tags:
  - "extrusion"
  - "mould"
  - "melting"
votedUsefulBy:
  - "leonelpd"
  - "sigolene"
  - "philsan"
  - "cristina"
  - "1st-machine-builder"
  - "alvao-esparragoza-mejia"
  - "franco-"
  - "josephklatt"
  - "kilic"
  - "preciousplastic_moscow-"
creatorCountry: "pt"
_created: "2019-11-01T11:18:58.452Z"
cover_image:
  updated: "2019-11-07T10:02:08.123Z"
  fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF0322.JPG"
  downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF0322.JPG?alt=media&token=1b505a3f-18f9-4605-99ae-58004b7a92e9"
  type: "image/jpeg"
  name: "DSF0322.JPG"
  size: 72193
  timeCreated: "2019-11-07T10:02:08.123Z"
  contentType: "image/jpeg"
_createdBy: "precious-plastic"
_deleted: false
files: []
description: "The extrusion machine provides continuous flow which means with the right mould we can create much larger objects than possible with the injection, while also allowing us to create products faster."
difficulty_level: "Easy"
category:
  _id: "CrZjHORWfxEl6iDrrPIO"
  _modified: "2022-09-18T08:51:47.196Z"
  _deleted: false
  _created: "2022-09-18T08:51:47.196Z"
  label: "Guides"
time: "< 1 week"
fileLink: ""
_id: "oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x"
id: "oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x"
total_downloads: 0
moderation: "accepted"
total_views: 742
_modified: "2023-10-05T13:45:42.626Z"
comments:
  - _id: "ISpSe12GABYqMuaKug6N"
    creatorCountry: "id"
    _creatorId: "bendobbs"
    creatorName: "bendobbs"
    _created: "2023-02-12T02:29:59.164Z"
    text: "I see people always asking these questions about the bricks and this is probably the best place to post the info.\n\nHere's what I have learned on my own.  Times may vary, this is using an Extrusion Pro at full speed, just be aware not all machines are the same so expect some different results.\n\nsingle - 700g - 9.5cm x 9.5cm  x 16cm - 4 minutes\ndouble - 1200g - 19.5cm x 9.5cm x 16cm - 8 minutes\ntriple - 1700g  - 29.5cm x 9.5cm x 16cm - 12 minutes\n\n***NOTE***\nTo be consistent with output, you should start with your extrusion machine empty, and then start loading it up and run the correct amount of material through the machine.  If you go by time alone, you can underfill or overfill depending on size of flakes, type of material, or hopper getting clogged."
slug: "extrude-into-a-closed-mould"
previousSlugs:
  - "extrude-into-a-closed-mould"
_contentModifiedTimestamp: "2023-06-14T11:02:16.114Z"
steps:
  - images:
      - name: "DSF5543.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF5543.jpg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T11:18:53.730Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF5543.jpg?alt=media&token=8a539f5c-a679-45c4-ac4b-1b427774dc98"
        updated: "2019-11-01T11:18:53.730Z"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        size: 146425
    caption: "Example of a closed mould."
    text: "To follow this How-To you will need an extrusion machine, a closed mould (like this brick mould) and lots of shredded plastic.\n\nRelated links:\nMake the brick mould 👉 https://community.preciousplastic.com/how-to/make-extruded-plastic-bricks\nMore about the Extrusion Pro machine 👉 https://community.preciousplastic.com/academy/build/extrusionpro"
    _animationKey: "unique1"
    title: "Getting ready"
  - text: "Make sure the internal of your mould is free of rust and remains a smooth surface by lightly coating it with oil or grease (Silicone Oil is perfect). For a smooth surface, it also helps a lot to preheat the mould (especially the nozzle part) before extruding plastic into it.\n"
    title: "Prepare the mould"
    caption: ""
    images:
      - size: 51603
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T11:18:54.557Z"
        updated: "2019-11-01T11:18:54.557Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9596.jpg?alt=media&token=772f0dd9-1f76-4f85-86e4-1a4bc24f1be5"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9596.jpg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        name: "DSF9596.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
      - timeCreated: "2019-11-01T11:18:55.644Z"
        updated: "2019-11-01T11:18:55.644Z"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        size: 105131
        name: "DSF9683.jpg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9683.jpg?alt=media&token=6e5b8cbc-0ebb-4591-b515-fff222386129"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9683.jpg"
    _animationKey: "unique2"
  - caption: ""
    text: "Closed moulds will come in two or more parts. In this example, the brick mould uses two parts. Clamp firmly together, we use locking pliers for this mould, which are quick to release while also acting as a good safety to release excess pressure. \n"
    title: "Join the mould"
    images:
      - updated: "2019-11-01T11:18:57.025Z"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T11:18:57.025Z"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9606.jpg?alt=media&token=c7ac49ad-a28c-47a2-b158-ef193b265d69"
        name: "DSF9606.jpg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9606.jpg"
        size: 93623
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
    _animationKey: "unique3"
  - title: "Understanding extruding times"
    _animationKey: "uniqueuhpi3m"
    text: "Depending on the specs of your extrusion machine and the type of mould the time to fill it up will vary. For the V4 brick mould on the V4 extrusion, it takes exactly 4min. However 20 seconds either side can result in underfilled mould or even a burst one. So it’s very important to get this timing right!\n\nOne way to figure this out: Extrude at the speed you intend to work with, without a mould for 10sec, cutting the plastic and then extruding for a further 30sec collecting and weighing the result. \n\nMake sure to run the test again if you decided to change the size of plastic granules, or the type of plastic you are extruding as it will affect your extrusion speed. \n"
    images:
      - type: "image/jpeg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9589.jpg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9589.jpg?alt=media&token=0ac7471f-830a-49c8-a104-13b3949a1f39"
        size: 61850
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:12:03.190Z"
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:12:03.190Z"
        name: "DSF9589.jpg"
  - text: "Our result was 0.4kg (multiply by 2 to get feed rate per min) so 0.8kg/min but because this was unpressurised we need to reduce the result by about 25%. 0.6kg/min meaning on the first extrusion test we shouldn’t let it run for longer than 2.5min before checking its progress and repeating the process adding 10second intervals until we find the exact right time. "
    title: "Calculation Example"
    _animationKey: "uniquey6v9x"
    images:
      - name: "IMG_20191101_134245.jpg"
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:12:05.157Z"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:12:05.157Z"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/IMG_20191101_134245.jpg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2FIMG_20191101_134245.jpg?alt=media&token=5ad775ba-6fae-4617-aea9-8b914863773a"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        size: 132369
  - text: "We also invested in a pressure sensor that screwed onto the end of our barrel. This gave us accurate readings on if the pressure built up too high and kept us safe. These are not cheap (2,800euro) but worth the money if you intend on making lots of products. \n\n\n"
    _animationKey: "uniquesyemle"
    title: "Measuring extruder pressure"
    images:
      - name: "30_349_233_upr900.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/30_349_233_upr900.jpg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F30_349_233_upr900.jpg?alt=media&token=5533ae9b-c99c-4a65-8a3d-d28f5483ed27"
        size: 8715
        timeCreated: "2019-11-07T10:02:09.191Z"
        updated: "2019-11-07T10:02:09.191Z"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
  - images:
      - updated: "2019-11-01T13:24:27.273Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9609.jpg?alt=media&token=ae39116f-8cdc-4bd4-9a4a-02386794f9c9"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        size: 112254
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        name: "DSF9609.jpg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:24:27.273Z"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9609.jpg"
    text: "After connecting your mould to the extrusion ensure that you stay clear of the nozzle while the machine is running. Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and never leave the machine running unattended. Routinely checking your mould for signs of over filling and blockage. While also making sure the extruder has a constant batch of plastic granules. "
    _animationKey: "unique2tp5ib"
    title: "Extruding"
  - text: "Once the mould is full/set time has passed, wait a moment before removing the mould to allow any build up in pressure to defuse within the barrel. 15-30sec. This will protect you from being potentially sprayed with hot plastic. While doing this remember your PPE and use thick welding gloves to remove the hot mould. "
    _animationKey: "uniquegqvmqn"
    title: "Removing the mould"
    images:
      - downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9615.jpg?alt=media&token=65e45804-5fe2-4813-b3e4-92c6974d78d3"
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:24:28.705Z"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9615.jpg"
        size: 91187
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:24:28.705Z"
        name: "DSF9615.jpg"
  - _animationKey: "uniquev04bhb"
    title: "Cooling the mould"
    images:
      - type: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9632.jpg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9632.jpg?alt=media&token=6290be65-250a-4869-bf0e-f45251ab832d"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        name: "DSF9632.jpg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:25:38.607Z"
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:25:38.607Z"
        size: 102500
      - timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:25:38.609Z"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:25:38.609Z"
        size: 138667
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9630.jpg"
        name: "DSF9630.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9630.jpg?alt=media&token=2455c56b-8bd8-4d86-ab91-8c06a5bff4d0"
    text: "Depending on your mould and product we recommend placing the mould in a bath of water to cool the plastic allowing quicker removal. Depending on your mould you may want to leave it in water for a while. However, in this case, it’s crucial to remove it while the plastic is still warm to prevent the plastic from shrinking and sticking to the male part of the mould. So for hollow objects, be aware of this shrinkage!\n\nThe water will get very warm over time so its best to change it regularly or use a large body of water. \n"
  - text: "We like to use thick and strong screwdrivers to prize open the mould. With the brick, we need two slowly leveraging it open at the same time on either side. We also created a rig made of wood to rest the mould on to allow us to hammer through the brick from the top, which forces it away from the two parts.\n"
    _animationKey: "uniquesc3umg"
    title: "Opening the mould"
    images:
      - size: 82804
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:25:39.981Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9619.jpg?alt=media&token=5e70c14d-648b-4422-9c96-241b35b7a169"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:25:39.981Z"
        name: "DSF9619.jpg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9619.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
  - _animationKey: "uniquewpjo6t"
    text: "Because we removed the product while it was hot, we need to ensure that the product doesn't warp after being released from the mould. To do this we place it on a jig that restricts the shrinkage. For several bricks, we made several jigs, because it takes time for the bricks to cool down. We keep distance between the jigs, so air can flow between the hot bricks, which helps cooling.\n"
    title: "Cooling"
    images:
      - name: "DSF9660.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:27:19.036Z"
        size: 123033
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:27:19.036Z"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/_DSF9660.jpg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2F_DSF9660.jpg?alt=media&token=83c7e98b-0a26-4427-905b-058c00bfcf31"
      - name: "coolingshelf_002.jpg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-07T10:08:24.067Z"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/coolingshelf_002.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2Fcoolingshelf_002.jpg?alt=media&token=71bf085d-42a1-4cda-acb7-e39ba00ca05e"
        size: 66316
        updated: "2019-11-07T10:08:24.067Z"
      - fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/coolingshelf_001.jpg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-07T10:08:24.116Z"
        name: "coolingshelf_001.jpg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        updated: "2019-11-07T10:08:24.116Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2Fcoolingshelf_001.jpg?alt=media&token=5ded2324-af8f-4958-b936-8ccc69d6f697"
        size: 81325
  - title: "Repeat!"
    _animationKey: "uniquer87xm8"
    images:
      - contentType: "image/jpeg"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/OI000052-01.jpg"
        size: 215587
        name: "OI000052-01.jpg"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2FOI000052-01.jpg?alt=media&token=351081d2-c9f5-406a-9e63-39caf6a1a962"
        updated: "2019-11-01T13:27:21.172Z"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-01T13:27:21.172Z"
      - timeCreated: "2019-11-07T10:02:11.027Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2Fcoolingshelf_001.jpg?alt=media&token=12c0083c-dd19-44c2-9805-30efbb11e6a5"
        contentType: "image/jpeg"
        updated: "2019-11-07T10:02:11.027Z"
        type: "image/jpeg"
        size: 81325
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/coolingshelf_001.jpg"
        name: "coolingshelf_001.jpg"
      - contentType: "image/jpeg"
        fullPath: "uploads/v2_howtos/oinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x/coolingshelf_002.jpg"
        updated: "2019-11-07T10:02:11.089Z"
        downloadUrl: "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/onearmyworld.appspot.com/o/uploads%2Fv2_howtos%2FoinWDttqjU8IJFQ32G5x%2Fcoolingshelf_002.jpg?alt=media&token=85b95445-f131-4b22-b878-4f105aa53e1d"
        name: "coolingshelf_002.jpg"
        size: 66316
        type: "image/jpeg"
        timeCreated: "2019-11-07T10:02:11.089Z"
    text: "Want to make more? Good, now all you need to do is repeat steps 5 to 9! Obviously the process can vary with different moulds and we would love to hear and learn from your experiences of this process.\n\nWhat next?\nCheck this link and learn how to \"Build brick structures\":\n👉 https://community.preciousplastic.com/how-to/build-brick-structures"
mentions: []
title: "Extrude into a closed mould"
user:
  moderation: "accepted"
  _created: "2024-01-08T14:57:02.515Z"
  _id: "precious-plastic"
  _deleted: false
  subType: "mix"
  type: "workspace"
  location:
    lat: 38.96367454038249
    lng: -9.416871070861818
  _modified: "2024-01-08T14:57:02.515Z"
  verified: true
  geo:
    latitude: 38.96367454038249
    lookupSource: "coordinates"
    longitude: -9.416871070861818
    localityLanguageRequested: "en"
    continent: "Europe"
    continentCode: "EU"
    countryName: "Portugal"
    countryCode: "PT"
    principalSubdivision: "Distrito de Lisboa"
    principalSubdivisionCode: "PT-11"
    city: "Mafra"
    locality: "Ericeira"
    postcode: ""
    plusCode: "8CCGXH7M+F7"
    localityInfo:
      administrative:
        - name: "Portugal"
          description: "country in Southwestern Europe"
          isoName: "Portugal"
          order: 3
          adminLevel: 2
          isoCode: "PT"
          wikidataId: "Q45"
          geonameId: 2264397
        - name: "Distrito de Lisboa"
          description: "district in Portugal"
          isoName: "Distrito de Lisboa"
          order: 5
          adminLevel: 6
          isoCode: "PT-11"
          wikidataId: "Q207199"
          geonameId: 2267056
        - name: "Mafra"
          description: "human settlement in Portugal"
          order: 7
          adminLevel: 8
          wikidataId: "Q49286398"
          geonameId: 2266865
        - name: "Mafra"
          description: "municipality and town of Portugal"
          order: 8
          adminLevel: 7
          wikidataId: "Q986419"
          geonameId: 8010563
        - name: "Ericeira"
          description: "town and civil parish in Mafra"
          order: 9
          adminLevel: 8
          wikidataId: "Q1351868"
          geonameId: 2268563
      informative:
        - name: "Europe"
          description: "continent"
          isoName: "Europe"
          order: 1
          isoCode: "EU"
          wikidataId: "Q46"
          geonameId: 6255148
        - name: "Iberian Peninsula"
          description: "peninsula located in the extreme southwest of Europe"
          order: 2
          wikidataId: "Q12837"
          geonameId: 2267430
        - name: "Europe/Lisbon"
          description: "time zone"
          order: 4
        - name: "Lisbon Region"
          description: "NUTS 2 region of Portugal"
          order: 6
          wikidataId: "Q27689"
  data:
    urls:
      - name: "Instagram"
        url: "https://www.instagram.com/realpreciousplastic/"
      - name: "Facebook"
        url: "https://www.facebook.com/preciousplastic"
      - name: "Youtube"
        url: "https://www.youtube.com/onearmyvideos"
      - name: "Website"
        url: "https://www.patreon.com/one_army"
      - name: "sponsor the work"
        url: "https://www.patreon.com/one_army"
    description: "Precious Plastic exists to reduce plastic waste.\nSometimes we do it through boosting recycling. Sometimes through new biodegradable materials. Some other time by adopting zero waste lifestyles. Whatever works.\n\nOur solutions see people as the key element to fix the plastic mess.\nPrecious Plastic approaches count on people to bring about the necessary change.\nSmall steps, multiplied by millions. That's where we can win our battle.\n\nPrecious Plastic is a combination of people, machines, platforms and knowledge\nto create an alternative global recycling system."
    services:
      - welding: false
        assembling: false
        machining: false
        electronics: false
        molds: false
    title: "Precious Plastic Headquarters"
    images: []
  detail:
    services: []
    urls: []
images: []
