Method of making refractory shaped articles by cutting vertically hanging extrudates

A method of making refractory shaped articles comprising

• (a) extruding an extrudable composition containing a particulate refractory material through a die to give a continuous, deformable, green extrudate;
• (b) cutting the extrudate, while still in a green, deformable state, into lengths;
• (c) calcining the cut lengths to remove any volatile material and to bind together the particulate material;
• characterized by
• i) extruding the composition horizontally on to a driven transport device for receiving, supporting, and transporting the extrudate, disposed between the die and a station at which the cutting operation takes place, with a gap between the die and the transport device, a rate of extrusion being such that the extrudate sags into the gap;
• (ii) sensing degree of sag of the extrudate into the gap and controlling a rate of movement of the transport device to maintain the degree of sag within predetermined limits;
• (iii) while supported on the transport device, turning the extrudate through 90.degree. so that a free end of the extrudate hangs vertically downwards;
• and
• (iv) cutting the vertically suspended extrudate at a frequency of operation depending on the rate of movement of the transport device.