PolyTech developed WinTXU Screw Configuration Manager in 2004 as the future Windows interface for TXS. In the meantime, WinTXU has been highly successful in the marketplace as a standalone screw design software tool while further developing this interface for WinTXS.

TXS currently supports virtually every ZSK machine model

TXS currently supports most common Berstorff models

Select pre-defined L/D’s or specify number of barrels to create custom shaft length

Double-click on barrel name or drag-and-drop icon from above

Double-click on element name or drag-and-drop icon from above

Inventory feature applies to elements and barrels – enter current stock for each component in the table to the left. As you build a new screw design, WinTXU keeps track of remaining inventory

Change drawing colors, engineering units for storing process data Keeps track of shaft extensions – so you know where to place elements to bridge the splice

The following screen shots show the current state of development of WinTXS (1Q09) – assembly of the screw design/barrel profile is exactly the same as WinTXU. New screens have been added to WinTXS for entry of operating conditions, access of materials database and manipulation of simulation execution. For existing TXS users, all simulation parameters are the same as version 2.7xx.

Specification for breaker plate, allows WinTXS to compute pressure drop

Specification for screens, allows WinTXS to compute pressure drop

Select one of the default die plates or click on “Custom” to enter new die geometry

Adjusting coefficients are used to “tune” calculated pressure drop and temperature rise to measured/actual data

Inventory feature also now provided for WinTXS

WinTXS provides a choice of view for the screw design – the “mixed” view (shown here) or side view can be selected by clicking on these icons.

Side view can be selected by clicking on these icons.

Click on the “OPTIONS” tab on the toolbar to open the options window

Some parameters, formerly defined in the TXS initialization file (TXS.ini), now are user-definable during simulation execution

Calibration Factors (formerly defined using DEBUG in OPTIONS screen) are now easily accessed during simulation execution

Enabling the “DEBUG” mode in TXS provides adjustment of melting model, heat transfer, viscosity and shear rate. Adjusting these parameters, TXS simulation results are ‘calibrated’ to match actual data for a given set of operating conditions.

Calibration Factors are the single largest advantage between TXS and all other simulation software products currently available Once the DEBUG parameters are identified that correlate simulation results with reality (e.g. torque, melt temp) – subsequent changes in operating parameters, screw design, screw diameter, use these same values!

These parameters were formerly defined in the TXS initialization file (TXS.ini), now are user-definable during simulation execution

Define global conditions for simulation.

Define resin(s) for simulation.

Define solid fillers/liquid additives for simulation.

Define process parameters for simulation.

Head pressure can be calculated from die geometry or input as a process parameter.

Material selection/editing, formerly done using TXM, is now selected using the ‘Materials’ tab on the WinTXS toolbar

Click on Generic Viscosity button to create a new resin with specified viscosity.

TXS can simulate using “generic” material properties – select generic material type (e.g. PP, LDPE, PA6, PC, etc.) and specify melt flow rate. This unique feature, combined with Calibration Factors (DEBUG parameters) can provide quick and relatively accurate results without having actual material characterization – simulation results can be adjusted to match actual machine performance (torque, melt temp, etc.)

List of “generic” resins which can be used for simulation

List of “generic” resins which can be used for simulation – cont’d

Liquid additives can be specified as having a ‘diluting’ effect (e.g. modify viscosity up/down) or a ‘plasticizing’ effect (modify Tg).

Liquid additives can also be specified as having a ‘lubricating’ effect, altering the melting behavior of resin if introduced prior to melting section.

WinTXS has all features of existing TXS, latest release (version 2.7xx), in addition to improved screw design/documentation formatting and drag-and-drop user-friendly interface of WinTXU. WinTXS will provide all currently-supported plotting with enhanced output compatibility: copy/paste simulation results and plots into any Windows application. For More Information: Extrusioneering International, Inc. (973)