Abstract: A device for producing a dyed plastic melt and an undyed plastic melt includes a multi-shaft screw extruder, a first metering installation, a second metering installation, and a control installation for selecting between a first operating mode for producing the dyed plastic melt and a second operating mode for producing the undyed plastic melt. The first metering installation serves for feeding an undyed plastic material through a first infeed opening into a housing of the multi-shaft screw extruder, and the second metering installation serves for feeding at least one color granulate through a second infeed opening into the housing. The plastic material is fed exclusively by way of the first infeed opening such that residual color granulate or dyeing agent contained therein, respectively, which is still located in the second metering installation or in the region of the second infeed opening does not contaminate the undyed plastic melt.

Abstract: A device for producing dyed plastic granulate and undyed plastic granulate includes a multi-shaft screw extruder and an underwater pelletizing installation. A granulate changeover unit which separates the dyed plastic granulate from the undyed plastic granulate is disposed in a conveying direction downstream of the underwater pelletizing installation. The dyed plastic granulate is separated from the pelletizing water via a first separator installation, and the undyed plastic granulate is separated from the pelletizing water via a second separator installation. The separator installations are disposed so as to be mutually parallel. The device enables a simple, flexible and economical selective production of the dyed plastic granulate and the undyed plastic granulate.

Abstract: A device for producing a dyed plastic melt and an undyed plastic melt includes a multi-shaft screw extruder, a first metering installation, a second metering installation, and a control installation for selecting between a first operating mode for producing the dyed plastic melt and a second operating mode for producing the undyed plastic melt. The first metering installation serves for feeding an undyed plastic material through a first infeed opening into a housing of the multi-shaft screw extruder, and the second metering installation serves for feeding at least one dyeing agent through a second infeed opening into the housing. In order for the undyed plastic melt to be produced, the plastic material is fed exclusively via the first infeed opening such that residual dyeing agent which is still located in the second metering installation or in the region of the second infeed opening does not contaminate the undyed plastic melt.

Abstract: A device for producing dyed plastic granulate and undyed plastic granulate includes a multi-shaft screw extruder and an underwater pelletizing installation. A granulate changeover unit which separates the dyed plastic granulate from the undyed plastic granulate is disposed in a conveying direction downstream of the underwater pelletizing installation. The dyed plastic granulate is separated from the pelletizing water via a first separator installation, and the undyed plastic granulate is separated from the pelletizing water via a second separator installation. The separator installations are disposed so as to be mutually parallel. The device enables a simple, flexible and economical selective production of the dyed plastic granulate and the undyed plastic granulate.

Abstract: A device for producing a dyed plastic melt and an undyed plastic melt includes a multi-shaft screw extruder, a first metering installation, a second metering installation, and a control installation for selecting between a first operating mode for producing the dyed plastic melt and a second operating mode for producing the undyed plastic melt. The first metering installation serves for feeding an undyed plastic material through a first infeed opening into a housing of the multi-shaft screw extruder, and the second metering installation serves for feeding at least one color granulate through a second infeed opening into the housing. The plastic material is fed exclusively by way of the first infeed opening such that residual color granulate or dyeing agent contained therein, respectively, which is still located in the second metering installation or in the region of the second infeed opening does not contaminate the undyed plastic melt.

Abstract: A process for separating low molecular weight compounds from a crude polycaproamide melt comprises heat treating the melt in vacuo with superheated steam, in an extruder having a plurality of degassing zones, under precise conditions of temperature, pressure and configuration, such that the occurrence of side reactions and dehydration of the melt are substantially eliminated, the molecular weight of the polymer during the heat treatment in vacuo, during transport and subsequent processing remains substantially unchanged, a residual content of low molecular weight compounds of .ltoreq.1.8% is achieved, and the operating flexibility of the process is increased.