Apparatus for extruding ceramic slurry

A method for extruding a heterogeneous slurry material from an extruder, the method comprising:

• mixing the heterogeneous slurry material within an interior of a receptacle of the extruder with a rotatable drive shaft which extends within the receptacle, wherein a dispersion blade is secure to the rotatable drive shaft;
• pressurizing the heterogeneous slurry material positioned within the interior of the receptacle of the extruder;
• and
• removing the heterogeneous slurry material contained within the interior of the receptacle through a nozzle secured to the receptacle and in fluid communication with the heterogeneous slurry material within the interior of the receptacle, wherein:
• the nozzle defines a first opening positioned within the 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 through the nozzle 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
• vibrating the receptacle via a mechanical vibrator, wherein the mechanical vibrator is in contact with the receptacle.