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.

<li>Single rods</li> <li>Multiple rods</li> <li>Single tubes</li> <li>Multiple tubes</li> <li>Single profiles</li> <li>Multiple profiles</li>

<li>PTFE, Teflon®</li> <li>PEEK</li> <li>UHMW-PE</li> <li>Compounds</li> <li>Polyimide and polyimide compounds</li> <li>All plastics suitable for RAM extrusion</li>

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: <ul> <li>PTFE, e.g. Dyneon, Teflon, Fluon etc., regenerate</li> <li>UHMW-PE (Ultra-high molecular low-pressure polyethylene), e.g. Hostalen GUR as well as compounds</li> <li>Polyimide and Polyimide Compounds</li> <li>Natural fibre material like wood etc. with chemical additives</li> <li>All ram extrudable plastics</li> </ul> <table border="1" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Powder feeding: Exact dosing with the vibratory dosing balance</td> <td rowspan="8" valign="middle" align="center"> <img src="/wp-content/uploads/process-ram-extrusion.jpg" alt="Technical Diagram" width="100%"> Process Overview </td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Pressing cylinder: For moving the ram</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Retracting cylinder: For retracting the mandrel (in tube production)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Ram: For compressing the powder</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Extrusion pipe: Main processing chamber</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>Heating sleeves: For heating the extrusion pipe</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8</td> <td>Drive: For the stirring device</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9</td> <td>Movable mandrel: For hollow section production</td> </tr> </table> Dies (Components 5, 6, 7, 9): <ul> <li>Single and multiple dies for tube and rod extrusion</li> <li>Centering die suspension</li> </ul> Control Unit: <ul> <li>Manual control: For set-up</li> <li>Fully automatic control: For continuous operation</li> <li>Switchboard: Contains all elements for hydraulic control and temperature regulation</li> </ul> <hr> Documentation of Ram Extrusion Process for PTFE and other plastic materials

Discover WK RAM Extruders

<table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid var(–base-light);"> <thead> <tr style="background-color: var(–primary-ultra-light);"> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">Model</th> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Range of Diameter [mm]</th> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Compressive Force [kN]</th> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Single Dies Rod</th> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Single Dies Tube</th> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Multiple Dies Rod</th> <th style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">Multiple Dies Tube</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 75L</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…75</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">50</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">-</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">-</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">-</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 75</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…75</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">100</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 100</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…100</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">100</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 150L</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">100</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">-</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">-</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">100</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 150 V15</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 150 V30</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">300</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 150 V70</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">700</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 200</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…200</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">150</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 200 V30</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…200</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">300</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 200 V70</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…200</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">700</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 320</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…320</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">320</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">FRE 320 V70</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…320</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">700</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: left;">WFE 500</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">3…500</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">4000</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> <td style="border: 1px solid var(–base-light); padding: 8px; text-align: center;">+</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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