Ever wonder where the dependable and long lasting plastic products come from? Or more specifically where they are manufactured? Most every plastic used in our daily lives is a product of plastic extrusion process. It’s an interesting process that simply starts with the melting of small raw plastic beads. The plastic needs to be in bead form for easier melting and profile forming. Plastic Extrusion companies manufacturer recognizable products such as piping, window frames, and even adhesive tape! Wire insulation and Plastic sheeting are also big examples of manufactured products. Well for all the knowledge craving minds let’s begin with the first step in Plastic extrusion!
Wanting to see this next process live, Youtube.com showed me everything I needed to know as if I was standing right in an extrusion factory. The plastic is usually in bead form as it is fed into the cavity. After the plastic is fed into the cavity, colorants and sometimes UV inhibitors are added to the plastic.
After the encounter with the screw mechanism, it’s time for a toasty 400F set of three heaters. The plastic is fed to the heaters at a pace going through three different heaters. I always questioned why three heaters..
A lot of the processes are commons sense, or what one would think the processes involve. After it’s through the extruder cavity it’s time for the heaters. Inside the heaters it’s a high 400 degrees F.
Through the cavity the friction and pressure can sometimes be so great there is no need for the heaters. Plastic Manufacturing Companies shut off the heaters and allow the friction and pressure to keep the plastic at the desired temperature. That’s pretty interesting friction and pressure can keep plastic at that high of a temperature.
After the heating is complete cooling fans are then used to keep the cavity at the correct temperature. As the molten plastic reaches the front of the barrel and is complete in the cavity, it’s time for the plastic to go through a specially designed screen.
Cooling fans are then applied for the specific type of plastic product. While the plastic is still in its molten state the next step in the Plastic Manufacturing process is for the plastic to go through a specially designed screen to finally remove any contaminants. Finally it’s time for the profile giving die.
When it is put into the dye it must immediately put into a water sealed bath, for the final stage in the cooling process. Cooling Rolls are used for more delicate exterior panels. I wonder how interesting it’d be to stand and witness right in front of those huge cooling rollers. Now it’s time for the final step in this fast paced adrenaline rushing process!
After the Polymer Extrusion Product is finished its time to be cut, spooled or coiled! plastic molding companies sometimes differ in cooling techniques. Well that was the exciting process of plastic extrusion process and window panels!
– Gregory Scott
