GEA releases key new extrusion system
September 1, 2021
GEA releases key new extrusion system 
GEA has released a new flagship version of its xTru Twin series of high-capacity extruder machines for sectors such as confectionery and snacks. The new top-of-the-line model has been designed with sophisticated technologies, which provide customers with up to a 40% increase in capacity while maintaining the same efficiency, quality, and footprint as earlier models. The GEA xTru Twin extruders can create a variety of goods, including cereal based snack pellets that are die-cut and directly expanded. The most recent xTru Twin 140 has a pellet output capacity of nearly 3 tons.

Engineers at the German-based company utilized their knowledge and expertise to enhance the cross-sectional area, rotation speed, and pitch of the screws on the new machines. Customers can also update current equipment without having to acquire a new one or change the plant architecture. Customers' requests and the market requirement for a single, high-capacity machine capable of generating a wide range of novel food forms prompted the firm to begin developing the new technology. According to the firm, the new series' versatility would allow manufacturers to build new items quickly for their particular markets.

Learn more about this new release here.

September 7, 2021
Mastering Material Changes and Shutdowns
This month were are discussing extruder shutdown, which involves turning off an extruder for a few minutes or longer. Unless some heat is left on, the system starts to cool and quickly freezes all the plastic remaining in it.  As much as feasible, material modifications and shutdowns should be scheduled. If a material change is required, the new material must be ready and a container for the hopper's present contents must be accessible. Light colors should be followed by dark colors, and easy-flow melts should be followed by more viscous melts, although this isn't always achievable due to manufacturing schedules and sales demands. Purge compounds can help to speed up material changes and decrease scrap. They're especially helpful between runs of incompatible materials on big extruders, because combined scrap has a low value and disassembly is time-consuming.

Learn more about material changes and shutdowns here.
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