Methods for extrusion

In combination with a method of extruding first and second elongated workpieces to form first and second elongated products, respectively, wherein a plurality of gripping members are operatively engaged with the first and second elongated workpieces simultaneously to form respective extrusion chambers thereabout, and wherein the gripping members are so displaced as to advance the operatively engaged, first and second elongated workpieces successively into and through an extrusion station, the additional steps of:

• (a) locating between the plurality of gripping members, adjacent to that end of the second elongated workpiece which is closest to the extrusion station, a second die for replacing a first die, through an aperture of which first die the first elongated workpiece is extruded upon the advance of the first elongated workpiece into and through the extrusion station to form said first elongated product;
• (b) causing the first die to be displaced from the extrusion station after the first elongated workpiece has been extruded therethrough;
• (c) advancing the second die into the extrusion station, due to said displacement of the plurality of gripping members, ahead of the advance of the second elongated workpiece into the extrusion station;
• and then
• (d) retaining the second die in the extrusion station while the second elongated workpiece is advanced through the extrusion station so as to extrude the second elongated workpiece through an aperture in the second die to form said second elongated product.