RAM Extruder

The vertical RAM extruder from Keicher Engineering AG enables the continuous production of profiles, especially from PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and UHMW-PE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene). The raw material is fed into a cylindrical extrusion tube, compressed by a piston, and simultaneously transported through the tube, which is heated to sintering temperature. The individual dosing units sinter together to form a continuous extrudate.

  • Single rods
  • Multiple rods
  • Single tubes
  • Multiple tubes
  • Single profiles
  • Multiple profiles

  • PTFE, Teflon®
  • PEEK
  • UHMW-PE
  • Compounds
  • Polyimide and polyimide compounds
  • All plastics suitable for RAM extrusion

    • Long service life through solid workmanship and use of high-quality components
    • Short set-up time easy and quick die change
    • Constant high quality of the products through permanent electrical measurement of the extrusion pressure and precise temperature regulation
    • Economical consumption of cooling water through thermostatic valves
    • Connection possibility for a heated/cooled mandrel, especially for the manufacture of large thick-walled tubes.
    • Dimensional accuracy of the products through movable mandrel.
    • Low space requirement through vertical constrction
    • Uniform an exact dosing through vibratory dosing balance
    • User-friendly and maintenance-free system
    • Possibility of stepwise extension to a complete automatic manufacturing system through modular construction
    • Lower compressive force and careful processing in tube extrusion through movable mandrel
    • Max. product quality through adjustement of the back pressure by means of special brake and permanent measure of the extrusion pressure.
    • Big choice of extruder types for the different materials like PTFE, PE_UHMW, polyimide and recycling material (chips of wood, coconut fibers, straw – growing raw material with polymer)
    • Big range of additional equipment like different saws as well as single and multile brakes
    • Control systems of the latest technology possible woth graphic display and interface to the PC
    • There are more ram extruders available on request.
    The Extrusion Process with WK RAM Extruders

    Ram extrusion is a process enabling the continuous manufacture of sections, especially of PTFE (polytetrafluorethylene). The basic material is PTFE powder. The powder is fed into a cylindrical extrusion pipe, compressed by means of a ram and, at the same time, transported through the pipe, which is heated up to sintering temperature. The individual dosing charges sinter together into a continuous extrudate.


    1. Products:

    Extremely thin and thick walled tubes, rods, sections and hollow sections, each for continuous production


    Materials which can be processed:
    • PTFE, e.g. Dyneon, Teflon, Fluon etc., regenerate
    • UHMW-PE (Ultra-high molecular low-pressure polyethylene), e.g. Hostalen GUR as well as compounds
    • Polyimide and Polyimide Compounds
    • Natural fibre material like wood etc. with chemical additives
    • All ram extrudable plastics

    2 Powder feeding:
    Exact dosing with the vibratory dosing balance    		 Technical Diagram
    Process Overview
    3 Pressing cylinder:
    For moving the ram
    4 Retracting cylinder:
    For retracting the mandrel (in tube production)
    5 Ram:
    For compressing the powder
    6 Extrusion pipe:
    Main processing chamber
    7 Heating sleeves:
    For heating the extrusion pipe
    8 Drive:
    For the stirring device
    9 Movable mandrel:
    For hollow section production

    Dies (Components 5, 6, 7, 9):

    • Single and multiple dies for tube and rod extrusion
    • Centering die suspension

    Control Unit:
    • Manual control: For set-up
    • Fully automatic control: For continuous operation
    • Switchboard: Contains all elements for hydraulic control and temperature regulation

    Documentation of Ram Extrusion Process for PTFE and other plastic materials

    Discover WK RAM Extruders

    Model Range of Diameter [mm] Compressive Force [kN] Single Dies Rod Single Dies Tube Multiple Dies Rod Multiple Dies Tube
    FRE 75L 3…75 50 + – – –
    FRE 75 3…75 100 + + + +
    FRE 100 3…100 100 + + + +
    FRE 150L 3…150 100 + – + –
    FRE 150 3…150 100 + + + +
    FRE 150 V15 3…150 150 + + + +
    FRE 150 V30 3…150 300 + + + +
    FRE 150 V70 3…150 700 + + + +
    FRE 200 3…200 150 + + + +
    FRE 200 V30 3…200 300 + + + +
    FRE 200 V70 3…200 700 + + + +
    FRE 320 3…320 320 + + + +
    FRE 320 V70 3…320 700 + + + +
    WFE 500 3…500 4000 + + + +