Abstract:
A large concentric co-extrusion die (1) is described having a plurality of annular or conical die mandrel layers (201-205). Each layer is formed between a pair of adjacent annular or conical die mandrels (101-106) defining between them a flow path for molten thermoplastics material from an inlet to an annular extrusion outlet (110) through which a thermoplastics tubular extrusion is formed in use. Extrusion takes place through the multiple annular layer outlets (301-305) to form a multi-layered product. At least one layer (203) of the annular or conical die mandrels has a plurality of molten material inlets arranged around the external circumference of the co-extrusion die with each inlet being connected to a feed channel (403) which has plural bifurcations (403.1, 403.2, 403.3) providing 2n subsidiary outlet feed channels (503) where n is the number of bifurcations. Each subsidiary outlet feed channel being connected to a corresponding helical outlet channel (703).
Abstract:
An extrusion die configured to have an interior chamber sealed from the atmosphere is disclosed. The extrusion die includes an extrusion die head disposed at a downstream end of the interior chamber; and a vacuum seal disposed at an upstream end of the interior chamber; wherein the vacuum seal is configured to selectively form a seal between the extrusion die and a product disposed in the interior chamber. The vacuum seal includes an annular sealing surface disposed at an inner diameter of the vacuum seal; a hollow, interior chamber; and a plurality of bellows disposed between the annular sealing surface and the extrusion die; wherein the vacuum seal is configured to selectively form a seal between the extrusion die and a product disposed in the interior chamber. A method of selectively sealing an end of an extrusion die is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for extruding a multilayered article employs a shearing rod connected to the end of an extruder screw. The shearing rod is rotated along with the extruder screw and shears the polymer materials being advanced along an annular space between the shearing rod and the inner surface of a bore in a housing. A first melt stream of polymer material is advanced by the extruder screw into the annular space. A second melt stream of polymer material is fed (e.g., from a second extruder) through a passage in the housing into the annular space to join with the first melt stream therein. The rotation of the shearing rod shears the melt streams and swirls them together to produce a multiplicity of layers of the polymer materials.
Abstract:
Extrusion dies for forming dual wall corrugated plastic pipe and dual wall plastic pipe having a foam annular core that provides homogenous melt flow to each axially displaced orifice by means of an individual concentric spiral mandrel are disclosed. Spiral mandrels transport the melt from the extruders initially in spiral paths and then to spiral paths having diminishing depths so that the melt from adjacent spiral paths mix axially resulting in an annular path of homogenous melt. Extrusion dies for real time, continuous and remote control of the openings of the axially displaced orifices by moving the die lip closest and furthest from the extruder in a precise manner are also disclosed. A means for controlling separation of the die lips for both the inner and outer wall walls of the pipe gives the pipe manufacturer the benefit of better controlling quality in real time and changing grades on the fly by controlling wall thickness.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a power transmission belt having a body with a length and a cushion rubber layer in which at least one carrying member is embedded so as to extend lengthwise of the body. The method includes the steps of: extrusion molding (a) a first rubber composition including rubber with short fibers therein and (b) a second rubber composition that is different than the first rubber composition to produce a first sheet in which the second rubber composition defines at least a part of the cushion rubber layer; applying the at least one load carrying member to the second rubber composition to produce a preform assembly; and processing the preform assembly to produce a power transmission belt.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a nozzle arrangement for the coextrusion of a product with at least two layers, whereby a distributor portion 14 adjacent to the extruder is provided through which an extruding mass is delivered to the extruder and whereby a nozzle portion 12 for the extrusion of the extrusion mass is connected to the distributor portion, whereby in accordance with the invention a mounting and connecting base is provided between the distributor portion and the nozzle portion.
Abstract:
There is provided a pipe extrusion die that includes a first and second die assembly. The first and second die assembly each include an extrusion head, a nozzle carrying an outer die lip, a hollow mandrel, an inner mandrel carrying an inner die lip, and a layer-forming channel. The layer-forming channel is defined by the space between the nozzle and inner mandrel. The extrusion die includes a space between the nozzle of the second die assembly and the inner mandrel of the first die assembly such that the first and second die assembly do not share a common wall. The space between the inner and outer die lip (die gap) can be individually adjusted and the second die assembly is freely movable relative to the first die assembly. The extrusion die also includes a vacuum cooling mandrel with a single cooling channel and multiple vacuum ports that provide improved vacuum control over the final die product.
Abstract:
A tubular extruded member particularly suitable for use in medical devices such as intravascular catheters and guide wires, wherein the extruded tubular member includes multiple layers having biaxial helical orientation in different directions. A counter-rotation extrusion process may be used to orient the layers in different biaxial helical directions. The counter-rotation extrusion process provides orientation in two different circumferential directions in addition to a longitudinal direction. By combining the dual direction or biaxial helical orientation with multiple layers, different layers of the tubular member may be tailored to have the desired mechanical properties.
Abstract:
A method for extruding an extrudable material to form an extruded product, the method including the steps of (a) providing an extruder having a periphery and at least a first stator, an outer rotor and an inner rotor, the first stator being disposed between the outer rotor and the inner rotor to define at least two annular feed gaps disposed one within the other in a radial direction within the periphery of the extruder, a first of the at least two annular feed gaps being defined by the outer rotor and the first stator and being disposed outside of the first stator between the first stator and the outer rotor with the outer rotor being closer to the periphery than the first stator, the first feed gap being the outermost feed gap in the extruder, the extruder including a supply conduit for supplying the material to the first feed gap through the first stator; and (b) supplying the material to the at least two annular feed gaps, with at least a part of the material being supplied through the first stator to the first feed gap, to cause the material to be extruded.
Abstract:
An extruder according to the invention comprises at least two annular conical feed gaps (9) one within the other, formed between a rotatable rotor (1) and a stator (4, 5). At least some of the material to be extruded is subjected in the different feed gaps (9) of the extruder alternately to a higher pressure and then to a lower pressure. The rotor (1) or stator (4, 5) between the feed gaps (9) can then be balanced such that the pressure effect provides a hydrodynamic bearing, whereby, when the extruder is used, even at worst a very small force is exerted on die other bearings of the rotor (1) or stator (4, 5). By the method of the invention, a product can also be produced which contains cross-linked and at least partly oriented polyethylene.