An alternative to to the theoretical approach described in the Single Screw Extrusion & Extruder Screw Optimisation page is one which is based more on technology and practicality. Rather than become involved in time consuming analysis, the pragmatic approach relies on the ability to modify processes quickly and with the minimum of disruption in production. For such an approach, the use of laboratory scale extrusion equipment is very useful. PolyTech Consultants work closely with a company called Rondol Technology Ltd. who manufacture and supply such small scale equipment for bench-top use, such as the 12 mm single screw extruder shown below.
Rondol Technology also supply small Twin Screw extruders and Micro Injection Moulding Machines.
The use of this type of equipment allows the development of processes such as compounding and master-batching using small sample sizes, which means less waste of valuable material. The use of small scale equipment also assists in the development of different screw geometries for twin screw extruders, for which the mathematical analysis is much more complex and much less well established than it is for single screw extrusion.
