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Serving the UK & Irish plastics industry
Use this extrusion throughput and line speed calculator to convert product dimensions and material density into practical production figures for film, sheet, and pipe or tube lines. By linking geometry to mass flow, it helps extrusion teams estimate kg/h, check line speed targets (m/min), and sense-check whether a job is realistic for the extruder, die, and downstream.
It is designed as a quick engineering tool for planning runs, quoting, and troubleshooting output changes when gauge, width, OD, or wall thickness shifts. For blown film, the calculator can also show reference ratios based on layflat and optional die data to support process discussions.
Extrusion output is set by the cross-sectional area of the product, the line speed, and the material density. For flat products (cast film and sheet), area is calculated from width and thickness. For pipe or tube, area is calculated from OD and wall thickness. Once area is known, the calculator uses a simple mass flow relationship to convert between kg/h and m/min, so you can quickly move between throughput and take-off speed without spreadsheets.
This is useful when planning production, quoting, or troubleshooting. It lets you estimate resin consumption per hour, check whether a target output is realistic at a given gauge, and understand the impact of changing thickness, width, OD, or wall. The yield and trim settings help you separate gross output from good output, which is important when edge trim, scrap, or start-up waste is significant.
For blown film, the calculator uses layflat width as the effective width for mass-per-length calculations and can show additional reference values such as bubble diameter and ratio-style indicators when die dimensions are provided. These are guidance figures only, as real behaviour depends on die swell, cooling, and the material’s response under draw.
Results should be treated as a starting point and confirmed against your own QC measurements, material data, and machine capability. If accuracy matters, use the most appropriate density for your resin and conditions, then validate the calculated throughput and speed against actual gravimetric output or downstream measurement on your line.
If you are using these figures to plan production or get a quote, you can compare UK and Irish suppliers on PlastikCity. Request quotes from pipe, profile and sheet processors.
If you are looking at a new line, higher output, or downstream upgrades, you can also compare equipment suppliers: cast and blown film extrusion machinery, profile, pipe and sheet extrusion machinery, and extrusion downstream equipment.