Abstract: A dough dispensing apparatus (100) comprises a container (1,1?) for receiving and holding dough and a dough transfer device (3,3?) for receiving dough from the container and for transferring the dough to a depositing station (4,5) at which the dough is deposited onto a conveying means (12) for further processing steps to be carried out on the dough.

Abstract: Injection molding and blow molding systems that include screws having low L:D ratios are provided. The systems are capable of producing microcellular polymeric materials. In some cases, the systems may be formed by retrofitting conventional polymer processing systems. Retrofitting may involve changing (e.g., machining or replacing) existing components of the conventional system, as well as, adding new components to the system. For example, retrofitting generally involves replacing the conventional polymer processing screw with a new screw designed to satisfy conditions needed for processing microcellular materials. In other cases, the systems may be newly manufactured. The retrofitted or newly manufactured systems of the invention are considerably less expensive than newly manufactured microcellular processing systems having higher L:D ratios.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved mixer section for a screw for a molding machine. The improved mixer section includes at least one conveying flight and at least one spill flight intersecting with the conveying flight. At least one notch is formed in the conveying flight to enable mixing between adjacent flow channels. The spill flight terminates near the output of the mixer to create a trap zone for any unmelts that reach that area of the mixer.

Abstract: Foamed molded articles can be produced during an injection molding process, among other things, by utilizing physical blowing agents. Existing technologies differ to the greatest possible extent in the manner how the blowing agent is introduced into the melt. One possibility is to supply the blowing agent via mixing elements (9) from porous or permeable material that are provided across the screw piston (1) and which by means of a suitable blowing agent input unit load and homogeneously charge the melt with blowing agent during the metering phase of the polymeric material. The resulting single phase polymer/blowing agent mixture, when injected in to an injection mold tool, produces due to a reduction in pressure, a foam-textured part.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and articles useful in the production of foams, and, in particular microcellular foams. The systems include a restriction element that reduces the backflow of polymer melt in an extruder while polymeric material is injected into a mold or ejected from a die. The restriction element is positioned upstream of a blowing agent injection port to maintain the solution of polymer and blowing agent in the extruder above a minimum pressure throughout an injection or ejection cycle, and preferably above the critical pressure required for the maintenance of a single-phase solution of polymer and blowing agent. The systems can be used in injection molding, blow molding, or in any other processing techniques that include injection or ejection cycles. In some embodiments, the systems utilize reciprocating screws for injection or ejection.

Abstract: A controllable microscopic bubble nucleation in fluid polymer material production method and apparatus utilizing a gas pipe disposed in the conveyance screw shaft of an injection or extraction forming mechanism and a microbubble generating component, such as a microscopic perforation vented metal head or a microscopic perforation ceramic head, installed at the front extremity of the conveyance screw shaft. At the rear extremity of the gas pipe, a pressurization pump or a high pressure gas storage tank is admitted from an air intake opening, enabling the gas to be indirectly heated by an electric heater on the materials pipe. The high temperature gas is thereafter outputted from the microscopic perforations of the microbubble generating component such that high temperature microscopic bubbles are directly admitted into the section of liquid polymer material which is then uniformly amalgamated by the conveyance screw shaft and then deposited into a forming die.

Abstract: An injection molding screw for metal injection molding includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal body with a first stage and a second stage extending axially along a length of the screw between the ends, a pressure retention device, and optionally, a screw tip. The pressure retention element minimizes loss of pressure in the second stage portion.

Abstract: A process for injection-foaming a thermoplastic resin by using an injection molding machine with a two-stage-compression screw, injecting a physical foaming agent into the cylinder of the machine at a pressure lower than the storage pressure of the physical foaming agent, mixing it with a melted resin and expanding the volume of the cavity of the mold at the time of injection, and an injection molding machine and resin composition suitable therefore.

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus comprises a shaping die for producing a ceramic molded product, and a screw extruder having built therein an extruding screw (40) for mixing while leading a ceramic material forward. The extruding screw (40) includes a pressing screw portion (410) having a first lead (411) and a dispersing screw portion (420) having a second lead (421) adjacent to a forward end (412) of the pressing screw portion (410). The second lead (421) is formed in such a manner that the rear ends of all the second lead surfaces (426) at the rear end (422) of the dispersing screw portion (420) and the forward end of the first lead surface (416) at the forward end (412) of the pressing screw portion (410) are displaced from each other.

Abstract: The extruding apparatus has the molding die to form the ceramic molding, the screw extruder containing the extrusion screw to knead and guide the ceramic material toward the molding die. The extrusion screw is comprised of the pressure screw part and the diffusion screw part. The diffusion screw part provided at the front end of the extrusion screw has a diameter greater than the screw diameter of the pressure screw part.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.

Abstract: An extruder capable of obtaining a treatment volume equal to that of the conventional art without enlarging a screw diameter is provided. The extruder includes screw shafts, a drive unit, and a barrel, in which three or more screw shafts having the same diameter and the same root diameter in a waveform shape are engaged with each other and arranged in parallel to each other horizontally or nearly horizontally, while a distance between axial centers is made equal. According to the above configuration, the same treatment volume as that of a conventional extruder can be handled by screw shafts of smaller diameter as compared with that of the conventional art. By using the screw shafts of the smaller diameter as compared with the conventional art, temperature irregularities of an extrusion material in screw grooves, leakage of the extrusion material from the screw shafts, an installation area of the extruder, and the like conventional trouble of various kinds can be eliminated.

Abstract: A foaming agent charging and mixing device comprises at least one mixing device and one foaming agent metering device, wherein the foaming agent charging and mixing device may be arranged between an plasticating screw and a mold. In order to improve the foaming agent charging and mixing device in a manner that the mixing with foaming agent is facilitated and at the same time a risk of obstruction of the foaming agent metering device is avoided, the foaming agent metering device is alternately opened and closed through the mixing device during operation thereof for supplying foaming agent to the plastic melting.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a resin material to an injection molder comprises a vessel for storing a resin material, gas supplying means for supplying an inert gas to the vessel which is not a super-critical state, and material supplying means for supplying the resin material from the vessel to an injection molder.

Abstract: An injection molding device includes a continuously operating extruder and a discontinuously operating injection unit receiving plastic material from the extruder. The extruder has an extruder barrel which includes a plasticizing zone and a discharge zone, whereby the discharge zone is configured to provide an intermediate storage space and has a cross sectional area which is greater than a cross sectional area of the plasticizing zone. In this way, the discharge zone provides a buffer volume which is filled during the injection process and then emptied again.

Abstract: An apparatus for homogenizing and/or dispersing at least one viscous substance and at least one solid and/or at least one other substance of different viscosity includes in a space in a housing axis-parallel rotatable shafts disposed along a circle with equal central-angle distance and provided with tightly intermeshing screw elements. The shafts in the area outside the openings in the housing are provided with screw elements having a pitch (S) of at most three quarters of the outside screw diameter (D) over a length (L=L1+L2+L3) corresponding to at least ten times the outside diameter (D) of the screw elements.

Abstract: An extruder for welding plastic components, comprising a front part for plasticizing and ejecting additional plastic welding material, and a rear part, for feeding and breaking up a continuous filament made of the additional plastic material. The rear part comprises a feed channel that cooperates with a worm screw for the advancement of the filament. The feed channel is delimited by the thread of the worm screw on one side and by a sliding surface for the filament on the opposite side. The distance between the sliding surface and the crest of the thread decreases in the direction in which the filament is fed, in order to provide scoring of increasing depth on the filament. The thread comprises at least one discontinuity of the worm that has a sharp discontinuity end for cropping the filament at the scoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the step of plasticizing a thermoplastic resin material by rotatably driving a screw (20). Also included in the method is the step of injecting an inert gas into a screw cylinder (1) to permeate the melted resin and injecting the melted resin into a mold by driving the screw (20) in the direction of injection. Here, the inert gas has a pressure, at least in pressure, equal to or greater than a supercritical pressure or is under a supercritical state. To provide a thermoplastic resin foam by the method, electric servomotors (31, 32) are employed to drive the screw (20). After the step of plasticizing the resin material has been completed, brakes are applied to the electric servomotors (31, 32) to prevent the screw (20) from retreating. Alternatively, even after the step of plasticizing the resin material has been completed, the screw (20) is driven at low speeds in the direction of plasticization until immediately before the step of injecting the melted resin is initiated.

Abstract: The present invention includes a screw tip for an extruder screw for effecting mixing in an extruder. The screw tip has a substantially conical outside surface and at least one discontinuous fin. The at least one fin protrudes from the outside surface of the screw tip.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an injection molding process for preparing thermoplastic resin molded articles and an injection molding apparatus for use in practicing this process, the process and the apparatus being adapted to supply a blowing agent, especially a nonreactive gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas, to a thermoplastic resin continuously at a relatively low pressure with good stability to incorporate the agent or gas into the resin. As shown in FIG. 3, a resin in a cylinder (2) of an injection molding machine (1) as melted by rotating a screw (3) is mixed and dissolves carbon dioxide which is supplied to the molten resin from a gas supply opening (5) formed in the screw (3). An amount of the gas-incorporating molten resin is measured out and injected into a mold cavity to obtain an expansion-molded article.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding method comprising supplying a gas into a molten resin in a plasticizing cylinder and injecting the molten resin having the gas dissolved therein, wherein when the resin is being plasticized, a gas space with a predetermined gas pressure is formed within the plasticizing cylinder in a gas supply section and the pressure at the front end of the screw is adjusted to be at least equal to the gas pressure in the gas space and within a range where the gas space can be maintained within the plasticizing cylinder in the gas supply section. According to the invention, the necessary amount of gas can be dissolved in the molten resin with good reproducibility in a quantitative manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder for the preparation of rubber mixtures for elastomeric products and comprises a cylinder, an endless screw rotatably mounted in the cylinder for uptake transport and homogenization of the rubber mixture, and an extrusion tool; wherein the endless screw is configured with zones of multiple treads in dependence of varying helix angle and depth of thread so that the rubber mixture transported through the zones undergoes a temperature increase through heat dissipation to such an extent that the temperature of the extrudate approaches the vulcanization temperature thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cleansing bar having well-defined platelet striations therein which comprises extruding a cleansing bar composition having platelets therein to form a cleansing bar using an extruder having a perforated barrier across the cross section of the extruder, wherein the perforated barrier is located at a sufficient distance downstream from the spider to allow well-defined platelet striations to be observed in the finished cleansing bar with the human eye. The perforated barrier is located at a distance from the spider equal to at least about 60%, preferably at least about 70%, of the distance from the spider to the extruder cone outlet of the extruder. Generally, a standard extruder cone length from spider to cone outlet is about 483 mm to about 560 mm.

Abstract: An injection molding screw for metal injection molding includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal body with a first stage and a second stage extending axially along a length of the screw between the ends, a pressure retention device, and optionally, a screw tip. The pressure retention element minimizes loss of pressure in the second stage portion.

Abstract: An extruder is provided having a transfer region that, in an extruder sleeve, is provided with ribs between which extend flow channels. Disposed opposite the sleeve flow channels are flow channels formed in the extruder screw, and the sum of the cross-sections of the flow channels, when viewed in the direction of extrusion, is shifted toward the sleeve and then toward the screw. The ribs (20) of the extrusion sleeve (12) at the ridges facing the screw (14) have a width that is at least one third, especially at least one half, and preferably approximately 80 to 100% of the width of the flow channels (22). Provided between the ridges of the ribs (20) of the extruder sleeve (12) and of the screw (14) is a gap (24) of more than 0.5%, in particular of about one percent of the diameter of the screw (14).

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are horizontally disposed between the rifling and compressed in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally horizontally disposed, circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices waxed cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into waxed cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the waxed cardboard strips into waxed cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper segments and waxed cardboard segments mix.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are horizontally disposed between the rifling and compressed in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally horizontally disposed, circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices waxed cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into waxed cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the waxed cardboard strips into waxed cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper segments and waxed cardboard segments mix.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the processing of plastic particles, in particular from shredded plastic waste, into a moulding mass that can be injection moulded and to improve their transport into injection moulding moulds. To achieve this, noxious fractions of the moulding mass are degasified and eliminated in a purification stage and a plasticizing screw designed for this purpose is configured in such a way, that an outlet leading to the environment is provided for the gases to be eliminated in a purification area with a reduced working pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of fiber-reinforced plastic compositions. The apparatus addresses the disadvantages of previous methods and apparatuses for the manufacture of fiber-reinforced plastic compositions using a plasticizing extruder. Some embodiments of the apparatus may increase and/or better define the fiber content in the plasticate, as well as improve performance in the production of plasticates from fiber fleeces and fiber mats. Embodiments include an apparatus with a plasticizing extruder with adapted geometry of the extruder casing and the corresponding screw elements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing elastomer compounds for use in the production of rubbers. At least one elastomer to be processed for the production of an elastomer mixture can be slowly added to a mixer/extruder and is mixed and plasticized and/or masticated (melted) while it passes through the mixer/extruder. The elastomer, when slowly added to the mixer/extruder, can be present in a fluid medium in an evenly distributed form.

Abstract: An extruder, in particular for elastomer material, is described, the extruder being of the type comprising an extruder body provided with a cylindrical chamber inside which an extrusion screw is rotatably inserted, and a plurality of mixing pin members inserted in the casing of the cylindrical chamber and projecting inside the the chamber, wherein each pin member is arranged tangential to the core of the screw, opposite interruptions in the thread of the screw and passes through the whole of the chamber, engaging in both the opposite walls of the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing stiffness-taper tubing includes a die having an extrusion hole, a die holder for holding the die, and a mandrel mounted inside the die holder and that fits in the extrusion hole. The apparatus forms stiffness-taper tubing by switching between and supplying resins having different stiffnesses over the mandrel from a plurality of resin-supply ports formed in the die holder such that the stiffness gradually changes in the lengthwise direction. A mandrel insertion hole connecting to the extrusion hole is formed in the die holder and the mandrel is mounted in this mandrel insertion hole. The plurality of resin-supply ports open to a cylindrical space formed between the inner surface of the mandrel insertion hole and the outer surface of the mandrel at a position separated from the extrusion hole in the die, and the plurality of resins flow together in this space.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a screw (7) bearingly supported within a housing (6), in particular of an extruder, for processing of pre-comminuted synthetic plastics material, in particular PET, has a filling opening (5) for the screw housing (6). This filling opening (5) is in flow connection with the lower outflow opening (4) of an upright receptacle 81) for the material to be processed. Within the receptacle (1), tools (30, 31) circulate around a, preferably vertical, axis, which tool act onto the material positioned within the receptacle (1). This material is introduced into the evacuable receptacle (1) through a sluice (60). A quickly circulating tool (30) for creating a mixing cone (71) is disposed between an upper interior portion (68) and a lower interior portion (69) of the receptacle (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for casting hollow-core concrete products, in which method concrete mix is fed into a mold of a delimited cross section traveling on a casting bed. According to the invention, the concrete mix is compacted with the help of vibratory shoes operating downstream of the concrete mix feed means, and the correct shape of the hollow-core cavities is maintained with the help of troweling mandrels.

Abstract: Disclosed is an injection unit having a rotatable device for preventing reverse flow. To connect first flow channels formed in a spacer and second flow channels formed in a screw head when the metering is performed, and prevent reverse flow of resin by cutting off the first flow channels and the second flow channels when the resin is injected, the injection unit has a torsion spring as spring means between a shaft of the screw head and a screw, thereby rapidly preventing movement of the melted resin by restoring force of the spring when the metering of the resin is finished.

Abstract: An injection apparatus includes an injection frame, a stator attached to the injection frame, a rotor disposed radially inward of the stator to be rotatable relative to the stator, and a ball screw disposed radially inward of the rotor. The rotor includes a hollow and cylindrical member disposed radially outward of the ball screw, and a magnet attached to an outer circumference of the hollow and cylindrical member.

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus capable of improving the extrusion rate of the ceramic material without a major reconstruction of a drive system is disclosed. The extrusion molding apparatus comprises screw extruders (2, 3) including housings (29, 39) having screws (4, 5) built therein, wherein the ceramic material introduced into the housings (29, 39), respectively, is extruded by way of the forward end extrusion ports by rotating the screws (4, 5). The screws (4, 5) built in the screw extruders (2, 3), respectively, include pressure portions (41, 51) with the feed rate per revolution progressively decreased toward the forward end extrusion port, and extended portions (43, 53) with the feed rate per revolution progressively increased toward the forward end extrusion port.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system in which carbon dioxide is supplied to a pressure chamber of a molten resin preparing apparatus which has established a certain temperature environment to diffuse the carbon dioxide in a material synthetic resin in a molten state. After turning the material synthetic resin into a gas-dissolving-resin in the pressure chamber, the gas-dissolving-resin is supplied to a mold space of a molding apparatus for compression molding. The pressure inside the mold space is quickly lowered by raising an upper mold of the molding apparatus quickly, whereby a foamed article is produced from the gas-dissolving-resin in the mold space.

Abstract: An extruder for extruding extrudate is provided and includes a generally cylindrical barrel portion having an end face. A screw conveyor is rotatably arranged coaxially within the barrel portion and has a downstream end. The screw conveyor has helical flights that define a first flow path with the barrel for the extrudate. The first flow path has a first cross-sectional area. An adapter is arranged on the end face of the barrel portion and defines an exit portion of the extruder. A screw tip is secured to the downstream end of the screw conveyor and extends into the adapter. The screw tip and the adapter define a second flow path for the extrudate with a second cross-section area being at least as large as the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: The invention is addressed to the problem of providing a method whereby a mixing of bulk material containing fibers (fiber material) and plastic granules for the plasticate extrusion of long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) will be possible during the melting process with high production outputs and with minimized material content in the extruder system and minimized fiber damage, and to the problem of creating an apparatus with an extruder for the practice of the method, which will have an extruder housing of modified geometry as to the feed opening and the corresponding screw elements, so that the disadvantages described above are avoided.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of manufacture utilizing significant amounts of R-PET and the preform and/or beverage bottle produced thereby. The method preferably comprises washing colored beverage bottles and substantially clear beverage bottles to remove any surface filth, forming colored R-PET flakes from the washed colored beverage bottles, and forming substantially clear R-PET flakes from the washed substantially clear beverage bottles. The colored R-PET flakes are preferably blended with the substantially clear R-PET flakes to form blended flakes having substantially homogenous color. The blended flakes are color corrected if so desired, and the blended flakes are then pelletized. The pelletized flakes are preferably combined with V-PET to form a preform which is then preferably shaped into a beverage bottle.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the continuous production of rubber mixtures, rubber is introduced into a short-screw extruder for subsequent plasticization.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.

Abstract: A screw rotates in a containment barrel, and comprises a shaft having an upstream end and a downstream end At least one flight is secured to the surface of the shaft and extends helically in successive turns around the circumference of the shaft. An upstream barrier member extends radially from the surface of the shaft and generally transversely between successive turns of the flight. The upstream barrier is disposed proximal the upstream end of the shaft. A downstream barrier member extends radially from the surface of the shaft and generally transversely between successive turns of the flight. The downstream barrier is disposed proximal the downstream end of the shaft.

Abstract: An extruder, in particular for elastomer material, is described, said extruder being of the type comprising an extruder body (1) provided with a cylindrical chamber (2) inside which an extrusion screw (3) is rotatably inserted, and a plurality of mixing pin members (4) inserted in the casing of the cylindrical chamber (2) and projecting inside the said chamber (2), wherein each pin member (4) is arranged tangential to the core of said screw (3), opposite interruptions in thread of the screw (3) and passes through the whole of the chamber (2), engaging in both the opposite walls of said casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding plastic, including a plastic feed, an extruder, a colored liquid additive supply, a positive displacement metering pump, and a controller. The extruder has a housing receiving plastic from the plastic feed, a heat source, and a screw adapted to drive plastic through the housing The pump supplies colored liquid additive from the supply to the plastic in the phase change section of the extruder housing. The controller controls the drive rate of the screw and the pump to supply a selected volume of colored liquid additive per unit of time which is based on the drive rate of the screw. In use, the extruder is converted to adding a different color without cleaning the housing feeding section.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing fibre-reinforced plastic components whereby, a reactive starting mixture is prepared from a starting material and injected into a cavity in a mould containing a fibre-type mass, whereby the reactive molten mass along with the fibre-type mass is transformed by means of a polymeric reaction into a fibre-reinforced plastic component. A heated plasticising unit with screw feed system, prepares the starting material as a low viscosity, reactive molten mass, and the reactive molten mass is conveyed by the screw feed system from the plasticising unit and injected either directly or indirectly into the cavity of the mould.

Abstract: An extruder for producing a thermoplastic material having a first and second portion, namely, an axially extending barrel; first and second screw conveyers co-axially disposed within said barrel, said second screw conveyer co-axially disposed within said first screw conveyer with relative rotatable movement between said first and second screw conveyers so as to define a first passage for conveying thermoplastic material from an input to a melt zone and then an output and define a second passage from said melt zone to said output; a connecting passage for communication between said first and second passages whereby a first portion of said thermoplastic melt is conveyed through said first passage to said output and another portion of said thermoplastic melt is conveyed through said connecting passage and through said second passage to said output; means for changing the characteristic of said portion; means for merging said first and second portions together.

Abstract: A liquid phase continuous reactor comprising a screw within a barrel, the screw and the barrel being relatively rotatable and defining a mixing zone therebetween, the barrel having at least one inlet for introduction of components for mixing into the barrel and an outlet for discharge of product from the barrel, the screw having at least one spiral groove whereby relative rotation of the screw and barrel is adapted to axially transport the components between the screw and the barrel while mixing the components and to extrude the product through the outlet, wherein the land surface area between the spiral groove forms at least 50% of the surface area of the screw in the mixing zone.

Abstract: An extruder apparatus for compounding thermoplastic resin and reinforcing fibers is disclosed. Molten thermoplastic resin is mixed in intimate contact with long reinforcing fibers of at least one and one quarter inches in length under the control of a sophisticated computer system, resulting in charge ready for molding.