Method and apparatus for producing an extrudate

A method for producing an elongated article with a sheath, the method comprising:

• extruding the sheath with a predetermined wall thickness by an extrusion unit;
• following the extrusion unit in a feeding direction and while a molding material is still moldable, building up a part of the still moldable material with a molding unit during a molding process, to form a molded part integrally on the sheath, and thereby moving the molding unit according to the following work cycle:
• accelerating the molding unit from a start position in the feeding direction;
• advancing the molding unit toward the elongated article with the molding unit engaging in the still moldable material of the sheath to cause a desired accumulation of the material to form the molded part;
• retracting the molding unit from the elongated article;
• decelerating the molding unit and moving the molding unit from an end position back toward a start position, counter to the feeding direction;
• and
• thereby conveying the elongated article at a predetermined line speed in the feeding direction and moving the molding unit during the molding process at a molding speed that is different from the line speed, and
• forming the molded part directly from the material of the extruded sheath by scraping off the material of the sheath from the initially finished sheath accumulating the material to form the molded part.