Views: 1 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-06-18 Origin: Site
Many twin screw extruders remain in production for 10 years or even longer. In most cases, the machine itself is still running well, but the screw elements and barrels gradually wear out — especially when processing glass fiber, calcium carbonate, mineral filler, or recycled materials.
Normally, customers would simply reorder replacement screw elements from the original machine manufacturer. But in reality, this is not always possible.
Some machines were purchased many years ago.
Some were bought second-hand.
Some original suppliers are no longer reachable.
As a result, many factories only have:
A simple machine nameplate
Old screw elements
A few photos
Or a rough screw diameter measurement
Unfortunately, this is usually not enough for accurate reproduction.
Why Screw Diameter Alone Is Not Sufficient
Many customers believe that if the machine is labeled as “TSE-65” or “75 mm twin screw”, any screw element with the same diameter will fit.
In practice, twin screw extruders are not fully standardized.
Different manufacturers may use different:
Spline structures
Effective lengths
Segment interfaces
Shaft dimensions
Center distances
Even machines with the same nominal screw diameter may not be compatible.
This is why experienced suppliers usually require more information before manufacturing replacement screw elements.
What Information Should You Prepare?
The more information available, the higher the accuracy of reproduction.
Helpful information includes:
Machine nameplate photos
Photos of the complete screw shaft
Photos of old screw elements
Spline details
Screw configuration drawings (if available)
Barrel drawings
Previous purchase records
Original manufacturer information
If drawings are unavailable, measurement videos and detailed photos are still extremely helpful.
The Most Accurate Method: Sending Physical Samples
For machines not originally manufactured by us, the most reliable approach is usually to send old screw elements or shafts for physical inspection and measurement.
This allows us to verify:
Spline dimensions
Segment interfaces
Effective lengths
Actual wear conditions
Although this method involves additional shipping cost, it significantly reduces the risk of mismatch and production downtime.
For heavily worn or non-standard machines, physical sample measurement is often the safest solution.
A Small Suggestion That Can Save Major Trouble Later
When purchasing a new twin screw extruder, always request:
Screw configuration drawings
Assembly drawings
Shaft and barrel specifications
And most importantly — keep these documents properly archived.
If you purchase a second-hand machine, try to obtain the original technical documents from the previous owner as well.
Many factories only realize the importance of these files years later, when replacement parts are urgently needed.
Final Thought
Replacing worn twin screw elements is not only about matching screw diameter. Accurate reproduction depends on detailed technical information and practical manufacturing experience.
Even without original drawings, compatible replacement screw elements can often still be reproduced — provided the supplier receives sufficient information and proper sample references.
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