Abstract: An extruder, such as a double-screw extruder includes a double cylinder and a double-lead screw arranged therein with a drive train for the screw. The drive train has a coupling with the screw. The extruder includes a sensor for recording a moment load having torque and/or bending moment and for generating electronic data from the recorded moment load. A controller is provided in operative connection to a drive for the drive train and the sensor is in data connection with the controller. The controller is adapted to evaluate the data on the recorded moment load and to trigger a protective action if a threshold value set in the controller is exceeded. The evaluation includes a bending moment calculation. A plastic molding plant produces a film with the extruder along with a nozzle unit and a cooling and wind-up unit or a compounding plant. A method for operating such a plant for manufacturing a film includes the extruder.