Automatic Production of Plastic Lollipop Sticks

The EX-50J is purpose-built for manufacturers requiring a continuous and automated process for solid plastic lollipop sticks. Unlike a drinking straw extrusion line, this machine is configured for solid rod production. The extruder melts and homogenizes the selected polymer, forms the solid stick through the extrusion die, and delivers the hot profile into a controlled water-cooling section.

After cooling, rubber-roller hauling maintains stable movement through the production line. The rotary cutting unit then separates the continuous plastic rod into individual sticks at the required length. Finished sticks are collected and automatically counted, reducing manual handling and providing a more consistent production workflow.

The compact line architecture allows the main processing stages to operate as one continuous system. This is especially useful for high-volume production where stable extrusion, accurate hauling and synchronized cutting are important to maintaining dimensional consistency and production efficiency.

Purpose-Built for Solid Plastic Candy Sticks

The EX-50J is designed specifically for solid plastic lollipop sticks rather than hollow plastic drinking straws. Standard applications can use food-grade PP or other compatible extrudable polymers, subject to the customer's material specification, formulation, regulatory requirements and production validation.

For food-contact applications, the complete material formulation, processing conditions, machine components and finished-stick compliance should be evaluated according to the regulations applicable in the target market. EXTRUTEX can configure the extrusion and cutting system around the required stick dimensions and material characteristics.

Flexible Stick Diameter and Length

Standard production supports stick diameters from 3 mm to 6 mm. The cutting system can be adjusted for stick lengths from approximately 50 mm to 300 mm. Final configuration should be selected according to the candy stick design, material properties and required production speed.

Different stick specifications can influence extrusion output, cooling requirements, hauling speed and cutting frequency. EXTRUTEX therefore recommends confirming the target diameter, length, material and production rate before final machine configuration.

Single- or Double-Notch Stick Production

The rotary cutting system can be configured to produce sticks with one or two notches. The notch arrangement is selected according to the finished candy product and the required mechanical interaction between the stick and molded candy.

Notch geometry, position and quantity should be defined during technical confirmation because these parameters affect the cutting configuration. The system is designed to integrate the required cutting operation into the continuous production process rather than requiring a separate manual notch-forming stage.

Integrated Automatic Production Line

The EX-50J brings the principal production operations together in a compact continuous system. Polymer enters the extrusion unit, is heated and formed into a solid profile, cooled in the water tank, hauled by rubber rollers, cut by the rotary cutting mechanism and transferred to the collection and counting section.

This integrated approach helps reduce manual transfer between individual machines. It also allows the operator to coordinate extrusion, hauling and cutting speeds as one production process. For high-output production, synchronized operation is essential because even small variations in hauling or cutting can affect finished stick length and overall production stability.

Production Process Diagram

Technical Specifications

Water Cooling Tank Specifications

Hauling, Cutting and Collection Specifications

Machine Configuration and Operation

The EX-50J uses a coordinated control concept in which the extrusion, cooling, hauling and cutting stages work together. The operator can set the required processing conditions according to the polymer and finished stick dimensions. Temperature control is provided through five temperature-control zones or sets as specified for the machine configuration.

The water tank uses 304 stainless steel construction and supports water circulation. Its adjustable position allows the cooling section to be aligned with the extrusion outlet and hauling path. Correct alignment is important for stable profile movement and for minimizing unnecessary mechanical stress on the freshly extruded stick.

The hauling section uses rubber rollers driven by a 0.75 kW motor. The rotary cutting unit is also specified with a 0.75 kW motor. Cutting length can be adjusted within the stated 50–300 mm range, while the machine can be configured for one or two notches according to the finished-stick requirement.

Advantages for High-Volume Stick Production

Quality and Production Considerations

Finished-stick quality depends on polymer grade, formulation, melt temperature, extrusion stability, die design, cooling conditions, hauling speed and cutting synchronization. For food-contact products, the selected raw materials and finished products must meet the applicable requirements of the destination market.

Production speed is influenced by stick diameter, length, material behavior and machine settings. The stated 1000–1200 pcs/min range is an approximate production reference rather than a universal guaranteed output for every specification. A final production target should be confirmed during technical configuration and testing.

EXTRUTEX Manufacturing and Engineering

EXTRUTEX combines Austrian design and engineering with manufacturing in China. The EX-50J automatic lollipop stick making machine is developed for industrial plastic processing applications where continuous extrusion, controlled cooling, stable hauling and synchronized cutting are required.

EXTRUTEX — Austria Design, manufacturing in China (Nanjing and Shanghai). This production model combines European-oriented machine design with manufacturing capabilities in China, providing a practical platform for international plastic processing projects.