With compound extrusion lines, signs of wear occur in the 8-shaped bores as plastic granulate is conveyed via augers. The inner diameter over the total length is a benchmark for wear of the tubes. Regular maintenance intervals are therefore necessary in order to prevent expensive failures.
To date, maintenance of extruders has been a complex process carried out manually. Wear detection using Micro Epsilon’s idiamCONTROL avoids complex dismantling and enables direct non-contact measurement of the inner diameter of the plant. The evaluation unit performs an axial position detection and therefore achieves the targeted replacement of defective segments. This means it is no longer necessary to replace the tubes on a preventive basis. This sensor unit significantly minimises maintenance time and is suitable for all metals without further calibration.
Defective material reliably detected
It is no longer necessary to replace the tubes on a preventive basis. This sensor unit significantly minimises maintenance time and is suitable for all metals without further calibration. The idiamCONTROL sensor unit is guided mechanically and precisely measures the inner diameter of extruder bores in six tracks. Depending on the diameter, one or more capacitive sensors are installed. The sensor is moved via two cross rollers on both ends of the sensor which can be turned through 40° clockwise or anticlockwise. These rollers are spring-loaded, with several metal pins preventing the measuring cylinder from turning. This ensures reliable guidance within the bores in order to achieve precise measurement results.
