Learn what is important when appraising the valuing a used extruder for base value or when selling your used plastics extrusion equipment. Our guide is designed to help you identify the key components of the appraisal process, as they pertain to your particular single screw extrusion machine.
Understanding the Important Specifications for Extruders
Besides the obvious Model, Year, Size. Here are four things to check when you are appraising an extruder.
Motor power. Does this extruder have a desirable motor for the size of machine? For example, a 3.5” with a 24:1 l/D will have a 75hp motor. If the motor is 100hp that’s ok, but if the motor is 60hp, for most extruder buyers this machine would be considered “under powered” When trying to value a used machine, this is a very important specification to know. You need to be aware if the power fits in the realm of usability for most extrusion operators.
Barrel and screw design and condition. This is especially important as the plastic extrusion machines get larger. If you are able to verify that a barrel and screw are within tolerances a more value should be placed on the used machine. In the case of a 20-year-old 6” 30:1 machine the value of a new screw and barrel set could be upwards of half the value of the machine. This is even more important when evaluating twin screw extruders. Today’s barrels and screws in many cases need to be coated with high cost metals. If the barrels and screws are bad needing to replace them may render the extruder near worthless. It is important to know there are detailed maintenance records that include barrel and screw measurements.
Motor style has become even more important. The DC style motors and drives have fallen out of favor to the cheaper, cheaper to maintain, and more efficient AC motors. Knowing if your extruder has an AC or DC Motor, will greatly affect the machines valuation.
Air or water cooling. When valuing a used plastic extrusion machine for sale in the secondary market, considering how the barrel is cooled is also very important. In most cases the used market will prefer air cooling. Air cooling is typically much easier to use. Water cooling was more popular with older machines, and machines that needed precise operating temperatures. Secondhand buyers are often looking for easier operation.
Controls. Understanding how the extruder is controlled through the perspective of the secondhand buyer is very important. If the machine is currently equipped with proprietary PLCs, or integrated with downstream, it may require a lot of money to retrofit the machine to work for the new application. Machines that are independently controlled and have controlled that are unitized on a common base typically bring much more money on the second-hand market. When valuing the plastic extruder, you must understand how the controls are connected and what it will take to make the machine operated independently if needed.
Ready for An Appraisal of Your Used Plastic Extrusion Machine?
When you’re ready for an appraisal or it’s time to sell your extrusion equipment, contact us via phone or the on page form. To collect equipment specifications pertinent to your specific extruder’s appraisal or sale, use our Single Screw Extruder Specs Form.