Ningbo Fangli Technology Co., Ltd. is a mechanical equipment manufacturer with nearly 30 years’ experiences of plastic pipe extrusion equipment, new environmental protection and new materials equipment. Since its establishment Fangli has been developed based on user’s demands. Through continuous improvement, independent R&D on the core technology and digestion & absorption of advanced technology and other means, we have developed PVC pipe extrusion line, PP-R pipe extrusion line, PE water supply / gas pipe extrusion line, which was recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Construction to replace imported products. We have gained the title of “First-class Brand in Zhejiang Province”.
The selection of motor power for an extruder requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors, including material characteristics, product requirements, and screw parameters.
Material Characteristics
In general, high-viscosity materials require greater force to promote their flow during extrusion, thus necessitating a motor with higher power. As a rule of thumb, for every order-of-magnitude increase in viscosity, the motor power may need to be increased by 20%–50%. For composite materials containing high-hardness fillers, the screw encounters greater resistance during conveying and plasticizing, thereby requiring higher torque, which in turn demands a motor with greater power. Typically, for every 10% increase in filler content, the motor power should be increased by 10%–20%. In addition, for heat-sensitive materials such as PVC, it is essential to ensure adequate plasticization within a short time while avoiding degradation caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This requires the motor to provide appropriate shear heat to the screw while being complemented by an effective cooling system. Generally, a motor with moderate power and precise speed regulation is preferred, so that the screw speed and shear heat can be accurately controlled according to the material characteristics.
Product Requirements
When high throughput is desired, the motor power must be sufficiently large to drive the screw at high rotational speeds, enabling rapid material passage through the extruder. For the production of high-precision products, such as optical-grade plastic lenses and medical catheters, the extrusion process must be stable and precise. This calls for a motor with excellent speed regulation performance and torque stability to ensure consistency in screw speed and extrusion pressure. In such cases, a motor with slightly higher power is generally selected to provide stable power across different production stages, thereby ensuring dimensional accuracy and performance consistency of the finished products.
Screw Parameters
Generally, the larger the screw diameter, the greater the contact area with the material and the higher the applied torque, thus requiring greater motor power. As an empirical guideline, for every 10 mm increase in screw diameter, the motor power may need to increase by approximately 10–20 kW. Meanwhile, screws with a larger length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio allow more thorough plasticization and mixing of the material, but also increase power consumption. For every 5-unit increase in the L/D ratio, the motor power may need to be raised by 10%–20%. In practical selection of motor power, additional factors such as the operating environment, power supply conditions, and potential future production adjustments should also be taken into account.
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