Modular extruder

An extruder comprising:

• (a) an axially extending extruder barrel module having a feedstock inlet end and a feedstock outlet end axially spaced from the feedstock inlet end in a direction of flow through the extruder barrel module, the extruder barrel module comprising an axially extending barrel in which an extruder barrel screw is removably receivable;
• (b) an axially extending extruder feeder module removably connectable to the feedstock inlet end of the extruder barrel module, the extruder feeder module having an axially extending flow passage aligned with the direction of flow when the extruder feeder module is connected to the barrel module, the axially extending flow passage having a feedstock outlet end and a screw motor module mounting end axially spaced from the feedstock outlet end of the extruder feeder module in a direction of flow through the axially extending flow passage;
• (c) a screw motor module removably connectable to the screw motor module mounting end of the extruder feeder module, the screw motor module having a motor drivingly connectable with a screw in the flow passage of the extruder feeder module;
• and,
• (d) an electronics module electrically connectable with the screw motor module and mechanically removably mounted as part of the extruder.