Our Single Screw Extrusion Series is designed to provide training for anyone working in a production environment. These programs use animation and actual production footage to demonstrate complex concepts. Important safety precautions are stressed throughout these training programs.
Tailored for Single Screw Extruders, these training courses provide specific information for all extruders from blown film to profile extrusion. Whether you use single stage or vented extruders, the information will relate to the equipment, materials, and processes operating at your facility.
This training series with help teach any employee on the concepts relating to the machine, material, process, quality, startup, shutdown, problem solving, material handling as well as the correct terminology associated with Single Screw Extrusion.
Part 1: The Extruder
- Discusses the drive system of the extruder including the motor and gearbox
- Introduces the material feed systems used in Single Screw Extrusion
- Covers the entire screw and barrel assembly including screw design and venting
- The die and adaptor are presented along with the extruder’s control system
Part 2: Plastic Materials
- Introduces the plastics industry and the nature of plastic materials
- Explains complex concepts such as melt viscosity and polymer flow
- Provides detailed explanations of both shear and shear heating with plastics
- Covers the behavior of both amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers
- Gives an understanding of shrinkage, orientation, and degradation
Part 3: The Extrusion Process
- Explains the mechanics of Single Screw material feeding and conveying
- Melting processes for standard and barrier screw designs are covered in detail
- Describes the commonly used types of dispersive and distributive mixing systems
- Covers the pumping, shaping, cooling, and cutting of the extrudate
- Cites important safety precautions for working around extrusion equipment
Part 4: Preventive and Corrective Actions
- Covers common extrusion defects and their typical causes
- Explains the importance of accurate process monitoring
- Differentiates between open and closed loop process control systems
- Ways to adjust the process and detect equipment problems are also covered
Part 5: Startup, Changeover and Shutdown
- Provides common procedures to start-up and shut-down an extruder
- Details both upstream and downstream changeovers
- Die, material, and color change considerations are also covered
- The importance of safety and cleanliness are stressed throughout this series
Part 6: Quality
- Defines quality and its importance to the success of extrusion operations
- Explains the concepts of quality assurance vs. quality control
- Covers the form, fit, and functionality of the extruded product
- Critical vs. non-critical extrudate defects are compared and contrasted
- The importance of meeting the customer’s needs is stressed throughout the course
Part 7: Material Handling
- Stresses the importance of proper material handling – from delivery to feedthroat
- Covers various vacuum conveyance and hopper loader systems
- The problems associated with not drying hygroscopic materials
- Details ways to blend materials while avoiding material contamination
Part 8: Problem Solving and Troubleshooting
- Focuses on getting the right answer in the shortest time
- Easy to follow problem solving steps and rules are detailed
- The importance of documentation and procedure
