June 19-20, 2024, Hilton Garden Inn, Tewksbury, MA

Mix and meet with screw design experts!

Including an Afternoon Tour of
UMass Lowell Extrusion Process Laboratories
‍on Day 2

SPE Screw Design Conference Highlights
Event Highlights
  • Cocktail Reception on Day 1
    Mix-and-meet with the SPE Extrusion board, UML staff, speakers and attendees
  • UMass Extrusion Process Lab Tour on Day 2
    Take an afternoon tour of the UMass Lowell Extrusion Process Laboratory, transportation included
This program will allow you to gain insight into the art of screw design. More importantly, you’ll soon be able to help anyone responsible for an extrusion operation to evaluate an existing process or to prepare for future projects.
Co-hosted by the Society Plastics Engineers (SPE) Extrusion Division and the SPE Eastern New England Section, the SPE Screw Design Conference-Topcon will focus on screw design principles for single- and twin-screw extruders for any type of extrusion operation in any industry. Areas of focus will include screw designs for precision extrusion, melt temperature management, minimization of gels, and useful techniques and practices to process bioplastics, recycled materials and foamed parts. In addition to the technical sessions, there will be a reception on Day 1, and a Day 2 tour of the UMass Lowell Extrusion Process Laboratory.  

Program Agenda

This program is subject to change.
Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Day One

Morning Sessions
  • Keynote: “Twin Screw Extruders as Continuous Mixers: A Technical and Historical Perspective,” Charlie Martin, Leistritz Extrusion
  • Keynote: “Single Screw Extruders: Current State-of-the-Art Technologies,” John Christiano, Davis-Standard
  • “Designing Screw Configurations for Co-Rotating Twin Screw Extruders,” Edward Gay, KraussMaffei
  • “Screw Design Concepts for Heat-Sensitive Materials on Twin Screw Extruders,” Haikun Xu, Advanced Drainage Systems
  • “Materials of Construction for Screws and Barrels for Various Polymer Environments,” Kevin Slusarz, US Extruders
Lunch 12:00 PM
Afternoon Sessions
  • “Mitigating Gels in Films via Screw Designs,” Mark Spalding, Dow Chemical
  • “Counter-Rotating Twin Screw Extruder Design Guidelines for Processing Optimization,” Dave Thiessen, Milacron
  • “What Causes Catastrophic Screw Failures?” Tim Womer, TW Womer
  • “Principle Melting Mechanism of Single Screw Extruders,” Eldridge M. Mount III
  • “A Comparison of Extrusion and Injection Molding Screw Design and Process Requirements,” Steve Schick, Teel Plastics
Reception 6:00 PM
Thursday, June 20, 2024

Day Two

Morning Sessions
  • Keynote: “Basic Screw Design: Art and Science,” Mike Thompson, McMaster University
  • “Devolatilization:  Screw and Process Configuration,” Rob Jerman, Extrusion Technologies and Innovations
  • “Comparison of Smooth and Grooved Feed Sections on Performance,” John Perdikoulias, Compuplast
  • “New Concept for Melting in Single Screw Extruders”, Jeff Myers, Barr Inc.
  • “Screw Coating To Increase Performance and Extend Screw Lifetime," Steve Jackson, Xtreme Coatings
  • “The Single Screw Dynamic Multiplicative Mixer (DMM),” Keith Luker, Randcastle Extrusion Systems
  • “Managing Melt Temperature via Screw Design+," Brian Haight, Leistritz Extrusion
Lunch 12:00 PM
Afternoon Session
  • 1:00pm to 3:00pm: Take a tour of the UMass Lowell Extrusion Process Laboratory. Transportation will be provided to and from the hotel
    The SPE Extrusion Division will issue a “Screw Design Certificate” to all participants who have attended the program.

Conference Fee

SPE Members

$820 before May 17, 2024, $900 after

Non-members

$920 before May 17, 2024, $1000 after
Program Chair
Karen Xiao, Macro Engineering, KXiao@macroeng.com 

Technical Chair
Eldridge M Mount III, EMMOUNT Technologies, emmount@msn.com 
‍
‍Corporate Sponsorships
A limited number of corporate sponsorships — 15 in total — are available on a first-come basis for $1,500. Included is a six-foot tabletop display, denotation in all promotionalactivities and one no-charge registration. To become a sponsor, contact:

Charlie Martin of Leistritz Extrusion at cmartin@leistritz-extrusion.com, cell (973) 650-3137.

Conference Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn
4 Highwood Drive
Tewksbury, MA 01876
1-978-640-9000
‍
Special Conference Discount
Book Rooms Now  →
Use Promo Code: SPE

Register Today!

Program is subject to change. A confirmation with logistical information will follow registration.
Conference speakers and sponsors should contact Charlie Martin directly to register: cmartin@leistritz-extrusion.com
Students are encouraged to attend the Topcon and will receive a discounted rate.
ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT: ACH, Wire Transfer or for customized invoice contact Charlie Martin: cmartin@leistritz-extrusion.com

Corporate Sponsors

Thanks to our corporate sponsors for helping to make this event possible.
© 2024 SPE Screw Design Conference-Topcon