Abstract: An extruder temperature controller for an extruder barrel and a method for controlling the temperature of an extruder barrel, includes a device for determining an actual screw speed and for storing a plurality of screw speeds. Each member of the plurality of stored screw speeds has a corresponding stored temperature reset value. The extruder temperature controller has a device for comparing and selecting that compares the actual screw speed to each of the plurality of stored screw speeds and selects a default screw speed. The default screw speed has a smaller deviation from the actual screw speed than any other member of the compared, stored screw speeds. The controller further includes a device for generating a control output driver signal to a heat exchanger. The control output driver signal is the corresponding stored temperature reset value for the default screw speed.

Abstract: An extrusion drive control system for control of extrusion process machinery driven elements. A drive interface unit is adapted for use with any of a variety of drive motors and regulators. The interface unit accepts analog condition information signals from the drive motor and regulator, having any of a plurality of predetermined input characteristics, and provides corresponding digital signals having characteristics that are invariant with respect to the particular input characteristics. The interface unit has a communication channel for receiving digital control signals and for outputting digital signals indicating drive operating conditions. The low power digital circuitry and communications channel are protected from the high voltage and high power connections to the drive and drive regulator.

Abstract: A plastic extruder system having a barrel and a shell with heat exchange elements surrounding the barrel is disclosed. Two thermocouples are provided, one for sensing the temperature of the inner surface of the barrel and the other for sensing the temperature of the shell. A system controller, into which a desired barrel setpoint temperature can be set and stored, receives and stores the independent temperature signals from the thermocouples and controls the heat exchange elements to automatically maintain the temperature of the extruder barrel close to the desired barrel setpoint temperature.

Abstract: A plastic extruder system having a barrel and a shell with heat exchange elements surrounding the barrel is disclosed. Two thermocouples are provided, one for sensing the temperature of the inner surface of the barrel and the other for sensing the temperature of the shell. A system controller, into which a desired barrel setpoint temperature can be set and stored, receives and stores the independent temperature signals from the thermocouples and controls the heat exchange elements to automatically maintain the temperature of the extruder barrel close to the desired barrel setpoint temperature.