Extrusion International 3-2026

31 Extrusion International 3/2026 copper wool cleaning cloth are recommended because they are soft enough not to scratch the surface. Make Tool Cleaning Easier The quickest way to remove the die is to employ the pressure of the extruder to push it out. Clean the body by using an air compressor and brass pliers so that the material cools down which increases the melt strength, making it into one-lump versus an elastic, gummy-like substance that is harder to remove. Cleaning the body feed port using compressed air and brass pliers to simultaneously cool and remove the ex- cess residue from the feed ports. This procedure is followed by brushing with a round brass brush that polishes the surface. The ow area of the 2" (51 mm) ange adapter should be cleaned by care - fully using a brass brush. Examine all surfaces for any irregularities such as burrs and scratches since these must be repaired before the head is reassembled. Most manufacturers recommend using a hand polish- ing stone to remove the offending burr. Follow stoning with a light application of 600-grit emery cloth if nec- essary, but avoid rounding edges that are intended to be sharp. Flat sealing surfaces can also be cleaned using a stone, followed by a 600-grit emery cloth. Place the cloth on a clean, at surface, preferably a surface plate, then apply friction in a circular hand motion until the area is clean and even. The parts in question should all be hardened steel alloys and will not be adversely af- fected using these methods. Inconel, monel and Has- talloy® are typically not heat-treated, requiring special care and handling to avoid any damage. Don’t Overlook Repairs Tooling maintenance helps ensure a quality extruded product – one that meets dimensional speci cations, maintains the speci ed minimum tolerance and is eco - nomically produced. Dirty, neglected and improperly adjusted tools contribute to excessive compound ap- plications, which in turn complicate maintenance of minimum thickness tolerance. Excess material results in unnecessary costs and these directly affect the pro t - ability of your company and the relationships with your customers. The Important Final Step – Reassembly Working from your dedicated tool cart, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reassembly. Give each component a nal wipe down with a clean rag before installing. Even the smallest amount of grit, dirt and re- sidual material must always be removed. Use mechanical or manual assistance for heavy and awkward components to avoid unnecessary mishaps. Reapply anti seize compound to all fasteners if required. Tighten fasteners to manufacturer’s recommended spec- i cations as well as in the recommended sequence. This fastening sequence should be speci ed in the manual and is generally in a star pattern. Tighten gradually until the proper torque is achieved to prevent distortion of the tooling. One of a diemanufacturer’smain goals is to form a concentric cone as quickly and accurately as possible in the primary section of the die – when the extrudate rst emerges from the die's distribution capillaries. A proper- ly designed and manufactured die has even distribution close to the extrudate entrance point, but this effort is negated once the die is adjusted, shifting the extrudate off to one side. An eccentric cone is formed in the prima- ry area, and a concentric cone exists at only one point in the process, rather than a smooth, continuous ow path with decreasing volume. A properly manufactured and aligned extruded head, along with well-maintained tool- ing should require little or no adjustment. Another ad- verse affect of unnecessary die adjustment is the stress introduced to the extrudate caused by unbalanced ow. The net effect is the nal product retains memory of this imbalance and unpredictable die swell occurs. For a free evaluation and information call, fax or e-mail. Guill Tool & Engineering Co., Inc. 10 Pike Street, West Warwick, RI 02893 Tel: 401-828-7600 • Fax: 401-823-5310 Email: sales@guill.com www.Guill.com www.extrusion-global.com