—
ABB Low Voltage Drives for Extruders

Where Extrusion Takes Shape, Precision Makes the Difference.

Plastic extrusion is an unforgiving process. Screw speed that drifts, torque that falters at low speed, a temperature spike at the wrong moment — any one of these can mean scrapped product, wasted material, and lost production time. When your margins depend on consistency, you need drives that keep up with every demand your process makes.

ABB's ACS580 and ACS880 low voltage drives are built to do exactly that. Whether you're running a single-screw pipe extruder, a high-output twin-screw compounder, or a precision film line, ABB delivers the smooth, consistent motor control that keeps your process stable and your product on spec — from the moment raw material enters the screw to the finished product leaving the line.

Trusted by plastics manufacturers around the world, ABB brings together proven drive technology and deep application expertise, so your extrusion lines run exactly as they should — every single shift.

Extrusion lines run long hours. 

The cost of energy, maintenance, and unplanned downtime adds up fast. ABB drives are designed to reduce all three:

💡 Significant energy savings — by running motors only at the speed and torque the process actually needs, ABB drives cut electricity consumption compared to fixed-speed alternatives — savings that compound over long production runs

🔧 Reduced mechanical wear — smooth, controlled motor starts and stops reduce stress on gearboxes, couplings, and screws, extending equipment life and reducing the frequency of costly maintenance interventions

🔍 Built-in diagnostics — real-time monitoring and early warning alerts flag potential issues before they become production stoppages, giving your team time to act on their schedule

🛡️ Integrated safety functions — features like Safe Torque Off (STO) are built in as standard, protecting both operators and equipment without additional external hardware

🏭 One platform, many applications — the ACS880 platform covers extruders, downstream equipment, and auxiliary drives across your entire production line, simplifying maintenance, spares, and operator training

Less energy wasted. Less time lost. More production you can count on.

ABB's Direct Torque Control technology delivers the precise, responsive motor control that plastic extrusion demands.

Extrusion is a constant-torque application. From the moment the screw starts turning to the peak of a production run, your motor needs to deliver stable, predictable torque — especially at low speeds when viscous materials resist the screw most.

That's exactly where ABB's Direct Torque Control (DTC) technology excels. Rather than reacting to changes after they happen, DTC monitors and adjusts motor torque thousands of times per second — keeping the screw speed and output rate steady, even when material properties vary or the line changes speed.

Here's what that means for your process:

⚙️ Full torque from standstill — ideal for starting under load, preventing screw slip and material surging on startup

🎯 Precise low-speed control — consistent performance at the slow speeds that matter most in extrusion, without the need for external feedback sensors

📏 Tighter process tolerances — stable torque means stable output, so wall thickness, diameter, and material density stay within spec

🔄 Instant response to load changes — when material viscosity shifts or throughput demand changes, DTC compensates immediately — no overshoot, no lag

In plastic extrusion, the quality of your motor control is the quality of your product. DTC makes sure the two are never in conflict.

When your drives run with precision, your products come out right — less waste, fewer rejects, more output you can sell.

In plastics manufacturing, product quality isn't just about what happens at the end of the line — it's built into every stage of the extrusion process. Screw speed consistency, torque stability, and smooth acceleration and deceleration all directly influence the final product.

ABB drives are engineered to keep every one of these variables tightly controlled:

📐 Dimensional accuracy — stable motor speed means uniform wall thickness in pipes, consistent gauge in film, and reliable profiles in sheet and strip

🧪 Material integrity — precise torque limits protect polymer chains from over-shearing, preserving material properties and reducing degradation

🔁 Smooth line synchronisation — on multi-motor extrusion lines, ABB drives coordinate seamlessly across haul-off units, cooling systems, and downstream equipment

❌ Fewer rejects and less scrap — tighter process control means less out-of-spec product, lower raw material waste, and more consistent output

When quality is built into the drive, it shows up in every meter of product that leaves the line.

From the main extruder drive to every downstream motor, ABB covers your whole production line with a single, proven solution.

Managing multiple drive types across a production line creates unnecessary complexity — different interfaces, different spare parts, different service requirements. ABB eliminates that problem entirely.

The ACS880 platform covers every motor-driven application on your extrusion line — the main screw drive, haul-off units, winders, cutters, and auxiliary equipment — all from a single, consistent technology platform:

🏭 Whole-line coverage — one drive family handles every application from the extruder barrel to the end of the line, simplifying commissioning and integration

🧰 Simplified maintenance and spares — a single platform means fewer unique components to stock, less time diagnosing problems, and faster turnaround when something needs attention

👷 Easier operator training — consistent controls and interfaces across all drives reduce the learning curve and keep your team confident and productive

🌍 Global support network — wherever your plant is located, ABB's service teams, spare parts, and technical expertise are close at hand

🔄 Scalable for the future — whether you're expanding capacity, adding a new line, or upgrading existing equipment, the ACS880 platform grows with your business

One supplier. One platform. One less thing to worry about.

Looking for a trusted partner for your application? ABB combines more than 50 years of drive innovation with a global network of application specialists and service professionals dedicated to helping you maximize reliability, efficiency, and performance. From system design and commissioning to maintenance and long-term optimization, ABB provides comprehensive support at every stage.

Fill out the form to connect with an ABB expert and discover how our solutions can help you achieve your operational goals.