AUSTRIA DESIGN • MANUFACTURED IN NANJING & SHANGHAI

EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer
Precision Volumetric Masterbatch Dosing Systems for Injection, Extrusion & Blow Molding

In the highly competitive world of plastics processing, color consistency, material efficiency and process reliability are no longer optional – they are fundamental requirements. The EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer series (SCM range) delivers exactly that: accurate, maintenance-friendly and modular volumetric dosing of masterbatch and additives. Designed in Austria and manufactured in our advanced facilities in Nanjing and Shanghai, China, these machines combine European engineering principles with efficient Asian production capabilities to offer outstanding value without compromising performance.

Whether you operate a single injection molding machine or a multi-line extrusion plant, the EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer provides the precise metering of color concentrates, additives and secondary materials that modern production demands. The result is uniform color distribution, reduced material waste, lower operating costs and consistently high-quality finished products.

1. Understanding the Role of a Color Dose Mixer in Modern Plastics Processing

Masterbatch dosing is one of the most critical yet frequently overlooked stages in plastic manufacturing. Incorrect dosing leads to shade variations, increased scrap rates, higher masterbatch consumption and customer complaints. Traditional manual addition methods or poorly calibrated equipment simply cannot meet today’s quality standards.

A volumetric Color Dose Mixer solves these problems by continuously or intermittently metering a precise volume of masterbatch or additive into the main material stream. The EXTRUTEX series uses a precision screw driven by a high-performance brushless DC motor under closed-loop micro-computer control. The dosing rate is calculated from the set percentage and the throughput of the processing machine, ensuring that the ratio remains constant regardless of fluctuations in production speed.

Because the system works volumetrically, it is particularly well suited for free-flowing granular masterbatches and additives. When combined with optional magnetic hoppers and blender units, the Color Dose Mixer becomes a complete, self-contained dosing and mixing station that can be mounted directly on the feed throat of an injection molding machine, extruder or blow-molding machine.

EXTRUTEX has refined this technology over years of collaboration between Austrian design engineers and Chinese manufacturing specialists. The outcome is a robust, service-friendly machine that delivers European-level accuracy at a cost structure that remains competitive for processors worldwide.

2. Performance Characteristics – Engineered for Reliability and Precision

Every EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer is built around a set of core performance features that distinguish it from generic dosing units:

Additional flexibility is provided through optional and standard matching components:

• Unicolor masterbatch machines can be paired with a blender and control box that synchronizes mixing, ensuring homogeneous distribution of the additive.
• The base equipped with a blender is the standard configuration for dual-color masterbatch systems, satisfying customer requirements for simultaneous dual mixture.
• The main material hopper is supplied as standard with dual-color machines and is available as a selectable option for unicolor machines.

These features collectively create a dosing platform that is both highly accurate and exceptionally practical for daily industrial operation.

3. Construction Layout and System Integration

The EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer is designed as a modular system that integrates seamlessly into existing material handling setups. A typical installation includes the following elements:

• Color Dose Mixer unit – the core volumetric dosing device with precision screw, brushless motor and control electronics.
• Hopper dryer – optional upstream drying unit for hygroscopic materials.
• Material storage tank – bulk storage for main polymer or regrind.
• Autoloader – vacuum or pneumatic loader that automatically replenishes the hopper.

Material flow is straightforward: the main polymer is conveyed from the storage tank or dryer into the machine throat. Simultaneously, the Color Dose Mixer meters the exact quantity of masterbatch or additive into the same stream. When a blender is fitted, the two (or more) components are thoroughly mixed before entering the plasticizing unit. The modular nature of the design allows processors to start with a basic single-color configuration and later expand to dual-color or multi-additive systems without replacing the entire station.

Because the dosing unit is compact and lightweight (single-color models weigh only 16 kg), it can be mounted directly on the feed throat of most injection molding machines and extruders without additional structural support. Dual-color models are slightly larger (approximately 30 kg) yet remain easily manageable during installation and service.

4. Technical Specifications – Complete Model Range

EXTRUTEX offers a comprehensive range of Color Dose Mixer models to cover the majority of industrial requirements, from micro-dosing of expensive special-effect masterbatches to higher-throughput applications on large extruders.

Note: Output ranges are approximate and depend on material bulk density, particle size and set percentage. Dual-color (DM) models provide two independent dosing channels that can operate simultaneously or independently.

The SCM30 series with 30:1 reduction ratio is optimized for medium to higher throughput applications, while the SCM80 series with 80:1 reduction offers finer control for low-percentage dosing of expensive or highly concentrated masterbatches. Dual-color models (suffix DM) incorporate two complete dosing units on a common base, allowing simultaneous addition of two different additives or colors.

5. Applications Across the Plastics Industry

The versatility of the EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer makes it suitable for virtually every sector of the plastics processing industry:

Injection Molding

Precise color dosing is essential for consistent part appearance, especially in automotive interior components, consumer electronics housings, medical devices and household goods. The ability to store recipes and respond to machine cycle signals ensures that every shot receives the correct amount of masterbatch, eliminating shade variations between cavities or production shifts.

Extrusion

Pipe, profile, sheet and film extrusion lines benefit from continuous, stable dosing. The EXTRUTEX unit can be synchronized with extruder screw speed via external signal input, maintaining constant additive percentage even when throughput changes. This is particularly valuable when producing multi-layer structures or when switching between different color formulations.

Blow Molding

Both extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding of bottles and containers require uniform color distribution to meet brand specifications. The compact design of the Color Dose Mixer allows easy integration onto the machine throat without interfering with existing material loaders or dryers.

Compounding and Recycling

When reprocessing regrind or producing custom compounds, accurate addition of colorants, stabilizers, slip agents or other functional additives is critical. The modular nature of the EXTRUTEX system allows processors to dose multiple additives simultaneously using dual or multi-unit configurations.

In all these applications, the combination of permanent memory, intelligent control and durable construction translates directly into higher first-pass yield, lower masterbatch consumption and reduced labor costs associated with color changes and quality control.

6. Operational Advantages and Cost Savings

Beyond the technical specifications, the EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer delivers measurable economic benefits:

• Reduced Masterbatch Consumption – Accurate volumetric metering eliminates over-dosing, which is common with manual or poorly calibrated systems. Typical savings of 10–20 % in masterbatch usage are reported by processors after switching to precision dosing.
• Lower Scrap Rates – Consistent color and additive distribution reduce the number of rejected parts caused by shade variation or insufficient additive performance.
• Minimal Maintenance – Brushless motors, chrome-plated screws and modular construction mean fewer spare parts and shorter maintenance windows.
• Fast Change-overs – Recipe storage and quick-clean modular design allow color changes in minutes rather than hours, increasing productive machine time.
• Scalability – Start with a single-color unit and expand to dual-color or multi-additive systems as production requirements grow, protecting the initial investment.

When these operational advantages are combined with the competitive pricing made possible by EXTRUTEX’s dual-location manufacturing strategy (design in Austria, production in Nanjing and Shanghai), the total cost of ownership becomes highly attractive for both small workshops and large industrial plants.

7. Why Choose EXTRUTEX?

EXTRUTEX stands at the intersection of European design philosophy and efficient Chinese manufacturing. Our Austrian engineering team focuses on reliability, user-friendliness and long-term durability, while our production facilities in Nanjing and Shanghai enable rapid delivery, competitive pricing and the flexibility to customize machines for specific customer requirements.

Every Color Dose Mixer leaves the factory after rigorous functional testing. We support our customers with clear documentation, readily available spare parts and technical advice throughout the life of the equipment. Whether you need a single unit for a pilot line or a fleet of dosing stations for a multi-machine plant, EXTRUTEX provides a consistent, high-performance solution backed by a global supply chain.

In an industry where color quality and process stability directly affect profitability, the EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer offers a proven, practical and cost-effective answer. It is not merely a dosing device – it is a production tool engineered to deliver measurable improvements in quality, efficiency and return on investment.

8. Installation, Operation and Maintenance Best Practices

Proper installation is the foundation of long-term performance. The Color Dose Mixer should be mounted securely on a stable surface or directly on the processing machine throat using the provided mounting interface. Ensure that the unit is level and that all electrical connections comply with local regulations. The external signal cable must be correctly wired to the injection molding machine or extruder control system so that dosing occurs only when material is being processed.

During initial commissioning, operators should calibrate the unit with the actual masterbatch that will be used in production. Bulk density variations between different color concentrates can affect volumetric accuracy; therefore a short calibration run followed by verification of the actual dosed weight is recommended. Once calibrated, the permanent memory function stores the settings so that subsequent start-ups require only selection of the stored recipe.

Daily operation is straightforward. Fill the materials barrel with masterbatch, select the desired percentage on the micro-computer interface, and start the unit. The brushless motor will accelerate smoothly to the calculated speed and maintain it under closed-loop control. When a color change is required, the modular design allows the operator to remove the dosing screw and barrel assembly in minutes, clean residual material, and reassemble with the new masterbatch. Magnetic separation in the hopper protects the system from metallic contamination throughout the process.

Preventive maintenance is minimal. Periodically inspect the chrome-plated screw for wear, check that the hopper magnets are clean, and verify that all electrical connections remain tight. Because there are no brushes to replace and the gear reduction is sealed, the primary wearing component is the screw itself – and even that has an extended life thanks to the hard chrome surface treatment. Keeping a spare screw and barrel set on hand further reduces potential downtime to near zero.

Training operators on these simple procedures ensures that the full potential of the EXTRUTEX Color Dose Mixer is realized from day one. The combination of intuitive controls, robust construction and thoughtful modular design means that even plants with limited technical staff can achieve professional-level dosing performance.

9. Customization and Future-Proofing Your Investment

While the standard SCM range covers the vast majority of applications, EXTRUTEX recognizes that every production environment has unique requirements. Optional accessories such as heavy-duty bases, low-level sensors, larger storage hoppers, special high-temperature components for PET processing, and multi-color configurations beyond dual dosing are available. Integration with central vacuum conveying systems, gravimetric blenders or Industry 4.0 monitoring platforms can also be engineered on request.

Because the core architecture is modular, upgrading an existing single-color unit to dual-color capability or adding a blender module is often possible without replacing the entire station. This future-proof approach protects capital investment and allows processors to adapt as their product mix or quality requirements evolve. Austrian design principles ensure that even customized solutions retain the same reliability and ease of service that characterize the standard models.

Whether your facility is located in Europe, Asia, the Americas or elsewhere, the dual manufacturing base in Nanjing and Shanghai, supported by Austrian engineering, provides short lead times and responsive after-sales service. Spare parts are stocked strategically to minimize logistics delays, and technical documentation is available in multiple languages.