EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PLASTIC EXTRUSION COMPANIES
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- Mar 7,2018
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PLASTIC EXTRUSION COMPANIES
Plastic extrusion companies create a broad range of products for multiple industries, including construction, medical, food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and more. With the right extrusion equipment, professionals produce things like drinking straws, outdoor furniture, plastic decking, fencing, windshield wipers, rain gutters, vinyl siding, and a host of other things.
Something else to know about companies that manufacture extruded plastic profiles is that, with this process, they use state-of-the-art equipment that converts plastic from solid to liquid. By reconstituting the molten plastic, the experts can produce a finished part or component to meet the customer’s specifications, whether simple or complex.
For producing such a broad range of profiles, plastic injection molding companies also use a specific process that ensures optimal results. For this, plastic pellets get fed from a hopper into a screw via gravity. As the screw rotates about its axis, it moves, melts, and pressurizes the plastic material, forcing it through a die that creates the desired shape. Not only is plastic extrusion popular because it produces precise products, but also because there is less waste material compared to other processes.
Companies that provide plastic extruded parts and components rely on different types of equipment. As an example, with single screw extrusion machinery, the experts can choose the screw geometry, barrel heater temperature, and screw rotation speed, which all impact the finished product. Depending on the type of plastic used for fabrication, the professionals calibrate these aspects of the equipment to prevent issues with production or the risk of equipment damage.
Experts also use cooling and sizing equipment for the plastic extrusion process. After the plastic exits the die, it then enters a vacuum chamber. There, it gets pulled through sizing rings. The vacuum pulling, combined with air pressure, is what forces the plastic to conform to the rings’ shape.
If you need plastic extruded products, it is essential to choose a company with years of experience and unparalleled expertise. Especially if you need a custom part or component, selecting the right company becomes a critical decision. While many companies offer this service, not all are the same; therefore, you need to research several options and then choose the one that best suits your needs.