Abstract: A method for continuous casting and granulating strands of a thermoplastic material which uses a nozzle head having a plurality of nozzle apertures of a maximum diameter of 4 mm each, and water-moistened guide member for cooling and guiding the plastic strands exiting the nozzle aperture via inlet rollers to the inlet of the cutting unit for chopping up the plastic strands into granules approx. 2-3 mm in length. The flow rate of the melt, with the strands being cooled down on their way from the nozzles via the guide member the feed rollers of the cutting unit, of at least 100 m/min in the central spatial region of the nozzle apertures will be increased to such an extent that the cutting unit will chop up the strands at a cutting rate of >2,000 cuts/s.

Abstract: A device for cooling and granulating molten thermoplastic strands (1) emerging from dies (2) which either drop along the falling line starting at the dies or are guided in an operating position through a coolant bath (9), freely stressed between guide rollers fitted in the bath and then taken into a granulator (4). In the region between the dies and the coolant bath there is a precooling device (5) which carries the plastic strands emerging from the dies and takes them to the coolant bath. Behind the precooling device there is a gripping device (21 ) with opposed clamping rollers (41, 42) which can open and shut and move along a guiding rail to grip the forward ends of the plastic strands after they have been separated by a separator (22) movable through the falling line of the strands. The rollers with the forward ends of the strands are moved along the guiding rail running through the region of the coolant bath as far as the granulator, where they release the strands thereinto.

Abstract: Device to collect and convey plastic strands, issuing from nozzles, on a discharge plate, over which cooling water flows, with a device to indicate the undisturbed passage of the plastic strands over the discharge plate or their accumulation on the discharge plate. At least one temperature-dependent electric resistor, which triggers a signal by way of a threshold value switch when the specified temperature is exceeded, is attached to a cooling water-free zone on the underside of the discharge plate in the region of impact of the plastic strands.