DE102018007267A1 - Manufacture of highly filled plastics - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, mixtures of filler particles and plastic are produced in the planetary roller extruder in that the plastic is separately converted into a molten form before it is brought together.

Description

The invention relates to the production of plastics with a high proportion of fillers. In practice, a high proportion of fillers is only spoken of in a proportion of more than 50% by volume, preferably more than 60% by volume, still more preferably more than 70% by volume, based on the mixture.

• Aerosil, Aluminium, Aluminiumhydroxid, Aluminiumoxid, Aluminiumnitrit, Aluminiumsilikat, Bariumsulfat, Bor, Borkarbid, Bornitrit, Calciumcarbonat, Calciumsulfat, Dolomit, Elastomer gemahlen, Fasern, Feldspat, Gesteinsmehl, Gips, Glaskugeln, Glashohlkugeln, Glimmer, Graphit, Hydroxide, Kaliumoxide, Kalkstein, Kaolin, Karbonate, Keramik, Kieselerde, Kieselgur, Kieselsäure, Kohlenstoff, Kreide, Kunststoffe gemahlen, Lehm, Magnesiumhydroxid, Magenesiumoxid, Marmor gemahlen, Metalloxide, Metallsalze, Natriumsulfat, Oxide, Pigmente, Quarzmehl, Ruß, Salze, Sand, Schiefermehl, Schwerspat, Silikate, Siliciumkarbid, Silica, Siliciumkarbid, Stärke, Sulfate, Talkum, Tonerde, Wallostonit, Wolfram, Zement, Zinkoxide, Zirkoniumoxid,

Kunststoffe finden vielfältige Anwendung

• Formteile, Werkstücke, Blöcke, Tafeln, Folien, Bahnen, Beläge, Rohre, Schläuche, Stäbe, Stangen , Profile, Bänder, Schnüre, Drähte, Borsten, Netze
• Klebstoffe, Lacke, Leime, Kleister, Kitte, Bindemittel
• Farben, Putze, Spachtel, Verguß- und Versiegelungsmassen, Schmelz- und Beschichtungsstoffe, Gele,
• Fäden, Fasern, Garne, Seiden, Stränge, Matten, Vliese, Gewebe

Such fillers can be:

• Aerosil, aluminum, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitrite, aluminum silicate, barium sulfate, boron, boron carbide, boron nitrite, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, dolomite, ground elastomer, fibers, feldspar, rock flour, gypsum, glass spheres, hollow glass spheres, mica, graphite, hydroxides, potassium oxides, limestone , Kaolin, carbonates, ceramics, silica, kieselguhr, silicic acid, carbon, chalk, ground plastics, clay, magnesium hydroxide, gastric oxide, marble ground, metal oxides, metal salts, sodium sulfate, oxides, pigments, quartz powder, soot, salts, sand, slate flour, heavy spar , Silicates, silicon carbide, silica, silicon carbide, starch, sulfates, talc, alumina, wallostonite, tungsten, cement, zinc oxides, zirconium oxide,

Plastics are used in many different ways

• Molded parts, workpieces, blocks, sheets, foils, sheets, coverings, pipes, hoses, rods, bars, profiles, strips, cords, wires, bristles, nets
• Adhesives, varnishes, glues, glue, putties, binders
• Paints, plasters, spatulas, casting and sealing compounds, melting and coating materials, gels,
• Threads, fibers, yarns, silks, skeins, mats, nonwovens, fabrics

The plastics can consist of monomers and / or of polymers. It is often a mixture, although mixtures with substances other than plastics also occur. This is especially true for the production of plastic foam.
In addition to the fillers, the plastics usually also contain various supplements. This can include stabilizers, lubricants and others.

Extruders are preferred for processing plastics. The materials used can be melted, mixed or homogenized and dispersed very advantageously with an extruder.

Preferably, the plastic is first mixed with the additives and melted, and the melt mixture is homogenized. This is followed by mixing with the filler.
Due to the homogenization, the plastic is evenly distributed over the filler particles. It is favorable for the above process if the melt is thin. Each thermoplastic has a melting point and above the melting point a point at which the plastic is gaseous and / or enters into a chemical reaction. The point at which the plastic changes to a gaseous state depends on the ambient pressure. Depending on the nature of the plastic, the melting temperature for polyethylene (PE), for example, can be between 100 and 135 degrees Celsius (PE-LD 105-118 degrees, PE-MD 120-125 degrees, PE-HD 126-130 degrees, PE- UHMW 10-135 degrees, PE-LLD 126 degrees). Under appropriate pressure, the melt temperature can be much higher (PE-LD 160-260 degrees, PE-HD 260-300 degrees, PE-HD-UHMW 240-300 degrees.

The particle size of the fillers is either adapted to the continuity through the extruder or the extruder is designed for the desired particle size. Particle size of less than 1 mm is preferably used, more preferably less than or equal to 0.8 mm. The particles used have a grain spectrum. The main mass of the particles is preferably in a particle size of 0.3 to 0.4 mm. The main mass means at least 50%, preferably at least 60% of the particles. The desired particle size is set by grinding and sieving. The oversize particles are returned to the grinding process.
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The plastic melt and fillers are preferably brought together by preheating the filler, so that the flowability of the melt is not significantly reduced by a transfer of heat to the fillers.

Fillers and plastic melt are preferably brought together in a planetary roller extruder or in a planetary roller section of an extruder. The planetary rollers consist of a central central spindle, rotating planetary spindles and an internally toothed housing. The planetary spindles mesh simultaneously with the central spindle and the internally toothed housing. The particles that get between the teeth of the planetary spindles are particularly intimately mixed with the plastic melt and pressed at the same time.

In addition, the feed can be heated or cooled at the same time. For heating or cooling there are cooling lines or heating lines in the extruder jacket and possibly also in spindles. In addition, this causes the extruder spindles the deformation exerted considerable heat.
Very difficult substances can also be mixed in the extruder.
Depending on the nature of the plastic and the fillers, there are considerable limits to the mixture. This applies all the more if several fillers of different properties are to be used in a mixture at the same time.
The professional world endeavors to facilitate the manufacture of highly filled plastics.

That will be after the DE 102010049392 achieved in that the plastic is not in the mixture of the filler, but plasticized separately from the filler and then mixed with the filler.

On the way, the plastic can be liquefied so that the filler particles are optimally wetted. In addition, the fillers are only minimally exposed to heat on the way. It can be advantageous to heat the filler to a level that is harmless to the filler. Surprisingly, the wetting of the fillers is so much better that, compared to a conventionally mixed product with the same product quality, a filler content that is 10% and more higher can easily be achieved. With the same filler content, the product quality is significantly better. The process advantages result in particular from different fillers.

The fillers can have different shapes, in particular a plate shape, a spherical shape or a fiber shape or mixtures thereof.

When using conventional extruders, the dimensions of the filler particles are preferably determined by the permeability of the particles in the extruder. The continuity is determined by the play of the moving extruder parts in the extruder and by the opening width of the nozzle gap. The continuity can be determined based on the known machine data. The permissible dimensions of the filler particles for the respective extruder can then be determined. For safety reasons, the dimensions of the filler particles can be chosen smaller than the continuity described above.

The use of filler particles with dimensions that are greater than the ability of the extruders to pass through inevitably leads to compression of the particles and either grinding of the particles or blocking of the extruder.

In another variant, the continuity of the extruders can also be adapted to the desired particle size. This is done by building a new extruder or by exchanging components, e.g. the exchange of the extruder screw, the nozzle or the bushing in the extruder housing. Contemporary extruders have a socket in the extruder housing in which the screws circulate.

If a mixture of different fillers is provided, the fillers which are miscible with one another can be introduced directly into the extruder or into an upstream premixer. Suitable mixers can be, for example, stick extruders, stick mixers, paddle mixers.
Pen extruders are described, for example, in the publications: DD264886A1 , DD252793A5 , DD218749A3 , DE102005048846A1 .
Pen mixers and pen extruders generally have a rotating mixer shaft in common, which is provided with pens. Compared to simple pin mixers, the extruders also have a conveying effect in a certain direction, here in the axial direction.

If, on the other hand, different proportions of the fillers in the mixture tend to separate, it may be advantageous to give up the fillers which tend to separate later. Later, this can mean that further filler addition can take place some time after the melt has been added to the filler mixture. The part subsequently mixed is preferably always less than the part initially mixed with the melt.

The melt can be produced in a conventional manner, for example using a single-screw extruder or using a twin-screw extruder or else using a planetary roller extruder.
The melt-receiving extruder can also be a single-screw extruder or twin-screw extruder or a planetary roller extruder.

The single screw extruder has a single screw which rotates in a housing. The twin screw extruder has two screws that rotate in a housing. The planetary roller extruder has a central spindle, an internally toothed housing that surrounds the central spindle at a distance, and planetary spindles that circulate between the central spindle and the internally toothed housing. The planetary spindles mesh with their teeth at the same time as the inner teeth of the housing and the outer teeth of the central spindle. In addition, the planetary spindles slide on a sliding ring during their rotation, which is seated at the rear end of the planetary spindles in the extruder housing.

All extruders can be composed of sections. If the sections are the same, we speak of modules.
The sections / modules for the single-screw extruders and twin-screw extruders are preferably limited to the housing. The screws extend through all sections / modules.
In planetary roller extruders, the sections / modules are limited to the sections / modules and the planetary spindles. Each section / module is provided with its own slide ring. The central spindle extends through all sections / modules.

All contemporary extruders have temperature control / cooling / heating of the housing. This means that excess heat is dissipated with cooling by cooling. The necessary heat is supplied with the temperature control by heating.
For temperature control, the housings are preferably double-shelled. The temperature control agent flows through the cavity between the two shells.

In planetary roller extruders, the inner shell is formed by a thin bushing, which is provided with the internal toothing described on the inside and also with a toothing on the outside. The internal teeth interact with the planetary spindles, the external teeth form a guide for the temperature control agent.

It is favorable to design the extruder intended for melt production as a side arm extruder and to feed the melt via an injection ring into the other extruder / main extruder). An injection ring allows the melt to be fed into the mixture simultaneously at several circumferential points. This makes it easier to mix the melt with the filler.

The injection ring is particularly advantageous when the system is modular. Then the injection ring can easily be placed between the pre-mixer and a subsequent extruder module.

All extrudable plastics are suitable as plastics, in particular polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU) and polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and elastomers. PE is particularly preferably used. A mixture of different plastics can also be used.
It is both possible to give up all plastics at the described first task of the melt. Optionally, the intended amount of plastic can initially only be partially released at the first posting point. The remaining part of the intended amount of plastic is then posted at one or more other drop-off points.

Adhesion promoters can optionally compensate for a lack of adhesion of plastic with filler particles.
Adhesion promoters form molecular bridges at the interfaces between the substances to be bonded, here the plastic.
If other fillers or reinforcing / reinforcing agents such as glass fibers are used, the adhesion promoters can also have the task of increasing the adhesion to these other substances. Adhesion promoters can be, for example, VC (vinyl chloride) copolymers, polymerizable polyesters or vinyl-acrylonitrile-methacrylic acid copolymers, phenolic resins, rubber derivatives or acrylic resins without or with PF (phenol-formaldehyde) or EP (epoxy) resins.
EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers) are also generally known as adhesion promoters;

The plastic is conventionally fed into the extruder as granules with the filler particles and additives. Optionally, the granules already contain a mixture of plastic and aggregates.

The moisture can be reduced to any desired level for the extrusion by drying. It is not always desirable to have a minimal moisture content, but rather a specific moisture content which influences the extrusion process and / or the nature of the extrudate.

In principle, both single-screw extruders and twin-screw extruders are suitable for further processing of the mixture coming from the premixer and provided with melt. However, particularly gentle further processing in a planetary roller extruder is favorable. In addition, the planetary roller extruders have a very advantageous mixing effect.

Extruders can advantageously be composed of different elements or sections of different designs. Even for the planetary roller extruder part of the system, a modular structure is favorable. A major advantage of the modular design is the free choice of planetary spindles. This applies to both the number of planetary spindles and the design of the planetary spindles.

The plastic melts under pressure and temperature. In the further course of the feed mixture through the extruder, the mixture is homogenized. For the homogenization zone and dispersion zone, it is advantageous there To use extruder elements that have a large mixing capacity. These are, for example, elements / sections / modules with the design of a planetary roller extruder. This element also has a high cooling effect, with which the processing temperature can be controlled very precisely. Depending on the filling material and the plastic, there is a different optimal processing temperature for the melt. The temperature can be, for example, up to 200 degrees Celsius with a maximum residence time (heat exposure period) of 15 minutes. With a shorter duration, the maximum temperature can be higher than with a longer duration.

A melt pump can be provided between individual extruder sections or modules. The melt pump is regularly responsible for building up pressure. This can be advantageous in front of the discharge nozzle as well as between different other extruder sections.

In the further extrusion, a distinction must be made between extruding non-foamed plastic and extruding foamed plastic.
A certain moisture content may be desired in both extrusion processes. The residual moisture can serve as a lubricant. The residual moisture can also react chemically.

If no water / moisture is desired during the extrusion, this can be counteracted on the one hand by drying the filler particles and / or the plastic before the extrusion. In addition to or instead of drying, the moisture can be removed by degassing after evaporation in the extruder. Degassing can take place immediately after evaporation. This is regularly the case in the plasticization zone. The necessary warming takes place there.
This warming arises from the deformation work during plasticizing and, if necessary, by adding heat. Heat can be supplied, for example, by temperature control in the extruder housing.
If required, the degassing takes place immediately before the extrusion die.
Degassing presupposes that the melt pressure is reduced.
Degassing using two extruders arranged in tandem at the transfer between the two extruders is also known.
The degassing can also take place in an extruder. The necessary pressure reduction of the melt can be done with various measures, for example by changing the pitch of the screw in the extruder.
For degassing, the melt can also be drawn off from the extruder and passed through a degassing device and returned to the extruder. Pressure control can be made considerably easier by interposing a melt pump. This also applies to the pressure immediately in front of the extrusion die (tool). Here the pressure can also be evened out by the melt pump, thus improving the quality of the extrudate.

Filler and plastic melt can be brought together not only between the premixer and the planetary roller part, but also in a planetary roller extruder or in a planetary roller extruder section of an extruder. The filler particles that get between the teeth of the planetary spindles are mixed particularly intimately with the plastic melt.
Further details on the degassing are the PCT / EP2017 / 1372 refer to.

In principle, the filler particles can only be preheated in the extruder. It is advantageous to preheat the filler particles before they are fed into the extruder, because conventional preheating devices only cause a fraction of the cost of an extruder.

The exit temperature of the mixture (made of plastic and fillers and other additives) from the extruder is preferably chosen so that the emerging melt strand forms a profile bar and can be processed as a semi-finished product after appropriate cooling. It is advantageous if the profile strand has sufficient rigidity, for example, to be able to cool down on a roller conveyor with rollers arranged close to one another, without there being any disadvantageous deformations. However, higher outlet temperatures can also be controlled by calibrating directly behind the extrusion nozzle. The dimensions of its passage opening correspond to the desired cross section of the extrusion strand. However, the contact surfaces of the calibration with the extrusion strand are cooled, so that the extrusion strand solidifies on the outer edge and is thus resistant to the roller table. The calibration is very similar to the extrusion die. The extrusion die also has an opening with a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of the desired extrusion strand. The nozzle also preferably has cooling. Insofar as this cooling is sufficient to make the emerging extrusion strand stable on a roller table, calibration in the above sense is unnecessary. In contrast, the use of calibration can be more economical than a special shape extrusion nozzle with a particularly long cooling section.

In another variant, the emerging melt strand can be granulated.

When mixing the filler with the liquid melt, the temperature of the mixture components is of considerable importance.
A high temperature of the melt is favorable. The higher the melt temperature, the higher the flowability of the melt and the better the melt can wet the filler. The maximum melt temperature depends on the material. At the melt temperature, a safety distance from the temperature at which the melt changes into a gaseous state or a chemical reaction occurs is preferably maintained. The safety distance is optionally at least 5%, even more preferably at least 10% and most preferably at least 15% of the temperature at which a transition to the gaseous state or a chemical reaction occurs.

The plasticization of the plastic cannot only be carried out using an extruder. Batch liquefaction is conceivable. A heated pressure vessel is preferably provided for the liquefaction of the plastic. Batch operation allows only one intermittent liquefaction process when using a single pressure vessel with a single chamber. With two tanks, however, a continuous liquefaction process can already be carried out. The same applies to a single container with two melt chambers, which can be alternately filled and emptied. The containers are preferably emptied by a pump. The pump not only ensures rapid emptying. The pump can also build up a high pressure in the melt.

If preheating of the filler is desired, a suitable preheating system is provided.
The filler particles can be heated in one or more stages.
The preheating of the filler is preferably at least 50 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least 100 degrees Celsius and most preferably at least 150 degrees Celsius.

The multistage preheating of the filler is optionally carried out with different heating devices. Each of the heating systems can work continuously or discontinuously. A continuously operating heating system is, for example, a heating tape and / or a tunnel oven.
The heating tape is a heated belt conveyor on which the filler particles heat up. The filler particles can also be passed through the heating tape under suitable heat radiators. It is beneficial to enclose the heating tape in order to avoid a loss of temperature.
A tunnel oven differs from the heating belt in that it is not the conveyor belt but the housing that is provided with a heating device and / or that a heating gas is passed through the housing. The heating temperature is selected so that any risk of ignition / fire for the filler is avoided.

Discontinuous heating can take place in a container until the filler particles have reached the desired temperature. A gaseous heating medium flows through the container. Inert heating gases are cheap. Inert heating gases can be introduced into the container at a much higher temperature than air, for example, without the risk of undesired reactions.
After the desired heating of the filler particles, the container can be opened and the filler particles can be removed from the container.

If all or part of the preheating takes place in an extruder or an extruder section (module), the mixture of plastic and filler preferably takes place in a further extruder or extruder section connected downstream. Each extruder / extruder section is provided with a material feed opening and with an outlet for the processed material. The material feed opening is at one end of the extruder. From there, the material is conveyed under the desired treatment to the material outlet at the other end of the extruder.

Optionally, the filler particles are not fed into the premixer, but into the feed opening of the extruder, while the plastic is plasticized separately. The melt is then injected into the extruder intended for mixing. When the extruder is used to heat the filler at the same time, the injection point is chosen so that the heating section is long enough to reach the desired temperature.

If extruders are used in the manufacture, which consist of housing sections / modules, the housings are fastened to one another in a known manner with flanges, preferably screwed together.

At the same time - as far as usual - a common spindle is used. E.g. the screw continues from the single-screw extruder / sections into the area designed as a planetary roller extruder / section. In the planetary roller extruder / section, the common screw forms the central spindle.

The use of a common screw for different extruder sections is relatively simple for contemporary extruders because these screws are composed of sleeves which are penetrated by a common rod become and tense with each other. This design also has other advantages.
The extruder sections often also form in the extruder housing.
The housing sections are clamped together at the ends with flanges.

In the following only extruders are spoken of, this includes both the combination with the same or different extruders as well as the combination of different extruder systems in one extruder. The combination of extruder sections of the same system is also included.

A surrounding, usually tubular housing belongs to each extruder module or section. This applies to modules or sections of any type. The housings are provided with a collar (flange) at each end. The collar is attached to the housing of adjacent modules or sections and, if appropriate, to the housing of the gear unit usually provided on an extruder. The gearbox is part of the drive of the extruder.

• a)die Zentrierung der korrespondierenden Gehäuseenden und/oder
• b)das Eintragen von Prozeßmitteln und/oder
• c)die Messung von Prozeßparametern und/oder
• d)die Entgasung und/oder
• e)die Verlängerung des Planetwalzenteiles durch Verbindung/Hintereinanderschaltung zweier Abschnitte/Module

An intermediate ring can be advantageous between two sections / modules. The intermediate ring can perform other tasks in addition to the melt feed described above. He can perform individual tasks or several tasks at the same time. Other tasks include, for example

• a) the centering of the corresponding housing ends and / or
• b) the entry of process agents and / or
• c) the measurement of process parameters and / or
• d) the degassing and / or
• e) the extension of the planetary roller part by connecting / connecting two sections / modules in series

The extension can be done by simply spacing the housings / sections / modules.
The intermediate ring can take different forms. In one form, the intermediate ring forms a spacer between the
Housing ends / section ends / module ends sits. In other forms, the intermediate ring has a sleeve shape.
The intermediate ring can surround the central spindle at a distance. If the housings / sections / modules of the associated planetary roller parts have conventional thrust rings, then there is a cavity between the central spindle and the intermediate ring. Optionally, the cavity is chosen so large that excessively long planetary spindles can be selected which extend from the cavity of one housing / section / module into the cavity of the other housing / section / module.
Optionally, the intermediate ring is also provided on the inside with the same toothing as the housing of the planetary roller parts. Then the planetary spindles extending through the cavity of the intermediate ring can simultaneously mesh with its internal toothing.

Extending the planetary roller parts can result in unusual lengths. Nevertheless, planetary spindles of conventional length can be used. This is done in that the planetary spindles are aligned in the longitudinal direction and arranged one after the other. The planetary spindles can rotate around the central spindle without any problems. They are held in position by meshing with the central spindle and meshing with the internally toothed housing.
This means that the planetary spindles, which are aligned in the longitudinal direction and adjoin one another, behave like a single, excessively long planetary spindle.

If the planet spindles which together form an excessively long planet spindle do not form a suitable length, one of the associated planet spindles is preferably cut to a suitable dimension. It is advantageous if this is done before the heat treatment of the planet spindles, with which the planet spindles can be made wear-resistant. Before hardening or tempering the planet spindle surface, the planet spindles can be machined more easily using conventional means.

By assembling the planetary spindles, the risks of warping that usually occurs with heat treatment are minimized. The distortion that occurs during heat treatment depends on the length. Depending on the shape and material of the planetary spindles, more or less distortion occurs.

Optionally, the parts intended for an excessively long planetary spindles can also be connected to each other on the end faces where they touch each other.

• -bei Einschneckenextrudern/Abschnitten/Modulen von deren Schnecke durchdrungen
• -bei Doppelschneckenextrudern/Abschnitten/Modulen von deren Schnecken durchdrungen
• -bei Planetwalzenextrudern/Abschnitten/Modulen von deren Zentralspindel durchdrungen(wie oben ausgeführt, zusätzlich von den Planetspindeln)
• -bei einer Kombination eines Einschneckenabschnitts/Moduls mit einem Planetwalzenextruderabschnitt/Modul ist einschneckenseitig in dem Gehäuse/Abschnitt/Modul eine Schnecke vorgesehen, während planetwalzenextruderseitig im Gehäuse/Abschnitt/Modul eine Zentralspindel vorgesehen ist. Dabei sind die Schnecke und die Zentralspindel miteinander verbunden. D.h. die Zentralspindel setzt sich als Schnecke im Extruder fort. Der Übergang liegt im Bereich des Zwischenringes. Bei der Anordnung vor dem Planetwalzenextrudermodul/Abschnitt/Modul und einer Innenverzahnung des Zwischenringes ist der Übergang vorzugsweise als eine Verlängerung der Zentralspindel ausgebildet. Bei der Anordnung vor dem Planetwalzenextrudermodul/Abschnitt/Modul und einem Zwischenring, der innen wie das Gehäuse des Einschneckenteils/Abschnitt/Moduls ausgebildet ist, ist der Übergang vorzugsweise als eine Verlängerung der Einschnecke ausgebildet.

The intermediate ring provided for introducing the liquid plastic melt can have different shapes.
It can be a piece of pipe which, apart from the small axial length, is comparable to the housing of the single-screw module or section. Then it also has collars at the ends, with which the attachment of the intermediate ring to the housing of the neighboring Extruder modules or sections. Like the other ring provided between the sections / modules, so is the intermediate ring at

• -In the case of single-screw extruders / sections / modules, the screw penetrates them
• -In the case of twin screw extruders / sections / modules, their screws are penetrated
• -with planetary roller extruders / sections / modules penetrated by their central spindle (as stated above, additionally by the planetary spindles)
• In the case of a combination of a single-screw section / module with a planetary roller extruder section / module, a screw is provided in the housing / section / module on the screw side, while a central spindle is provided in the housing / section / module on the planetary roller extruder side. The worm and the central spindle are connected to each other. This means that the central spindle continues as a screw in the extruder. The transition lies in the area of the intermediate ring. With the arrangement in front of the planetary roller extruder module / section / module and an internal toothing of the intermediate ring, the transition is preferably designed as an extension of the central spindle. In the case of the arrangement in front of the planetary roller extruder module / section / module and an intermediate ring which is designed on the inside like the housing of the single-screw part / section / module, the transition is preferably designed as an extension of the single-screw.

In the single-screw module, the extruder screw / spindle is usually composed of a large number of parts / sleeves which have different toothing on the outside in order to influence the compression or the treatment of the feed material in the single-screw module by designing the screw flights. All parts have a sleeve shape with teeth on the outside. The center hole is penetrated with an anchor, which has the task of bracing all sleeves together.
In the planetary roller module, a one-piece sleeve is usually provided, which forms the central spindles and is held with the same armature that holds the sleeves of the single-screw module.

The intermediate ring is optionally provided with a temperature control in the same way as the extruder modules / sections, which allows cooling or heating as required.

The intermediate ring can also be installed without a collar. Then the intermediate ring is placed between the collars of the adjacent housing, that is, between the housing of the single-screw module and the housing of the planetary roller module. Then the two associated collars are clamped against each other by means of clamping screws or other clamping devices.

It is favorable if an intermediate ring engages in a centering opening of the adjacent housing or collar or, conversely, the adjacent housing engages in a centering opening of the intermediate ring. The centering opening can be formed by turning the end face of the intermediate ring or the adjacent housing. A small turn can suffice. A corresponding protrusion on the opposite face surface corresponds to the rotation.

For the supply of the liquid melt, a plurality of inlet bores are preferably provided in the intermediate ring which are evenly distributed over the circumference. Individual lines can lead to the different inlet bores. However, there can also be a connection of the inlet bores through an annular groove in the intermediate ring, which is closed by means of a cover and is fed with liquid melt via a common feed line.

The feed lines connect the extruder intended for the liquefaction of plastic with the intermediate ring. It is advantageous to insulate and heat the feed lines so that there is no undesirable drop in temperature in the melt or even freeze of the melt.
Valves or orifices for adjusting the melt flow are optionally provided in the various feed lines to the intermediate ring. The valves optionally allow readjustment and influence on the melt flow during operation. This can be used to even out or create differences. In addition to or instead of the valves, a change in the melt flow can also be achieved by means of inserts which are positioned in the feed lines. The inserts can also be provided in the intermediate ring.
Otherwise, the melt feed is determined by the speed of the extruder provided for plasticizing the plastic.

As described above, a melt is preferably fed into the extruder via an intermediate ring.
Optionally, the liquid melt is also introduced through the extruder housing. For this purpose, the extruder provided for the liquefaction of the melt can be flanged directly to the housing of the extruder provided for the mixture, or a feed line is provided which leads to the extruder provided for the mixture.
The extruder used to produce liquid melt and flanged at the same time can be referred to as a side arm extruder.

For the introduction of the liquid melt through the housing of the extruder provided for the mixture, the housing is drilled through. The casing jacket, which is double-walled for temperature control, is drilled through. So that on the one hand the melt does not flow into the hollow jacket and on the other hand the tempering agent does not contaminate the melt, a flange can be attached which projects into the bore with a collar and closes the hollow jacket again.

The adjacent planetary roller module can also be drilled to introduce the liquid melt. There is also a double casing, which is opened through the hole and must be closed again.

• die Bohrung durch das Gehäuse hindurchgeführt ist und in die im Gehäuse sitzende Buchse ragt, wobei die Materialzuführung mit einem Zuführungsgehäuse in die Bohrung ragt und
  • aa) wobei die Bohrung im Bereich der zum Temperieren dienenden Kanäle eine ringförmige Erweiterung aufweist, so daß um das Zuführungsgehäuse herum ein ringförmiger Verbindungskanal für die zum Temperieren dienenden Kanäle entsteht oder
  • bb) wobei die Bohrung bis in eine Nut reicht, die sich über den gesamten Umfang oder über einen Teil des Umfangs der im Gehäuse sitzenden Buchse erstreckt und deren Breite größer als der Durchmesser des Zuführungsgehäuses ist, so daß um das Zuführungsgehäuse herum ein Verbindungskanal für die dem Temperieren dienenden Kanäle entsteht oder
  • cc) wobei ein Zuführungsgehäuse verwendet wird, das in die Buchse ragt, wobei das Zuführungsgehäuse im Bereich der dem Temperieren dienenden Kanäle mit mindestens einem Verbindungskanal für diese Kanäle versehen ist Vorteilhafterweise kann der Verbindungskanal nach cc) spanabhebend durch Fräsen oder Drehen außen in die das Zuführungsgehäuse eingearbeitet werden. Vorzugsweise ist ein Zuführungsgehäuse mit mehreren Verbindungskanälen vorgesehen, so daß jede durch die Bohrung entstandene Unterbrechung eines Kanals durch einen Verbindungskanal aufgehoben bzw. überbrückt worden ist. Noch weiter bevorzugt ist ein Zuführungsgehäuse mit mehreren Verbindungskanälen, die übereinander liegen. Die einzelnen Verbindungskanäle können als neben einander liegende Nuten in das Zuführungsgehäuse gearbeitet werden. Die Kanäle können außen an dem Zuführungsgehäuse liegen. Günstig ist dabei, wenn die übereinander liegenden Verbindungskanäle eine Höhe besitzen, die geringer als die Breite ist. Zugleich ist die Breite so groß gewählt, daß die Verbindungskanäle gleichwohl einen ausreichenden Querschnitt zur störungsfreien Weiterleitung des Temperierungsmittels besitzt, vorzugsweise ist der Querschnitt gleich. Günstig ist, wenn die Höhe der Verbindungskanäle so gewählt ist, daß die Gesamthöhe der übereinander liegenden und durch einen Steg voneinander getrennten Verbindungskanäle nicht höher als die Höhe bzw. Tiefe der zum Temperieren dienenden Kanäle in der Buchse ist. Vorteilhafterweise können die übereinander liegenden Kanäle mit das Zuführungsgehäuse in diesem Bereich außen umschließenden Rohrmantel geschlossen werden. Der außen liegende Rohrmantel ist dann mit Einlaßöffnungen und Auslaßöffnungen versehen. Jede Einlaßöffnung ist so angeordnet, daß sie an dem zugehörigen, durch die beschriebene Unterbrechung entstandenen Kanalende liegt Wahlweise sind die Verbindungskanäle auch an einer Innenseite des Zuführungsgehäuses eingearbeitet worden und sind die Verbindungskanäle durch einen innen liegenden Rohrmantel verschlossen. Durch außen in das Zuführungsgehäuse eingearbeitete Einlaßöffnungen und Auslaßöffnungen entstehen gleichwohl Verbindungskanäle. oder
  • dd) wobei die Bohrung gegenüber dem Zuführungsgehäuse vergrößert ist und wobei in dem Gehäuse ein Einsatz mit einer Öffnung oder einem Anschluß zur Aufnahme des Zuführungsgehäuses vorgesehen ist. Der Einsatz besitzt außen liegend oder innen liegend einen oder mehrere Verbindungskanäle, die wie die Verbindungskanäle unter cc) ausgebildet sind bzw. hergestellt werden.
  • ee) wobei in der Bohrung ein Einsatz sitzt, an dem das Zuführungsgehäuse befestigt ist und der Einsatz außen liegend oder innen liegend oder innen liegend einen oder mehrere Verbindungskanäle besitzt, die wie die Verbindungskanäle unter cc) ausgebildet sind bzw. hergestellt werden.

After DE 10356423 is achieved with a jack that

• the bore is passed through the housing and protrudes into the socket seated in the housing, the material feed protruding into the bore with a feed housing and
  • aa) wherein the bore has an annular extension in the region of the channels used for temperature control, so that an annular connecting channel for the temperature control channels is created around the feed housing or
  • bb) wherein the bore extends into a groove which extends over the entire circumference or over a part of the circumference of the bushing seated in the housing and the width of which is greater than the diameter of the feed housing, so that a connecting channel for the channels used for tempering arise or
  • cc) where a feed housing is used which protrudes into the socket, the feed housing being provided with at least one connecting channel for these channels in the region of the tempering channels be incorporated. A feed housing with a plurality of connecting channels is preferably provided, so that each interruption of a channel caused by the bore has been canceled or bridged by a connecting channel. A feeder housing with a plurality of connecting channels which are located one above the other is even more preferred. The individual connecting channels can be worked into the feed housing as adjacent grooves. The channels can lie on the outside of the feed housing. It is advantageous if the connection channels lying one above the other have a height that is less than the width. At the same time, the width is chosen so large that the connecting channels nevertheless have a sufficient cross section for the trouble-free forwarding of the temperature control means, preferably the cross section is the same. It is advantageous if the height of the connecting channels is selected such that the total height of the connecting channels lying one above the other and separated from one another by a web is not higher than the height or depth of the channels in the socket used for tempering. Advantageously, the ducts lying one above the other can be closed with a tubular casing which surrounds the feed housing in this area on the outside. The outer tubular jacket is then provided with inlet openings and outlet openings. Each inlet opening is arranged in such a way that it lies at the associated channel end resulting from the interruption described. Optionally, the connecting channels have also been incorporated on the inside of the feed housing and the connecting channels are closed by an inner tubular jacket. Connection channels are nevertheless formed by inlet openings and outlet openings worked into the outside of the feed housing. or
  • dd) wherein the bore is enlarged relative to the feed housing and an insert with an opening or a connection for receiving the feed housing is provided in the housing. The insert has one or more connection channels on the outside or on the inside, which, like the connection channels under cc), are designed or manufactured.
  • ee) wherein an insert is seated in the bore, to which the feed housing is fastened and the insert has one or more connecting channels on the outside or inside or on the inside, which are designed or manufactured like the connecting channels under cc).

The feed housing described above can penetrate the bushing located in the extruder housing to such an extent that it fits with the inner surface of the Completely or partially closes the socket. The feed housing is adapted to the inner surface of the socket and can be completely flush with the inner surface of the socket. This can also be applied to internally toothed bushings in an extruder barrel. The adaptation is achieved by turning or milling or grinding or when adapting to internally toothed housing bushings in that a toothing is worked into the housing wall in the same way as for the internal toothing of the bushing located in the extruder housing. The use of spark erosion for gear cutting is favorable.

Otherwise, the same applies to the connection of the part used for the production of liquid melt to the housing of the planetary roller module as to the connection to the single-screw module.

If required, the degassing takes place immediately before the extrusion die.
Degassing presupposes that the melt pressure is reduced.
Degassing using two extruders arranged in tandem at the transfer between the two extruders is also known.
The degassing can also take place in an extruder. The necessary pressure reduction of the melt can be done with various measures, for example by changing the pitch of the screw in the extruder.
For degassing, the melt can also be drawn off from the extruder and passed through a degassing device and returned to the extruder. Pressure control can be made considerably easier by interposing a melt pump. This also applies to the pressure immediately in front of the extrusion die (tool). Here the pressure can also be evened out by the melt pump, thus improving the quality of the extrudate.
Further degassing options are in the PCT / EP2017 / 1372 described.

The use of planetary roller extruders is relatively rare for the production of mixtures of plastic and filler particles.
This is attributed to the fact that particles in large quantities and with larger dimensions are very difficult to pass through in the mixture in a planetary roller extruder. This is especially true when the 60Vol%, especially 65Vol% limit is exceeded. There is then the danger that the particles will be rolled into the toothing by the orbiting planets and thereby build up on the tooth base. The particles are then no longer displaced by the teeth of the planetary spindles in the tooth base of the central spindle and in the tooth base of the housing teeth. This also applies to particles in the tooth base of the planetary gear teeth.
The build-up of the particles in the tooth base causes the planets to jump over, which are only held in the toothing of the central spindle and in the toothing of the surrounding housing during their rotation. When skipping, the entire toothing is damaged. The result is a total loss with a corresponding breakdown for the repair.
Regardless of the risk of damage caused by the build-up of particles in the tooth base, the filler particles cause considerable wear on the planetary roller extruder.
Now the costs for a planetary roller extruder are much greater than the costs for single-screw extruders and twin-screw extruders.

The costs can be reduced by using a planetary roller extruder which supplies several downstream single-screw extruders with the filler-plastic mixture. Each of these single screw extruders has the sole purpose of ensuring the pressure necessary for the mixture to pass through the downstream nozzle. With its outlet cross section, the nozzle defines the cross section of the emerging strand. The same or different nozzles can be used. Accordingly, the various single-screw extruders form parallel production lines, which are operated from a common plant section with the mixture described. Instead of the single-screw extruders, other extruders could also be used individually or in groups. However, the single screw extruders are unrivaled in terms of price and fulfill all of the requirements described.
The acquisition costs of the common planetary roller extruder are distributed across all production lines and therefore do not have the same impact as when using an independent planetary roller extruder for each production line.

The distribution of the mixture is preferably used to carry out degassing on the route. The degassing can take place in the ambient air. The heat contained in the mixture already causes degassing. Degassing can be increased by applying a vacuum.

The degassing at the outlet of the planetary roller extruder can be the only degassing point or can be supplemented with a known degassing at another point of the planetary roller extruder.

Optionally, a storage container is also initially provided behind the planetary roller extruder. The reservoir forms a buffer by allowing production fluctuations between the Planetary roller extruder and the downstream production lines. The mixture is kept at the intended temperature in the storage container. Degassing preferably also takes place in the storage container.

The distributor can have various shapes.
A variant is formed by a switch which projects like a knife into the incoming mixture and branches off desired quantities from the stream. The branched quantity can be changed by adjusting the switch. Preferably, the adjustment of the switch is combined with a quantity measurement, so that a contact for an adjustment of the switch is given if the desired quantity in a branch is undershot or exceeded. This control is preferably provided with a particular inertia, so that not every small gap in the mixture flow immediately leads to an adjustment of the switch. The inertia of the control can be achieved by measuring at intervals. The intervals are at least 5 seconds long, preferably 10 seconds long, more preferably at least 20 seconds long. The inertia of the control can also be achieved in that the adjustment only reacts when larger deviations from the setpoint have been reached. A reaction is preferably provided in the event of a deviation from the target quantity of at least 5% by weight, more preferably with a deviation of at least 10% by weight and most preferably with a deviation of at least 20% by weight.

A switch is sufficient for two branches to two production lines. With three branches to three production lines, two switches are sufficient. With four deviations from four production lines, three switches are sufficient. The number of turnouts is 1 less than the number of branches.

The switches are optionally combined with an open slide. For this purpose, the slide preferably has a flat floor, so that the switches can be moved close to the floor or even in contact with the floor.
The turnouts are articulated and equipped with an adjustment motor.
The quantity is measured either in the area of the filling opening or in the funnel on the downstream single-screw extruders.
The quantity can also be measured by weight measurement on the slide. For this purpose, a part of the branch is preferably arranged directly behind the switches and provided there with a measuring device. These can be electrically acting load cells. Such load cells have a strain gauge, which react to different loads, for example with different resistance for a flowing electrical current.

The interval control can also be combined with the larger quantity deviation described.

The setpoints of the control can preferably be changed in order to take into account an adaptation to different required quantities of mixture in the production lines. The required quantities of mixture in the production lines change, for example, if other profiles of smaller cross-section or larger cross-section are to be produced.

The distributor can also have a distributor cone which directs the mixture emerging from the planetary roller extruder into a channel. Various branches then go from the trough to the downstream production lines. The distributor cone can also direct the mixture directly into the branches. The various branches are then preferably arranged around the distributor cone.
Optionally, the branches are also provided with an adjustable inlet opening and this is combined with a rotatable distributor cone, so that a sufficient amount of mixture can be guaranteed before each inlet opening by rotating the distributor cone. The amount of mixture is preferably adjusted accordingly. With an intermediate buffer / storage container, the inflowing mixture quantity can be easily adjusted to the requirements via a controllable discharge lock.

This means that the amount of discharge from the buffer / storage container is changed by adjusting the discharge lock if the amount of mixture in front of the inlet openings deviates from a target size.
The adjustability of the inlet openings acts like an adjustment of the switch described above. The same means as for the switch can also be used to adjust the inlet opening.

Optionally, a circumferential scraper is also provided on the distributor cone, which moves the mixture quantity in whole or in part to the various inlet openings. Along the way, the inlet openings are mixed at intervals. Depending on the length and frequency of the intervals, mixture can flow into the inlet opening. As a result, the length and frequency of the intervals can be used as a controlled variable.

Alternatively, a rotating distributor plate is used instead of the distributor cone. The same can be achieved with the distributor plate as with the distributor cone.

Alternatively, a rotary feeder can be used to feed the various branches to the production lines. Each cellular wheel sluice has a cellular wheel. The cellular wheel forms various chambers, which are filled from above and open above the branch to be charged. On the way to the correct branch, other branches that are not to be loaded at the moment can be run over if the filled chamber of the cellular wheel can be closed with a cover. The lid is then opened at the correct junction.
Instead of the cover or in addition to the cover on the cellular wheel, covers or slides can also be provided at the inlet opening of the branches.

The distributor is preferably designed like a pot
This has several advantages. The advantages also include the pot volume. If the pot is large enough, the pot also forms a storage container / buffer.

The various branches in the floor area are connected to the pot. The floor area includes the floor and the lower area of the side walls.

The mixture can be directed in front of the inlet openings by guide devices inside the pot. Such a guide device optionally forms a cone. The control device can also be used for other types of distribution.
The same applies to a rotor provided in the pot.
A round pot shape is advantageous for the rotor because the rotatable rotor can then easily move along the container wall.
The rotor preferably includes arms that are straight and / or curved. Even more preferably, the arms are at an angle to the radius of the rotor in each area. The inclination is always the same if the course is straight. If the course is curved, the angle of inclination changes. The mixture is pressed with the rotor against the inlet openings of the branch.
A semicircular or oval or sickle-like course of the arms is advantageous, in which the arms of the rotor open in the direction of rotation, so that the mixture moved by the arms is moved / concentrated on a circular path which runs as close as possible to the center of the inlet openings. This has the advantage, among other things, that there are no dead spaces on the container wall in which the plastic remains for too long and is damaged as a result of excessive heat load.

With regard to the pot, the openings in the pot can also be referred to as outlet openings. The designation outlet opening can even be more appropriate than the designation inlet opening if the branch is not directly connected to the pot, but is arranged at a short distance below the openings in the pot.
Then the above-mentioned devices for changing the opening width are preferably provided below the pot at its openings.
Sliders are optionally used as adjusting devices, the actuation of which partially or even completely closes or opens the openings.
The direction of movement of the slide preferably runs parallel to the bottom of the pot in the radial direction. However, other slide directions can also be considered. The slides can be held in a straight guide. The slides can also be arranged so as to be pivotable.
It is advantageous if the slides are provided with a stepping motor that enables a defined movement and position of the slides. The drive for the rotor, however, can be of a simple type.

For operation, maintenance and repair of the distributor, it is advantageous if essential parts of the distributor can be opened. This can be done with movable flaps and removable lids and / or by the fact that essential parts such as the pot can be moved laterally and / or in the radial direction out of the distributor.
This is achieved with suitable rails.

In principle, the filler particles can only be preheated in the extruder. It is advantageous to preheat the filler particles before they are fed into the extruder, because conventional preheating devices only cause a fraction of the cost of an extruder.

The exit temperature of the mixture from the extruder is preferably selected so that the emerging extruded strand has sufficient rigidity to be able to cool, for example, on a roller conveyor with rollers arranged close to one another, without there being any disadvantageous deformations. However, higher outlet temperatures can also be controlled by calibrating directly behind the extrusion nozzle. The dimensions of its passage opening correspond to the desired cross section of the extrusion strand. However, the contact surfaces of the calibration with the extrusion strand are cooled, so that the extrusion strand solidifies on the outer edge and is thus resistant to the roller table.
The calibration is very similar to the extrusion die. The extrusion die also has an opening with a cross section that corresponds to the cross section of the desired extrusion strand. The nozzle also preferably has cooling. To the extent that this cooling is sufficient to make the emerging extrusion strand stable on the roller table, calibration in the above sense is unnecessary. In contrast, the use of calibration can be more economical than an extrusion die in special form with a particularly long cooling section.

Advantageously, in particular the extruded profiles, in which the filler particles are immediately mixed with plastic melt after entering the planetary roller section of the extruder and then compressed between the parts of the planetary roller extruder section, have a particularly high strength and a particularly high resistance to moisture absorption and a particularly high frost / Dew change resistance.

From the PCT / EP2007 / 9140 individual characteristics are known per se. However, this application relates to the mixture of plastic with wood. The same goes for the EP 1297933A1 . The production of mixtures is also known from this, in which plastic is first melted and then mixed and kneaded with chips. The mixture should then be pressed into a plate. It is a typical chipboard production. When producing chipboard, it is important to wet the wood chips with the adhesive and then press them together. Extrusion does not occur in the production of chipboard itself. It is typical to mix the chips with the adhesive in a kneader.

The fillers and plastic listed at the beginning are fed directly into the extruder. The filler / plastic mixture emerges from the extruder in an “endless” strand.
In addition, not only is more effort to be taken into account in the known method, the kneading of the liquid melt also leads to a higher proportion of plastic.

The EP 1262293A1 also includes a proposal to mix wood chips and plastic. The chips should have a width of 0.5 to 20 mm, a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm and a length of 1 to 50 mm. To wet the chips, a jet of liquid plastic is generated and the chips are sprinkled into the jet and a layer of material is formed on a belt arranged underneath, which is then pressed. An extruder is only provided to liquefy the plastic. This known proposal does not go beyond the previously explained prior art. This also applies insofar as the wetting of fibers with plastic has been addressed in the proposal.

The U.S. Patent 5653534 shows a method for reinforcing plastic with fibers. The plastic is brought into a molten form. The fibers are then metered in. The resulting product has essentially the same appearance as plastic without a reinforcement insert.
The amount of fiber used of 30% does not lead to a highly filled plastic. The production of highly filled plastics places far higher demands.

In the PCT / EP2007 / 9140 When mixing the filler with the liquid melt before pressing / compressing, the temperature of the mixture components is of considerable importance.
A high temperature of the melt is favorable. The higher the melt temperature, the higher the flowability of the melt and the better the melt can penetrate into the cavities / pores between the particles before the filler is compressed. The maximum melt temperature depends on the material. At the melt temperature, a safety distance from the temperature at which the melt changes into a gaseous state or a chemical reaction occurs is preferably maintained. The safety distance is optionally at least 5%, even more preferably at least 10% and most preferably at least 15% of the temperature at which a transition to the gaseous state or a chemical reaction occurs.

In addition, the melt temperature is limited by the nature of the filler. Depending on the properties, the filler tends to color undesirably at higher temperatures.

Depending on the material and pressure, there are different processing temperatures for the melt. Whether the processing area can be fully or partially used depends on the filler used and the temperature of the filler. The higher temperatures result in more fluid plastic.

Plastic is preferably used, which is recycled at most once. The more often the material is recycled, the worse the flowability becomes with some plastics.
Or plastic is used, which consists of a mixture of fresh material with recycled material and has at least the same flowability as a material that has not been recycled more than once.
Fresh plastic overall, i.e. non-recycled material used.
The plastic is optionally plasticized together with aggregates or the aggregates are mixed with the plastic after the plasticization before the mixture with the filler particles takes place. These additives preferably include dyes and adhesion promoters and water repellents.

Fillers with small dimensions are suitable for conveying with compressed air. With the compressed air, the filler particles can be transported within a wide range to any place, for example in the feed hopper. Compressed air is usually generated using fans that draw air in on one side and force the air into a transport line on the other side.
At the destination of the filler particle transport, the compressed air must be separated from the filler particles again. This is done using suitable filters. In practice, however, the filters cannot separate every dust particle from the compressed air. Particulate matter enters the environment to a greater or lesser extent. After PCT / EP2007 / 9140 the particulate matter emissions should be reduced. For this reason, suction air is preferably used to transport the filler particles. At the destination of the suction air transport, the filler particles are separated from the suction air with filters, as is the case with compressed air transport.

The plasticization of the plastic can take place not only in the form described above in an extruder, but also in other facilities. Batch liquefaction is conceivable. A heated pressure vessel is preferably provided for the liquefaction of the plastic. Batch operation allows only one intermittent liquefaction process when using a single pressure vessel with a single chamber.
With two tanks, however, a continuous liquefaction process can already be carried out. The same applies to a single container with two melt chambers, which can be alternately filled and emptied. The containers are preferably emptied by a pump. The pump not only ensures rapid emptying. The pump can also build up a high pressure in the melt.

The filler particles can be heated in one or more stages. The heating The heating takes place before contact with the plastic. Depending on the temperature of the supplied melt and the further processing of the mixture and the temperature control associated with it, the filler can experience further heating or cooling due to the supplied melt and the further processing.
The preheating of the filler is preferably at least 50 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least 100 degrees Celsius and most preferably at least 150 degrees Celsius.

The multistage preheating of the filler is optionally carried out with different heating devices. Each of the heating systems can work continuously or discontinuously. A continuously operating heating system is, for example, a heating tape and / or a tunnel oven.
The heating tape is a heated belt conveyor on which the filler particles heat up. The filler particles can also be passed through the heating tape under suitable heat radiators. It is beneficial to enclose the heating tape in order to avoid a loss of temperature.
A tunnel oven differs from the heating belt in that it is not the conveyor belt but the housing that is provided with a heating device and / or that a heating gas is passed through the housing. The heating temperature is selected so that any risk of ignition / fire for the filler is avoided.

Discontinuous heating can take place in a container until the filler particles have reached the desired temperature. A gaseous heating medium flows through the container. Inert heating gases are cheap. Inert heating gases can be introduced into the containers at a much higher temperature than air, for example, without the risk of fire.
After the desired heating of the filler particles, the container can be opened and the filler particles can be removed from the container for mixing with the plastic.

If all or part of the preheating takes place in an extruder or an extruder section (module), the mixture of plastic and filler preferably takes place in a further extruder or extruder section connected downstream. Each extruder / extruder section is provided with a material feed opening and with an outlet for the processed material. The material feed opening is at one end of the extruder. From there, the material is conveyed under the desired treatment to the material outlet at the other end of the extruder.

As explained above, the melt can be fed into the other extruder (main extruder) via an intermediate ring after the plastic has been melted separately.

The device provided for separate melting is either flanged directly to the other extruder (main extruder) or the device with its melt outlet sits in an inlet opening of the other extruder (main extruder).
Valves or orifices for adjusting the melt flow are optionally provided in the various feed lines to the intermediate ring. The valves optionally allow readjustment and influence on the melt flow during operation. This can be used to even out or create differences. In addition to or instead of the valves, a change in the melt flow can also be achieved by means of inserts which are positioned in the feed lines. The inserts can also be provided in the intermediate ring.
In addition, the melt feed in the case of melt production with an extruder is determined by the speed of the extruder provided for plasticizing the plastic.

Optionally, the liquid melt is fed into the single-screw module / section at the end of the heating section. If necessary, the extruder provided for the production of the liquid melt is directly connected to the single-screw module / section provided for heating the filler. Or a feed line is provided which leads to the housing of the single-screw module / section. The extruder flanged directly to the single-screw module and used for the production of liquid melt can be referred to as a side arm extruder. This extruder can have the same design as the single-screw module. However, a different type of extruder can also be used.
The housing can be drilled through for the introduction of the liquid melt into the single-screw module / section. The casing jacket, which is double-walled for temperature control, is drilled through. So that on the one hand the melt does not flow into the hollow jacket and on the other hand the tempering agent does not contaminate the melt, a flange can be attached which projects into the bore with a collar and closes the hollow jacket again.

The adjacent planetary roller section / module can also be drilled to introduce the liquid melt.
There is also a double casing, which is opened through the hole and must be closed again.

• aa) wobei die Bohrung im Bereich der zum Temperieren dienenden Kanäle eine ringförmige Erweiterung aufweist, so daß um das Zuführungsgehäuse herum ein ringförmiger Verbindungskanal für die zum Temperieren dienenden Kanäle entsteht oder
• bb) wobei die Bohrung bis in eine Nut reicht, die sich über den gesamten Umfang oder über einen Teil des Umfangs der im Gehäuse sitzenden Buchse erstreckt und deren Breite größer als der Durchmesser des Zuführungsgehäuses ist, so daß um das Zuführungsgehäuse herum ein Verbindungskanal für die dem Temperieren dienenden Kanäle entsteht oder
• cc) wobei ein Zuführungsgehäuse verwendet wird, das in die Buchse ragt, wobei das Zuführungsgehäuse im Bereich der dem Temperieren dienenden Kanäle mit mindestens einem Verbindungskanal für diese Kanäle versehen ist Vorteilhafterweise kann der Verbindungskanal nach cc) spanabhebend durch Fräsen oder Drehen außen in die das Zuführungsgehäuse eingearbeitet werden. Vorzugsweise ist ein Zuführungsgehäuse mit mehreren Verbindungskanälen vorgesehen, so daß jede durch die Bohrung entstandene Unterbrechung eines Kanals durch einen Verbindungskanal aufgehoben bzw. überbrückt worden ist. Noch weiter bevorzugt ist ein Zuführungsgehäuse mit mehreren Verbindungskanälen, die übereinander liegen. Die einzelnen Verbindungskanäle können als neben einander liegende Nuten in das Zuführungsgehäuse gearbeitet werden. Die Kanäle können außen an dem Zuführungsgehäuse liegen. Günstig ist dabei, wenn die übereinander liegenden Verbindungskanäle eine Höhe besitzen, die geringer als die Breite ist. Zugleich ist die Breite so groß gewählt, daß die Verbindungskanäle gleichwohl einen ausreichenden Querschnitt zur störungsfreien Weiterleitung des Temperierungsmittels besitzt, vorzugsweise ist der Querschnitt gleich. Günstig ist, wenn die Höhe der Verbindungskanäle so gewählt ist, daß die Gesamthöhe der übereinander liegenden und durch einen Steg voneinander getrennten Verbindungskanäle nicht höher als die Höhe bzw. Tiefe der zum Temperieren dienenden Kanäle in der Buchse ist. Vorteilhafterweise können die übereinander liegenden Kanäle mit das Zuführungsgehäuse in diesem Bereich außen umschließenden Rohrmantel geschlossen werden. Der außen liegende Rohrmantel ist dann mit Einlaßöffnungen und Auslaßöffnungen versehen. Jede Einlaßöffnung ist so angeordnet, daß sie an dem zugehörigen, durch die beschriebene Unterbrechung entstandenen Kanalende liegt Wahlweise sind die Verbindungskanäle auch an einer Innenseite des Zuführungsgehäuses eingearbeitet worden und sind die Verbindungskanäle durch einen innen liegenden Rohrmantel verschlossen. Durch außen in das Zuführungsgehäuse eingearbeitete Einlaßöffnungen und Auslaßöffnungen entstehen gleichwohl Verbindungskanäle. oder
• dd) wobei die Bohrung gegenüber dem Zuführungsgehäuse vergrößert ist und wobei in dem Gehäuse ein Einsatz mit einer Öffnung oder einem Anschluß zur Aufnahme des Zuführungsgehäuses vorgesehen ist. Der Einsatz besitzt außen liegend oder innen liegend einen oder mehrere Verbindungskanäle, die wie die Verbindungskanäle unter cc) ausgebildet sind bzw. hergestellt werden.
• ee) wobei in der Bohrung ein Einsatz sitzt, an dem das Zuführungsgehäuse befestigt ist und der Einsatz außen liegend oder innen liegend oder innen liegend einen oder mehrere Verbindungskanäle besitzt, die wie die Verbindungskanäle unter cc) ausgebildet sind bzw. hergestellt werden.

After DE 10356423 is achieved with a jack that
the bore is passed through the housing and protrudes into the socket seated in the housing,
the material feed protruding into the bore with a feed housing and

• aa) wherein the bore has an annular extension in the region of the channels used for temperature control, so that an annular connecting channel for the temperature control channels is created around the feed housing or
• bb) wherein the bore extends into a groove which extends over the entire circumference or over a part of the circumference of the bushing seated in the housing and the width of which is greater than the diameter of the feed housing, so that a connecting channel for the channels used for tempering arise or
• cc) where a feed housing is used which protrudes into the socket, the feed housing being provided with at least one connecting channel for these channels in the region of the tempering channels be incorporated. A feed housing with a plurality of connecting channels is preferably provided, so that each interruption of a channel caused by the bore has been canceled or bridged by a connecting channel. A feeder housing with a plurality of connecting channels which are located one above the other is even more preferred. The individual connecting channels can be worked into the feed housing as adjacent grooves. The channels can lie on the outside of the feed housing. It is advantageous if the connection channels lying one above the other have a height that is less than the width. At the same time, the width is chosen so large that the connecting channels nevertheless have a sufficient cross section for the trouble-free forwarding of the temperature control means, preferably the cross section is the same. It is advantageous if the height of the connecting channels is selected such that the total height of the connecting channels lying one above the other and separated from one another by a web is not higher than the height or depth of the channels in the socket used for tempering. Advantageously, the ducts lying one above the other can be closed with a tubular casing which surrounds the feed housing in this area on the outside. The outer tubular jacket is then provided with inlet openings and outlet openings. Each inlet opening is arranged in such a way that it lies at the associated channel end resulting from the interruption described. Optionally, the connecting channels have also been incorporated on the inside of the feed housing and the connecting channels are closed by an inner tubular jacket. Through inlet openings machined into the outside of the feed housing and outlet openings nevertheless create connecting channels. or
• dd) wherein the bore is enlarged relative to the feed housing and an insert with an opening or a connection for receiving the feed housing is provided in the housing. The insert has one or more connection channels on the outside or on the inside, which, like the connection channels under cc), are designed or manufactured.
• ee) wherein an insert is seated in the bore, to which the feed housing is fastened and the insert has one or more connecting channels on the outside or inside or on the inside, which are designed or manufactured like the connecting channels under cc).

The feed housing described above can penetrate the bushing seated in the extruder housing to such an extent that it closes in whole or in part with the inner surface of the bushing. The feed housing is preferably adapted to the inner surface of the socket and can be completely flush with the inner surface of the socket. This can also be applied to internally toothed bushings in an extruder barrel. The adaptation can be achieved by turning or milling or grinding or when adapting to internally toothed housing bushings in that a toothing is worked into the housing wall in the same way as for the internal toothing of the bushing located in the extruder housing. The use of spark erosion for gear cutting is favorable.

Otherwise, the same applies to the connection of the part used for the production of liquid melt to the housing of the planetary roller module as to the connection to the single-screw module.

The side arm extruder can have different designs.
There are single screw extruders, twin screw extruders and planetary roller extruders.
The single-screw extruder is the cheapest type of extruder, but also the smallest type of extruder.
When using a single screw extruder, the pitch of the screw should cause the desired conveying effect.

The twin-screw extruder has two parallel and intermeshing screws. The twin screw extruder is more complex than a single screw extruder. However, the twin-screw extruder has a much greater conveying effect than a single-screw extruder. Nevertheless, the twin screw extruder is still relatively cheap. In addition, the twin-screw extruder is still very small. Due to the high conveying effect, the twin-screw extruder makes it easy to ensure that the liquid melt is injected into the planetary roller module at the correct pressure.

A planetary roller part is optionally used for this side arm extruder. In use, this planetary roller part can also be operated in such a way that the pressure required to inject the liquid melt is created.

The invention is based on the concept of heating and melting the plastic independently of the filler. The procedure has proven itself. In the meantime, many hundreds of tons of filler / plastic mixtures have been manufactured and sold. Nevertheless, the invention has set itself the task of improving the method. The invention is used in the consideration of increasing the economy by reducing wear.

According to the invention this is achieved with the features of the main claim. The subclaims describe advantageous exemplary embodiments.

According to the invention, at least part of the plastic melt is introduced into the extruder before the filler is introduced. This serves to wet the toothed extruder parts. The melt is drawn in by the toothed extruder parts in the area where the filler is applied. There the melt lowers the friction values of the contact surfaces in the extruder. The proportion of the melt is at least 5% of the total envisaged amount of melt, preferably at least 15% of the total envisaged amount of melt, even more preferably at least 30% of the total envisaged amount of melt and most preferably at least 45% of the total envisaged amount of melt. The proportion of the amount of melt can also be 60% or 75% or 90% or even 100% of the envisaged amount of melt.
If the entire amount of melt is fed into the extruder before the addition of filler, only one melt feed to the extruder is provided, which has been arranged in the direction of conveyance of the extruder before the filler is added to the extruder housing.
Insofar as the melt addition is split before filler addition and after filler addition, the corresponding melt feed lines to both addition points are necessary.
When using an extruder, as in the PCT / EP2007 / 9140 , The extruder can be provided at the point at which the main proportion of the envisaged melt quantity is added, The the second addition point is then fed via a melt line which leads from the extruder to the second addition point.
When using one from the PCT / EP2007 / 9140 Known melt container and a pump for the addition of the melt, only a single melt line from the pump to the one addition point is provided if the entire amount of melt is to take place before the filler is added.
When the melt is distributed over two addition points, two melt lines are preferably provided from the pump to the two addition points, one for each addition point.

Preferably, at least the melt is added before the filler is added by means of a side entry as after the PCT / EP2007 / 9140 . In addition, the melt can also be introduced vertically from above or inclined from above or from below or inclined from below, because the melt produced with the side arm extruder can be fed in at any peripheral point of the extruder. The same applies to a melt feed from a melt container with a pump.

It is advantageous to also feed the filler to the extruder with a side entry. Side arm extruders are particularly suitable for this.

For the wetting of the toothed extruder parts according to the invention prior to the addition of filler, conventional rings can be used which are provided on the inside with a melt line / channel which lead to outlet openings on the end face of the rings which face the extruder parts to be wetted.
New rings are preferably used in which the internal melt line / channel opens to the same end face as the conventional rings, but the opening is formed by an arcuate gap which is at least over 300 degrees, preferably over at least 330 degrees and still more preferably extends over at least 345 degrees on the end face of the ring. The arcuate duct / fuse line has two ends. An annular channel / melt line in the ring can also be considered, in which the melt can be distributed in an uncontrolled manner. The distribution of the melt is better in the curved duct / fusible duct.
By closing the channel at one point, an arcuate channel / melt line can be made from an annular channel / melt line.
In the case of an arcuate channel / melt line, the melt is preferably fed in at half the bottom length, so that the melt can extend from this point to the same extent in each circumferential direction of the ring.

For the channel / melt line, the ring can optionally be composed of several parts, so that the manufacture and maintenance of the ring is simplified. For example, the ring can form an open channel, in particular a U-shaped cross section, the open end of which is closed by a second part in the form of an annular cover. A U-shaped cross-section is created, for example, by a groove in the ring. Such rings with lids are known per se, in which there are openings for degassing the melt or for introducing liquid additives. What is new is to design the cover for the supply of melt in such a way that the U-shaped recess / groove of the channel / melt line in the operating position / closed position leaves a gap open at one edge.

Optionally, the ring according to the invention can also be combined with other rings in one construction. Such a ring can be, for example, the thrust ring.

In the case of the combination of different rings, it is advantageous if both rings complement each other. When applied to the ring construction according to the invention, this can mean that the thrust ring also forms the cover for the ring according to the invention.
The ring according to the invention can also be combined with other extruder parts.
A combination with the internally toothed housing socket can also be used. The housing bushing can form the cover for the ring according to the invention.

A combination of several functional parts of the extruder with the ring according to the invention is also optionally provided.

For example, a nozzle can be formed with a U-shaped groove in the end face of the ring according to the invention. The groove in the end face of the ring according to the invention pointing in the working / conveying direction results in an outer web which forms the outer, annular part of the end face and an inner web which forms the inner, annular part of the end face. The outside web is many times thicker than the inside web.
In the application of the ring according to the invention to planetary roller extruders, the groove becomes a channel / melt line in that the ring with the outer web and its outer end face is pressed sealingly against the internally toothed bushing in the extruder housing.
The inner web ends at a short distance from the end face of the internally toothed bushing of the extruder housing. This forms the opening gap, from which melt melts out during operation and wets the toothed extruder parts.

The gap width depends on the amount of melt that is to flow through the gap per unit of time.
This amount of melt results from the current extruder output and the intended plastic content for the addition into the extruder before the addition of filler.

The temperature and pressure of the melt are adjusted / increased / reduced for the necessary throughput of this melt through the gap. This is done by measuring this amount of melt until the desired amount of melt is reached. An average gap width of at least 0.2 mm, more preferably of at least 0.4 mm and most preferably of at least 0.6 mm is preferably provided.

The gap on the ring according to the invention is preferably chosen to be narrow in the area of the melt entry into the channel / melt line and widens (gap width increases) - starting from the entry point into the channel / melt line - with increasing distance from the entry point. This should take into account the pressure drop in the melt that arises from the beginning of the gap to the end of the gap, so that the melt emerges from the gap and the toothed extruder parts are wetted more evenly.
The expansion is smaller for planetary roller extruders with a small size than for planetary roller extruders with a large size. For a 150 mm extruder (the size designation corresponds to the pitch circle diameter of the internal toothing of the housing or the internally toothed housing bush), the expansion is preferably at least 0.3 mm, more preferably at least 0.6 mm and most preferably at least 0.9 mm.

The ring according to the invention is preferably tempered, so that it is ensured that the melt in the ring does not cool down excessively and is also not excessively heated.
The danger of excessive heating arises when the filler / plastic mixture is processed in the extruder. Energy is introduced into the mixture, which has to be removed again.
The risk of excessive cooling arises in particular when the material flow is interrupted, when the extruder is shut down, and when the extruder is started up.

For the cooling of the ring, a cooling channel is provided in the ring, through which tempering agent is passed in the operating case. In the exemplary embodiment, the temperature control agent is water, for processing filler particles with polyethylene.

After PCT / EP2007 / 9140 the filler can be preheated in the extruder alone and / or fed into the extruder already preheated.

The task in the extruder can be according to the PCT / EP2007 / 9140 via a funnel and a stuffing screw.
According to the invention, it is optionally provided that the filler particles are first fed into a side arm extruder, preheated therein and then fed into the planetary roller extruder for mixing with the melt. A twin-screw extruder is preferably provided as the side arm extruder.

• 1 zeigt einen Extruder für die Herstellung von Mischungen aus Kunststoff und Füllstoffpartikeln. Der Extruder besitzt vier Abschnitte. Drei Extruderabschnitte sind als Planetwalzenextruderabschnitte ausgebildet, der vierte Extruderabschnitt ist als Einschneckenextruder ausbildet und dient dem Materialeinzug.

Various known systems are shown in the drawing, the technology of which the invention is based. The show 1 to 11 the well-known plants and the 12th to 15 the further development according to the invention.

• 1 shows an extruder for the production of mixtures of plastic and filler particles. The extruder has four sections. Three extruder sections are designed as planetary roller extruder sections, the fourth extruder section is designed as a single-screw extruder and is used for material feed.

The housing of the planetary roller extruder sections and the housing of the single-screw extruder section are designated by 5. Any housing 5 has welded flanges 6 and 7 which are screwed together in a form not shown. The housing 1 is with flanges 3rd and 4th provided that like the flanges 6 and 7 serve the attachment. Any housing 1 and 5 is lined with bushings on the inside.
Furthermore, channels are shown on the inside of the housing, which are acted upon with heating medium or coolant as required.

The illustrated ends of the housing 5 are turned out at the back and each with a centering ring, thrust ring and wear ring 8th Mistake.
The thrust ring and wear ring 8th forms the sliding surface for planetary spindles 10th . The thrust ring and wear ring 8th has an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the movement path on which the planetary spindles rotate around the central spindle.

All extruder sections have a common spindle. This common spindle is designated 9 in the area of the planetary roller extruder sections and 19 in the area of the single-screw extruder section serving as a feed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the feed material is formed by filler. The fillers are passed through a funnel through an opening 2nd dosed. The fillers are shown in a manner not shown withdrawn from a silo by means of a suction air conveyor and passed into a filter arranged above the funnel and separated from the suction air. The fillers are drawn from the filter into the funnel by means of a stuffing screw, not shown. A volume-metric measurement of the amount of fillers takes place in the funnel. In other exemplary embodiments, an additional gravimetric measurement or only a gravimetric measurement is provided. The suction air conveyor is controlled based on the measurement results.

The first extruder section forms a feed for the second extruder section. In the second extruder section, metering and mixing with liquid plastic melt and compression take place; homogenization of the mixture in the third extruder section. The mixture is cooled to the exit temperature in the last extruder section. In the exemplary embodiment, the filler has a share of 70% by weight and the plastic has a share of 30% by weight in the mixture. In other exemplary embodiments, the filler content is, for example, 65% or 75% of the mixture. Surcharges such as flame retardants (for construction products), paint and water repellents have been added to the plastic content. In the exemplary embodiment, the flame retardant is aluminum hydroxide (ATH) in a proportion of 16% by weight, based on the mixture as a whole. In other exemplary embodiments, a different flame retardant or a mixture with other flame retardants is provided. In total, flame retardant contents of 10 to 20% by weight can result. The proportion of colors in the exemplary embodiment is 4% by weight, based on the entire mixture. In other embodiments, the proportion of colors 1 up to 5% by weight.
In the exemplary embodiment, the additives are first mixed into the melt and introduced with the melt into the extruder for mixing with the filler.

The resulting mixture occurs at the extruder tip 12th into an extrusion nozzle, not shown, the opening of which is modeled on the cross section of a desired profile, so that an extruded strand with the cross section of a desired profile is produced by extruding the mixture. Cutting the extrusion strand to length, not shown, creates profile sections of any desired length.

The profiles are chosen so that there is a wall thickness of 10mm. In other exemplary embodiments, 8 to 12 mm wall thickness is selected.
The profiling includes a cavity or chamber formation.

In 2nd is for introducing the liquid melt on the planetary roller part 5 a side arm extruder 20th intended.
The side arm extruder is designed as a twin-screw extruder. The twin screw extruder consists of two counter-rotating screws. In the side arm extruder 20th Plastic granules, in the exemplary embodiment polyethylene (PE) granules, are filled in, not shown, compressed and heated and formed on the way to a liquid melt. With the PE granulate, additives such as paint and water repellant have been applied at the same time. The aggregates find an advantageous distribution in the melt.

With the twin screw extruder, the liquid melt can enter the planetary roller section with considerable pressure 5 be injected. The liquid melt wets the filler particles on the surface and penetrates into the voids between the particles. During the subsequent compression of the mixture, the cavities are reduced and closed by the melt, which remained open when the melt was injected. The melt is applied at a temperature at which the melt remains liquid even if it has given off heat through contact with the filler particles.

The melt acts like an adhesive between the different filler particles.

The side arm extruder housing 20th is in several parts. The headboard 21 sits as a feed housing in a hole in the housing of the planetary roller part 5 . The hole also penetrates the associated socket 22 and closes with the inner surface of the socket 22 from.

In the exemplary embodiment, the side arm extruder is suitable for generating very high entry pressures.

In the embodiment of the 1 will the in 4th planetary roller part shown 5 used immediately after the material feed or immediately after the filler. In another embodiment, the planetary roller part comes 5 with the side arm extruder after the second planetary roller part to be used as the third planetary roller part.
In further exemplary embodiments, each planetary roller part can be provided with a side arm extruder for introducing liquid melt.

In a further embodiment according to 3rd the extruder housing of the side arm extruder, designated 30, extends to the housing 30th of the planetary roller part 5 approach. The extruder housing 30th is with an insert 31 connected in a bore of the housing 5 sits. The stake 31 owns on the outside, two superimposed grooves 32 and 34 . Between the two grooves 32 and 34 there is a footbridge 33 . These grooves form connecting channels. There are two connection channels because the housing with a socket 22 is lined and because the jack 22 is provided on the outside and inside with a toothing. The internal toothing, not shown, is used to mesh with the revolving planetary spindles, which in 1 are shown. The external teeth form channels for the temperature control agent for heating / cooling the planetary roller part. The outer teeth of the socket 22 is through the associated hole for use 31 interrupted in two places. Each connection channel is intended for one interrupt and connects the one interrupt end to the associated other interrupt end.

The grooves 32 and 34 are due to an external tubular jacket 35 sealed so that no heating or cooling agent can enter or exit incorrectly.
In the exemplary embodiment there is an inlet opening 37 the groove 34 shown. The entrance opening of the groove 32 is in a different place, not shown.
In the exemplary embodiment, the outlet opening lies on the diametrically opposite side of the insert, not shown 31 .

The embodiment according to 4th shows the application of an extruder for foam production. This is about an insert 40 that in the extruder housing 5 sits, liquid blowing agent pumped into the plastic melt.
In the area of the socket 41 an insert, not shown, is provided, which differs from the insert 3rd differs in that only one connecting channel is provided.

The 5 to 7 show another extruder with a planetary roller module with a housing 101 and a flanged side arm extruder.

The planetary roller module has an extruder housing with a bushing arranged in it. The housing is shrunk onto the socket.
The socket has milled channels on the outside for temperature control agents for cooling or heating.
The channels run helically on the outer surface of the socket and were created by milling. In the exemplary embodiment, two different temperature ranges are provided. One area is through inflows and outflows 120 , 121 characterized, the other area by inflows and outflows 122 , 123 .

The side arm extruder is a twin screw extruder and consists of different parts. This includes two snails arranged side by side 116 which mesh with each other and are driven by a motor. Between motor and snails 116 are a gear 115 and a clutch 111 intended.
In addition, the side arm extruder is made of a filler 109 and an extrusion part 102 composed. The filler 109 has an opening for a material feed, not shown.

The side arm extruder has in the extrusion part 102 a tempered housing.
The housing has a stepped end 104 with which it is in a hole 103 that sits through the housing of the planetary roller part 101 and extends through the associated socket into the interior of the planetary roller module. In the area of the inflows and outflows 122, 123, the bore requires special guidance of the channels provided for the temperature control agent on the outside of the bushing. There, the channels have been led around the area of the bore so that the area around the bore is also tempered.
An additional option for temperature control in the area is the temperature-controlled front end of the side arm extruder.

The drilling leads to a contact area due to the gradation described above 102 on the housing.

The 8th to 10th show in a further embodiment a complete plant for the production of mixtures of filler particles and plastic. In the exemplary embodiment there is an extruder with a filler 201 and two planetary roller parts 202 and 203 Application. The filler 201 has the design of a single screw and corresponds in principle to the single screw or filling part of the 1 . The two planetary roller parts 202 and 203 correspond in principle to the planetary roller parts 5 and 10th the 1 .

The filler 201 becomes a funnel 205 fed with the filler particles. The filler particles are drawn into the filler and slightly preheated.
The system also includes a laterally arranged extruder 204 . The extruder on the side 204 is a single-screw extruder and is used to melt the plastic. The extruder on the side injects the liquid melt between the filler 201 and the planetary roller part 202 in the extruder.
Between the filler 201 and the planetary roller part 202 an intermediate ring is provided.

The intermediate ring is in 11 shown. In 11 are the housing of the filler 201 With 211 and the housing of the planetary roller part 202 With 210 designated. The two opposite housing ends are with a collar 214 and 213 Mistake. There is an intermediate ring between the two collars 212 let in. The intermediate ring 212 is embedded in centering holes on the end faces of the collar. The intermediate ring 212 has several openings evenly distributed around the circumference, to which melt lines 216 from the extruder 204 to lead. The intermediate ring 212 is between the collars 211 and 213 tense. The bracing is effected by tensioning screws, of which only a center line 215 is shown. The clamping screws penetrate both collars and work together with screw nuts.

After the confluence of liquid melt and filler particles takes place in the planetary roller part 202 the mixing and homogenization and compression take place. In the subsequent planetary roller part, cooling takes place to a desired outlet temperature. In the exemplary embodiment, the temperature of the mixture is still so high that the mixture evaporates and loses unwanted moisture on the way.

In the exemplary embodiment, after the outlet and evaporation, the mixture is distributed to a number of further extruders. For this purpose, there is a distribution device 220 intended. The distribution facility 220 the mixture leads to three downstream single-screw extruders 221 , 222 and 223 . These single-screw extruders can be supplied with the mixture individually or in groups or all together, evenly or differently. The aim is to use different or identical profile formats with the single-screw extruders as required 221 , 222 and 223 to extrude.

In the exemplary embodiment, the distribution device is formed by a switch in the conveying path of the mixture after leaving the extruder. With the switch, the amount of mixture delivered can be diverted to certain single-screw extruders or divided into two or three streams, which are then fed to the relevant single-screw extruders.
The way to the distributor 303 is enclosed. The housing is with 302 designated. Degassing takes place on the way to the distributor and in the distributor.

The distribution according to the invention takes advantage of the gradient from a higher working level for a central production of the mixture to the lower-lying production lines.

The distributor consists of a pot-like lower part.
The lower part has an edge with which it rests on a false ceiling. In addition, the lower part protrudes down through a ceiling opening under the false ceiling.
The pot-like lower part is closed at the top with a lid. The cover can be moved in guides. The movability is used to open the distributor for maintenance and repair. In the exemplary embodiment, part of the housing is at the same time fastened to the cover and can be moved with the cover.
In addition, the cover can be partially opened to find access to the inside of the distributor without being moved.

When the mixture enters the distributor through the housing, it hits the tip of a cone. The cone is determined by the tip, its height and by its foot. The cone is rotatably arranged and provided with a drive.
As a result, the mixture slides down not only due to its gravity on the lateral surface of the cone, but also due to centrifugal force acting on the sliding mixture due to the rotation of the cone.
The cone thus forms a rotor.

The cone slides with the foot on the bottom of the pot-like part.
The mixture can collect in a space between the foot and the jacket of the pot-like part. The bottom of the distributor is open in the area of the above-mentioned channels or with outlet openings to the channels. This should cause the mixture to fall into the channels.
In the intermediate space, the mixture of arms is taken along in the direction of rotation of the cone. The arms are crescent-shaped and center the mixture on the center of the space, thus ensuring that the mixture enters the channels particularly reliably. The arms form clearers.

Depending on the volume of the distributor and the capacity of the distributor to mix, the distributor forms a more or less large buffer.

In a further embodiment is instead of the melt extruder 204 a pump, not shown, is provided, which doses the melt from a melt container, not shown, into the planetary roller extruder.

To 12th is a planetary roller extruder instead of the planetary roller extruder of the previous figures 140 with a gear / drive 141 , a filler 143 and planetary roller modules 144 and 145 intended.
At the same time there is a twin screw extruder instead of the previous addition for filler particles 147 intended. The twin screw extruder 147 is a side arm extruder. As in the other exemplary embodiments, it takes the filler particles out of one Hopper located above the side arm extruder. On the way to the filler 143 the filler particles experience a desired preheating.
As in the previous exemplary embodiments, a melt is provided for the mixture with the filler particles using a side arm extruder, which is the name here 146 wearing. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, the melt is fed in with the arrow 149 marked working direction of the extruder before the addition of the filler particles via an injection ring 142 . In the exemplary embodiment, the entire melt produced is in accordance with 12th into the filler 143 given up.

The distance between the central axis of the side arm extruder intended for melting plastic 146 and the central axis of the side arm extruder used for filling 147 is selected so that the desired wetting of the planetary roller parts takes place. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance is equal to half the pitch circle diameter of the filling part designed in the manner of a planetary roller extruder 143 . With a pitch circle diameter of 150mm of the internal teeth of the housing, the distance is exactly 75mm. This pitch circle diameter belongs to the size 150 . With other planetary roller extruder sections / modules, the designation of the size is derived from the pitch circle diameter of the internal teeth of the housing.

In other embodiments there is a smaller distance and the connection for the side arm extruder 147 arranged closer to the mounting flange of the filler housing. The distance can be reduced until the mounting flange touches the side arm extruder. An even smaller distance is impractical.

In still other exemplary embodiments, the distance is greater than in the present exemplary embodiment. The increase in distance should end where the wetting of the contact surfaces of the filler part with the melt deteriorates.

In still other embodiments, only a portion of that is with the side arm extruder 146 produced melt as in 12th shown, given up. The rest of the melt is injected via a melt line (not shown) at a point which in the exemplary embodiments of the 1 to 11 is shown.

The 13 shows the injection of the melt and the loading of the filler particles in an enlarged sectional view. Here are of the filling part designed in the manner of a planetary roller extruder 143 and the planetary roller module 144 the housing is shown with the internally toothed bushings, which is a central spindle 151 surround. The associated planetary spindles are not shown. The housing socket of the filler 143 is with 154 designated.
The filler 143 and the planetary roller module 144 are tempered in the manner described above.

From the transmission 141 protrudes an output pin 152 in front of which the central spindle 151 is screwed. The direction of rotation of the central spindle is chosen so that it runs opposite to the direction of rotation in which the central spindle screw connection is loosened.
In addition, to secure the screw connection, an anchor is guided centrally in the hollow central spindle and braced with the output pin.

To mount the filler housing and the housing of the planetary roller modules, the output pin of the gearbox is fitted with a piece of pipe 155 surround. The pipe piece 155 forms the connection between the filler housing and the housing of the planetary roller modules with the gearbox / drive.

The side arm extruder 147 is designed as a twin screw extruder. His two snails 150 protrude through an opening in the housing of the filler part up to the movement path of the rotating planetary spindles without touching them during operation.
This forces the filler particles between the rotating planetary spindles.

14 shows a further enlarged sectional view of the injection point 142 for melt. The center line of the extruder is drawn to scale and with 159 designated.
The housing 143 of the filler and the pipe surrounding the driven pin 155 are over flanges 156 and 157 tense together. Both flanges close a ring 160 between themselves.
The ring 160 is in the direction of work / funding 149 facing end face with a groove extending over 350 degrees 166 Mistake. As a result of the groove 166 create an outer web 165 and an inner bridge 164 .
The inner bridge 164 has a small wall thickness and ends at a distance from the adjacent end face of the housing bush 154 . This creates a gap 167 .
The outer web 165 lies sealingly on the end face of the housing bush 154 .
Thus arises from the ring according to the invention 166 and the housing bushing a channel for the supply of melt, the channel / ring through the gap 167 forms a device for injecting the melt.

15 shows a perspective individual view of the ring 166 with a fuse line connection 170 , which is provided centrally on the U-shaped groove. On both sides of the center of the connection, the U-shaped groove that forms the channel together with the housing socket extends over 175 degrees.
Also shows 15 connections 171 and 172 for the supply and discharge of temperature control agents.

During operation, the melt flows through the channel-forming groove 166 and enters the melt through the gap 167 into the interior of the extruder. The melt injects into the interior under the selected melt pressure, so that the toothed extruder parts in the filler part are wetted with melt before these extruder parts come into contact with the filler particles. The melt drastically reduces the friction value of the contact surfaces of the toothed extruder parts as long as it adheres to the contact surfaces. When the melt has been removed from the contact surfaces, the melt is mixed with the filler particles. The mixture is far from being as abrasive as the filler particles without mixing with the melt. On the way, the service life of the toothed extruder parts can easily be extended by 20% and more.

• -einen Kanal 161 in der erfindungsgemäßen Ringkonstruktion zur Temperierung mit Wasser
• -eine mittige Ausnehmung 162 in der Stirnfläche des Ringes 160, die es erlaubt, eine oder mehrere Planetspindeln in dem Füllteil entgegen der Arbeits/Förderrichtung bis in die Ausnehmung ragen zu lassen, so daß die Planetspindeln durch die austretende Schmelze sofort getroffen werden und die Schmelze in Arbeits/Förderrichtung zur Aufgabestelle für die Füllstoffpartikel fördern
• -eine Dichtung 158 an dem Abtriebszapfen

Otherwise shows 14

• -a channel 161 in the ring construction according to the invention for tempering with water
• -a central recess 162 in the face of the ring 160 , which allows one or more planetary spindles to protrude into the recess in the filling part counter to the working / conveying direction, so that the planetary spindles are immediately hit by the emerging melt and convey the melt in the working / conveying direction to the feed point for the filler particles
• -a seal 158 on the output pin

With the melt melting and melt application according to the invention, for example, mixtures of polypropylene and chalk with a chalk content of 70% by weight can easily be produced. The wear was less than conventional. The quality was better. This is attributed to better mixing / homogenization / dispersion and more uniform material flow / significantly lower pulsation of the entry with side arm extruders and filler in planetary roller design.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

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• DD 264886 A1 [0015]
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• DD 218749 A3 [0015]
• DE 102005048846 A1 [0015]
• EP 20171372 PCT [0034, 0069]
• DE 10356423 [0066, 0111]
• EP 20079140 PCT [0093, 0097, 0101, 0119, 0120, 0133, 0134]
• EP 1297933 A1 [0093]
• EP 1262293 A1 [0095]
• US 5653534 [0096]

Claims (11)

Manufacture of mixtures of filler particles with plastic in an extrusion plant, a) with a filling part (143) and a system part (144, 145) designed as a planetary roller extruder or planetary roller extruder section, b) where at least one filler is selected from the following amount of fillers aerosil, aluminum, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitrite, aluminum silicate, barium sulfate, boron, boron carbide, boron nitrite, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, dolomite, elastomer ground, fibers, feldspar, rock powder, gypsum, Glass balls, hollow glass balls, mica, graphite, hydroxides, potassium oxides, limestone, kaolin, carbonates, ceramics, silica, kieselguhr, silicic acid, carbon, chalk, ground plastics, clay, magnesium hydroxide, gastric sesium oxide, ground marble, metal oxides, metal salts, sodium sulfate, oxides, Pigments, quartz powder, carbon black, salts, sand, slate powder, heavy spar, silicates, silicon carbide, silica, silicon carbide, starch, sulfates, talc, clay, wallostonite, tungsten, cement, zinc oxides, zirconium oxide, c) wherein the filler particles are fed into the filler part (143) of the extrusion system c) wherein the plastic particles are liquefied independently of the filler particles and are at least partially fed into the extruder before the filler particles are added, so that the filler particles are wetted before the addition toothed extruder parts. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized by at least one melt injection point lying in the conveying direction of the extruder before the addition of filler and at least one injection point lying after the addition of filler. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized by the use of a filling part which is designed in the manner of a planetary roller extruder and by injecting the melt into the filling part. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the melt is fed in via an injection ring which, alone or with other extruder parts, forms a channel and / or a nozzle for injecting the melt. Procedure according to Claim 3 , characterized by the use of a ring with an outlet gap along the channel. Procedure according to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized by the use of a ring with a circumferential, channel-forming groove which, apart from a gap, is closed by another extruder part. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized by a channel which extends in the ring over less than 360 degrees or is interrupted at one point, the connection for the melt feed preferably being attached centrally to the channel. Procedure according to one of the Claims 5 to 7 , characterized in that the mean gap width of the channel is at least 0.2 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm and even more preferably at least 0.6 mm. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized by an increase in the gap width with increasing distance from the point of entry of the melt into the channel. Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized by an expansion of at least 0.3 mm, preferably at least 0.6 mm, even more preferably at least 0.9 mm. Procedure according to one of the Claims 1 to 10th , characterized by the use of planetary spindles in the filling part, which protrude at least into the region of the injection against the direction of extruder delivery.

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