heater, a filament moving system, and a controller which includes a control circuit and a finger detector electrically connected to the control circuit, wherein when the finger detector detects a presence of a finger of a user which is aligned with the finger detector, the control circuit starts operation of the filament moving system to feed a filament to the heater along the feeding passage, so that the filament is heated and melted by the heater to produce the melted material flow.

The invention relates to a method for changing the material from a feed mixture to a subsequent mixture in a feed device of an extruder, comprising the following steps: detecting a change request for changing the material, emptying a mixing area of a mixing device of the feed device, identifying the completion of the emptying of the mixing area, and filling the mixing area of the mixing device with the subsequent mixture after the completion of the emptying has been identified.

The continuity of a functional layer of a web (32, 60, 78) is assessed by forwarding the web, detecting (42, 63) the presence of the functional layer and a discontinuity and/or a thin region in the functional layer, and generating a signal in response to the discontinuity and/or thin region. The functional layer comprises a detectable component (360) in a thermoplastic composition. The detecting is carried out by a machine vision system capable of detecting the detectable component (360) in the functional layer. The detectable component (360) can be active or passive. Also included are systems for carrying out the process.

A 3D drawing arrangement includes a sleeve, a gripping handle, a feeding passage, a heater, a filament moving system, and a controller which includes a control circuit and a finger detector electrically connected to the control circuit, wherein when the finger detector detects a presence of a finger of a user which is aligned with the finger detector, the control circuit starts operation of the filament moving system to feed a filament to the heater along the feeding passage, so that the filament is heated and melted by the heater to produce the melted material flow.

A rubber extrusion device includes a head mounted with a die having: an extrusion port variable member disposed at a front end position of an extrusion flow path to move in a direction allowing an area of an extrusion port to change; and a rectifying body that enters and exits the extrusion flow path from a front end side of the extrusion flow path. A rubber extrudate is manufactured by: positioning the extrusion port variable member at a desired position in its movement direction; positioning the rectifying body at a desired position by moving the rectifying body in an extension direction of the extrusion flow path while being in contact with an inner wall of the extrusion flow path; and extruding unvulcanized rubber from the extrusion port by feeding the unvulcanized rubber into the extrusion flow path.