Systems and methods of cleaning extruders

A method of extending the service life of a die installed on an extruder, the method comprising:

• pausing production of a polymer pellet product from the extruder when a polymer pellet product property indicates fouling at the die wherein the fouling at the die is indicated by monitoring the polymer pellet product property comprising weight of the polymer pellet product over a period of time, and determining that at least 10% of the polymer pellet product produced over the period of time has weight that is less than or equal to 10% of the average weight of all polymer pellet product produced over the period of time;
• removing a polymer residue from one or more orifices in the die with an articulating tool equipped with an end effector while the die is mounted on the extruder;
• and
• resuming production of the polymer pellet product.

A method of extending the service life of a die installed on an extruder, the method comprising:

• pausing production of a polymer pellet product from the extruder when at least one of the pressures at the die or a polymer pellet product property indicates fouling at the die;
• removing a polymer residue from one or more orifices in the die with an articulating tool equipped with an end effector while the die is mounted on the extruder;
• and
• resuming production of the polymer pellet product, wherein fouling at the die is indicated by monitoring weight of the polymer pellet product over a period of time, and determining that at least 10% of the polymer pellet product produced over the period of time has weight that is less than or equal to 10% of the average weight of all polymer pellet product produced over the period of time.