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How to Optimize Extruder Barrel Temperatures

time2011/10/17

How to Optimize Extruder Barrel Temperatures
A plastics extrusion machine melts plastic pellets and forms them into manufactured products such as tubing. Failing to heat the barrels on the machine properly can ruin the product. If a barrel is too hot, the plastic will burn. If it's too cold, the plastic pellets won't melt properly, causing lumps or rough surfaces. Poorly extruded plastic has weak spots that tear or break. These mistakes can lead to product recalls, consumer 1 complaints and loss of business.
Power up the plastics extruder machine. Many extruders have breakers on the back of the machine; some may have two. Flip the breakers to turn on the extruder.

2 Enter the order number from your work order into the computer attached to the extrusion machine. This brings up an engineering drawing of the product you'll be working on. It also gives you a list of the plastic materials you need to run the order.

3 Look up the operations code on the work order. Find the corresponding information on your computer screen and select it. This brings up the information you need regarding barrel heat zones, which range from 392 degrees to 527 degrees Fahrenheit. Every plastic requires a different temperature, so verify the information on your computer screen.

4 Adjust the barrel temperatures. Buttons on the machine's control panels have a temperature gauge above them. Pressing the arrow keys allows you to adjust the temperature of each barrel heat zone.

5 Heat the back heat zone first. Every machine has a range of heat zones for a specific section of the barrel, and each zone has a control panel where you can make the adjustments.

6 Give the machine time to heat up after the different heat zones are programmed. It can take up to half an hour for the barrel settle at the correct temperature.