Devices and methods for regulating extruder ceramic batch material

A ceramic precursor extrudate control system, comprising:

• an extrusion apparatus disposed at an outlet of an extruder comprising a barrel having a jacket and cooling device capable of providing a barrel coolant flow to the barrel jacket, the extrusion apparatus comprising:
• a first homogenizer plate having a first upstream plate surface, a first downstream plate surface, and a first plurality of interior surfaces defining a first plurality of through holes extending from the first upstream plate surface to the first downstream plate surface;
• a second homogenizer plate having a second upstream plate surface, a second downstream plate surface, and a second plurality of interior surfaces defining a second plurality of through holes extending from the second upstream plate surface to the second downstream plate surface, wherein the second upstream plate surface is disposed adjacent to the first downstream plate surface;
• and
• one or more temperature sensors disposed between the first downstream plate surface and the second upstream plate surface;
• wherein the first plurality of through holes is substantially aligned with the second plurality of through holes, whereby an extrudate material is capable of flowing through the first plurality of through holes and then through the second plurality of through holes;
• a master controller capable of receiving a plurality of measured temperature outputs from the one or more temperature sensors and configured to store at least one batch material temperature setpoint;
• and
• a slave controller capable of receiving a signal from the master controller and controlling the delivery of coolant to the barrel jacket, to one or more screws disposed in the extruder, or to one or more shafts disposed in the extruder, or a combination thereof, in response to the signal from the master controller.