Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for forming simultaneously two or more elastomeric strips of predetermined cross-sectional profiles from a material. The material is received from an extruder into an inlet channel where it is divided into a first and a second angled flow passage. The material passes through a transition area where it is straightened out and the center of mass of the material is moved into alignment with the center of a divertor located in a downstream discharge channel. The material is then discharged into a preformer and die.

Abstract: A roller die preformer for use in an extrusion system to form wide extruded components, such as a rubber tire tread, on a surface of a roller. The roller die preformer includes a flow inlet, a flow outlet and a laterally expanding flow channel extending from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. A flow restrictor is configured within the flow channel to urge the flow of material toward the lateral extremities of the flow channel to thereby form an extruded component at the flow outlet having a lateral width which is greater than the lateral width of the flow inlet of the preformer.