Treatment element for treating material by means of screw machine

Abstract

To provide a treatment element that reduces wear and increases service life, for treating a material by means of a screw machine.SOLUTION: Treatment elements (30 and 30') for treating a material by means of a screw machine, each comprises a conveying section (31) and a melting section (32). The melting section (32) is arranged downstream of the conveying section (31) in a conveying direction (18) and is connected in one piece with the conveying section (31). This reduces wear and increases service life.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing element for processing materials by means of a screw machine. The present invention further relates to a screw machine equipped with such a processing element. [Background technology]

[0002] From EP 1 299 636 A1 (corresponding to EP 1 299 636 A1) a screw extruder is known which comprises a casing and a profiled shaft with processing elements arranged thereon. In the feeding zone, conveying or screw elements are arranged as processing elements on the profiled shaft. In a mixing and kneading zone formed downstream in the conveying direction of the feeding zone, kneading blocks are arranged on the profiled shaft as processing elements for melting and homogenizing the material to be processed. The kneading blocks each consist of a number of kneading disks which are formed integrally with one another. In a pressure build-up zone formed downstream of the mixing and kneading zone, screw elements are again arranged on the profiled shaft as processing elements.

[0003] The material to be processed is melted in the mixing and kneading zone, where the processing elements and associated shafts are subjected to high loads which cause significant wear on the processing elements, shafts and housings, shortening their useful life. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] EP 1 508 424 A1 [Patent Document 2] US 2005 / 0041521 A1 [Patent Document 3] WO 2011 / 039 016 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing element for processing materials with a screw machine, which has low wear and a long service life. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This object is achieved by a processing element having the features of claim 1. The processing element is used for processing and / or melting materials, in particular plastic materials, by means of a screw machine. The processing element comprises a conveying section arranged downstream in the conveying direction and a melting section which are integrally connected to one another. The conveying section comprises in particular a conveying element or a screw element for conveying the material to be processed. The melting section comprises in particular at least one kneading disk. The at least one kneading disk serves to introduce energy into the material to be processed and / or to melt the material to be processed. The processing element is designed in particular as a combined (composite; combined) processing element, since the integrated design of the conveying section and the melting section combines the functions of conveying and melting. In particular the processing element comprises a profiled through-hole for fastening the processing element to a profiled shaft of a screw machine.

[0007] The integral construction of the conveying section and the melting section means that no gaps are formed between the conveying section and the melting section, even under high loads, allowing the material or the melt of the material to penetrate. The integral construction reduces the specific load, i.e. the load per unit area, on the processing element and the associated profiled shaft. Furthermore, the stiffness of the processing element is increased in the critical passage between the conveying section and the melting section, so that the relative movements and deformations of the processing element during the operation of the screw machine are reduced. This reduces wear and increases the service life. In particular, the risk of shaft breakage can be reduced.

[0008] The processing element according to claim 2 ensures low wear and a long service life. The melting section is formed in one piece. In particular, the kneading discs are integrally connected to one another. If the melting section has a number of interconnected kneading discs, the loads occurring in the melting section during the operation of the screw machine are distributed over the kneading discs. Each kneading disc can be of single-flight to four-flight design. Preferably, the kneading discs have two or three flights. The kneading discs of the melting section can be geometrically identical and / or geometrically different.

[0009] The processing element according to claim 3 ensures low wear and a long service life. Each kneading disk has a first side oriented upstream with respect to the conveying direction and a second side oriented downstream with respect to the conveying direction. Two kneading disks arranged immediately behind each other have on their first and / or second sides an offset angle c relative to each other, so that the arrangement of the kneading disks facilitates the conveying of the material. The residence time of the material in the melting section and therefore the energy input or melting on the one hand and the load on the other hand can be adjusted by the offset angle c.

[0010] The processing element according to claim 4 ensures low wear and a long service life. Each kneading disk has a first side oriented upstream with respect to the conveying direction and a second side oriented downstream with respect to the conveying direction. The first side is offset from the second side by a helix angle d, and the kneading disk is twisted from the first side towards the second side. This reduces the load on the respective processing element, if the processing element is arranged on the associated profiled shaft of the screw machine. The housing of the multi-axis worm machine is formed with at least two intersecting housing bores, such that the housing forms at least one approximately triangular region. The approximately triangular region is a tapered housing region formed by at least two intersecting housing bores. The helix angle prevents the material to be processed from being trapped in the approximately triangular region. The helix angle creates a conveying effect. The helix angle creates an axial impulse acting on the material and thus a preferential direction, so that the forces acting on the material in the approximately triangular region are smaller and therefore on the processing element, resulting in less stress and damage. Furthermore, the twist angle simultaneously reduces the volume of material enclosed by the generally triangular region. By reducing the forces acting on the generally triangular region, the stresses acting on the treatment element and the associated shaft, especially bending and / or torsional moments, are reduced. Vibrations of the treatment element shaft of the multi-axis worm machine are reduced, thus reducing wear and damage on the housing and / or treatment element and / or avoiding wear and damage on the shaft.

[0011] The treatment element according to claim 5 ensures low wear and a long service life. If the melting section comprises several kneading discs, each or all of the kneading discs may have a helix angle d. The helix angles of the kneading discs may be identical and / or different.

[0012] The processing element according to claim 6 ensures low wear and a long service life. Due to the twisting of the at least one kneading disc, the respective contour of the kneading disc defines a spiral in the conveying direction. This spiral has a pitch P per revolution, i.e. an angle of 360°, in the conveying direction. APitch P A is also called the lead. In multi-axis worm machines, the pitch P A and outer diameter D AA The ratio of the helix angle d to the pitch P of each kneading disk reduces the load in the approximately triangular area between adjacent processing elements arranged in pairs. A and width L A arises from.

[0013] The processing element according to claim 7 ensures low wear and a long service life. Each kneading disc has a first side oriented upstream with respect to the conveying direction and a second side oriented downstream with respect to the conveying direction. Two kneading discs arranged one after the other are connected between the second side of the kneading disc arranged upstream and the first side of the kneading disc arranged downstream. An offset angle e is formed between the second side of the kneading disc arranged upstream and the first side of the kneading disc arranged downstream. In particular, for the offset angle e, e=bd applies, where b denotes the offset angle between the first and / or second side of two successive kneading discs and d denotes the twist angle of the kneading disc arranged upstream. The offset angle e can facilitate the transport of the material. This can affect the residence time of the material in the melting section. The offset angle e influences or adjusts on the one hand the energy input and the melting and on the other hand the load on the processing element.

[0014] The processing element according to claim 8 ensures low wear and a long service life. A depends on the conveying direction. The number and / or width L of the kneading discs A and outer diameter D AA The ratio of t to t influences on the one hand the energy input into the material and the melting of the material, and on the other hand the load on the treatment element: the more kneading disks the melting section has and / or the wider the respective kneading disk, the harder and more robust the treatment element will be.

[0015] The processing element according to claim 9 ensures low wear and a long service life. Each kneading disc has a number of edges. The first circumferential edge is arranged between the first side, which is directed upstream with respect to the conveying direction, and the circumferential side. Correspondingly, the second circumferential edge is arranged between the second side, which is directed downstream with respect to the conveying direction, and the circumferential side. The third edge is arranged on the circumferential side and can extend transversely to the first and / or second edge. For example, in the case of multi-flight kneading discs, the edge extends between the respective crest area and the adjacent flank area. The chamfer reduces the volume of the respective kneading disc and in return increases the free volume in the housing bore of the screw machine. By increasing the free volume, the material load on the processing element and the associated profiled shaft is reduced. In particular, the free volume in the approximately triangular area is increased, so that the load in the approximately triangular area is reduced. The chamfer is designed in particular to be chamfered and / or rounded. Preferably, the chamfer extends over at least 25%, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 75% of the length of the respective edge. Preferably, the circumferential side of each kneading disk can be formed without edges. Such kneading disk profiles are also called involute profiles or kneading disks are also called involute kneading disks. Such profiles are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,399,323, which is to be found here.

[0016] The processing element according to claim 10 ensures low wear and a long service life. Preferably, the conveying section comprises a conveying element or a screw element. The shape of the conveying section or the conveying element is designed in particular to be single-flighted to four-flighted, preferably double-flighted or three-flighted. The shape of the conveying section or the conveying element defines a helix in the conveying direction. The helix has a pitch P per one revolution, i.e. an angle of 360°. F This pitch is also called the lead. The conveying effect of the conveying section is determined by the pitch P F and outer diameter D AFThe ratio of the pitch P to the melting section determines the amount of material fed to the melting section per unit time. F and outer diameter D AF The ratio of is used to adjust the load in the transition area between the conveying section and the melting section. The conveying section can have an Eldmenger shape, a thrust edge shape, and / or an involute shape.

[0017] The processing element according to claim 11 ensures low wear and a long service life. F is related to the conveying direction. The shape of the conveying section defines a spiral in the conveying direction. The spiral has a pitch P F Pitch P F is also called the lead. The conveying effect of the conveying part is the length L F and pitch P F As a result, the load in the transition area between the transport section and the melt section is adjusted.

[0018] The processing element according to claim 12 ensures low wear and a long service life. The conveying effect and the load in the transition area between the conveying part and the melting part are adjusted by the offset angle b. The melting part has, in particular, a first side which is directed upstream with respect to the conveying direction. In contrast, the conveying part has, in particular, a second side which is directed downstream with respect to the conveying direction. The first side of the melting part is, in particular, integrally connected with the second side of the conveying part, and the offset angle b is formed between the second side of the conveying part and the first side of the melting part. Preferably, the offset angle b is formed between the second side of the conveying element of the conveying part and the first side of the kneading disk of the melting part. The following applies in particular to the offset angle b: 0°≦b≦5°, in particular 0°≦b≦1°, in particular b=0°.

[0019] The treatment element according to claim 13 ensures low wear and a long service life. The support reduces the radial movements of the treatment element. This reduces wear and possible damage and increases the service life of the treatment element. The support ensures that the fusing part can be used according to its function. Furthermore, the rigidity of the treatment element is increased. The load acting on the treatment element is better distributed over the entire length of the treatment element.

[0020] Preferably, the support has a first side oriented upstream with respect to the conveying direction and connected to the melting part. Preferably, the melting part has a second side oriented downstream with respect to the conveying direction and connected to the support. An offset angle f is formed between the second side of the melting part and the first side of the support, in particular: -90°≦f≦90°, in particular -45°≦f≦45°, in particular -15°≦f≦15°, in particular -5°≦f≦5°, in particular -1°≦f≦1°, in particular f=0°. A positive offset angle f is an offset angle with respect to a predefined direction of rotation. A positive offset angle has a promoting effect. In contrast, a negative offset angle f is an offset angle towards a predefined direction of rotation. A negative offset angle has a suppressing effect. Depending on the material to be processed, a conveying or back pressure of the material after melting may be desired. Preferably, the offset angle f is formed between the second side of the kneading disc of the melting part and the first side of the kneading disc of the support. Preferably, the offset angle f is equal to the offset angle e.

[0021] The processing element according to claim 14 ensures low wear and a long service life. The support comprises M kneading discs, in particular 1≦M≦4, in particular 2≦M≦3. The kneading discs can be of single-flight to four-flight design, preferably the kneading discs are of two-flight or three-flight design. The kneading discs can be of the same design and / or of different designs.

[0022] Preferably, the support comprises at least two kneading discs arranged one after the other in the conveying direction, each of the kneading discs having a first side facing upstream in the conveying direction and a second side facing downstream in the conveying direction, and an offset angle g is formed between the first and / or second side of the at least two kneading discs, in particular 0°≦g≦180°, in particular 15°≦g≦120°, in particular 30°≦g≦90°.

[0023] At least one kneading disk is preferably twist-free or untwisted. Preferably, each kneading disk of the support or all kneading disks of the support are twist-free or untwisted. The twist angle is therefore 0°. Each kneading disk has a first side oriented upstream with respect to the conveying direction and a second side oriented downstream with respect to the conveying direction. The first and second side of each kneading disk are therefore coincident with each other and / or have no twist angle.

[0024] The processing element according to claim 15 ensures low wear and a long service life. S is related to the conveying direction. If the support has several kneading disks, the kneading disks have the same width L S , and / or different widths L S Preferably, the width L of the last kneading disk of the support section as viewed in the conveying direction is S is the width L of the kneading disk upstream of the support S As a result, if the kneading discs downstream of the further processing elements are arranged without an offset angle, undesirably large widths can be avoided.

[0025] The processing element according to claim 16 ensures low wear and a long service life. The melting part and / or the transport part have a smaller diameter than the support part. AA and / or outer diameter D AF is the outer diameter D AS , the load on the processing elements in the area of ​​the melting zone and / or the transport zone is reduced. At the same time, the support has a larger outer diameter DAS This provides a high support effect, thereby reducing radial movement of the processing elements.

[0026] Outer diameter of fusion part D AA can be constant along the length of the melting section or for successively arranged kneading disks of the melting section and / or can increase in the conveying direction and / or can decrease in the conveying direction. AA can vary continuously and / or discontinuously along the length of the fusion zone.

[0027] Outer diameter of conveying part D AF can be constant along the length of the conveying section or for successively arranged conveying elements of the conveying section and / or can increase in the conveying direction and / or can decrease in the conveying direction. AF can vary continuously and / or discontinuously along the length of the transport section.

[0028] Preferably, a spacer element is arranged between the conveying part and the melting part and / or between the melting part and the support part. The spacer element is integrally connected to the conveying part and the melting part or to the melting part and the support part. Preferably, the spacer element is arranged between at least two kneading disks of the melting part and / or between at least two kneading disks of the support part. The spacer element is integrally connected to the kneading disks. The spacer element is for example circular in cross section or configured to the shape of the conveying part and / or the melting part and / or the support part. The outer diameter D of the spacer element AD The following applies to:D AD <D AF and / or D. AD <D AA and / or D. AD <D AS Preferably, the width L of each spacer element in the conveying direction D For , the following applies:0 <L D / D AD ≦0.1, especially 0.01≦L D / D AD≦0.02. The spacer elements allow the at least two processing element shafts to rotate freely relative to one another in the at least two housing bores, despite manufacturing clearances. The inner diameter of the spacer elements is preferably larger than the inner diameter of the at least two kneading disks.

[0029] A further object of the present invention is to provide a screw machine for processing materials which has low wear and a long service life.

[0030] This object is achieved by a screw machine having the features of claim 17. The advantages of the screw machine according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the described processing elements. Preferably, the screw machine has at least one processing element shaft with a profiled shaft. At least one processing element according to the invention is arranged on the profiled shaft. The associated processing element shaft is rotatably arranged in the respective housing bore.

[0031] Preferably, the at least one processing element is arranged in the melting zone and / or homogenization zone of the screw machine. High loads act in the melting zone and / or homogenization zone, which are reduced by the at least one processing element according to the invention. Preferably, the at least one processing element according to the invention comprises at least one kneading disk and is arranged in the melting zone and / or homogenization zone, so that the at least one processing element according to the invention forms a first processing element with a kneading disk with respect to the conveying direction. In other words, rather, a processing element not according to the invention with a kneading disk is not arranged upstream of the at least one processing element according to the invention in the melting zone and / or homogenization zone.

[0032] Preferably, the screw machine is designed as a multi-shaft worm machine, in particular a two-shaft worm machine. In particular, the multi-shaft worm machine has at least two housing bores formed in a housing. The at least two housing bores intersect with each other. As a result, the at least two housing bores form, in particular in cross section, the shape of a horizontal figure of eight. The multi-shaft worm machine comprises at least two processing element shafts, in particular each processing element shaft comprises a profile shaft on which at least one processing element according to the invention is arranged. The multi-shaft worm machine is designed to rotate in the same direction, i.e. at least two processing element shafts rotate in the same direction of rotation. Preferably, the at least two processing element shafts are designed and / or arranged to mesh closely with each other. Preferably, each processing element shaft has at least one processing element according to the invention arranged in the same position with respect to the conveying direction.

[0033] At least one housing bore has a diameter D. The conveying portion has an outer diameter D AF In particular, 0.8≦D AF / D<1, especially 0.9≦D AF / D≦0.99, especially 0.95≦D AF / D≦0.98.

[0034] The fusion part has an outer diameter D AA In particular, 0.8≦D AA / D<1, especially 0.9≦D AA / D≦0.99, especially 0.95≦D AA / D≦0.98.

[0035] The support part has an outer diameter of D AS In particular, 0.95≦D AS / D<1, especially 0.98≦D AS / D≦0.998, especially 0.99≦D AS / D≦0.995.

[0036] Preferably, the following applies: AF / D <D AS / D and / or D AA / D <D AS / D.

[0037] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an apparatus for processing material using a multi-axis worm machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view, partially in section, of the device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multi-axis worm machine taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two processing elements arranged adjacent to each other in a pair according to a first example embodiment, which form part of the multi-axis worm machine of FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a first side view of one of the processing elements of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a second side view of the treatment element of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the processing element taken along section line VII-VII of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two treatment elements arranged adjacent to each other in a pair according to a second example embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of one of the processing elements of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the processing element taken along section line XX in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. An apparatus 1 for processing and preparing a material M includes a multi-axis worm machine 2, a first supply device 3, a second supply device 4, and a control device 5. The material M is, in particular, a plastic material.

[0040] The multi-axis worm machine 2 comprises a housing 6 in which two mutually penetrating housing bores 7, 8 are formed. The housing bores 7, 8 have a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a figure eight with a horizontal cross section. The two mutually penetrating housing bores 7, 8 form a substantially triangular area Z. The substantially triangular area Z is a tapered area of ​​the housing 6. The substantially triangular area Z is shown in FIG. 3. The processing element shafts 9, 10 are arranged in the housing bores 7, 8 so as to be rotatable about associated rotation axes 11, 12. The processing element shafts 9, 10 can be rotationally driven in the same direction, i.e. in the same rotational direction, by a drive motor 13 via a transmission gear 14. A coupling 15 is arranged between the drive motor 13 and the transmission gear 14.

[0041] The housing 6 is formed with a first feed opening 16 and a second feed opening 17 which open into the housing bores 7, 8. The second feed opening 17 is arranged downstream of the first feed opening 16 in the conveying direction 18. The first dosing device 3 opens into the first feed opening 16 and serves to feed a material M. The second dosing device 4 opens into the second feed opening 17 and serves to feed at least one additive A. The first dosing device 3 and / or the second dosing device 4 are designed, for example, as gravimetric dosing devices.

[0042] The multi-axis worm machine 2 comprises, successively in the conveying direction 18, a first feeding zone 19, a melting zone 20, a second feeding zone 21, a homogenization zone 22 and a discharge zone 23. In the discharge zone 23, the housing 6 is closed by a discharge plate 24 forming a discharge opening 25.

[0043] The processing element shafts 9, 10 each comprise a profiled shaft 26, 27, on which screw elements 28, 28', kneading elements 29, 29' and processing elements 30, 30' according to the invention are arranged in pairs next to each other. In the first feeding zone 19, the screw elements 28, 28' are arranged on the shafts 26, 27 in a torque-transmitting manner. In the melting zone 20, the processing elements 30, 30' and kneading elements 29, 29' according to the invention are arranged on the shafts 26, 27 in a torque-transmitting manner. In the second feeding zone 21, the screw elements 28, 28' are arranged on the shafts 26, 27 in a torque-transmitting manner. In the homogenization zone 22, the processing elements 30, 30' and kneading elements 29, 29' according to the invention are arranged on the shafts 26, 27 in a torque-transmitting manner. In the discharge zone 23, the screw elements 28, 28' are arranged on the shafts 26, 27 in a torque-transmitting manner. The screw elements 28, 28' and / or the kneading elements 29, 29' are of conventional design. The screw elements 28, 28' and / or the kneading elements 29, 29' and / or the treatment elements 30, 30' according to the invention are in particular of two-flight design. The kneading elements 29, 29' are designed, for example, as individual kneading discs and / or as kneading blocks consisting of several kneading discs integrally connected to one another.

[0044] The processing elements 30, 30' according to the invention are identical, and only one of the processing elements, 30, will be described below.

[0045] The processing element 30 is used to process and / or melt the material M. The processing element 30 comprises a conveying section 31, a melting section 32, and a support section 33. The melting section 32 is arranged downstream of the conveying section 31 in the conveying direction 18. The conveying section 31 and the melting section 32 are integrally connected. The support section 33 is arranged downstream of the melting section 32 in the conveying direction 18. The melting section 32 and the support section 33 are integrally connected.

[0046] The processing element 30 has a contoured bore 34 extending through the transport section 31, the melt section 32 and the support section 33. The contoured bore 34 serves to form-fit the processing element 30 onto an associated contoured shaft 26 so that torque can be transferred from the shaft 26 to the processing element 30.

[0047] The conveying section 31 is designed as a conveying element or screw element. The conveying section 31 has a first side S oriented upstream in the conveying direction 18. 1F and a second side surface S oriented downstream in the conveying direction 18. 2F The conveyor 31 has a two-flight profile. The conveyor 31 has an outer diameter D AF , and the length L in the conveying direction 18 F Furthermore, the conveying section 31 has a pitch P F A spiral S with F The pitch P is defined as F is also called the lead. Pitch P F and outer diameter D AF Ratio of P F / D AF In particular, for P, 0.75≦P F / D AF ≦2, especially 1≦P F / D AF ≦1.75, especially 1.25≦P F / D AF ≦1.5.

[0048] Furthermore, pitch P F Length L for F The ratio L / P F Regarding, in particular, 0.2≦L / P F ≦1.5, especially 0.3≦L / P F ≦1.2, especially 0.4≦L / P F ≦0.9. In the embodiment of FIG. F =0.5.

[0049] The melting part 32 comprises N kneading discs, generally with 1≦N≦7, in particular 2≦N≦6, in particular 3≦N≦5. In the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 7, N=2 applies as an example. Thus, the melting part 32 comprises a first kneading disc 35 and a second kneading disc 36. Between the first kneading disc 35 and the second kneading disc 36, a first spacer element 37 is arranged. The spacer element 37 is arranged downstream of the first kneading disc 35 in the conveying direction 18. The second kneading disc 36 is arranged downstream of the spacer element 37 in the conveying direction 18. The first kneading disc 35, the spacer element 37 and the second kneading disc 36 are formed integrally with one another.

[0050] The first kneading disk 35 has a first side S facing the upstream side in the conveying direction 18. 1A The first kneading disk 35 has a second side surface S facing the downstream side in the conveying direction 18. 2A Therefore, the second kneading disk 36 has a first side S oriented upstream in the conveying direction 18. 3A and a second side surface S oriented downstream in the conveying direction 18. 4A and

[0051] The second side surface S of the conveying section 31 2F is the first side surface S of the first kneading disc 35 1A Between the conveying section 31 and the melting section 32, i.e., the second side surface S of the conveying section 31, 2F and the first side S of the first kneading disc 35 1A Between them, an offset angle b is defined, where the following applies in general: 0°≦b≦90°, in particular 5°≦b≦45°, in particular 10°≦b≦15°. In the embodiment examples according to figures 1 to 7, b=0° applies by way of example. The offset angle b is only illustrated in figure 6.

[0052] The first kneading disc 35 and the second kneading disc 36 are twisted. The first kneading disc 35 has a side S 1A and side S 2Ahas a twist angle d therebetween. Correspondingly, the second kneading disk 36 has a twist angle d between the side surface S A3 and the side surface S A4 therebetween. Generally, the following are applicable to the twist angle d: 0° < d ≤ 30°, particularly 5° ≤ d ≤ 25°, particularly 10° ≤ d ≤ 20°. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7, d = 15° is applied as an example.

[0053] An offset angle c is formed between the first side surface S 1A of the first kneading disk 35 and the first side surface S 3A of the second kneading disk 36. Since the kneading disks 35 and 36 have the same twist angle d, the offset angle c is also formed between the second side surface S 2A of the first kneading disk 35 and the second side surface S 4A of the second kneading disk 36. Generally, 0° ≤ c ≤ 90°, particularly 15° ≤ c ≤ 75°, particularly 30° ≤ c ≤ 60° are applicable to the offset angle c. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7, c = 45° is applied as an example.

[0054] Also, an offset angle e is formed between the second side surface S 2A of the first kneading disk 35 and the first side surface S 3A of the second kneading disk 36. Particularly, the following is applicable to the offset angle e: e = c - d. Generally, the following is applicable to the offset angle e: 5° ≤ e ≤ 70°, particularly 10° ≤ e ≤ 55°, particularly 15° ≤ e ≤ 40°. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7, e = 30° is applied as an example.

[0055] The kneading disks 35 and 36 have an outer diameter D AA and a width L A in the conveying direction 18. The outer diameters D AA of the kneading disks 35 and 36 may be the same and / or may be different. Accordingly, the widths L A of the kneading disks 35 and 36 may be the same and / or may be different. The ratio L AA of the width L A to the outer diameter D A / D AAFor L, the following applies in particular: 0.1≦L A / D AA ≦0.4, especially 0.15≦L A / D AA ≦0.35, especially 0.2≦L A / D AA ≦0.3.

[0056] The kneading disks 35, 36 are twisted or twisted into a spiral S with a twist angle d. A Define the spiral S A is the pitch P in one rotation, i.e., 360°. A Pitch P A is also called the lead. Pitch P A is only shown in Figure 5. A / D AA For P, the following applies in particular: 5≦P A / D AA ≦10, especially 6≦P A / D AA ≦9, especially 7≦P A / D AA <=8.

[0057] The support 33 comprises a kneading disk 38 and a second spacer element 39. The kneading disk 38 is integrally connected to the second spacer element 39. The kneading disk 38 is arranged downstream of the second spacer element 39 in the conveying direction 18. The kneading disk 38 has a first side S 1S and a second side surface S facing downstream in the conveying direction 18. 2S The second spacer element 39 is provided on the second side S of the kneading disc 36. 4A , and the first side S of the kneading disc 38 1S are integrally connected to each other.

[0058] The kneading disk 38 is not twisted (or twisted). This is because the first side S 1S and the second side S 2S This means that the twist angle between the first side S of the kneading disk 38 is zero. 1S and the second side S 2Sare aligned with each other in the conveying direction 18.

[0059] The kneading disk 38 has an outer diameter D AS and width L in the conveying direction 18 S Outer diameter D AS Width L S Ratio of L S / D AS For L, the following applies in particular: 0.05≦L S / D AS ≦0.5, especially 0.1≦L S / D AS ≦0.35, especially 0.15≦L S / D AS ≦0.2.

[0060] The spacer elements 37, 39 each have an outer diameter D AD and width L in the conveying direction 18 D The outer diameter D of the spacer elements 37, 39 AD may be the same and / or different. Furthermore, the width L of the spacer elements 37, 39 D may be the same and / or different. AD Width L D Ratio of L D / D AD With regard to <L D / D AD ≦0.1, especially 0.01≦L D / D AD <=0.02.

[0061] In particular the following applies:D AA <D AS , and / or D. AF <D AS Furthermore, D AD ≦D AS , and / or D. AD ≦D AA , and / or D. AD ≦D AF applies in particular.

[0062] The housing bores 7, 8 have a diameter D.

[0063] Ratio D AF Regarding / D, especially, 0.8≦D AF / D<1, especially 0.9≦D AF / D≦0.99, especially 0.95≦D AF / D≦0.98 applies.

[0064] Ratio D AA Regarding / D, especially, 0.8≦D AA / D<1, especially 0.9≦D AA / D≦0.99, especially 0.95≦D AA / D≦0.98 applies.

[0065] Ratio D AS Regarding / D, especially, 0.95≦D AS / D<1, especially 0.98≦D AS / D≦0.998, especially 0.99≦D AS / D≦0.995 applies.

[0066] The functional principle of the device 1 and the processing elements 30, 30' according to the invention will now be described.

[0067] The material M to be processed is fed into the multi-shaft worm machine 2 as bulk material, in particular as powder and / or granules, by a first feed device 3 through a first feed opening 16. In the first feed zone 19, the material M is conveyed in the conveying direction 18 by screw elements 28, 28' and fed into the melting zone 20.

[0068] In the melting zone 20, the material M is melted by the processing elements 30, 30' according to the invention and by the kneading elements 29, 29' arranged downstream in the conveying direction 18. The processing elements 30, 30' thus reduce the load on the shafts 26, 27, on the processing elements 30, 30' themselves and on the housing 6. Due to the fact that the conveying part 31 and the melting part 32 are formed integrally with each other, the conveying part 31 and the melting part 32 are not pushed apart even under high loads, so that no gap is formed in front of the first kneading disc 35 and the material M or the melt already generated from the material M cannot penetrate into the resulting gap. In addition, the stiffness of the processing elements 30, 30' is increased in the critical transition area between the conveying part 31 and the melting part 32, so that the deformations and the relative movements of the processing elements 30, 30' and the associated shafts 26, 27 are reduced. The support 33 integrally connected to the fusion zone 32 further reduces the relative movement and deformation of the processing elements 30, 30'. The loads on the processing elements 30, 30', the shafts 26, 27 and the housing 6 are reduced, especially in the substantially triangular region Z. Furthermore, the loads on the processing elements 30, 30' are reduced by the offset angles b, c and e, as well as the twist angle d, the outer diameter D AF , D AA and D. AS , and pitch P F and P A , and length L F and width L A and L S can be adjusted as desired via

[0069] In the second feeding zone 21, at least one additive A is fed by the second feeding device 4 through the second feeding opening 17 to the multi-shaft worm machine 2. The at least one additive A is fed to the molten material M in the second feeding zone 21. The molten material M and the at least one additive A are conveyed in the conveying direction 18 by the screw elements 28, 28' to the homogenization zone 22.

[0070] In the homogenization zone 22, at least one additive A is melted and mixed into the molten material M by the processing elements 30, 30' according to the invention and the kneading elements 29, 29' arranged downstream thereof. The advantages of the processing elements 30, 30' according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the processing elements 30, 30' arranged in the melting zone 20.

[0071] In the discharge zone 23, the homogenized mixture is discharged through a discharge opening 25 in the usual manner.

[0072] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. Unlike the first embodiment, the kneading disks 35, 36 of the melting section 32 have tip chamfered portions 40, 41. The first tip chamfered portion 40 is located on the first side surface S of the first kneading disk 35. 1A and the first side S 1A and the circumferential side surface U of the first kneading disc 35 1A The chamfered portion forms a chamfered surface between the chamfered portion and the

[0073] The second tip chamfered portion 41 is formed on the circumferential side surface U of the first kneading disk 35. 1A and the circumferential side surface U of the second kneading disc 36 2A In comparison with the first embodiment, the tip chamfered portion 41 has a circumferential side surface U 1A , and U 2A In order to show the tip chamfer 41, the circumferential side surface U in FIG. 2A Although a virtual edge is depicted in FIG. 1, this virtual edge does not actually exist due to the chamfered tip portion 41.

[0074] The chamfers 40, 41 reduce the material volume of the processing element 30 or 30' and increase the free volume for the material M to be processed in the housing bores 7, 8. This further reduces the load on the processing element 30, 30', the shafts 26, 27 and the housing 6. The chamfers 41 allow the kneading discs 35, 36 to have a circumferential side surface U 1A and U 2AFor further construction and function principles, reference is made to the description of the first embodiment example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 device 2 Multi-axis worm machine 3 1st supply device 4 Second supply device 5. Control device 6. Housing 7, 8 Housing bore 9, 10 Processing element shaft 11, 12 Rotation axis 13 Drive motor 14 Transmission gear 15 Coupling 16 1st supply opening 17 Second supply opening 18 Conveying direction 19 First Supply Zone 20 Melting Zone 21 Second Supply Zone 22 Homogenization Zone 23 Discharge Zone 24 Discharge plate 25 Discharge opening 26, 27 Shaft 28, 28' screw element 29, 29' kneading element 30, 30' Processing element 31 Conveyor 32 Welding section 33 Support part 34 Irregular Bore 35 First kneading disc 36 Second kneading disc 37 First spacer element 38 Kneading disc 39 Second spacer element 40 First tip chamfer 41 Second tip chamfer A Additive D Housing bore diameter D AAOutside diameter of kneading discs 35, 36 D AD Outside diameter of spacer elements 37, 39 D AF Outer diameter of conveying section 31 D AS Support Outer Diameter M Material P A , P F pitch S 1A First side (of first kneading disc 35) S 2A Second side (of first kneading disc 35) S 1F First side (of conveying section 31) S 2F Second side (of conveying section 31) S 1S First side (of kneading disc 38) S 2S Second side (of kneading disc 38) S 3A First side (of second kneading disc 36) S 4A Second side (of second kneading disc 36) S A , S F spiral U 1A Circumferential side surface (of the first kneading disc 35) U 2A Circumferential side surface (of the second kneading disc 36) Z triangle area b, c, e, f, g offset angles d Twist angle

Claims

1. A processing element for processing materials using a screw machine, Conveying section (31) and In the conveying direction (18), it is positioned downstream of the conveying section (31), A melting section (32) is integrally connected to the transport section (31), A processing element comprising:

2. The melting section (32) comprises N kneading discs (35, 36), The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that 1 ≤ N ≤ 7, in particular 2 ≤ N ≤ 6, and in particular 3 ≤ N ≤ 5.

3. The melting section (32) comprises at least two kneading discs (35, 36) arranged in succession in the conveying direction (18), and each of the first side surfaces (S １Ａ S ３Ａ ) and / or the second side of each (S ２Ａ S ４Ａ The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the elements have an offset angle c with respect to each other, where 0° ≤ c ≤ 90°, in particular 15° ≤ c ≤ 75°, and in particular 30° ≤ c ≤ 60°.

4. The molten portion (32) is the first side surface (S １Ａ S ３Ａ ) and the second side (S ２Ａ S ４Ａ The processing element according to claim 1, characterized by comprising at least one kneading disc (35, 36) that is twisted between )

5. The at least one kneading disk (35, 36) has a twist angle d between the first side surface (S １Ａ , S ３Ａ ) and the second side surface (S ２Ａ , S ４Ａ ), where 0° < d ≤ 30°, particularly 5° ≤ d ≤ 25°, particularly 10° ≤ d ≤ 20°, and is characterized by the processing element according to claim 4.

6. The at least one of the kneading discs (35, 36) has a pitch P Ａ , and outer diameter D ＡＡ It has such that 5 ≤ P Ａ / D ＡＡ ≤ 10, especially 6 ≤ P Ａ / D ＡＡ ≤9, especially 7 ≤ P Ａ / D ＡＡ The processing element according to claim 4, characterized in that ≤ 8.

7. The melting section (32) comprises at least two kneading discs (35, 36) arranged successively in the conveying direction (18), and the first side surface (S) of the kneading disc (36) arranged on the downstream side ３Ａ ) is the second side (S) of the kneading disc (35) positioned on the upstream side. ２Ａ The processing element according to claim 4, characterized in that it has an offset angle e with respect to ), where 5° ≤ e ≤ 70°, in particular 10° ≤ e ≤ 55°, and in particular 15° ≤ e ≤ 40°.

8. The molten portion (32) has a width L Ａ and outer diameter D ＡＡ The system comprises at least one kneading disc (35, 36) having, where 0.1 ≤ L Ａ / D ＡＡ ≤0.4, especially 0.15 ≤L Ａ / D ＡＡ ≤0.35, especially 0.2 ≤L Ａ / D ＡＡ The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is ≤ 0.

3.

9. The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the molten portion (32) comprises at least one kneading disc (35, 36) having a chamfered tip portion (40, 41).

10. The transport unit (31) has a pitch P Ｆ and outer diameter D ＡＦ It has, Here, 0.75 ≤ P Ｆ / D ＡＦ ≤ 2, especially 1 ≤ P Ｆ / D ＡＦ ≤ 1.75, especially 1.25 ≤ P Ｆ / D ＡＦ The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that ≤ 1.

5.

11. The transport section (31) has a length L Ｆ and pitch P Ｆ It has, Here, 0.2 ≤ L Ｆ / P Ｆ ≤ 1.5, especially 0.3 ≤ L Ｆ / P Ｆ ≤ 1.2, especially 0.4 ≤ L Ｆ / P Ｆ The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that ≤ 0.

9.

12. The conveying section (31) and the melting section (32) have an offset angle b relative to each other. The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that 0° ≤ b ≤ 90°, particularly 5° ≤ b ≤ 45°, and particularly 10° ≤ b ≤ 15°.

13. The processing element according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a support portion (33) which is arranged downstream of the melting portion (32) in the transport direction (18) and is integrally connected with the melting portion (32).

14. The processing element according to claim 13, characterized in that the support portion (33) comprises at least one kneading disc (38) that is not particularly twisted.

15. The support portion (33) has a width L Ｓ and outer diameter D ＡＳ The system comprises at least one kneading disc (38) having, where 0.05 ≤ L Ｓ / D ＡＳ ≤0.5, especially 0.1 ≤L Ｓ / D ＡＳ ≤0.35, especially 0.15 ≤L Ｓ / D ＡＳ The processing element according to claim 13, characterized in that ≤ 0.

2.

16. The molten portion (32) has an outer diameter D ＡＡ The support portion (33) has an outer diameter D ＡＳ It has, and here D ＡＡ <D ＡＳ Being, and / or The transport section (31) has an outer diameter D ＡＦ The support portion (33) has an outer diameter D ＡＳ It has, and here D ＡＦ <D ＡＳ The processing element according to claim 13, characterized in that it is the same as the one described above.

17. A screw machine for processing materials, Housing (6) and The housing (6) has at least one housing bore (7, 8) formed therein, The system comprises at least one processing element shaft (9, 10) disposed within the at least one housing bore (7, 8), The screw machine wherein the at least one processing element shaft (9, 10) comprises at least one processing element (30, 30') according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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