Welcome to Extrusion Hints
This section of the newsletter started back in December 1989. Readers indicated they would be interested in "helpful hints" for every day shop floor problems.
Please send us your ideas, tricks you have found useful, or simple recurring problems - you have found a solution to which will be of interest to others.
We will strive to maintain separation of the extrusion hints that have been published in the Newsletter apart from the hints added to the 1-0-Wiki directly. We reserve the right to publish any hints submitted to the 1-0-Wiki in upcoming Newsletters.
For now, if you have a hint you would like to add, please email it to our 1-0-Wiki Administrative team at:
admin [at] extrusionwiki [dot] com.
All user submitted hints can be found here:
Extrusion Hints - User SubmissionsItems with hyperlinks are completed, items in black with no link remain - Under Construction
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Screw wear
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Melt temperature
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Gear box oil
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Tidal waves
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Check new screws
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Pressure transducers
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Nylon purge
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Output variation 1
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Twin screw color change
- Vol. 17 #2, Jul. 1990 - Accurate melt temperature
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Output variation 2
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Extruder throat cooling
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Vent insert design
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Screw inspection
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Heater contact
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Throughput rate checks
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Screw design
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Calibrate tachs
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Mark the bubble
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Silicone grease
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Melt pressure
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Screw performance
- Vol. 17 #3, Dec. 1990 - Calibrate transducers
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Feed throat cooling
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Oak persuaders
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Coextrusion alarms
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Screw specifications
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Strand cooling: good housekeeping
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Vents 1
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Drive train
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Screw removal 1
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Brass tools 2
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Output rates
- Vol. 17 #4, Mar. 1991 - Barrel zone override
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Not dry enough
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Barrel heaters
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Patience
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Throughput check
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Gauge variation
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Static eliminator
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - No service call
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Twin screw changes
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Underwater pelletizer
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Bevel outside
- Vol. 18 #2, Jul. 1991 - Throat cooling
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Brush wear forecasting
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Threaded commutators
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Pressure transducer handling
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Thermocouple connections 2
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Casting roll bearing
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Extrusion data sheets
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Computer simulation
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - High motor amps
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Gauge systems
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Razor knives
- Vol. 19 #1, Feb. 1992 - Troubleshooting with barrel zones
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Screw cleaning 1
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Roll edge quality
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Gel identification
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Screw drawings
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Low viscosity addition
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Temperature controller calibration
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Time dimension
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - High low melt blends
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Feed throat temperature
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Purging gels
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Sheet pinning
- Vol. 19 #2, Jun. 1992 - Seed counter
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Sheet die start up
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Extrusion trials
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Vent bleed
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Record root diameter
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Thermocouple wires
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Melt block problems
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - PET Dryer
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Color feeder calibration
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Feed throats
- Vol. 19 #3, Nov. 1992 - Worn barrel
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Feed throat configuration
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Gearpump changes
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Extruder cooling
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - PLC circuits
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Feed section
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Plot extruder performance
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Extruder drive
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Head pressure
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - The art of details
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Temperature control
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Screen packs 2
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Die heaters
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Screw flight cracks
- Vol. 20 #1, Mar. 1993 - Vent location
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Screw position
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Drive motor start up
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Easy screw disassembly
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Purging
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Worn screw
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Extruder log book
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Water cooling
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Surging
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Gear pump wear
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - How to stop a vacuum pump
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Temperature measurement 1
- Vol. 20 #2, Jul. 1993 - Shaft leakage
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Material clean out
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Screw installation 1
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Die lip buildup
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Cooling water
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Hopper segregation
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Segmented screws
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Simulations
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Lower feed zone temperature
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Coextrusion control
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Cold gearbox oil
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Overfilled gearbox
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Early detection
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Vent openings
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Zone cooling check up
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Temperature measurement 2
- Vol. 20 #3, Dec. 1993 - Turnaround delays
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Water piping
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Broken couplings
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Reversed temperature profile 1
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Warning: casting rolls
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Hot gearbox 1
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Control systems
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Product/color changeover
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Screen changing with a continuous screen changer
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Feeding low bulk density
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Adjustable melt TC
- Vol. 21 #1, Jun. 1994 - Coextrusion: melt strength
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Storage
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Barrel thermocouple maintenance
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Storage of extruders
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Hopper magnets
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Gels 1
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Flex tube safety
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Plant layout
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Level switch problems
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Reversed temperature profile 2
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Hot gearbox 2
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Liquid in feed
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Lubricate screw shank
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Protect your hand
- Vol. 21 #2, Oct. 1994 - Hose clamp safety
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Screen utilization
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Lab extruders
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Clean out dust and flake
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Vent plugging
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Predictive maintenance
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Pressure increases temperature
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Liquid injection
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - 2 machines 1 material
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Corona treater power
- Vol. 22 #1, Jun. 1995 - Water valve off
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Transducer calibration
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Bridge breaker
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Screw removal 2
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Heat transfer
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Adapter flow
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Screw installation 2
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Data collection 1
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Twin scale up
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Inconsistent gear pump output
- Vol. 22 #2, Sep. 1995 - Vent design
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Gearbox oil level
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Transducer accuracy
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Transducer removal
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Reinstalling a screw
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Brass bolts on flange collar
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Leaks
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Gear pump assembly
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Output calculations
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Start up efficiency
- Vol. 22 #3, Dec. 1995 - Motor overheating
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Pressure blips
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Static electricity build up
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Reduce static in polymer processing operations
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Screw removal 3
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Gels 2
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Melt blocking
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Purge material
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Stripping vent help
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Improved dies
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - Feed rate limited
- Vol. 23 #1, May 1996 - For safety sake 2
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Colored mixing drums
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Screw cleaning 2
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Twin screw installation
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Power factor
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Zirconia blades
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Die cleaning
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Twin screw help
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Removing gels
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Training
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Unmelt gels
- Vol. 23 #2, Oct. 1996 - Eye protection
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Extruder mounts
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Vacuum pump discharge
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Tools
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Decreased motor amps
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - New extrusion setup
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Gear pump lubrication
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Safety
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Vents 2
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Cooling water flow
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Fouling
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - Twin screw
- Vol. 23 #3, Dec. 1996 - New screw shank lubricant
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Pump acceleration rate
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Startup timers
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Vent flow
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - DC drive failure
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Extra breaker plates
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Incoming power
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Loose heaters
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - After rebuild
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Dissimilar metals
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Gels 3
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - Screw removal 4
- Vol. 24 #1, Mar. 1997 - PET dryer instrumentation
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Poor stranding
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Pressure wash extrusion lines
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Melt thermocouples
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Purge compound
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Die and screw cleaning
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Semi-works operations
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Suction pressure
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Transitioning
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Protect the pump
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Gear pumps
- Vol. 24 #2, Sep. 1997 - Protect the barrel
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Avoid feed stock fluidization
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Heater amps
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Resin supplier
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Melt delivery
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Purge
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Bolt cleaning
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Color changes
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Insulate vent
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Mold release
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Feed stock supply
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Monitor back pressure
- Vol. 24 #3, Dec. 1997 - Max RPM
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Thermocouples
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Vector drives
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Safety 2
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Sweep up
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Chromium plating test solution
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Seated TCs
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Mini microscope
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Turn the screw by hand
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Twin screw extrusion
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Monitor heaters
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Product variations
- Vol. 25 #2, Sep. 1998 - Purge 2
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Coextrusion
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Removing polymer melt
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Dehumidifying dryers
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Interactions
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Purge - close vent
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Drying temperature
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Document/Document/Document
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Melt pressure indicator
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Twin screw extruder
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Improve melt quality
- Vol. 27 #2, Nov. 1999 - Extruder screw won't push out
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Die pressure variation
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Vent flow 2
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Extruding amorphous materials 2
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Gas compressor
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Drive ratio
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Angel hair (Extrusion Hint)
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Heat exchanger
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Aligning a blown film tower
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Polymer degradation
- Vol. 27 #3, Dec. 1999 - Lap stone