Electricity Saving and Maintenance Methods for Twin Screw Extruders

The twin screw extruder refers to a device that uses the self-adhesiveness of dispersed solids with a dominant solid phase and liquids to forcibly make the particles of solid powder stick, increase in size, and form a concentrated group of particles with a certain shape and uniform particle size. The following are common problems with the twin screw extruder.


The powder mechanical main motor of the twin screw extruder cannot start


  • Cause: Incorrect driving program. Problems with the main motor thread, whether the fuse wire is burned out.

  • Solution: Check the program and restart in the correct driving order. Check the main motor circuit. Check whether the lubrication oil pump is operating, and check the status of the interlock device related to the main motor. The inductor of the frequency converter has not been completely discharged, turn off the main power and wait for 5 minutes before starting again. Check whether the emergency button has been reset.


The main motor of the twin screw extruder makes abnormal noises


  • Cause: Damaged bearings of the powder mechanical main motor. A thyristor in the main motor controllable silicon rectifier circuit is damaged.

  • Solution: Replace the main motor bearings. Check the controllable silicon rectifier circuit and replace the controllable silicon element if necessary.


The main current of the twin screw extruder is unstable


  • Cause: Uneven feeding, damaged or poorly lubricated main motor bearings, a malfunctioning heater, no heating for a certain section, incorrect screw adjustment cushion or phase, and component interference.

  • Solution: Check the feeding machine and eliminate faults. Repair the main motor and replace the bearings if necessary. Check whether each heater is working normally, and replace the heater if necessary. Check the adjustment cushion, pull out the screw to check whether there is any interference of the screw.


The temperature rise of the main motor bearings of the twin screw extruder is too high


  • Cause: Poor lubrication of the bearings. Significant wear of the bearings.

  • Solution: Check and add lubricant. Check the motor bearings and replace if necessary.


The material output of the head of the twin screw extruder is not smooth or blocked


  • Cause: A certain section of the heater is not working, poor plasticizing of the material. The operating temperature setting is too low, or the molecular weight distribution of the plastic is wide and unstable. There may be foreign objects that are not easy to melt.

  • Solution: Check the powder mechanical heater and replace if necessary. Verify the set temperature of each section and, if necessary, consult with the process engineer to increase the temperature setting value. Clean and check the extrusion system and the head.


The starting current of the main motor of the twin screw extruder is too high


  • Cause: Insufficient heating time, large torque. A certain section of the twin screw extruder heater is not working.

  • Solution: Use a hand-drawn truck when starting. If it is not easy, prolong the heating time or check whether each heater is working normally.

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