Posts: 1
From:Cincinnati Ohio USA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted November 24, 2003 03:26 PM               

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I have patented a design for an environmental remediation purpose. I now need to discover if the components can be manufactured using extrusion/pultrusion methods to save expense. At minimum, I would need to extrude a hollow, internally braced PVC or plastic beam in the dimensions of 6 inches by 6 inches square, 25 feet long, with a wall thickness of approx. one-half inch. At medium need satisfaction I would need to extrude a similar beam 18 inches by 12 inches, and the ideal solution would be a beam extruded in similar dimensions 30 inches by 30 inches. Do any extruders exist in such dimensions? Could one be manufactured? Steven

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Posts: 59
From:Silver City, NM, USA
Registered: Jun 2001

posted November 26, 2003 11:08 AM               

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Stephen,
I note you're in Cincinnati,my old home town!
Based on the fact that heavy walled(1.0-1.5" thick)PVC pipe having diameters of 1 meter or more have been (and maybe now are) extruded from powder blend using large twin screw extruders, yes, I think your hollow profile up to 30x30" can be made from PVC. The key (and large part of the cost) will be in design of the head and die,along with sizing and cooling techniques. As a start, try contacting my old company,Milacron, out in Batavia.(I think their new headquarters are on Gilbert Ave.)A large conical or parallel twin screw with a 3000#/hr output could be used,along with a VERY large head and die.
Large,round pipe is sized over a calibrating sleeve and an internal plug using positive internal air pressure.An internal geometry with ribs poses a real problem for similar sizing techniqes. But maybe the Milacron guys can offer suggestions.
As an aside, Royal Plastics in Canada extrudes large PVC profiles for modular low cost housing, and may be able to offer help.They also like to "partner" with others in developing new product ideas!
Lots of luck!
Skip

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