Ludovic is a 1D modeling software dedicated to corotating twin screws.
The Ludovic purposes :

Controlling the extrusion process
Improving the material quality
Going deeper in the material/process analysis and optimization

Improving the mixing and extrusion efficiency

• Material properties : temperature, pressure, viscosity...
• Process conditions : temperature, pressure, filling ratio...
• Mixing efficiency : RTD (Residence Time Distribution), SME (Specific Mechanical Energy), Total Material Energy...
• Energy balance : torque, shaft, power engine...

ICMA SG twin scew extruder

Ludovic describes the mechanisms of the extrusion process all along the screw profile.

It gives information describing the material behaviour during the twin screw extrusion process.

It also provides data about the process conditions evolution, taking into account the different physical phenomena.

Pressure and temperature evolution along the screw profile

Ludovic computes different meaningful tags used to check the mixing efficiency of a twin screw configuration.

The RTD curve is one of this usefull value.

Ludovic also proposes a graphical analyses of the energy balance, including power engine and the energy different purposes.

Distribution of used energy during the process and Residence Time Distribution curve

A full data set up

• Extruder design : screw, barrels, dies design...
• Product definition : thermal and viscosity properties...
• Process conditions : regulation temperature, screw speed...
• Computation : short computation time (less than 30s)

Ludovic can design every kind of extruders and screw geometries. Screw elements, kneading blocks, mixing elements are fully customisable.

Barrels, die elements, primary or secondary feeding zones are also defined by user.

Screw design in Ludovic with 10 barrels zones and 2 feeders.

Ludovic allows a classic definition of the products with its thermal characteristics and viscosity. Different tools (databases, digitizing option) afford an easy access to the material data.

Additives and fillers are also usable for the simulations of complex formulations.

All operating conditions of the twin screw extrusion process are included in the set up of simulations : screw rotation speed, feeding rate, thermal regulation... and other options such as reactive extrusion...

With Ludovic, it is easy to change those process conditions and analyse their impact on the process and material properties.

Indeep Analysis

• Comparison : to compare screw designs and process conditions impacts on the products properties
• Sequencer : to draw a real experience plan and define a whole twin screw extruder functioning domain
• Correlations : to make out a correlation link between conditions and results

Ludovic proposes to compare some twin screw configurations to get a meaningful analysis on different simulations.

RTD, global results (Power, torque shaft, pressure, SME...) appear on a same curve in order to quickly identify the best configurations.

On the opposite picture, different values of the residence time are compared on different screw profiles and process conditions. Thus it is easy to see the best simulations based on this criterion.

Residence time comparison on different configurations

The Ludovic sequencer is used to draw experience plans. In a word, the sequencer affords to compute a complete functioning domain for the twin screw extruder.

The sequencer principle consists in computing variations of chosen parameters to observe their consequences on the configuration. RTD, global results (Power, torque shaft, pressure, SME...) appear on a same curve in order to quickly identify the best configurations.

Users criterions can also be applied on the parameters/results to show specific process conditions/results.

On the opposite picture, a sequence is presented : it compares the mean residence time on different configurations : material flow rate and screw rotation speed is changing taking into account user's parameters.

Variation of the mean residence time regarding to the material flow rate and the screw rotation speed

Additional information about Ludovic

Ludovic is a 1D software developed and commercialized for real industrial applications :

• used in R&D for formulation or product/process definitions
• used in production for output optimization and scale up issues
• used for all applications aimed at understanding and mastering the twin screw extrusion process

Ludovic is continuously developped by SCC in partnership with the CEMEF (MinesParis Tech), which is a specialized laboratory in material forming and INRA which is a research institute in agro-food applications and processes.