The AP screen changer delivers continuous, self-cleaning melt filtration — maintaining stable melt pressure within ±2% without stopping your extrusion line. Designed for low to medium-contamination polymers across film, sheet, fiber, and coating applications.
In high-output extrusion, every manual screen change is a recurring production event with a measurable cost. According to Plastics Technology, unplanned extrusion downtime costs between $200 and $500 per line-hour. On a line making two to four changes per shift, that is 45–135 minutes of lost production — every single day.
Continuous Filtration Without Compromise
AP filter cartridges are cleaned without being removed from the block. The cleaning cycle is triggered automatically by differential pressure (ΔP) or by timer — no operator intervention required. Melt pressure remains within ±2% throughout the cycle.
AP filtering cartridges can be cleaned and replaced without production interruption. The extrusion line runs throughout — no restart cycles, no pressure spikes, no scrap at changeover. Filtration fineness is maintained down to 3 μm continuously.
AP does not require any expensive control panel or hydraulic control units — unlike many competing continuous screen changer designs. The self-cleaning mechanism is integrated and mechanically simple, reducing installation cost and maintenance complexity.
AP is optimized for low to medium contamination materials in film, sheet, fiber and most continuous applications where melt quality and uptime are critical.
BOPP Film
Cast Film
Blown Film
Fiber Production
Nonwoven
Nylon
Tapes
Cellulose
Blow Moulding
Sheet Extrusion
Wire & Cable
Pipes
Extrusion Coating
Compounding
For application-specific filtration guides: Blown Film Filtration · Sheet Extrusion Filtration · PET Recycling Filtration
Quantified operating data from AP Series installations across European and North American extrusion operations.
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration type | Continuous, self-cleaning | Ensures uninterrupted operation and automatic contaminant removal |
| Cartridge system | Dual parallel cartridges | Parallel configuration allows continuous filtration during screen change |
| Filtration fineness | Down to 3 μm | Maintained continuously — no interruption at any fineness level |
| Cleaning cycle trigger | ΔP (differential pressure) or timer | Automated — no operator intervention required during cleaning cycle |
| Material compatibility | Low to medium-contamination polymers | Suitable for recycled materials with moderate impurity levels |
| Max operating temperature | Up to 350°C | Designed for high-temperature polymer processing |
| Max operating pressure | Up to +500 bar | Suitable for high-pressure extrusion applications |
| Throughput range | 5 – 2,000 kg/h | Wide operating range depending on configuration and material |
| Filtration area | Multiple sizes available | Adaptable based on throughput and contamination level |
| Screen change | Without production interruption | Continuous operation with no downtime during screen replacement |
Both are continuous screen changers — neither stops the line for screen maintenance. The choice depends on the contamination level of your incoming polymer. Here is the decision framework in two columns.
Still unsure? See the full continuous vs discontinuous screen changer guide →
Watch an AP 3D animation: the filtering unit, valves and gaskets, inside AP body, self-cleaning operation
AP set-up: watch how to perform valve adjustment.
Watch how to execute AP gasket replacement.
The AP screen changer uses a patented self-cleaning mechanism that removes the accumulated filter cake from the cartridge screen surface while the cartridge remains inside the filter housing and melt continues flowing. The cleaning cycle is triggered automatically — either when differential pressure (ΔP) across the filter reaches a set threshold, or on a timed interval. During the cleaning cycle, melt continues flowing through the parallel cartridge at stable pressure. No screen is removed, no operator action is required, and melt pressure remains within ±2% throughout.
The AP screen changer achieves filtration fineness down to 3 μm — maintained continuously without line interruption. This covers the full range of industrial polymer filtration requirements: standard film and sheet at 100–200 mesh, high-clarity film and fiber spinning at 250–400 mesh, and specialty applications requiring sub-10 μm filtration. For mesh-to-micron conversions, see the Mesh-to-Micron Converter.
No. Unlike many continuous screen changer designs that require hydraulic actuators and a dedicated control panel, the AP operates without any external hydraulic control unit. The self-cleaning mechanism is integrated within the filter housing. This reduces installation cost, eliminates hydraulic maintenance overhead, and simplifies line layout — particularly relevant for retrofitting an existing line.
The AP screen changer is suitable for virtually all thermoplastic polymers: polyolefins (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP), engineering polymers (PET, PA, PC, PMMA, ABS), elastomers, biopolymers, and specialty compounds. Designed for low to medium contamination — virgin polymer, clean regrind, and recyclate up to approximately 30% PCR at contamination levels below 3–4% by weight. Operating temperature range up to 350°C.
Both are continuous screen changers — neither stops the extrusion line for screen maintenance. The AP uses a self-cleaning cycle suited for contamination below ~3–4% by weight, achieving filtration fineness down to 3 μm. The Gorillabelt advances a continuous belt through the melt zone with no cleaning cycle limit, handlingcontamination up to 10% by weight. For a detailed comparison, see the full screen changers guide.
Enter your throughput, screen change frequency, and shift schedule. The Cofit Productivity Savings Calculator shows your monthly output loss and annual revenue impact in under two minutes.
