Robust and Adaptive Control of a Single Screw Plastics Extruder

Abstract In this paper robust MIMO-control and decentralized adaptive control of a single screw plastics extruder is examined. These control strategies can handle uncertainties and time-varying or load-depending plant parameters. The melt temperature, which is the quality parameter of the extrusion product, and the temperature profile along the extruder are controlled by the corresponding heating and the screw speed of the extruder. Simulation studies indicate that these control techniques are powerful tools for the control engineer in chemical industry.