Abstract: A system for making polymeric fibers can comprise a main extruder configured to receive a polymer feedstock composition. The main extruder can have an outlet in fluid communication with a transfer line configured to receive a polymer melt from the main extruder and transfer the polymer melt in a flow direction that is towards a spinneret. A side arm extruder assembly can be positioned along the transfer line between the main extruder and the spinneret. The side arm extruder assembly can comprise an outlet positioned within the transfer line to inject a colored polymer melt concentrate into the transfer line.

Abstract: The embodiments are and include at least an apparatus, system and method for forming print material particles for additive manufacturing (AM) printing. The apparatus, system and method include at least a melt chamber comprising a polymer melt; a vertical extruder that fluidically receives the polymer melt; an atomizer that atomizes the polymer melt from the vertical extruder and that distributes the atomized polymer melt; a fall chamber comprising a plurality of zones into which the atomized polymer melt is distributed; and a collector to receive the print material particles formed of the atomized polymer melt after falling through the plurality of zones.

Abstract: Rigid wadding, insulation and packaging for food and other products is made of homogeneous polyester terephthalate (PET) that satisfies the resin recycling identification code number one. For purposes of protecting an inner rigid wadding or other insulation, one or more film strips or film coatings may be applied by the artful use of amorphous (non-crystalized) PET that melts at a lower temperature and can act as a thermal bond adhesive. The film strips or film coatings may be made of homogeneous polyester terephthalate (PET) that satisfies the resin recycling identification code number one.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a spinning pack, a yarn manufacturing apparatus including the spinning pack, a yarn manufacturing method using the yarn manufacturing apparatus, and yarn manufactured by the manufacturing method. The spinning pack includes a spinneret having a nozzle unit, a heating unit for heating the nozzle unit, a pack body surrounding at least a part of the spinneret, and a spinning block surrounding the pack body, wherein the spinneret includes a first surface which defines a storage space while facing at least one surface of the spinning block, and a second surface facing the first surface, wherein the nozzle unit includes a plurality of discharge holes and protrudes from the second surface; and wherein the heating unit is disposed at the outer side of the nozzle unit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects a molten material, which is a plasticized thermoplastic material, a plasticization section which includes a flat screw having a groove extending in a volute shape and a driving motor that rotates the flat screw, the plasticization section rotating the flat screw to thereby guide the molten material to the nozzle through the groove, and an ejection control mechanism that is disposed in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle, and controls an outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.

Abstract: A spinneret includes: a plate including a plurality of nozzle holes formed therein. In the plates, the plurality of nozzle holes are formed in a substantially rectangular area on a principal surface, the rectangular area includes a non-forming zone that intersects with nozzle hole rows, the non-forming zone continuously extending from one long side of the rectangle to the other long side, and the non-forming zone including no nozzle holes, in nozzle hole rows with which the non-forming zone intersects out of the nozzle hole rows, in each of the nozzle hole rows, the nozzle hole is not formed on a part where the non-forming zone intersects with a position of the regular interval at which the nozzle holes are aligned, and the nozzle hole corresponding to number of the unformed nozzle holes is additionally formed in a short side direction of the nozzle hole row.

Abstract: An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.

Abstract: An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-core optical fiber which is capable of achieving the same level of light receiving capacity as that of a single-core plastic optical fiber, while being reduced in bending loss. A multi-core optical fiber according to the present invention has a plurality of cores and sea portions that are formed around each core. This multi-core optical fiber satisfies at least condition (1) or condition (2) below: (Condition 1): The occupancy rate of the total cross-sectional area of cores is 80˜95% of the outer region in the cross section of a multicore optical fiber. (Condition 2): The occupancy rate of the total cross-sectional area of cores is 82˜93% of the cross section of a multicore optical fiber.

Abstract: This invention provides a resin extrusion die capable of suppressing die drool generation and contamination of a resin molded form with generated die drool serving as foreign substances. The resin extrusion die includes a cap through which a molten resin is extruded, and a cover that includes a gas outlet for forming a gap around the tip of a discharge nozzle and covers at least part of the cap so as to form a space between the cap and the gas outlet. The gas outlet forms, around the tip of the discharge nozzle, the gap whose maximum width/minimum width ranges from 1.05 to 2.0, thereby changing a gas supplied into the cover and flowing out of the gap to a turbulent flow.

Abstract: A spinneret bundle for producing fibers from a polymer melt includes an elongated nozzle plate that has a feed channel on an upper face and at least one row of nozzle bores that are arranged next to one another on a lower face. A distributing plate lies on the upper face of the nozzle plate and has a distributing chamber that faces the feed channel and a melt inlet that is connected to the distributing chamber. A perforated plate with a plurality of through-bores is provided between the distributing chamber of the distributing plate and the feed channel of the nozzle plate in order to achieve a redistribution and uniformity of the melt when the melt is introduced into the feed channel.

Abstract: A method including the steps of extruding a melt including an amorphous polymer composition through a spinneret under a pressure of from 400 to 1500 psi to produce a spun fiber; collecting the spun fiber on a feeding roll without drawing the spun fiber; producing a solidified fiber from the spun fiber. The solidified fiber can have a dpf within a range of from greater than 0 to 2.5 dpf, and a shrinkage less than or equal to 2%. The method can also include collecting the solidified fiber onto a spool without subjecting the solidified fiber to a drawing step. A spinneret for producing fibers of at most 2.5 dpf from a composition comprising an amorphous polyetherimide polymer, the spinneret comprising a die having a plurality of round melt channels but no distribution plates. Fibers produced by the method and from the spinneret are also disclosed.

Abstract: The rotary spinning electrode of elongated shape, serving to carry polymer solution from reservoir of polymer solution or melt into electric field for spinning in devices for production of nanofibers through electrostatic spinning of polymer solutions or melts, including a pair of end faces (2, 3), which are arranged on the carrying mean (1), and between which are mounted the spinning members (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46), which are formed of a cord or wire (4). The spinning members (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) are in a skew position to an axis (11) of rotation of the rotary spinning electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide electrospinning devices, methods of use, uncompressed fibrous mesh, and the like, are disclosed.

Abstract: A solid face die plate for an underwater pelletizer includes a carrier or holding plate having a circular slot for holding a hard anti-wear element of highly wear-resistant material through which the extrusion orifices open for extruding polymer. The solid face die plate eliminates the need for insulation or plugging material in the center of the die plate and, by embedding the hard anti-wear element within the carrier, protects the edges of the hard anti-wear element for longer wear life.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow fiber spinning nozzle in which supply bores and a nozzle structure connected to these and having a mass discharge opening and a needle with a coagulation agent bore are formed in a base body. At least two plate-shaped bodies structured by means of micro-structure technology are joined together to form the base body.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material apparatus suitable for fabricating a nanocomposite material from different materials is provided. The nanocomposite material apparatus includes an acceleration inner tube and a collection outer tube. The acceleration inner tube disposed along a rotation axis has a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer peripheral surface. Pipes for accelerating different materials is distributed within the acceleration inner tube. Each pipe includes an inlet, an outlet opening at the outer peripheral surface and a spiral trench connecting the inlet and the outlet. Nano materials having electricity are emitted from the corresponding outlets by accelerating different materials within the corresponding pipes.

Abstract: A device for meltblowing of synthetic fibers utilizes an elongated spinneret packet that is held at the bottom side of the spinneret carrier. In order to supply process air the two elongated air tubes extend at the opposite longitudinal sides of the spinneret carrier, which are connected to an air distribution device having an air channel system in the spinneret carrier. In order to avoid thermal stress in the expansion joints between the air distribution device and the spinneret carrier as much as possible, the air distribution devices are embodied by means of multiple distribution segments having an expansion joint between adjacent distribution segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for melt-spinning, drawing and winding multiple synthetic threads and to an apparatus for performing the process. The synthetic threads are spun concurrently side by side through extrusion of fine filamentous strands, cooled down and hauled off to be then collectively drawn as a sheet of threads and wound up on bobbins. To obtain ideally identical physical properties in the collective treatment of the threads, the threads are hauled off independently of each other by separate individual godets after extrusion and before collective drawing. This makes it possible to realize for each thread the same conditions during extrusion, cooling and hauling off. The apparatus includes multiple individual godets arranged side by side, which are arranged upstream of the drawing facility and are each associated with one of the threads. To pull off the threads, the individual godets are configured to be individually driveable.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus for spinning polymer fibers from a fluid delivered by a jet supply device, which apparatus comprises at least one collector of a plurality of collectors in electrical communication with an electrode of the jet supply device. Collectors are insulated from each other. At least one collector comprises a stretcher adapted to stretch polymer fibers. The stretcher is an integral part of at least one collector. A controller controls sequence and time duration at which collectors are in electrical communication with the electrode of the jet supply device creating a non-woven polymer fabric or weaving polymer fibers into a fabric. The electrospinning apparatus comprises a rotator adapted to rotate the stretcher.

Abstract: A device for producing Lyocell fibers which are extruded from a cellulose solution of water, cellulose and tertiary amine oxide in a spinning head (25). The cellulose solution is obtained in a number of process steps directly from the cellulose (3, 4) or with the formation of a cellulose suspension. Since the degree of polymerization decreases in the course of processing the cellulose through to its extrusion in the cellulose solution, with the processing of celluloses with a low degree of polymerization there is the risk that the endless molded bodies (2) extruded in the spinning head (25) exhibit defective quality.

Abstract: A spunbonding apparatus includes at least one nozzle, a coagulating tank, a deformation region, a slit passage, and a drawing flow pump. The nozzle extrudes at least one spinning solution. The coagulating tank contains coagulating liquid to coagulate the spinning solution into at least one fiber. The deformation region is located between the coagulating tank and the nozzle. The slit passage is connected to the coagulating tank and allows the fiber to pass therethrough. The drawing flow pump provides a drawing flow to the slit passage.

Abstract: Provided is a nano-fiber manufacturing apparatus which manufactures nano-fibers by an electrostatic explosion, and has a low possibility of explosion even when a flammable solvent is used. The nano-fiber manufacturing apparatus (101) having an ejection unit (110) which ejects solution (200) that is raw material liquid for nano-fibers (200) to a manufacturing space in which the nano-fibers (200) are manufactured by an electrostatic explosion of the solution (200), and a charging unit which charges the solution (200). The nano-fiber manufacturing apparatus (101) includes a gas supply source (103) which supplies safety gas to change an atmosphere of the manufacturing space, in which the solution (200) is ejected, into a low oxygen atmosphere, and a partition (102) which maintains the manufacturing space at a lower oxygen atmosphere than an atmosphere of an outside space of the partition (102).

Abstract: A process and a device involves melt-spinning and cooling synthetic filaments. Therein, a plurality of filaments is extruded from a polymer melt and, after the extrusion, is guided into a cooling shaft for cooling. Within the cooling shaft cool air is blown, via a blower wall, into the cooling shaft, where, for cooling, the filaments are guided along the blower wall and at a distance from it. In order to obtain cooling adapted to the particular filament titer, the blowing onto the filaments can be set by selecting one of several operating positions, where to change the operating position of the blower wall it is moved in the direction towards the filaments or in the direction away from the filaments.

Abstract: A device for melt spinning multi-component fibers including at least two melt inlets for introducing separately guided melt components is presented. The device includes a feed plate having a plurality of feed channels for distributing the melt components, a distributor block associated with the feed plate, and a nozzle plate adjoining the distributor block and including a plurality of nozzle bores, wherein the distributor block has several thin distributor plates stacked on top of each other and each have a hole pattern with multiple distribution openings. The thin distributor plates are configured inside the distributor block such that a plurality of melt channels form, which connect the feed channels of the feed plate to the nozzle bores of the nozzle plate. In order to implement high flow volumes, multiple distributor plates having identical hole patterns of the distribution openings are stacked in a tightly sealing manner inside the distributor block.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a rotary drive nozzle die machine for use with at least first and second dough extruders. The machine includes at least one rotatable nozzle having at least two openings for extruding at least two strands of dough therethrough, a first compression head for directing a first flow of a first type of dough under pressure from the first extruder toward the at least one rotatable nozzle and a second compression head for directing a second flow of a second type of dough under pressure from the second extruder toward the at least one rotatable nozzle.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite yarn including continuous glass filaments intermingled with continuous organic thermoplastic filaments and an apparatus for implementing the process. The continuous glass filaments come from a bushing and are separated into plural sheets. The continuous organic thermoplastic filaments come from a spinning head and are separated into plural sheets. The thermoplastic filaments are thrown into the glass filaments so as to mingle them, in a ratio of at least one sheet of thermoplastic filaments in each sheet of glass filaments, the mingled filaments then being gathered into at least one composite yarn.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing fibrous materials in which the apparatus includes an electrospinning element configured to electrospin a substance from which the fibers are to be composed by an electric field extraction of the substance from a tip of the electrospinning element, a collector disposed from the electrospinning element and configured to collect the fibers, a chamber enclosing the collector and the electrospinning element, and a control mechanism configured to control a gaseous environment in which the fibers are to be electrospun.

Abstract: Provided are dies having a first section for orienting material being pressed through the die and a second section for shaping the oriented material into a desired form. In an embodiment, the surface area for shaping the oriented material into a desired form is limited. Also provided are polymer articles and processes for making the same. In an embodiment, the processes employ the dies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrospinning apparatus for mass-production of nanofibers, particularly to an electrospinning apparatus with an electric stability and an improved nozzle blocks. The bottom-up electrospinning apparatus for the mass-production of nanofiber comprises at least one nozzle block having a plurality of spinning nozzles arranged in the horizontal and vertical direction; a collector installed over the nozzle blocks in order to correspond to the nozzle blocks and maintain a certain distance in between; a power source to apply voltage difference between the nozzle block and the collector; and a spinning solution container to supply the spinning solution to the nozzle block, wherein the nozzle block and the collector are connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively and among a plurality of spinning nozzles arranged along the horizontal line, a spinning nozzle in the middle and a spinning nozzle in the end have different height.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and to structures that can be produced from such fibers. In one embodiment, the fibers of the present invention are nanofibers. The present invention also relates to apparatus for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and methods by which such fibers are made.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fiber for artificial hair. The PVC fiber is manufactured by melt spinning a PVC resin composition with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle hole having a diameter D and a land length L, and a nozzle leading portion having a cone angle, and wherein a ratio of L/D is 1-3, a height of the nozzle leading portion is at least 4 mm, and the cone angle is 20°-90°. The resulting PVC fiber has an arithmetic mean roughness of 0.18-0.38 ?m and a maximum height of 0.5-3.5 ?m along a longitudinal direction, specified by JIS B 0601.

Abstract: A spinneret format, an electric-field reversal format and a process for post-treatment of membranes formed from electro-spinning or electro-blowing are provided, including a cleaning method and apparatus for electro-blowing or blowing-assisted electro-spinning technology.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically an apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.

Abstract: A fiber making device, fiber making method, and apparatus which incorporates a series of two or more stacked, thin circular die plates, two end plates and two enclosure plates, where all of the plates cooperate to form a chamber having opposite ends and define a first end and a second end. The first end will receive material to be formed into fibers and the second end will receive a fiberizing fluid, although the second end could be used to supply a second fiber forming fluid to form composite fibers. All of the die plates have a central opening to receive fiber forming material, and at least one of the die plates has an outflow edge peripheral to the plate which will define a spinneret orifice, which is in fluid communication with said central opening, and which will allow the flow of material along a radial path through which fibers can be extruded.

Abstract: A spinneret format, an electric-field reversal format and a process for post-treatment of membranes formed from electro-spinning or electro-blowing are provided, including a cleaning method and apparatus for electro-blowing or blowing-assisted electro-spinning technology.

Abstract: The invention relates to a die assembly(1) for forming extrudates of viscoelastic masses, e.g. polymers, dough masses etc, comprising several similar parallel die channels (2), each extending through the die assembly (1) in the axial transport direction (F) of the mass. According to the invention, a respective partition (5), which runs parallel with the axial transport direction (F) and is equipped with a cutting edge (5a) on its upstream end, is provided on the upstream end of the die body (1) between two adjacent inlet openings (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for spinning fibers, or fiberizers, using a rotary fiber-making die system made up of thin plates, embodied by a housing fixture, configured and stacked to define slots, channels and/or grooves through which the material used to make the fibers will flow. The die system allows for the production of different size and types of fibers, including nanofibers having a diameter of less than 1 micron, and facilitates a variety of cost effective methods for extrusion. The use of plates means the dies can be manufactured cost effectively, with easier clean-outs, replacements and/or variations.

Abstract: A spinning, drawing and texturing machine for the production of curled threads includes a spinning unit and multiple machine modules associated with the spinning unit. Each of the machine modules has multiple processing assemblies for drawing and curling one of the threads, and a spooling unit for winding the thread. The machine modules positioned next to one another form a longitudinal side of the machine. The processing assemblies and the spooling unit are arranged among each other at one of the machine modules such that a narrow machine partition (T) in a range of <800 mm occurs on the longitudinal side of the machine. The spinning unit has one or more spinnerets and one spinning duct within the machine partition (T) per machine module. The spinnerets are held in rows parallel to the longitudinal side of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for melt spinning and winding up synthetic yarns comprising a spinning appliance, a treating appliance and a windup machine. The treating appliance comprises a runoff godet for guiding the yarns before entry and distribution of the yarns into a plurality of winding stations in the windup machine, the runoff godet being arranged above the windup machine and guiding the yarns in a parallel side by side arrangement on its circumference. The runoff godet is arranged transversely to a winding spindle and above the windup machine, the windup machine comprising a plurality of head yarn guides which are disposed upstream of the winding stations and are arranged in a vertically oriented runup plane.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular section (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing fibrous materials in which the apparatus includes an enclosure having an inlet configured to receive a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed, a common electrode disposed in the enclosure, and plural extrusion elements provided in a wall of the enclosure opposite the common electrode so as to define between the plural extrusion elements and the common electrode a space in communication with the inlet to receive the substance in the space. In the method, a substance from which the fibrous materials are to be composed is fed to the enclosure having the plural extrusion elements, a common electric field is applied to the extrusion elements in a direction in which the substance is to be extruded, the substance is extruded through the extrusion elements to tips of the extrusion elements, and the substance is electrosprayed from the tips to form the fibrous materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a spunbond web has a deposition surface, a spinneret above the surface for producing filaments that move downward along a path toward the surface, and a cooling chamber below the spinneret. Cool process air is supplied to the chamber to cool the filaments as they pass downward through the chamber. A laterally closed stretching unit downstream of the cooling chamber has laterally closed side walls that have portions that diverges downward. A connecting region between the stretching unit and the cooling chamber substantially excludes access of air from outside to the filaments as they pass from the cooling chamber to the stretching unit so that the filaments drop from the stretching unit onto the deposition surface.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus is described. The electrospinning apparatus has a rotary nozzle mechanism that moves simultaneously along a non-linear track for forming polymeric fibrils, so that the polymeric fibrils can be piled to form a uniform web on a receiving carrier from any receiving angle. Therefore, the electrospinning apparatus resolves problems of the prior polymeric fibrils, such as various distribution and slow production rate. In addition, a method of manufacturing polymeric fibrils in the aforementioned electrospinning apparatus is further described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a spinning nozzle, a fiber drawing device and a water spray device. The spinning nozzle has spinnerets and a spinning solution is filled therein. The spinning solution includes a solvent and a fiber material. The solvent includes N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide, and the fiber material includes cellulose. The fiber drawing device is disposed under the spinning nozzle and has a gas flow generating device therein for generating a gas flow which is ejected from the top of the fiber drawing device and toward the bottom thereof. The fiber drawing device also has a slit on the top thereof, and the spinning solution from the spinning nozzle would enter the fiber drawing device through the slit. The water spray device is disposed at the slit of the fiber drawing device, and the spinning solution would pass through the water spray device before entering the fiber drawing device.

Abstract: A nonwoven production machine includes a spun-bond tower for extruding filaments and associated apparatus for forming the filaments into a web that is consolidated by water jets, a web that is calendered and then softened by water jets, or a web that is only calendered.

Abstract: Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.

Abstract: A device for melt spinning, treating and winding synthetic threads includes a spinning unit, a treatment unit and a winding unit. The spinning unit, the treatment unit and the winding unit are arranged in tiers one above the other and form a plurality of single-thread or multi-thread production positions along the longitudinal side of a machine. To permit a rapid, simple operation, in particular at the start of a process and during interruptions of the process, an operator walkway is located at a height between the treatment device and the winding device.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.