A method of extruding a material including a binder and one or more energetic fillers and using an installation including an extruder including a sheath having at least one extrusion screw present therein, the extruder having at least one acoustic sensor fastened on the sheath, and a monitor system suitable for detecting an anomaly as a function of the acoustic signal picked up by the acoustic sensor, the monitor system being configured to measure variations in the amplitude of the acoustic signal picked up by the acoustic sensor, the method including an extrusion step for extruding the material through the extruder during which the acoustic signal picked up by the sensor is analyzed by the monitor system, and a detection step for detecting variation in the composition of the extruded material from variation in the amplitude of the acoustic signal.

A method of extruding a material including a binder and one or more energetic fillers and using an installation including an extruder including a sheath having at least one extrusion screw present therein, the extruder having at least one acoustic sensor fastened on the sheath, and a monitor system suitable for detecting an anomaly as a function of the acoustic signal picked up by the acoustic sensor, the monitor system being configured to measure variations in the amplitude of the acoustic signal picked up by the acoustic sensor, the method including an extrusion step for extruding the material through the extruder during which the acoustic signal picked up by the sensor is analyzed by the monitor system, and a detection step for detecting variation in the composition of the extruded material from variation in the amplitude of the acoustic signal.

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 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.

The invention provides devices that are attached to an extruder making the operation thereof more efficient and convenient and allowing for a quick change over of parts used to make various products prepared in the extrusion process. A high pressure relief assembly is attached to the extruder that allows for the rapid release of pressure from the extruder at the end of the process by venting product under pressure from the extruder and the extruder also has attached thereto a quick assembly locking device that allows for the exchange of assemblies, such as a density control assembly and other assembles, without the removal of nuts, bolts, and clamps by attaching the assembly to an arm that can be moved in and out of place in front of the extruder and wherein the device has a locking mechanism that seals and releases the assembly from the extruder.

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 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

A system for forming an article includes at least one print head assembly comprising a printer head, a printer nozzle, and at least one hopper. The system also includes a drying assembly having at least one dryer and a dispenser. The dryer is for drying a plurality of polymer pellets of one or more polymer resin formulations. The dispenser is positioned above and separate from the print head assembly for dispensing the dried plurality of pellets directly from the drying assembly and into the hopper of the print head assembly before or during printing. Further, the printer head is configured to melt the dried plurality of polymer pellets. The printer nozzle is configured for depositing and printing the melted plurality of polymer pellets onto a substrate to form the article. The system also includes a controller for controlling and automating the system.

A signal acquisition unit of an abnormality detection device for a twin-screw extrusion molding machine, when the twin-screw extrusion molding machine that melts and kneads a fed resin raw material is in operation, acquires an AE output of an AE sensor installed on a surface of a housing of the twin-screw extrusion molding machine. A determination unit determines whether an abnormality occurs in the twin-screw extrusion molding machine, based on a relationship between the AE output and a first threshold and a second threshold.

A method for operating an extrusion system with the automatically executed steps of detecting, on a time-dependent basis, at least two operating parameters, which are selected from the following list: a screw rotational speed parameter, from which the number of rotations made by an endless screw of an extruder of the extrusion system as of a predefined point in time can be determined, and/or a torque characteristic value, which describes the torque applied to the endless screw, and/or an operating pressure in a cylinder of the extruder and/or an abrasion parameter, which describes an abrasiveness of material processed in the extruder, calculating, from the operating parameters, a wear parameter, more particularly a time for maintenance, which encodes a wear state of at least one component of the extruder, and outputting a maintenance message, which encodes the wear parameter.