Goettfert X-Trude 300 Laboratory Twin-Screw Extruder

Overview

The Goettfert X-Trude 300 is a high-precision, modular laboratory twin-screw extruder engineered for advanced polymer processing research and development. Designed and manufactured in Germany by Goettfert—a leader in rheological instrumentation with over 50 years of domain expertise—the X-Trude 300 operates on the principle of controlled melt conveyance, shear generation, and thermal management to enable reproducible extrusion under well-defined rheological boundary conditions. Its compact architecture integrates real-time monitoring of melt pressure, temperature gradients across multiple axial zones, and dynamic torque measurement—enabling direct calculation of shear rate, shear stress, and apparent viscosity profiles along the extrusion path. Unlike conventional single-screw systems, the intermeshing co-rotating twin-screw configuration ensures superior distributive and dispersive mixing, making it ideal for studying filler dispersion, polymer blending, reactive extrusion, and thermally sensitive formulations.

Key Features

• High-torque drive system delivering up to 300 N·m, supporting demanding melt processing tasks including high-viscosity polymers and filled compounds.
• Modular barrel design with interchangeable screw elements and optional barrel diameters (20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm) to accommodate varying throughput requirements and material rheology.
• Precise thermal control via up to 16 independently regulated heating zones and 4 active cooling zones, enabling accurate simulation of industrial temperature profiles from feed throat to die exit.
• Integrated liquid-cooled feed throat prevents premature melting or degradation of heat-sensitive materials during feeding—critical for accurate solid conveying characterization.
• Multi-point pressure transducers (0–100 to 0–1000 bar range, ±0.5% full-scale accuracy) mounted at strategic locations (e.g., metering zone, die adapter) for localized melt pressure profiling.
• Real-time data acquisition synchronized with ROSWIN software, providing continuous display and logging of torque, speed, temperature, pressure, and derived rheological parameters (e.g., shear rate, apparent viscosity).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The X-Trude 300 supports a broad spectrum of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers—including polyolefins, engineering plastics (PA, PC, PBT), biopolymers, elastomers, and composites containing nanofillers or mineral reinforcements. Its modular construction allows adaptation for low-melt-strength materials (e.g., TPU, PLA) as well as highly viscous systems (e.g., LCPs, UHMWPE). All electrical, mechanical, and thermal subsystems comply with CE marking requirements per EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Temperature calibration traceability follows DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 standards; pressure sensor calibration is NIST-traceable. The system supports GLP-compliant operation when used with ROSWIN’s audit-trail-enabled configuration (user login, parameter change logs, electronic signatures).

Software & Data Management

Control and data acquisition are managed through Goettfert’s proprietary ROSWIN software platform, compatible with Windows-based PCs and integrated touchscreen HMI. ROSWIN provides intuitive graphical interfaces for recipe-based process setup, real-time trend visualization (including multi-parameter overlay plots), and automated sequence execution (e.g., ramp-and-hold temperature profiles, stepwise speed changes). Raw data export is supported in CSV and ASCII formats for post-processing in MATLAB, Python (Pandas), or statistical analysis tools. For regulated environments, ROSWIN optionally supports 21 CFR Part 11 compliance—including role-based access control, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails—facilitating use in pharmaceutical excipient development or medical-grade polymer qualification workflows.

Applications

• Lab-scale formulation development and optimization of polymer blends, masterbatches, and compound recipes.
• Correlation studies between extrusion process parameters (screw speed, barrel temperature profile, feed rate) and final product properties (melt strength, die swell, optical clarity).
• Feeding unit for inline rheometry (e.g., coupled with Goettfert RheoTest or capillary rheometers) and real-time melt property monitoring.
• Integration with downstream modules: film casting lines (cast film), blown film dies, pelletizers, extensional rheometers (e.g., Sentmanat Extensional Rheometer), and die swell measurement units.
• Fundamental investigation of melt fracture onset, thermal degradation kinetics, and residence time distribution using tracer methods.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable backpressure for stable operation?
The X-Trude 300 is rated for continuous operation at pressures up to 1000 bar when equipped with the 0–1000 bar pressure transducer option; however, optimal stability and sensor longevity are achieved below 80% of full-scale rating.
Can the X-Trude 300 be operated under inert atmosphere?
Yes—optional nitrogen purge ports and sealed barrel flanges enable operation under nitrogen or argon atmospheres to prevent oxidative degradation during high-temperature processing of sensitive polymers.
Is ROSWIN software included with the system?
Yes—ROSWIN Basic is supplied standard; ROSWIN Advanced (with 21 CFR Part 11 features, scripting, and extended data analysis modules) is available as an optional upgrade.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for the gearmotor and barrel seals?
Goettfert recommends gearmotor oil replacement every 2,000 operating hours and inspection of barrel sealing rings after each 500 hours of high-temperature (>300 °C) operation.
Does the X-Trude 300 support automatic feed rate control?
While the base configuration uses manual or gravimetric feeder integration, closed-loop mass-flow control can be implemented via third-party loss-in-weight feeders with analog/digital I/O interface compatibility verified per ROSWIN’s hardware integration protocol.