CEAD can help choose the best plastic extruder based on needs. Explore how temperature, screw speed, and material characteristics impact output.
The output of a plastic pellet extruder for large format 3D printing is typically rated in throughput of material per hour. These ratings help manufacturers and operators understand the machine's capabilities and ensure it meets production requirements. It is key to choose the right pellet extruder for your needs in large-format 3D printing. CEAD will help you with the decision based on your needs.
The output is described as follows:
Throughput is a fundamental rating for a plastic extruder and refers to the amount of material it can process in a specific time, this is usually measured in kilograms per hour (kg/h). It is a direct indicator of the extruder's production capacity.
There are some things to keep in mind when talking about the output of an extruder:
1. Polymer: The polymer being used has an impact on the maximum output for the pellet extruder. Polypropylene (PP) is easier to extrude compared to polyether ether ketone (PEEK), so you can achieve a higher output with PP. In general, most extruders on the market are rated by using PP.
At CEAD we rate our pellet extruders by using four different commonly used materials. These include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polycarbonate (PC) and polyetherimide (PEI).
2. Extruder temperature profile: The temperature profile refers to the control and distribution of temperature zones along the extruder's barrel. It is critical for melting and homogenizing the plastic material. The temperature is usually measured in degrees Celsius (°C). Changing the temperature setting can change the output from the extruder, but it also changes the mechanical properties of the printed parts. Always refer to the material datasheet to check the desired temperatures for the material being used.
3. Extruder screw Speed (RPM): Screw speed indicates how fast the extruder's screw rotates. It plays a crucial role in controlling the melt temperature and the extrusion rate. Screw speed is typically measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Depending on the material, the limiting factor for the output can be the maximum extruder screw speed. In this case, the material can easily extruded, where the maximum torque is not reached for the extruder.
4. Material-Specific Ratings: In some cases, the output rating may also include material-specific parameters, such as melt flow rate (MFR) for thermoplastics, which measure the ease of flow of the material under specific conditions.
These rating parameters help manufacturers and operators select the right plastic pellet extruder for their specific production needs, optimize processing parameters, and maintain consistent quality throughout the extrusion process. Different additions to the extruders, such as dynamic flow control (DFC) or even nozzle sizes, may have an impact on the rated output.