Ningbo Fangli Technology Co., Ltd. is a mechanical equipment manufacturer with over 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”.
For those engaged in PVC pipe production, the operational stability of the extruder is directly tied to daily production efficiency and finished pipe quality. Without disciplined maintenance habits, unexpected equipment breakdowns and downtime can disrupt order delivery schedules and incur additional repair costs. Below is a summary of practical maintenance points that can be implemented in frontline production settings, for operators to follow in their work.
I. Daily Inspections Covering Core Operating Components
Daily inspection is the foundation of maintenance work. Before each start-up, confirm the operating status of the heating units in each temperature zone one by one, and verify the deviation between actual and set temperatures. According to publicly available industry research on pipe equipment operation and maintenance in China, nearly forty percent of extruder production abnormalities are related to temperature control inaccuracies. Such issues lead to uneven plasticization of PVC material, ultimately causing surface irregularities and substandard strength in finished pipes.
After each production run, promptly clean residual PVC powder from the barrel feed inlet to prevent powder from caking and blocking the feed channel, thereby reducing the risk of material starvation in subsequent production.
II. Regular Inspection of Wear on Consumable Components
The screw, barrel, and die head are the core consumable components that come into prolonged contact with PVC material, and should be inspected periodically based on cumulative operating hours. For example, every 500 cumulative operating hours, the die head can be disassembled to clean residual material carbon deposits from its surface and to check the screw surface for wear. If noticeable scratches are found, polishing can be performed promptly to prevent material retention and degradation.
When cleaning such metal components, do not use sharp metal objects to scrape the contact surfaces, as this will further aggravate wear and affect discharge uniformity.
III. Proper Care of the Transmission and Lubrication System
The condition of the transmission and lubrication system directly affects equipment operating noise and service life. Daily checks should verify that the oil level in the transmission gearbox is within the specified range; excessively low oil levels will aggravate wear on gears and bearings. The lubricating oil in the transmission gearbox should be replaced periodically in accordance with the equipment manual.
The drive chain of the haul-off section should be periodically coated with suitable lubricating grease to prevent jamming and abnormal noise during operation. Many production workshops have experienced gear meshing surfaces worn out of round due to prolonged neglect of lubricating oil replacement, with a single downtime repair costing nearly a week and disrupting the entire month's production schedule.
IV. Storage and Preservation for Extended Shutdowns
If the equipment is to be placed in extended shutdown, all residual PVC material inside the barrel and die head must be thoroughly cleaned out. Apply anti-rust grease to the exposed metal surfaces of the screw and die head, disconnect the equipment's power supply and pneumatic lines, and cover the electrical control components with a dust cover to prevent dust accumulation and moisture ingress from affecting subsequent start-up.
Maintenance of PVC pipe extrusion equipment is not a formalistic process to satisfy inspections—it is an important support for long-term stable operation in the production process. By properly carrying out daily inspections and regular component care, the probability of unexpected breakdowns can be reduced and overall production and maintenance costs lowered.