Abstract: An extrusion die includes a plurality of studs, a tuning assembly and a restrictor member. The tuning assembly comprises a wedge member, first and second adjustment members, and an adjustment control having a rotatable single point adjustment member. The wedge member is coupled to first ends of the studs and includes a first and second plurality of channels within. The first and second adjustment members have a plurality of protrusions, each of which is positioned within a respective one of the first and second plurality of channels. The restrictor member extends in the longitudinal direction and is coupled to second ends of the studs. Rotation of the single point adjustment causes each of the protrusions to move within each respective channel forcing the wedge member, the studs, and the restrictor member to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: A method for replacing one or more components of a lip adjustment assembly mounted to a die body of an extrusion die is disclosed. Initially, a translating unit of the lip adjustment assembly is accessed through an exposed end of the lip adjustment assembly. Then, an adjustment actuator is removed from a translator of the translating unit. The translator is decoupled from a rod of the translating unit so that the translator is removable from the lip adjustment assembly and with respect to the rod. Next, the translator is removed from the lip adjustment assembly and a first component of the translating unit is replaced with a second component of the translating unit.

Abstract: A coextrusion feedblock is disclosed having a housing, a central extrusion channel, a coextrusion channel, a rotatable combining plane, a rotatable profile actuator, and a profiled bar mounted removably on the rotatable profile actuator. The central extrusion channel and the coextrusion channel pass through the housing. The rotatable combining plane and the rotatable profile actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the coextrusion channel so as to confront each other.

Abstract: A method for replacing one or more components of a lip adjustment assembly mounted to a die body of an extrusion die is disclosed. Initially, a translating unit of the lip adjustment assembly is accessed through an exposed end of the lip adjustment assembly. Then, an adjustment actuator is removed from a translator of the translating unit. The translator is decoupled from a rod of the translating unit so that the translator is removable from the lip adjustment assembly and with respect to the rod. Next, the translator is removed from the lip adjustment assembly and a first component of the translating unit is replaced with a second component of the translating unit.

Abstract: An extrusion die includes a first die body having a first lip, and a second die body having a second lip. A lip adjustment assembly is mounted to the first die body and configured to adjust the position of the first lip relative to the second lip to thereby adjust a thickness of the extrudate that exits the gap. The lip adjustment has translating unit that includes translator, a mounting member coupled to the translator, and a rod coupled to the mounting member so that the translator is fixed with respect to the rod. The mounting member is configured to be accessible from the exposed end to decouple the translator from the rod so as to remove the translator from the lip adjustment assembly.

Abstract: An extrusion die includes a plurality of studs, a tuning assembly and a restrictor member. The tuning assembly comprises a wedge member, first and second adjustment members, and an adjustment control having a rotatable single point adjustment member. The wedge member is coupled to first ends of the studs and includes a first and second plurality of channels within. The first and second adjustment members have a plurality of protrusions, each of which is positioned within a respective one of the first and second plurality of channels. The restrictor member extends in the longitudinal direction and is coupled to second ends of the studs. Rotation of the single point adjustment causes each of the protrusions to move within each respective channel forcing the wedge member, the studs, and the restrictor member to move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion die includes a first die body having a first lip, and a second die body having a second lip. A lip adjustment assembly is mounted to the first die body and configured to adjust the position of the first lip relative to the second lip to thereby adjust a thickness of the extrudate that exits the gap. The lip adjustment has translating unit that includes translator, a mounting member coupled to the translator, and a rod coupled to the mounting member so that the translator is fixed with respect to the rod. The mounting member is configured to be accessible from the exposed end to decouple the translator from the rod so as to remove the translator from the lip adjustment assembly.

Abstract: A coextrusion feedblock is disclosed having a housing, a central extrusion channel, a coextrusion channel, a rotatable combining plane, a rotatable profile actuator, and a profiled bar mounted removably on the rotatable profile actuator. The central extrusion channel and the coextrusion channel pass through the housing. The rotatable combining plane and the rotatable profile actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the coextrusion channel so as to confront each other.

Abstract: A system and method of regulating a pressure of a fluid with a valve block having a valve block inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of an extruder and a valve block outlet in fluid communication with a die. A transducer in fluid communication with the flow channel and in signal communication with a controller of the motor can sense a pressure and communicate the pressure to a controller of a motor. The motor can adjust a position of a valve to regulate the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

Abstract: An extrusion die is provided with an external deckle assembly, an internal deckle assembly, or both. One embodiment provides an extrusion die having a wedge-actuated external deckle assembly. A seal member of the external deckle assembly moves to a sealed position in response to movement of the wedge in a first direction. Another embodiment provides an extrusion die with an internal deckle assembly having a deckle rod support system. The internal deckle assembly includes a deckle rod and a transversely elongated support engaged with the deckle rod to restrain the deckle rod against bending.

Abstract: A layer multiplication device may include a housing and at least one layer multiplication insert positioned inside the housing. The housing may have an inlet configured to receive a flow stream, an outlet configured to discharge the flow stream, and a flow cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. In operation, the layer multiplication insert may divide an incoming flow stream so as to multiply the flow stream into at least a first flow stream and a second flow stream. In some examples, the inlet provides an inlet flow volume equal to a cross-sectional area of the housing at the inlet multiplied by a length of the flow cavity, the flow cavity defines a cavity flow volume, and the cavity flow volume is equal to or greater than the inlet flow volume.

Abstract: A layer multiplication device may include a housing and at least one layer multiplication insert positioned inside the housing. The housing may have an inlet configured to receive a flow stream, an outlet configured to discharge the flow stream, and a flow cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. In operation, the layer multiplication insert may divide an incoming flow stream so as to multiply the flow stream into at least a first flow stream and a second flow stream. In some examples, the inlet provides an inlet flow volume equal to a cross-sectional area of the housing at the inlet multiplied by a length of the flow cavity, the flow cavity defines a cavity flow volume, and the cavity flow volume is equal to or greater than the inlet flow volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for scraping a lip of an extrusion die includes a scraping surface pressed against the lip. The scraping surface is movable along the lip of the die to clean debris, such as hardened thermoplastic, from the surface of the lip. The scraping surface may be removable and/or replaceable. A method of cleaning the extrusion die includes pressing the scraping surface against the lip of the extrusion die and traversing the scraping surface along the lip in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for scraping a lip of an extrusion die includes a scraping surface pressed against the lip. The scraping surface is movable along the lip of the die to clean debris, such as hardened thermoplastic, from the surface of the lip. The scraping surface may be removable and/or replaceable. A method of cleaning the extrusion die includes pressing the scraping surface against the lip of the extrusion die and traversing the scraping surface along the lip in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An extrusion die includes a pair of die body portions that together define flow passages and toggle clamps that clamp the die body portions together.

Abstract: A feedblock for supplying a multi-layer stream of polymeric material to an extrusion die is provided wherein the dimension of at least some of the layers of the multi-layer stream can be precisely adjusted and/or controlled. The feedblock includes a primary flow path which is used to create a first layer and two secondary flow paths which are used to create a set of second and third layers. The secondary flow paths are positioned relative to the primary flow path such that the second and third layers are deposited on opposing sides of the primary layer in a sandwich-like configuration. Each of the secondary flow paths include a contoured slot through which a secondary fluid stream of polymeric material is deposited onto a primary stream of polymeric fluid flowing in the primary flow path. The contoured slot is geometrically shaped such that adjusting the position of the contoured slot alters the shape of the secondary fluid stream as it is deposited onto the primary flow path.