Wire Extrusion Equipment & Machines

Full extrusion line costs vary widely — from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars depending on size, material capability, and automation level. Precision control components such as OLC's MicroAir air pressure regulators and motorized potentiometers are priced separately and available on request. Contact On Line Controls for a quote tailored to your line requirements.

An extrusion machine is commonly called an extruder. For plastic tubing and wire, it forces molten material through a die to form a continuous profile. Supporting equipment such as ultra-low air pressure regulators (like OLC's MicroAir series) and motorized potentiometers are used inline to control diameter, wall thickness, and air pressure during the extrusion process.

There are several major types of extrusion machines: single-screw, twin-screw, ram/plunger, and co-extrusion systems. For plastic tubing and wire extrusion specifically, air pressure control equipment — such as single, dual, 3-channel, or 4-channel MicroAir regulators — is selected based on the number of lumens and the extrusion control method required.

MicroAir regulators control the ultra-low internal air pressure used to size and support plastic tubing during free extrusion. They maintain constant pressure even with varying flow rates, enabling precise control of the tubing's outside diameter. Models are available for single-lumen, multi-lumen, bump, and taper tubing applications in medical, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.

MicroAir I uses a simple 30-turn manual knob for set-and-hold pressure control. MicroAir II adds contact closure inputs from a diameter gauge or controller for semi-automated operation. MicroAir IV features a precision voice-coil motor with 0-10V input for high-speed PLC-compatible programmable switching, ideal for bump and taper tubing applications with response times under 0.1 second.

Yes. On Line Controls offers 3-channel and 4-channel MicroAir regulators specifically designed for multi-lumen tubing extrusion. Each channel independently controls air pressure for a separate lumen, with configurable pressure ranges and optional digital displays per channel. These units are used in medical catheter and multi-lumen plastic tubing manufacturing worldwide.