Ludovic : The Software Which Ensures Optimum Twin Screw Settings

Jan. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- The Ludovic software recreates the functioning of co-rotating twin screw extruder. It allows to define the best configuration for process settings while taking into account the screw geometry and the material characteristics.

Improve the extrusion process:
The twin screw extrusion is a complex process. It is esential to take care of many process parameters (thermal regulation, material flow rate, screw rotation speed...) which directly impact the material (temperature or flow rate changes, mechanical behaviour evolution...). Ludovic allows to analyse the material behaviour inside the extruder.

Ludovic draws the extruder geometry which is used in real production (screw elements, barrels, die...). Ludovic manages the material characteristics and the operating process conditions. After the computation (less than one minute), Ludovic provides results about the material flow (temperature, pressure, viscosity, shear rate...) regarding to the operating conditions. Global Results (energy balance and consumption...) and RTD (Residence Time Distribution) are computed by Ludovic too.

Define a stable functioning domain:
The Ludovic Experience Plan allows the users to vary some chosen parameters (staggering angle of a kneading block, screw rotation speed, flow rate, material viscosity...) according to defined values. This set of computations provides a whole experience plan. It underlines the parameters which have a significant impact (screw rotation speed as an example) on the process course (rise of the temperature depending on it).

Optimization of the Extrusion process:
With the Ludovic Optimizer, the user defines targets (e.g.: reach a given temperature, do not exceed an imposed pressure). He also chooses degrees of freedom (e.g.: the range of the screw rotation speed values is totally variable). According to this set of parameters, Ludovic will determine which is the best configuration to reach the goals of the user.

The Ludovic software is dedicated to co-rotating twin screws. Currently, the Ludovic V5.2 is available.
Ludovic is developed in partnership with the CEMEF, INRA and Sciences Computers Consultants. It is used in many European research projects. The last one is the PEPTFlow project (http://www.peptflow.com).

Associated Services:
To reach always better the customers needs, the Sciences Computers Consultants company provides support and services: training, hot-line and support, studies, process optimization...
For more information:
http://www.scconsultants.com

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About Sciences Computers Consultants : SCC is specialized in extrusion and mixing processes. It provides CFD software to improve the knowledge about the material behaviour during the process. SCC software are used by the most important compounders and plastics manufacturers.