Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid exchanging of calender rollers 350,352 for a calendering apparatus 302 is disclosed. The apparatus 302 has two or more generally cylindrical calender rollers 350,352 which are clamped and supported at each end by a rotatable support 314,316. A pair of the supports 314,316 are axially aligned and movable relative to the other axially aligned support. The method of exchanging rollers 350,352 includes the step of unclamping a roller 350 or 352 by increasing the spacing between the first and second rotatable supports 314,316, removing the roller 350,352, and clamping a different calender roller 350,352 between the first and second supports 314,316 by decreasing the spacing between them and engaging the respective ends of the different roller 350,352 with the first and second supports 314,316. This apparatus and method greatly facilitates rapid calender roller changeover and is particularly useful in the tire building art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a strip of elastomeric material which is extruded onto a rotating roller where it is initially shaped by a die plate and then finally shaped by a calender roll positioned downstream from the die plate and in close proximity to the surface of the roller providing a finishing gap for finally shaping the strip of elastomeric material. The calender roll may be positioned on the opposite side of the roller from the position the elastomeric material is extruded onto the roller whereby the calender roll resists forces tending to bend the roller. The extruder screw may have a downstream end adjacent the roller for reducing the pressure and for self-cleaning the apparatus.