How to optimize the geometric parameters of the conical screw barrel to improve the uniformity of material mixing?

In industries such as plastic processing, the performance of the conical screw barrel plays a vital role in product quality. Among them, improving the uniformity of material mixing is an important goal of optimizing the conical screw barrel.
First, the taper of the screw is a key parameter. The appropriate taper can improve the flow characteristics of the material in the barrel and promote mixing. If the taper is too small, the material flow rate may be too fast, resulting in uneven mixing; while if the taper is too large, it may cause material accumulation and blockage. Therefore, it is necessary to select a suitable taper according to the specific processing materials and process requirements.
Secondly, the aspect ratio of the screw will also affect the uniformity of material mixing. A longer screw can provide more mixing time and space, which is conducive to improving the mixing effect. However, an overly long screw will also increase the cost and floor space of the equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the mixing effect and cost and select a suitable aspect ratio.
In addition, the gap between the inner diameter of the barrel and the outer diameter of the screw is also an important geometric parameter. If the gap is too small, the friction between the screw and the barrel will increase, resulting in increased energy consumption; if the gap is too large, it will affect the mixing effect of the material. Therefore, it is necessary to select the appropriate gap size according to the characteristics of the processed material and the process requirements.
In the process of optimizing the geometric parameters, special screw structures such as multi-head screws and barrier screws can also be considered. These special screw structures can increase the shear force and mixing effect of the material and improve the mixing uniformity.
At the same time, reasonable feeding methods and discharge port designs can also affect the mixing uniformity of the material. For example, the use of multi-point feeding can make the material more evenly distributed in the barrel; and the reasonable design of the position and shape of the discharge port can avoid the accumulation and blockage of the material and ensure the smooth flow of the mixed material.