Method and apparatus for handling a die unit for a sheet extrusion system

A method of handling a first die unit usable on a sheet extrusion system, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a carriage having first and second spaced supports;
• placing the first die unit in a supported staging position on the carriage by lowering the first die unit from a position spaced above the first and second supports so that a weight of the first die unit bears against the first and second spaced supports on the carriage with the first die unit in the supported staging position,
• the carriage configured so that with the first die unit in the supported staging position the first die unit can be moved guidingly around an axis;
• with the first die unit in the supported staging position, moving the first die unit guidingly around the axis to a desired angular orientation to thereby facilitate access to one or more identified regions of the first die unit;
• and
• performing an operation at the one or more identified regions of the first die unit.