As an industry leader in custom non-metal fabrication services, NPF specializes in extrusion and slitting capabilities for our customers in a broad range of industries. Our exhaustive portfolio makes us the go-to supplier of custom-manufactured parts and components. State-of-the art equipment allows us to produce superior products for both high- and low-volume production runs. Our custom capabilities include extrusion and slitting of specialized materials into sheets, strips, rolls, and coils, with thicknesses ranging from 0.005 in. to 0.250 in. and untrimmed widths up to 38 in.
Request a custom quoteWhat Is the Extrusion Process?
Extrusion is a fabrication process that uses heat and pressure to force thermoplastic resins and additives through a specialized pre-shaped die. The melted, compressed plastic retains the shape of the die as it undergoes this process, creating a uniform shape. The material is then cut, shaped, or otherwise processed for use in the next step of fabrication.
Thermoplastic extrusion typically uses one of three standard techniques:
- Flat die:The plastic is extruded through a flat die and formed onto casting rolls for further processing and shipment.
- Annular die:Plastic sheet is extruded through an annular die with a mandrel, or cutting tool, used to slit the material along a pre-set cross-section. The plastic is flattened for shipping and handling.
- Plasticating extrusion: The plastic resin is pressed and sized using a series of large rollers until it achieves a sheet with the desired dimensions and thickness.
The technique chosen for your project largely depends on the type of material and the end application. The most common product produced through extrusion is single layer plastic sheets, which can be used in thermoforming and manufacturing operations to create a variety of plastic components and parts.
At NPF, our products, available in an assortment of standard colors, can easily be customized and matched to meet your particular branding requirements. On-site color matching capabilities set us apart from the competition and allow us to ensure our customers receive the right hue every time.
Want to learn more about the extrusion process? Take a look at our interactive infographic!
See InfographicWhat Is the Slitting Line?
Flat extruded materials, such as sheet plastic, are often processed and stored on extremely large, heavy coils, or rolls, that can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. To facilitate ease of handling for transport and use of the materials, these plastics must be processed through a slitting line. The slitting line uses a cutting tool to reduce the size of the sheet plastic or other material to meet the specific widths and lengths required by the end application.
Slitting line equipment is extremely accurate, and can be programmed to meet custom sizing specifications and dimensions. Operators consider the width and the length of the material as well as the type of material on the coil, its thickness, and its intended final use when setting up the slitting process.
Reliable Extrusion and Slitting Services From New Process Fibre
At New Process Fibre, we pride ourselves on providing state-of-the-art extrusion and slitting services for our customers around the world. Since 1927, we have been a dedicated provider of non-metal custom fabricated components. In addition to our superior extrusion and slitting capabilities, we are pleased to offer custom stamping, shearing, and tool and die manufacturing services. Our highly trained experts have the knowledge and experience to help take your component from the initial design process through full production.
NPF’s extensive line of custom-made products includes everything from slit rolls of plastic and nylon blends to washers, laminates, gaskets, and spacers. We use state-of-the-art equipment in our ISO 9001:2015 facility to produce the highest quality fabricated components in the industry. Our dedication to quality is evident in our rigorous quality assurance standards, which include first article inspection, PPAP documentation, RoHS and REACH compliance.
For more information on our slitting and extrusion capabilities and other custom fabrication services, contact our experts today or request a quote.