Guill Tool Launches Advanced Lab for Extrusion Industry

The new testing facility enhances material analysis capabilities in the global extrusion market. The expanded services include rheological testing, extrusion trials, and specialized training programs. The rheology lab is also equipped with a scanning calorimeter.

Guill Tool is a leader in the extrusion die industry and has expanded its laboratory capabilities by establishing Guill Labs to better serve the global extrusion market. The new initiative includes the company’s state-of-the-art rheology laboratory and a dedicated facility fully focused on the extrusion process.

The enhanced rheology laboratory measures the flow characteristics of plastics and rubber to predict how customers' materials will flow through extrusion dies before production begins. The company states that this allows for virtual optimization of tool geometry and viewing of projects in 3D CAD. The laboratory uses advanced equipment, including rotational rheometers, scanning calorimeters, thermal conductivity meters, and a new CT scanner.

The rotational rheometer can rapidly generate viscoelastic data of polymer melts, capturing precise polymer melt characteristics within a testing temperature range between ambient temperature and 300°C. The differential scanning calorimeter characterizes the thermal properties of polymer samples, including crystallization temperature, glass transition temperature, and heat capacity. The company noted that these measurements can simulate shear heating and temperature variations in flow regions. Additionally, the thermal conductivity meter can measure the thermal conductivity of polymer samples at different temperatures.

By maintaining these functions internally, Guill can process test results more quickly, reduce delays in the design process, and have better control over test parameters. The ultimate benefit is delivering high-quality parts on time.

Testing extrusion equipment

The newly established test extrusion facility is equipped with a range of equipment, including:

This testing laboratory supports single extrusion and co-extrusion functions, and features validated mold designs. Customers can also utilize specialized extrusion processes, such as rotary die extrusion for final products like filaments and tubular forms.

The company tests the fluidized bed in the extrusion facility. Image provided by Guill Tool.

Provided Services

In addition to extrusion trials, the testing laboratory also offers a range of services, including extrusion training, die cleaning, sample inspection, and final product testing. The facility's fluidized bath has a temperature range from 50° to 605°C and a working volume of 15.7 x 47 inches.

A key advantage for customers is the ability to test materials, molds, and actual extrusion run times on-site at Guill.