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Finally----the first major breakthrough in extrusion technology in 45 years.
Wenger's new C2TX generates compression continuously throughout the barrel.
The interesting co-rotating conical screws have a special profile that kneads
the ingredients as it is forced through the extruder. The process is called
PROFILE KNEADING.
Conical intermeshing co-rotating screws provide natural compression from the low
density of a preconditioned recipe at the extruder inlet to the dense dough mass
at the screw discharge.
Compression from decreasing screw volume at the inlet to discharge requires a
shorter barrel length and reduced extruder barrel volume.
With less material in the C2TX extruder barrel than in the barrel of a
conventional
single or twin screw extruder, the C2TX cooking extruder is extremely responsive to
screw speed change, recipe moisture, recipe temperature and cooking in the preconditioner.
Changes in final product density, color, cell structure, and surface texture are present
only seconds after making a change in a process variable.
Changing processing conditions will result in immediate changes in product density
without changing the extruder die.
The adjustable Back Pressure Valve
(BPV) permits the length of the plasticizing zone to be
adjusted while the extruder is in operation.
Barrel length and volume are reduced compared to conventional twin screw and single
screw extruders due to the volumetric compression of the conical intermeshing screws.
The extruder shaft and screw are more rigid in the extruder barrel resulting in easier
alignment of the screws.
There is a reduction in metal to metal wear on the screw and the barrel wall because of
the more rigid screw. The short, rigid shaft extends the lifetime of the wearing parts
of the extruder.
The cost of wear parts is reduced when compared to wear costs in a conventional twin
screw extruder.
Shear, compression and pressure at the die are the same over an 8:1 capacity range.
C2TX screw speed may be adjusted from 500 to 1,200 rpm as required by the product
and recipe being processed.
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This unique screw/barrel profile eliminates the requirement for expensive, multiple,
and complex screw and barrel components which typically include reverse flight screws, cut
flight screws, multiple shearlock zones and extended L/D configurations to achieve desired
product characteristics.
With the C2TX extruder, the finished product characteristics are easily controlled by
adjusting incoming product temperature and moisture, adjusting screw speed to
change shear rate, and increasing or decreasing extrusion pressure 7-140 bar
(100-2,000 psi) using an adjustable back pressure/by-pass valve and die.
Product density may be controlled from 32-500 g/1(2-32 lb/ft3), and
extrusion moisture levels from 10-40% are readily achieved on this unique and revolutionary new extruder.
Patents on the extruder are pending.
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