Extrusion Die Temperature Control for Plastic Profile Wall Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing plastic profiles, such as window frame profiles, face inefficiencies in material usage due to the need for uniform wall thickness, which does not adequately account for the specific geometric requirements of wall hooks and web-shaped areas, limiting material savings.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method with improved local temperature control in the extrusion process using a temperature control section with multiple, spaced-apart temperature control devices within the extrusion die, allowing for precise adjustment of wall thickness by heating or cooling, and utilizing a thermally conductive insert to efficiently distribute heat or cooling medium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If uniform wall thickness is used throughout the profile, then structural stability is ensured, but material usage increases unnecessarily in areas where reduced thickness is acceptable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local temperature control to specific regions of the extrusion die, allowing different wall thicknesses in different areas. Heating elements are positioned at locations where thicker walls are needed for structural stability (such as load-bearing sections), while cooling elements create thinner walls in areas where reduced thickness saves material without compromising structural integrity. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by matching wall thickness to actual structural requirements rather than using uniform thickness throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If targeted temperature control is applied to reduce wall thickness in specific areas, then material savings are achieved, but the control precision over individual web-shaped projections is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial savingsVSAvoidcontrol precision over wall thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The extrusion die is divided into multiple independent temperature control zones, each with its own heating and cooling elements. This segmentation allows precise control over the wall thickness of individual web-shaped projections and wall hooks. Each zone can be independently adjusted to achieve the exact wall thickness required for that specific feature, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining material savings across the entire profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple temperature control devices are spaced apart within a temperature control section, then differentiated cooling or heating is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifferentiated temperature controlVSAvoidnumber of temperature control devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heating and cooling elements are integrated into a single unified temperature control section of the extrusion die. Rather than using separate, isolated control systems for each region, the patent combines these elements into an integrated structure that allows coordinated temperature control across multiple zones. This merging approach achieves differentiated temperature control for precise wall thickness management while reducing overall device complexity through shared control mechanisms and integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables precise control over the geometry of web-shaped projections, optimizing material savings by ensuring the wall hooks meet specific dimensioning requirements while maintaining uniform temperature control along the extrusion direction, thus reducing overall material usage.

Implementation Method 1

the channel is integrated into an insert of the temperature control section that can be pushed into the extrusion tool and transports the heat from the heating medium or the cold from the cooling medium to the inner wall of the extrusion tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

By heating the corresponding section in the mold, the viscosity of the plastic melt is only reduced locally, thereby increasing the melt flow there, which is reflected in a wall thickness that is only locally increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature-dependent viscosity:

Data Source

PatentEP3831569B1Method for producing a plastic profile
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 REHAU IND SE & CO KG
  • EP3831569B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831569B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831569B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic profile (2) with at least one web-shaped projection (4), in particular a window or door hollow chamber profile (1), by means of an extrusion process, wherein, in the extrusion process for profile forming, plastic melt is guided through an extrusion die (5), wherein during the extrusion process, the wall thickness of the plastic extrusion profile (2) is selectively and locally influenced by temperature control in at least one temperature control section (6) of the extrusion die (5), wherein the temperature control section (6) is assigned to a single web-shaped projection (4) of the plastic extrusion profile (2), and wherein, for the local influence on the wall thickness per temperature control section (6), at least one temperature control device (7) is provided in the extrusion die (5), by means of which the inner wall of the extrusion die (5) in the temperature control section (6) is selectively heated and/or cooled. can.According to the invention, several spaced-apart temperature control devices (7) are provided in each temperature control section (6), which enable locally differentiated heating and/or cooling of the inner wall of the extrusion tool (5) within a single temperature control section (6) and thus of the single web-shaped projection (4) of the plastic extrusion profile (2) passing through the extrusion tool (5), which is to be influenced with regard to its wall thickness.