Method for changing a material and corresponding extrusion device

An extrusion plant for the production of an extrusion product with at least one extrusion device, comprising:

• an extruder;
• a storage scale for feeding the extruder;
• at least one storage tank for feeding the storage scale;
• at least one downpipe connecting between said at least one storage tank and said storage scale;
• at least one sensor device for determining a filling level of at least one of the at least one storage tank and the storage scale;
• and
• a control unit that executes code instructions for:
• obtaining a parameter indicative of a time period required for at least emptying, cleaning and filling said at least one storage tank,
• performing a recognition of a requirement to a change of material, by monitoring a formulation amount and based on a prognosis of a still to be performed extrusion amount,
• based on said prognosis and said parameter, in response to the recognition and during a performance of a production of an extrusion product with a starting material by the extruder, calculating a time point in which a change of material preparation process needs to be started,
• at said calculated time point starting:
• driving at least one storage flap mechanically assembled to said at least one downpipe for emptying the starting material from said at least one storage tank,
• cleaning of the storage tank from the starting material;
• and
• driving the at least one storage flap to a close state and filling the storage tank with the subsequent material.

A method for the changing of material from a starting material to a subsequent material with an extrusion device for the production of extrusion products comprising:

• obtaining a parameter indicative of a time period required for at least emptying, cleaning and filling a storage tank which is connected by a downpipe to a storage scale feeding an extruder;
• in response to a recognition of a requirement to a change of material from a starting material to a subsequent material, calculating a time point in which a change of material preparation process needs to be started, based on an obtained parameter indicative of a time period required for said change of material preparation process;
• at said calculated time point;
• driving at least one storage flap mechanically assembled to said downpipe, to stop a feeding of the starting material to the storage scale;
• emptying the storage tank from the starting material;
• driving the at least one storage flap to a close state;
• and
• filling the storage tank with the subsequent material;
• wherein the recognition of the requirement, the emptying of the staring material and the filling of the subsequent material are conducted in parallel to a continuous feeding of the extruder by the storage scale with the starting material and a continuous production of an extrusion product with the starting material.

An extrusion plant for the production of an extrusion product with at least one extrusion device, comprising:

• an extruder;
• a storage scale for feeding the extruder;
• at least one storage tank for feeding the storage scale;
• at least one downpipe connecting between said at least one storage tank and said storage scale;
• at least one sensor device for determining a filling level of at least one of the at least one storage tank and the storage scale;
• and
• a control unit that executes code instructions for:
• in response to a recognition of a requirement to a change of material from a starting material to a subsequent material, calculating a time point in which a change of material preparation process needs to be started, based on an obtained parameter indicative of a time period required for said change of material preparation process;
• at said calculated time point;
• driving at least one storage flap mechanically assembled to said downpipe, to stop a feeding of the starting material to the storage scale;
• emptying the storage tank from the starting material;
• driving the at least one storage flap to a close state;
• and
• filling the storage tank with the subsequent material;
• wherein the recognition of the requirement, the emptying of the staring material and the filling of the subsequent material are conducted in parallel to a continuous feeding of the extruder by the storage scale with the starting material and a continuous production of an extrusion product with the starting material.