Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for automatic extrudate loading and alignment. An extrudate handling system includes a head end assembly and an imaging device (which may be part of the head end assembly). The imaging device is configured to image an end face of an extrudate, and generate, during translation of the extrudate, an imaging output signal indicative of a rotational position of the end face of the extrudate. The head end assembly includes a rotational effector to rotate the extrudate during translation thereof and a fixed effector rotationally fixed relative to a track. The extrudate handling system is able to determine the rotational position of the web angle of the extrudate and precisely adjust the rotational position while linearly translating the extrudate along the track. The extrudate handling system provides greater accuracy, reduced costs, and improved results.

Abstract: A method of drying a green ceramic honeycomb body (20) comprising: moving the body (20) through a drying system (50) comprising interconnected microwave devices (60), wherein each microwave device (D1, D2, D3) comprises an entrance (62a, 62b, 62c) located at an upstream end and an exit (64a, 64b, 64c) located at a downstream end of the microwave device (D1, D2, D3), the ends defining a downstream direction (72) and an upstream direction (74) in each of the devices (D1, D2, D3); removing moisture from the body (20) by irradiating the body (20) with microwave radiation within each of the devices (D1, D2, D3); and flowing air against the outer peripheral wall (22) of the body (20) while the body (20) is located in each of the microwave devices (D1, D2, D3).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for automatic extrudate loading and alignment. An extrudate handling system includes a head end assembly and an imaging device (which may be part of the head end assembly). The imaging device is configured to image an end face of an extrudate, and generate, during translation of the extrudate, an imaging output signal indicative of a rotational position of the end face of the extrudate. The head end assembly includes a rotational effector to rotate the extrudate during translation thereof and a fixed effector rotationally fixed relative to a track. The extrudate handling system is able to determine the rotational position of the web angle of the extrudate and precisely adjust the rotational position while linearly translating the extrudate along the track. The extrudate handling system provides greater accuracy, reduced costs, and improved results.

Abstract: A composition for applying to a honeycomb body includes a refractory filler, an organic binder, an inorganic binder, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the refractory filler, the particle size distribution of the refractory filler, the organic binder, and the inorganic binder are selected such that, when the composition is applied to plug a plurality of channels of the honeycomb body, the plug depth variability is reduced.

Abstract: Microwave drying of ceramic honeycomb logs using a customizable cover that can take the form of a flexible wrap or a rigid cover is disclosed. The cover can be in the form of a wrap disposed directly in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. The cover can also be a rigid cover disposed adjacent but not in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. At least a portion of the trailing edge of the log can remain uncovered either by having windows in the wrap or by the rigid cover only covering the leading edge of the log surface. The customizable cover can be configured to compensate for log shape deformities as well as or in addition to the adverse effect on log shape cause by the drying differential created by passing a log through a microwave drying station leading-edge first.

Abstract: A composition for applying to a honeycomb body includes a refractory filler, an organic binder, an inorganic binder, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the refractory filler, the particle size distribution of the refractory filler, the organic binder, and the inorganic binder are selected such that, when the composition is applied to plug a plurality of channels of the honeycomb body, the plug depth variability is reduced.

Abstract: A composition for applying to a honeycomb body includes a refractory filler, an organic binder, an inorganic binder, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the refractory filler, the particle size distribution of the refractory filler, the organic binder, and the inorganic binder are selected such that, when the composition is applied to plug a plurality of channels of the honeycomb body, the plug depth variability is reduced.

Abstract: Microwave drying of ceramic honeycomb logs using a customizable cover that can take the form of a flexible wrap or a rigid cover is disclosed. The cover can be in the form of a wrap disposed directly in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. The cover can also be a rigid cover disposed adjacent but not in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. At least a portion of the trailing edge of the log can remain uncovered either by having windows in the wrap or by the rigid cover only covering the leading edge of the log surface. The customizable cover can be configured to compensate for log shape deformities as well as or in addition to the adverse effect on log shape cause by the drying differential created by passing a log through a microwave drying station leading-edge first.

Abstract: Microwave drying of ceramic honeycomb logs using a customizable cover that can take the form of a flexible wrap or a rigid cover is disclosed. The cover can be in the form of a wrap disposed directly in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. The cover can also be a rigid cover disposed adjacent but not in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. At least a portion of the trailing edge of the log can remain uncovered either by having windows in the wrap or by the rigid cover only covering the leading edge of the log surface. The customizable cover can be configured to compensate for log shape deformities as well as or in addition to the adverse effect on log shape cause by the drying differential created by passing a log through a microwave drying station leading-edge first.

Abstract: A composition for applying to a honeycomb body includes a refractory filler, an organic binder, an inorganic binder, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the refractory filler, the particle size distribution of the refractory filler, the organic binder, and the inorganic binder are selected such that, when the composition is applied to plug a plurality of channels of the honeycomb body, the plug depth variability is reduced.

Abstract: A composition for applying to a honeycomb body includes a refractory filler, an organic binder, an inorganic binder, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the refractory filler, the particle size distribution of the refractory filler, the organic binder, and the inorganic binder are selected such that, when the composition is applied to plug a plurality of channels of the honeycomb body, the plug depth variability is reduced.

Abstract: A composition for applying to a honeycomb body includes a refractory filler, an organic binder, an inorganic binder, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the refractory filler, the particle size distribution of the refractory filler, the organic binder, and the inorganic binder are selected such that, when the composition is applied to plug a plurality of channels of the honeycomb body, the plug depth variability is reduced.

Abstract: Microwave drying of ceramic honeycomb logs using a customizable cover that can take the form of a flexible wrap or a rigid cover is disclosed. The cover can be in the form of a wrap disposed directly in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. The cover can also be a rigid cover disposed adjacent but not in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. At least a portion of the trailing edge of the log can remain uncovered either by having windows in the wrap or by the rigid cover only covering the leading edge of the log surface. The customizable cover can be configured to compensate for log shape deformities as well as or in addition to the adverse effect on log shape cause by the drying differential created by passing a log through a microwave drying station leading-edge first.