Honeycomb extrusion apparatus and methods

Abstract

A honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes first and second vanes with respective first and second face portions. First and second axial widths of a circumferential feed area are respectively defined between the first and second face portions and the outer feed surface of the die body. In further examples, methods include the steps of selectively adjusting the first axial width and the second axial width of the circumferential feed area by respectively adjusting the first and second vane relative to the mask. In further examples, a honeycomb extrusion apparatus includes a plurality of mask segments that each includes an inner peripheral surface portion. Each of the plurality of mask segments are independently adjustable along a respective radial axis.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A honeycomb extrusion apparatus comprising:
 a die body including an array of pins that are spaced apart to define an extrusion face with a honeycomb network of discharge slots extending along an extrusion axis of the die body, and the die body further including an outer peripheral surface facing away from the extrusion axis and circumscribing the extrusion face; and   a mask including a plurality of mask segments that each include an inner peripheral surface portion, wherein the inner peripheral surface portions at least partially circumscribe the outer peripheral surface of the die body, wherein each of the plurality of mask segments are independently adjustable along a respective radial axis extending perpendicular to the extrusion axis of the die body to achieve a selected respective radial distance between the corresponding inner peripheral surface portion and the outer peripheral surface of the die body to provide a desired peripheral gap profile defined between the inner peripheral surface portions of the mask segments and the outer peripheral surface of the die body.   
     
     
         15 . The honeycomb extrusion apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the die body further includes an outer feed surface circumscribing the outer peripheral surface, and the honeycomb extrusion apparatus further comprising a circumferential feed area in fluid communication with the peripheral gap and at least partially defined by the outer feed surface of the die body. 
     
     
         16 . The honeycomb extrusion apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein an axial width of the circumferential feed area is configured to remain substantially constant during an adjustment at least one of the mask segments along the respective radial axis. 
     
     
         17 - 20 . (canceled)