Plastic applications

RAM Extruder

High-performance extrusion for PTFE and UHMW-PE

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
    • At a Glance

    Advantages of Keicher RAM Extruders or PTFE Extruders

    • 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.
    Would you like to learn more? Contact us!
    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 + + + +
    Overview

    FRE 75 L

    Force: 50 KN (5t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-75 mm

    FRE 75

    Force: 100 KN (10t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-75 mm Single tubes 8-75 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-45 mm Single tubes 8-75 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible

    FRE 75 L with additional equipment

    for the processing of polyimide and hydroscopic material. Force: 100 KN (10t) Polyimide application: Single rods ca. 5-30mm Single tubes ca. 8-30mm outer Processing of PTFE compounds and polyimide compounds also possible

    FRE 100

    Force: 100 KN (10t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-100 mm Single tubes 8-100 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-45 mm Single tubes 8-100 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 150

    orce: 100 KN (10t) with die exchange device mounted directly on the extruder as well as exhaust cap, installed on a stage PTFE Application: Single rods 3-100 mm Single tubes 8-150 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-45 mm Single tubes 8-100 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 150 V 70

    with peak pressure indicator and printer Force: 700 KN (10t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-150 mm Single tubes 8-150 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-150 mm Single tubes 8-150 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 200

    with peak pressure indicator and printer plug connection for heating sleeves of dies as well as additional temperature control of the heating zones Force: 150 KN (15t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-200 mm Single tubes 8-200 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-60 mm Single tubes 8-150 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 200

    with peak pressure indicator and printer plug connection for heating sleeves of dies as well as additional temperature control of the heating zones Force: 150 KN (15t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-200 mm Single tubes 8-200 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-60 mm Single tubes 8-150 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 200 V 30

    with operating panel left directly at the extruder, installed peak pressure indicator and printer powder feeding device and 8 heating zones Force: 300 KN (30t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-200 mm Single tubes 8-200 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-90 mm Single tubes 8-200 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 200 V 30

    with operating panel left directly at the extruder, installed peak pressure indicator and printer powder feeding device and 8 heating zones Force: 300 KN (30t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-200 mm Single tubes 8-200 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-90 mm Single tubes 8-200 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 320

    in USA execution Force: 300 KN (30t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-300 mm Single tubes 8-320 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-90 mm Single tubes 8-250 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    FRE 320

    in USA execution Force: 300 KN (30t) PTFE Application: Single rods 3-300 mm Single tubes 8-320 mm outer Wall thickness min. 2mm PE-UHMW Application: Single rods 3-90 mm Single tubes 8-250 mm outer Use of multiple rod and tube dies possible For the production of big tubes an additional equipment is necessary

    Additional equipment for RAM Extruders (selection)

    • PTFE tube die

      for 50mm outer diameter and 2 mm wall thickness, complete with heating sleeves and all further necessary parts.

    • PTFE-tube die set

      for ram extruder FRE 200 V 30 comprising the following dies: 204 x 3 mm 150 x 3,5 mm 100 x 3 mm 80 x 2,5 mm 50 x 2,5 mm including the necessary equipment. The mandrels are not pictured

    • PTFE 6fold tube die

      12 x 2 mm with additional inner stirring installed in the working area of the ram extruder FRE 150

    • PTFE 6fold tube die

      12 x 2 mm with heating sleeves and all further necessary part

    • PTFE 30fold tube die

      4 mm diameter installed in the working area of the ram extruder FRE 150

    • Single breaking device for rods

      This device compensates the weight of the rods during the extrusion process. Hydraulically or pneumatically operated braking shoes embrace the rods and produce a weight -compensating friction force. Range of diameter: rods with 20 to 60 mm diameter