Apparatus for thermoforming polymer composite panels

A system and apparatus for making a plastic panel, the apparatus comprising:

• an extruder comprising a heated barrel, said heated barrel comprising a feed end inlet, a discharge outlet and at least one screw flight therebetween, wherein said screw flight is configured to form a uniform homogenous mixed melt of an optional glass bead or fiber reinforcing component and a polymer component at the operating temperature of said extruder from a polymer and fiber mixture component delivered thereto through said barrel inlet opening;
• a plurality of molding tools comprising top and bottom surfaces and sidewalls extending therebetween defining a cavity dimensioned to produce said plastic panel at a predetermined thickness;
• a heated machine press with opposing top and bottom platens configured to receive one of said molding tools therebetween and apply compressive force to said top and bottom surfaces;
• and
• at least one heated vessel for receiving and storing a quantity of said mixed melt selected to form a plastic panel of said predetermined thickness, said vessel comprising an inlet port to receive said mixed melt discharged from said barrel outlet of said extruder;
• a discharge port configured to deliver said mixed melt from said vessel to the cavity of said molding tool;
• and a metering device set to deliver said selected quantity of said mixed melt from said vessel through said discharge port to said molding tool cavity.