A lot of different types of businesses do all they can to show how beneficial or useful whatever you buy from them will be. Interesting enough that's not always the case. Having some research done on different businesses I'm glad to say the results came in and the process of extrusion businesses seemed to be kicking the most products out. The reason these companies are in such high demand is the fact that they are 100 percent American made with no foreign exports. Polymer is often the most abundantly product that goes through this process and it's great because the customer can get custom extrusion services all to match their needs! A big part of these different companies is the process in which the plastic goes through, and is quite interesting for those how-it's-built geeks.
Throughout our history it wasn't until the past 20 years that the use of extrusion had become popular and the huge list of products became known, therefore, profits rose. While focusing mainly on plastic extrusion, which is the manufacturing process through which plastic is melted, shaped into a continuous profile and cut to the desired length, I found out some interesting stuff!
Some examples of products manufactured by these companies range from window frames, storm shutters, and piping all the way to adhesive anti-static packaging tape and small toy figures. Bet you didn't look at your window today, or play with that small action figure and thought to yourself "this was extruded"!
While briefly describing products and some history I think the actual manufacturing process it goes through is the most important part. Companies purchase an abundance of small plastic pellets, which are fed to a heated cavity which will allow it to reach its melting point.
Colorants and UV inhibitors are added to the plastic whiles it's in this form and the certain kind varies from different extruder. All of this material is then fed into an extruder cavity which is forced through a screw mechanism.
The screw mechanism is pretty interesting; it forces the plastic out with a great deal of pressure from specially designed hydraulics. The plastic is melted by three sets of heaters to cancel out any fear of over burning. But my favorite part to share is the action taken when the extruder cavity reaches 400 degrees.
Sometimes while making these plastic molded parts, friction and pressure may build up so high that the need for the heater is gone, and the extruder cavity maintains the same temperature. Cooling fans are added as well to keep from overheating. A special screen is then put in place and filters any contaminants from the plastic.
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