Apparatus for extruding ceramic slurry

An extruder comprises:

• a receptacle for containing a material to be extruded;
• a rotatable drive shaft, which extends into the receptacle;
• a dispersion blade, which is rotatable for mixing the material to be extruded, positioned within the receptacle, wherein the dispersion blade is secured to the rotatable drive shaft;
• a nozzle secured to the receptacle, wherein:
• the nozzle defines a first opening positioned within an interior of the receptacle, defines a second opening positioned outside of the receptacle and defines a channel which extends from the first opening through the nozzle to the second opening defining a flow path which extends from the first opening, through the channel and to the second opening;
• and
• the nozzle extends upwardly through and from a bottom wall of the receptacle and into the interior of the receptacle such that the first opening is positioned above the bottom wall, faces the dispersion blade, faces away from the bottom wall, and extends across a central axis of the nozzle, and the second opening is positioned spaced apart from and below the bottom wall;
• and
• a mechanical vibrator device in contact with the receptacle configured to impart vibrations to the receptacle.