Tapered insert die plate for underwater pelletizers

Abstract

A tapered insert die plate providing a surface-to-surface contact between the insert and die plate to facilitate removal of and insertion of the insert and substantially improve heat transfer from the outside ring of the die plate to the die insert. The tapered insert is retained in place by hold down bolts which serve as jack bolts to force the insert out of the outer ring of the die plate by insertion into screw threaded holes in the insert to abuttingly engage a flange surface on the outer ring of the die plate to facilitate extraction of the insert when required. The die plate insert includes a plurality of orifices extending therethrough through which molten polymers are extruded in a conventional manner with the tapered surface-to-surface contact between the insert and the die plate providing improved heat transfer from the outside ring of the die plate to the die plate insert as compared with other known techniques of mounting an insert in a die plate.