Preliminary preparation
Equipment inspection: Before using the vacuum clay extruder, you need to fully check the condition of the equipment. Check whether the connections between each component are firm, such as the connection between the motor and the transmission device, the connection between the extruder head and the fuselage, etc., to avoid loose components causing malfunctions during operation. Check the tension of the belt. If it is too loose, it will slip and affect power transmission. If it is too tight, it will accelerate belt wear. It can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the motor base. At the same time, carefully check the vacuum system to ensure that the pipeline is not damaged and the joints are well sealed to prevent vacuum leakage from affecting the extrusion effect.
Cleaning equipment: Wipe the inside of the extruder with a clean cloth to remove residual clay, impurities, etc. to avoid mixing into the newly processed clay to affect product quality. For key parts such as hoppers and screws, use a brush to deeply clean the gaps and corners. If there is clay dried on the equipment after the last use, it can be softened with warm water before cleaning, but make sure that the equipment is completely dry after cleaning to prevent rust.
Raw material preparation: Select the appropriate clay raw material. According to the required product characteristics, the clay can be pre-treated, such as adding an appropriate amount of water or additives to adjust the humidity and plasticity of the clay. Mix the treated clay thoroughly to ensure consistent texture and avoid instability in the extrusion process due to differences in raw materials.
Installation and debugging
Install the mold: Select the corresponding extrusion mold according to the shape of the product to be produced. Install the mold to the head of the extruder to ensure that it is firmly installed and accurately positioned. Pay attention to the sealing of the mold during installation. Apply an appropriate amount of sealant at the connection to prevent clay leakage. For example, to produce round clay bars, a round die head must be installed; to produce hollow clay tubes, a special mold with a hollow structure must be installed.
Debugging equipment: Turn on the power of the extruder and perform a no-load test run first. Observe whether the motor runs smoothly and whether there is any abnormal noise or jamming. Check whether the rotation direction of the screw is correct, generally clockwise. At the same time, adjust the speed of the extruder to a lower level to test the stability of the equipment at low speed. Then start the vacuum system, observe the value of the vacuum gauge, and adjust the vacuum degree to the recommended working range of the equipment, which is generally between -0.08MPa and -0.095MPa, and may vary slightly from device to device.
Formal production
Feeding operation: Slowly add the prepared clay to the hopper, and pay attention to the uniform feeding speed to avoid excessive feeding at one time, which may cause the hopper to be blocked or the extruder to be overloaded. During the feeding process, the clay can be compacted with tools to ensure that the clay can smoothly enter the screw advancement area.
Adjustment parameters: According to the characteristics of the clay and product requirements, gradually adjust the speed and vacuum degree of the extruder. If the clay is soft, the speed can be appropriately reduced to prevent the extrusion speed from being too fast and causing product deformation; if a higher density product is required, the vacuum degree can be appropriately increased. For example, when producing thinner clay lines, the speed can be adjusted to 10-15 revolutions per minute, and the vacuum degree can be maintained at -0.09MPa; when producing thicker clay bars, the speed can be increased to 20-25 revolutions per minute, and the vacuum degree can be maintained at about -0.085MPa.
Monitoring process: During the extrusion process, always pay attention to the operation of the equipment. Observe whether the extruded clay is uniform and continuous, whether the product surface is smooth, and whether there are defects such as bubbles and cracks. If the product is found to be abnormal, such as unstable extrusion speed and bubbles on the surface, it may be a problem with the raw materials, insufficient vacuum or mold blockage. It is necessary to stop the machine in time to investigate the cause and solve it. At the same time, pay attention to the temperature changes of the equipment, especially the motor and screw parts. If the temperature is too high, it may be that the equipment is overloaded or the heat dissipation is poor. The production should be stopped immediately for inspection and cooling.
End of production
Clean up the remaining material: When the production task is completed, stop adding materials first, let the extruder continue to run for a while, and squeeze out the remaining clay in the machine. Then turn off the power, wait until the equipment stops running completely, disassemble the mold, and clean the clay remaining inside the mold and extruder. For hard-to-clean dried clay, use a special cleaner or tool to carefully clean it, but be careful not to damage the surface of the equipment.
Equipment maintenance: Perform comprehensive maintenance on the equipment. Add lubricating oil to each lubrication point, such as the screw bearings, transmission chain and other parts, to ensure smooth operation of the equipment the next time it is used. Check the equipment's wearing parts, such as belts, seals, etc. If they are severely worn, replace them in time. Finally, wipe the equipment clean, cover it with a dust cover, and place it in a dry, ventilated place for next use.
