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extruder, tuning and maintenance

updated sun 22 oct 00

 

iandol on fri 20 oct 00


Dear Michelle Moody=20

I had this problem many years ago when I was lent an extruder by a =
nearby college to help me when I started up a satellite evening class =
for them.

Took the machine to pieces and found out that the flights had been =
distorted by pushing against clay which was far too hard. They were =
almost like flat discs rather than the spiral stairway form which I =
expected to see.=20

Some gentle leverage with mole grips brought them back to the contour I =
would have expected. Test and a bit of tuning and we were away. Great =
clay, rapid throughput.

Never again did I, or any of my students, ever have to force the clay =
into the barrel and push it through. Not only did the flights grab the =
clay and pull it into the barrel, but you could hear the trapped air =
explode out as pressure forced the clay into the tapered bell.

I think you machine needs a service. If the flights are not misaligned =
they may be worn and need replacement. Remember, Moving Clay is a Severe =
Abrasive.

Ivor Lewis.. Redhill, south Australia