Abstract: A honeycomb structural body-extruding die apparatus is disclosed herein, which includes an extruding die and a die mask provided around an outer peripheral portion of the extruding die on an extruding material outlet side. The extruding die also includes a plurality of extruding material-feeding holes formed on the extruding material inlet side and a plurality of shaping channels formed communicating with each other in a lattice fashion on the extruding material outlet side. The honeycomb structural body-extruding die apparatus is further provided with an annular perforated plate arranged concentrically with the extruding die on the extruding material inlet side. The perforated plate has through holes of which respective central axes are in conformity with those of the extruding material feeding holes.

Abstract: An extrusion die for forming a honeycomb stucture has a lattice molding groove formed in the outlet surface of the die body. In the inlet surface of the die body there are formed plural independent supply passages that are opposite to the intersecting portions of the molding groove and extend toward the outlet surface. A through hole is designed to communicate adjacent supply passages at a place that forms part of the partition wall between the supply passages and contacts with the molding groove. This through hole takes the combined shape of a trapezoid with the width of the molding groove as its top side and with the diameter of the supply passage as its maximum base side and a semicircle having said base side as its diameter.

Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus is disclosed wherein the spinning head is inserted in an upward manner from beneath into the lower end of a vertically extending opening in a heater box. Upwardly directed air currents are avoided in the vertically extending opening by providing a metallic contact, in the form of supporting and locking strips, between the heating box and the spinning head. The supporting and locking strips provide for the easy removal and insertion of the spinning head into and out of the heating box from beneath. The upper end of the spinning head is closed, and the internal walls of the vertically extending opening in the heater box and the external walls of adjacent spinning head are provided with internal contact surfaces which collectively define horizontal channels.

Abstract: A circular slit plate having slits therein that are symmetrically positioned and originate near the center of the plate and extend radially toward the outer diameter thereof is used to deaerate solid rocket motor propellant and to provide a uniform propellant flow distribution during rocket motor casting.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein there is provided a source of fiber forming material, with said fiber forming material being pumped into a die having a plurality of spinnerets about its periphery. The die is rotated at a predetermined adjustable speed, whereby the liquid is expelled from the die so as to form fibers. It is preferred that the fiber forming material be cooled as it is leaving the holes in the spinnerets during drawdown. The fibers may be used to produce fabrics, fibrous tow and yarn through appropriate take-up systems. The pumping system provides a pumping action whereby a volumetric quantity of liquid is forced into the rotational system independent of viscosity or the back pressure generated by the spinnerets and the manifold system of the spinning head, thus creating positive displacement feeding. Positive displacement feeding may be accomplished by the extruder alone or with an additional pump of the type generally employed for this purpose.

Abstract: Ceramic honeycomb structural body-extruding dies are disclosed which each comprise a plurality of die-constituting members. The die-constituting members are bonded together with a bonding layer, and the bonding layer is composed of an acid-resisting metal.

Abstract: A process and system for providing a design pattern in a material wherein a seleced medium is applied to the material, the material being positioned adjacent a surface of a template which surface has selected surface characteristics either topographical or non-topographical in nature. The material is held against the template surface at a selected pressure and for a selected time period, at least a portion of the medium coming into contact with the template surface. The surface characteristics of the template interact with the material and the medium as the medium comes into contact with the surface to produce the desired pattern.

Abstract: An extruding die for forming finned ceramic honeycomb structures includes extruding forming grooves for extruding a ceramic material therethrough and a plurality of material supply apertures for supplying the ceramic material into the extruding die. The extruding forming grooves open at a front surface of the extruding die and intersect with each other in the form of a mesh corresponding to a sectional configuration of a ceramic honeycomb structure. The material supply apertures open at a rear surface of the extruding die and communicate with the extruding forming grooves at intersecting zones thereof. The extruding die comprises fin forming grooves branched from the extruding forming grooves for forming fins, and the material supply apertures communicate with at least parts of the fin forming grooves.

Abstract: A perforated plate construction for the underwater granulating of plastic strands comprising a base member with a melt distribution channel and a plurality of inlet channels connected to the melt distribution channel and to extruder nozzles of a cutting plate. The base plate is heated in the region of the inlet channels. Between the base member and the cutting plate is an insulating layer through which the extruder nozzles extend. In order to permit compensation for thermal expansion in the cutting plate without damage to the cutting plate and the insulating layer, the latter is formed as an air gap which is substantially coextensive with the cutting plate in the transverse direction of the extruder nozzles. The cutting plate is supported on the base plate by a plurality of tubular support elements which are separate from each other and freely extended through the air gap.

Abstract: A fixing in a wall is made by drilling a hole, inserting the pin of a nozzle mounted on a hot melt gun into the hole and injecting molten polypropylene into the space between the pin and the hole. The polypropylene is allowed to solidify and the nozzle is removed leaving a wall plug ready for the insertion of a screw. Three embodiments of a nozzle especially adapted for use in this process are described. nozzle has a hollow screw-threaded base with a pin extending forwardly therefrom. Passageways in the base each communicate at one end with the interior of the base and at another end externally of the base and the pin in the vicinity of the junction between the pin and the base. A flexible seal is slidably mounted on the base and resiliently biased towards the pin.

Abstract: An extrusion die for producing multichanneled structures from an extrudable material. The die is composed of a series of pins that correspond to the shape of the channels in the structure. At one end of the pins, the area between the pins is open to define a discharge zone having the shape of the structure. At their opposite ends, the pins are connected about adjacent corners by a series of webs. Slots bordered by the pins and the webs define a series of feed passages that communicate with the discharge zone at areas of reduced width between adjacent pins.

Abstract: Apparatus for coagulation of a polymer latex by feeding the polymer latex to an extruder having a base plate and a plurality of fine tubes fixed to said base plate and extending therefrom, said fine tubes being mutually spaced by at least 1 mm and protruding from said base plate by at least 3 mm, and discharging said polymer latex through said fine tubes into coagulation solution to coagulate the latex and an extruder used for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An apparatus for making soap comprising, an extruder having a device for passing the soap toward a downstream portion of the extruder, an orifice plate adjacent the downstream end of the extruder having a relatively dull edge defining an opening to form an extrudate of the extruder, and a trimmer plate spaced dowstream from the orifice plate and having a sharp edge defining an opening sufficiently small to trim an outer portion of the extrudate and form a well compacted residue for recycle and desired surface characteristics of the soap.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding a honeycombshaped structure having rectangular channels. The die is formed of a hard, rigid material, preferably metal, and includes a body plate and an abutting face plate. The outlet face of the body plate is brazed to the inlet face of the face plate. The body plate has a plurality of slightly staggered primary feed holes, the outlet ends of each communicating with an associated feed reservoir, the latter each defined by a recess or depression in the inlet surface of the face plate. Each feed reservoir communicates with the inlet ends of three associated secondary feed holes. The outlet surface of the face plate integrally carries a plurality of intersecting slot segments defining rectangular pins. The outlet end of each secondary feed hole communicates with and feeds an associated intersection of groove segments.

Abstract: An extrusion die assembly for a pelletizing apparatus including a die body, a die insert carried by the die body, the die insert having a die plate with a die plate face and a die plate back surface, there being a plurality of extrusion ports through the die plate face extending from the face to the back surface, the die insert further having a plurality of extrusion port formations such as tubes projecting from the die plate back surface and defining a plurality of extrusion passageways, each of said extrusion ports being in register with a respective one of said passageways, the tubes and the die plate comprising a monolithic structure formed from a unitary piece of material, and a heating jacket formed at least partially by the die body, at least a portion of the tubes being received in the heating jacket.

Abstract: A melt-spinning nozzle in which is disposed an elongated molded piece so as to form a space serving as a melt flow path between the elongated molded piece and the inner wall of the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially quenching melt spun filaments features a quenching chamber having a foraminous distribution cylinder between the filaments and the gas supply chamber with areas of decreasing porosity from a location immediately below the spinneret toward the exit of the quench chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extrusion device, with a die part, supported on a stationary part, having feed passageways for the plastic material on the inlet side and shaping slots, communicating with the feed passageways, on the outlet side. The die passageway for the skin of the honeycomb structure is formed by interaction of an adjustable die element with the die part on the outlet side. In the feeds of the die passageway are arranged adjustable means for regulating the flow rate of the plastic material.

Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus is disclosed which comprises an elongate heating chamber having a generally U-shaped outline in cross section and so as to define two parallel leg sections of hollow, double wall construction, and an intermediate leg section extending between the two parallel leg sections which is also of hollow, double wall construction in several of the disclosed embodiments. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart tubular nozzle casing receptacles extend vertically through the bottom one of said leg sections, and a pump block rests upon such bottom one of the leg sections so as to completely cover each of the casing receptacles. Each pump block includes a connecting plug aligned with each of the receptacles for releasably mounting a nozzle assembly within each of the receptacles, and the pump block is connected to a metering pump which is disposed between the parallel leg sections for pumping the melt through the melt supply lines of the pump block and to the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus is disclosed which comprises a stationary melt supply assembly which includes a spin block, and a nozzle assembly releasably connected to the spin block. The means for releasably connecting the nozzle assembly to the spin block includes a cylindrical connecting plug fixed to the spin block, and a tubular casing for the nozzle assembly, with the connecting plug and casing being threadedly interconnected. The mating threads are preferably in the form of a threaded bayonet joint comprising multiple thread segments so that the nozzle assembly may be attached to and removed from the connecting plug by a partial rotation of the nozzle assembly. Also, the nozzle assembly is sealed to the melt supply assembly by an arrangement which includes a piston mounted for limited movement within the casing of the nozzle assembly and below the connecting plug, and such that the piston is biased into sealing contact with the plug by the pressure of the melt.

Abstract: A die for extruding honeycomb structural bodies includes a plurality of ceramic batch exhaust grooves and a plurality of ceramic batch supply apertures. Tubes are fitted in at least some of the ceramic batch supply apertures to improve or make constant the surface roughness and dimensions of inner surfaces of ceramic batch supply apertures through which the ceramic batch passes, thereby producing perfect ceramic honeycomb stuctural bodies. The adjustment of flow of ceramic batch is so simplified that any other controlling plate which would be required in the prior art is not needed for controlling the flow. When the supply apertures have been worn off, the tubes are exchanged by new ones to restore the required inner surfaces easily.

Abstract: The conventional spandex spinneret has two rings of equally spaced grouped orifices, each filament being formed by coalescence of the extrudate from the grouped orifices. A spandex spinneret having the holes of the orifices of each group of the outer ring of groups more closely spaced than those of the inner ring of groups has eliminated the power differences between inner and outer threadlines. The closer spacing within each group of the outer ring of groups also increases the spacing between groups, thereby reducing filament migration.

Abstract: The die includes a body provided with a plurality of polymer flow channels and a plate fixed to the front surface of the body and bored at locations corresponding to each channel. An insulating layer is positioned between the body and the bored plate. The channels include a thermoregulating system for the die body. A plurality of nozzles is provided, with the nozzles being rooted inside the die body at locations corresponding to the channels. The nozzles protrude from the body itself to cross through the insulating layer and the bored plate. The nozzles are made of a metal having a thermal conductivity higher than 60 W/m.degree.K.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of granulates by using a tabletting machine comprising at least one top punch and one bottom punch which co-operate with a die formed with a bore, the top punch being displaceable into the bore from outside to compress powder accommodated in the bore and the bottom punch displaceable in the bore being displaced within the bore for ejecting the powder compressed into a tablet, the tabletting machine additionally comprising a powder feed unit which introduces the powder into the bore when the top punch is in its raised position. According to the invention, a perforated plug in the bore of the die in conjunction with a granulate stripping, transporting and collecting system arranged beneath the lower end face of the perforated plug is used instead of the displaceable bottom punch for producing granulates.

Abstract: In the case of this extrusion device, a die part with feed passageways for the plastic material on the inlet side and shaping slots on the outlet side, which are connected to the feed passageways, is supported on a stationary part. The die passageway for the skin of the honeycomb structure is formed by interaction of an adjustable die element with the die part on the outlet side. For this purpose, a disk spring column as die element is arranged around the die part and is supported on a tensioning element which is adjustable in the flow direction of the material. In the feeds of the die passageway is arranged an adjustable means for regulating the flow rate of the plastic material.

Abstract: A dough guide is used to precisely control thickness of an expanding dough extrudate. The extrudate is forced through at least two vertical slots in an extrusion head, at relatively high pressure and at a temperature at least equal to the boiling temperature of water.The dough guide has three plates. A middle plate is fixed between the slots. Two movable plates are disposed on opposite sides of each slot from the middle plate. A threaded rod is used to selectively adjust the location of each of the movable plates. In alternative embodiments, any number of slots are used, each having two guides adjacent it. Any or all of the guides may be made selectively movable. A product called "crisp bread" may be made thereby.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a die for extruding honeycomb structural body, which comprises a die base body made of an alloy steel and a plate of a wear resistant alloy which is joined to the front face side of the die base body. In the wear resistant alloy plate are formed forming slits having a sectional profile conforming to that of a honeycomb structural body to be shaped and having a given depth from the front face of the die toward the rear face thereof, and a plurality of openings are formed independently of each other in the die base body from the rear face of the die toward the front face thereof to communicate with the forming slits. The wear resistant alloy plate may be joined to the die base body through an alloy steel plate having the same as or thinner than the thickness of the wear resistant alloy plate. A method of manufacturing such a honeycomb structural body-extruding die is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for making funnel cakes includes a holding tank for containing a generally fluid batter, a channel suitable for containing a cooking liquid, and a heater for heating the cooking liquid in the channel to a temperatures suitable for cooking funnel cakes. A plate is disposed at one end of the channel in an upper position adjacent the surface of the cooking liquid. A dispensing head dispenses a predetermined amount of batter from the holding tank onto the plate, and a pneumatic cylinder moves the plate from its upper position in which the batter forms a generally solid, uncooked product to a lower position in which the solid uncooked product floats away from the plate. A submerged track in the channel leads away from the deposit station. The funnel cake is guided along this track submerged in the cooking liquid to completely cook the funnel cake as it moves along the track. At the end of the track, the funnel cake is automatically removed from the cooking liquid.

Abstract: This invention is a trilobal, synthetic fiber, intended for use in carpets, having an axially extending hole in each lobe, the total cross-sectional area of the fiber being about 5 to 12 percent void, said fiber cross-section having a modification ratio of between about 2 to 3, and an arm angle of about 15.degree. to 45.degree., so that a fiber having improved bulk, soil hiding and resiliency is apparent in a carpet having face fiber of said fiber.

Abstract: A melt spinning apparatus is disclosed which is adapted for dividing a molten polymer into a plurality of streams to form synthetic filaments. The apparatus comprises a spin block assembly having two opposite sides, and two separate heating chambers disposed adjacent respective ones of the sides of the spin block assembly. The two heating chambers are interconnected by threaded members, so that the opposing surfaces of the chambers may be drawn together to clampingly engage the opposite sides of the spin block assembly therebetween. The formation of air gaps between the opposing surfaces, and which might hinder the heat transfer between the heating chamber and spin block, are thereby avoided.

Abstract: A flowable substance is extruded from two coaxial telescoping cylindrical containers of which the outer is provided with openings on its periphery and is rotatable about the inner container. The substance is fed to the inner container and exits via a row of openings therein. As the outer container rotates, the inner and outer openings radially coincide cyclically whereby the substance falls in the form of drops onto a belt and solidifies. The row of openings of the inner container is provided in a nozzle bar which is removably attached to the periphery of a body part of the inner container.

Abstract: An extrusion die plate for a plastic pelletizing machine having a removable central insert having the plurality of extrusion orifices incorporated therein with the main body of the die plate including an opening receiving the insert with the insert being capable of quick and easy removable for cleaning of plastic material and for replacement of the insert with other inserts having a different number of extrusion orifices or a different size of extrusion orifices. The insert is screw threadedly connected or otherwise quickly detachably connected in an opening in the main body of the die plate to reduce the down time for maintenance and for product changes.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing cheese shapes utilize one or more chambers for containing cheese, a ram for forcing the cheese through a perforated area of a die plate at the forward end of each chamber to produce a plurality of extrusions, and a cutter to divide each extrusion into a plurality of shapes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing boiled noodles. The apparatus comprises substantially a raw noodle manufacturing unit, a boiling unit for boiling raw noodle elements fabricated by the raw noodle manufacturing unit and a control unit controlling operations of the raw noodle manufacturing unit and the boiling unit. According to the apparatus, each meal of the boiled noodles can be automatically fabricated during a short time interval, by supplying and measuring grain flour and kneading water, fabricating the raw noodle elements automatically and boiling the raw noodle elements automatically by means of controlling the operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for the simultaneous extrusion from an extrusion discharge station of multiple streams of a food product having fibers therein, from a single mass of the food product, where the desired product spacing between the streams at the extrusion discharge station is less then the greatest expected fiber length. Converging extrusion channels communicate at a channel entry station with a feed container which holds and directs the flow of the mass of food product, and the distance of closest spacing between the extrusion channels at the channel entry station is greater than the average expected fiber length. Bridging of food fibers between adjacent extrusion channels at the entry station is avoided by the large channel entry spacing, while the decreasing distance between the converging channels allows the food product streams at the extrusion discharge station to be spaced at a desired product spacing less then the greatest expected fiber length.

Abstract: A melt-spinning apparatus is disclosed for reducing the birefringence variability of melt-spun yarn made at high pack throughputs. It involves extruding polymer at an average mass-flow rate through a first group of orifices (defined by specific location in the spinnerette), that is greater than the mass-flow rate of polymer through a second group of orifices (also defined by location in the spinnerette). The apparatus comprises a spinneret having concentric rows of orifices and a centrally located quench means, with the diameter, d.sub.1, of the orifices in the row closest to the quench means being greater than the diameter, d.sub.2, of the orifices in the row furtherest from the quench means by an amount such that d1/d2 is in the range from 1.03 to 1.20.

Abstract: A spinnerette for mesophase pitch includes a spinnerette body with a plurality of mesophase pitch fiber forming channels through it. Each bore includes a capillary bore section at the outlet side of the spinnerette body, a wider diameter counter bore at the inlet side and an entrance between the wider bore and capillary bore sections with the entrance wall defining a relatively flat angle for increasing the proportion of tangential cross-section pitch fibers, as compared with radial cross-section fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a die for use in fabricating a ceramic honeycomb monolith structure having passages separated by walls having predetermined thicknesses. The method involves forming slots in the die and then applying a uniform coating of iron boride, chromium carbide, aluminum oxide, titanium carbide, titanium nitride or titanium carbonitride to the slot-defining surfaces of the die through CVD, the coating ranging in thickness up to 30 microns and being controlled in thickness to .+-.1 micron.

Abstract: The plastic extruder assembly is of the type that includes an extruder barrel assembly and an extruder die chamber in the distal end of the extruder barrel assembly. The die chamber has means for receiving and mounting a die assembly therein and the die assembly has die holes extending therethrough to an outer face. A layer of insulating material is provided beneath the outer die face at least in the area of the die holes for inhibiting if not altogether preventing freezing of the plastic in the die holes. Also, radial and circumferential hot oil passageways are provided in the die assembly and the die holes are offset in either a concentric array or a series of spirals.

Abstract: The pelletizer comprises a chamber having a first side and a second side coupled to an extruder. A shaft extends through the first side into the chamber, a rotatable cutter assembly is mounted to the end of the shaft in the chamber and a die assembly is mounted at the second side of the chamber and has a die face facing into the chamber. The cutter assembly is positioned for rotation adjacent the die face. A prime mover is coupled to the shaft for rotating the cutter assembly. Plastic material is extruded through holes in the die assembly into the chamber as the cutter assembly is rotated to cut plastic streams coming out of the die assembly into pellets. A position control assembly automatically controls the position of the cutter assembly adjacent the die face. The cutter assembly has a plurality of cutting blades mounted thereon.

Abstract: Improvement to the die and method of forming meltblown fibers and webs using a relatively cool fluid for meltblowing. Thermoplastic polymers such as polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters and the like are spun in accordance with the meltblowing process and contacted by a fluid which forms fibers and attenuates them. In accordance with the invention, the fluid is substantially cooler than the molten polymer and permits formation of webs at shorter forming distances greatly improving web formation. In addition, the costs of manufacture are improved since heating of the attenuating fluid may be reduced or avoided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the die is provided with insulation between the attenuating fluid and the polymer chamber to avoid or reduce the tendency of the molten polymer to cool and cause plugging of the die. Alternatively, the die may, itself, be formed from an insulating material.

Abstract: A novel filament composed of at least one thermoplastic synthetic polymer, said filament being characterized by having (1) an irregular variation in the size of its cross section along its longitudinal direction, and (2) a coefficient of intrafilament cross-sectional area variation [CV(F)] of 0.05 to 1.0; and a novel bundle of said filament.

Abstract: A die for the extrusion of pasta or other paste-like foodstuff material, which is made up in two parts one being inserted into the other, the two parts between them defining a series of apertures the cross-sectional shape of each of which defines the shape of the extruded material. A portion of each aperture is defined by one of the parts so that when the parts are disassembled the parts of the apertures are readily accessible for cleaning and the removal of unextruded material.

Abstract: The pelletizing die for a synthetic resin extruding machine has a sintered hard tip which is shaped such that the outlet side is small as compared to the inlet side. A sintered hard tip pressing plate is formed to surround the sintered hard tip, and the sintered hard tip and sintered hard tip pressing plate are fixedly adhered to the die body by solder.

Abstract: A melt-extrusion process is disclosed for reducing the birefringence variability of melt-spun yarn made at high pack throughputs. It involves extruding polymer at an average mass-flow rate through a first group of orifices (defined by specific location in the spinnerette), that is greater than the mass-flow rate of polymer through a second group of orifices (also defined by location in the spinnerette). It is preferred that a spinnerette be used in which the dimensions of the orifices differ from group to group in a defined manner.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a monolith extrusion die is formed by separately drilling matching feed holes for extruded material in each of two plates. In one plate the feed holes are shallow and carefully drilled for accurate alignment with the extrusion slots of the die. In the other plate, the holes are accurately located at the drill entry point, but thereafter rapidly drilled without regard to drift. The plates are then bonded together to form my die.Other methods of forming an extrusion die using two plates are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns manufacture of cellular structures of thermoplastics material. In particular the invention concerns apparatus for use in the production of cellular structures of thermoplastics material comprising a supply and injection stage (b) for supplying the thermoplastics material (12), a die stage (c) through which the thermoplastics material supplied by the supply and injection stage is extruded to form the cellular structure (15), and a cooling stage (d) supplied in use with cooling fluid (4) for cooling the extruded thermoplastics material, the different stages being located one above the other and the apparatus further comprising a plurality of regularly spaced cylinders (7), each cylinder (7) having a lower part (10) of lesser diameter provided with heating means (11) and an upper part (8) of greater diameter, the bodies of the cylinders extending through the supply and injection stage and the upper parts thereof forming said die stage.

Abstract: An extruder for delivering foamed glue from a foamer selectively to a plurality of spaced apart outlet orifices for extrusion onto a substrate surface and to bypass passageways for diverting the foamed glue to a defoamer for subsequent return to the foamer, is formed of three elongated flat blocks secured together releasably in face-abutting relationship. The surfaces of the outer, inlet and bypass blocks facing the center coupling block are recessed to provide a plurality of passageways all of which extend substantially equal distances from inlet and bypass ports in the inlet and bypass blocks, respectively, to a plurality of coupling ports in the coupling block. An air pressure operated selector valve in the bypass block is operable to communicate the coupling ports selectively with the bypass passageways for bypassing foamed glue to the defoamer and with the outlet orifices for extruding foamed onto a substrate surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is set forth for extruding honeycomb structures having cohesive cellular walls from an extrusion die. A baffle member is provided within the flow passageways of the die so as to provide impedance to longitudinal batch flow through certain of the discharge slots such that the impedance to flow in all of the slots is substantially equal, thus improving product quality and knitting or cohesiveness of the batch material prior to discharge from the die.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is set forth for supporting a laminated extrusion die in such a manner so as to virtually eliminate all tensile stress in the die by applying a compressive force to end portions of die blades, forming said laminated die, parallel to the neutral axis thereof and offset a given distance from the neutral axis toward an outlet face of the die.