Extrusion Nozzle Reinforcement Temperature Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing stiffened plastic hollow profiles in co-extrusion processes face limitations due to restricted material choices based on matching temperature processing ranges, leading to inefficient material connection and increased production space requirements, as well as issues with abrasion and sealing in extrusion nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A method where a rigid reinforcement is preheated to match the processing temperature of the first plastic material, ensuring a secure positive and non-positive connection within the extrusion nozzle, with targeted cooling and structural design to prevent material accumulation and minimize abrasion, using a tangential approach and inserts to guide the reinforcement through the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If materials with the same temperature processing ranges are used for co-extrusion, then material connection such as fusing or welding takes place, but the choice of materials is fundamentally very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the reinforcement material to be within ±10 K of the thermoplastic material's processing temperature. This temperature parameter adjustment enables materials with inherently different processing temperatures to achieve adequate connection through the extrusion process, expanding material compatibility while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement material is preheated before being fed into the extrusion nozzle. This preliminary heating action ensures the reinforcement reaches the appropriate temperature range before contact with the thermoplastic material, enabling proper bonding without requiring both materials to have identical processing temperature ranges
2Ease of manufacture
If reinforcement is fed to the extrusion nozzle in the solid state, then abrasion occurs in the channel carrying the reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement material undergoes preliminary heating before entering the extrusion nozzle. This preheating softens the reinforcement material, reducing its hardness and consequently minimizing abrasion in the channels while still allowing it to maintain sufficient rigidity for proper feeding and positioning during the extrusion process
3Productivity
If there is no adequate sealing between the channels, then thermoplastic material penetrates into the channel carrying the foreign material, but cleaning the foreign material feed channel requires frequent shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in material temperature and viscosity during the extrusion process. By controlling the temperature parameters, the thermoplastic material maintains appropriate viscosity to prevent unwanted penetration into the reinforcement channel while still achieving proper bonding where intended, reducing the frequency of cleaning operations
4Duration of action of stationary object
If cooling and heating-up times of the nozzle are taken into account, then a corresponding extrusion nozzle cannot be used for a relatively long time, but extended nozzle usage is desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in temperature control, maintaining the reinforcement material temperature within a specific range (±10 K of the thermoplastic processing temperature). This controlled temperature parameter allows the nozzle to process different material combinations without requiring extensive cooling and heating cycles, thereby extending nozzle usage time while minimizing downtime
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 method allows for effective connection of materials with different processing temperatures, reducing production space requirements and extending nozzle usage time by minimizing cleaning times and ensuring secure reinforcement fixation within the profile.
Implementation Method 1
the reinforcement is temperature-controlled before entering the extrusion tool nozzle... the inherently rigid reinforcement, which has a higher processing temperature than the first plastic material, has a temperature when it is fed to the molten thermoplastic first plastic material with T 2 - 10 K ≤ T 1 ≤ T 2
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing stiffened plastic hollow profiles in a co-extrusion process and to an extrusion die (14), wherein molten thermoplastic first plastic material, such as PVC, is fed to an extrusion die (14) and a self-stiffening reinforcement (16) consisting of a second plastic material, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or mixtures thereof, is fed into the extrusion die (14) to the first plastic material, wherein the reinforcement (16) is tempered before entering the extrusion die (14) such that the reinforcement (16) has a temperature corresponding to or in this range of the temperature of the first plastic material when fed to the molten thermoplastic first plastic material.