Product Overview

The EX-50J is a compact and practical PP drinking straw extrusion line developed for manufacturers that need stable continuous production of single-color straws. Its configuration integrates the main extrusion process with downstream cooling, hauling and cutting, reducing the need to combine unrelated machines from different suppliers. The result is a coordinated production system that can be configured for different straw dimensions, cutting angles and operating conditions.

At the heart of the line is a 50 mm screw extrusion system driven by a 15 kW motor with frequency-inverter speed control. The extrusion unit melts and homogenizes PP material before the polymer passes through the forming tooling. Controlled heating is provided through five temperature-control sets, with a total heater capacity of approximately 15 kW. This arrangement allows operators to adjust the process according to material behavior, die conditions and production requirements.

After extrusion and forming, the hot straw passes through a water-cooling system. Stable cooling is important for maintaining dimensional consistency before the material reaches the haul-off and cutting sections. The haul-off provides controlled traction, while the cutting unit separates the continuous straw into finished pieces. Depending on the required product design, the system can support straight cutting as well as 60° and 45° bevel-cut configurations.

EX-50J Production Process

The complete line follows a straightforward continuous process. Each stage is synchronized with the next so that material flow, cooling, traction and cutting can operate as one production system.

50 mm Extrusion System

The EX-50J uses a 50 mm main extrusion system intended for stable PP processing. A 15 kW frequency-controlled extrusion motor provides adjustable screw speed, allowing the operator to adapt material throughput and extrusion conditions to the selected straw diameter and production speed. Frequency control also provides a practical method for coordinating extrusion output with downstream traction and cutting.

The extrusion section is supported by five temperature-control sets and approximately 15 kW of heating capacity. Two heating sets are associated with the forming/mold section, while the remaining heating sets support the extrusion process. Proper temperature management helps PP reach a consistent melt condition before entering the forming tooling.

For production environments handling different PP grades, operators can optimize screw speed, heating settings, cooling conditions and traction speed to obtain the required straw dimensions. Actual output and stable operating speed can vary according to raw material grade, straw diameter, wall thickness, tooling configuration and production conditions.

Water Cooling and Dimensional Stability

Cooling is an important stage in straw extrusion because the freshly formed polymer tube must retain its geometry as it changes from a molten state to a stable finished product. The EX-50J includes one water-cooling system positioned after forming. The cooling stage removes heat from the PP straw before it enters the haul-off and cutting sections.

Consistent water temperature and adequate water circulation can contribute to stable production, especially when operating at higher line speeds. For installations where cooling temperature needs to be maintained more precisely, a chiller can be added as optional auxiliary equipment. This can help stabilize process conditions when ambient temperature or production load changes.

Haul-Off and Cutting System

The downstream traction system provides controlled movement of the formed straw through the cooling and cutting stages. The haul-off motor is rated at 0.75 kW and uses frequency-inverter speed adjustment. This allows production speed to be coordinated with the extrusion rate and the selected straw dimensions.

The cutting system also uses a 0.75 kW frequency-controlled motor. The line can be configured for different cutting geometries, including 90°, 60° and 45°. These options allow the same basic production platform to serve conventional straight straws as well as products requiring an angled or bevel-cut end.

Accurate cutting depends on the interaction between extrusion speed, cooling, haul-off speed, cutting settings and product dimensions. During commissioning, EXTRUTEX can help establish appropriate operating parameters for the selected PP material and straw specification.

Technical Specifications

Specifications are based on the standard EX-50J / EX-50PP-1 configuration. Final machine configuration and performance should be confirmed according to material, straw dimensions, tooling, local electrical conditions and production requirements.

Standard and Optional Equipment

Material Handling and Auxiliary Equipment

PP is generally straightforward to process, but stable raw-material feeding remains important for continuous extrusion. Depending on the production environment and material storage conditions, an automatic feeding system or vacuum loader can be added to reduce manual material handling and maintain a more consistent supply to the extruder.

A dryer can also be specified when required by the selected raw material or factory process. The appropriate material-preparation solution should be determined from the PP grade, packaging, storage conditions and supplier recommendations.

For production environments requiring tighter control of cooling-water temperature, a chiller can be integrated with the water cooling system. An air compressor can also be supplied when pneumatic functions are included in the final machine configuration.

Production Flexibility

One of the practical advantages of the EX-50J is its broad diameter range. A single production platform can be configured for straws from approximately Φ2 to Φ13 mm, allowing manufacturers to address different product specifications without moving to a much larger extrusion system.

The cutting system provides additional flexibility through 90°, 60° and 45° cutting options. Tooling can be selected according to the required straw diameter and product geometry. This makes the EX-50J suitable for manufacturers producing standard single-color PP straws in different sizes and cutting styles.

Quality and Process Control

Consistent straw production requires coordination between several machine parameters rather than relying on extrusion speed alone. Temperature, melt pressure, material feeding, cooling, haul-off traction and cutting synchronization all influence the final product. The EX-50J uses frequency-controlled drives for the main extrusion, haul-off and cutting functions, giving operators practical control over the production process.

The five temperature-control sets provide independent control of the heating sections used in the standard configuration. Maintaining stable temperature conditions helps reduce variations in melt behavior and supports more consistent product dimensions. Cooling-water conditions should also be monitored, particularly during long production runs or operation in high ambient temperatures.

Before commercial production, the machine should be commissioned with the intended PP grade and final straw tooling. Operators can then establish suitable settings for temperature, extrusion speed, cooling and haul-off according to the required diameter, wall thickness and cutting length.

Applications

Why Choose the EX-50J?

The EX-50J is designed around the core requirements of standard single-color PP straw production: controlled extrusion, reliable cooling, adjustable traction and consistent cutting. Its 50 mm extrusion platform provides a compact solution for manufacturers that do not require a multi-color or high-capacity straw line.

• Designed specifically for continuous single-color PP straw production
• 50 mm main extrusion system with frequency-controlled operation
• Wide Φ2–Φ13 mm straw diameter range
• Approximately 300–1000 pcs/min working-speed range
• Integrated water cooling, haul-off and cutting
• 90°, 60° and 45° cutting options
• Compact 8 m × 1 m × 1.7 m machine footprint
• Optional dryer, vacuum loader, chiller, air compressor and additional molds
• EXTRUTEX Austrian design with manufacturing in Nanjing and Shanghai, China

EXTRUTEX Engineering and Manufacturing

EXTRUTEX — AUSTRIA DESIGN, manufacturing in China (Nanjing and Shanghai) — develops extrusion and polymer processing equipment for industrial production applications. The EX-50J reflects this approach by combining practical extrusion engineering with a compact production layout and configurable downstream equipment.

The machine can be specified according to the customer's target straw diameter, cutting style, production requirements and local factory conditions. EXTRUTEX can also support the selection of auxiliary equipment such as material feeding, drying, cooling and compressed-air systems where these are required for the final production line.

For manufacturers comparing different straw extrusion technologies, the EX-50J provides a straightforward single-color PP platform. Customers requiring larger output or broader material flexibility can also evaluate the EX-65J platform, while multi-color applications can be configured with dedicated multi-color straw extrusion systems.

Conclusion

The EX-50J PP Drinking Straw Extrusion Line is a practical continuous extrusion solution for single-color polypropylene drinking straws. Its 50 mm extrusion system, five-set temperature control, water cooling, frequency-controlled haul-off and cutting system form an integrated production line for small- and medium-diameter straw products.

With a reference production speed of approximately 300–1000 pcs/min and a diameter range of Φ2–Φ13 mm, the EX-50J can be configured for different standard PP straw products. Straight and bevel-cut options provide additional flexibility, while optional dryers, vacuum loaders, chillers, air compressors and additional molds allow the line to be adapted to different factory requirements.