Apparatus and method for extruding pencils

The invention relates to apparatus for extruding and in particular to an apparatus and method for extruding pencils from synthetic materials such as plastics. An apparatus for extruding pencils and a method of using the apparatus. A core material () is extruded from an extruder () and forms a catenary loop in a cooling zone (). The core material is carefully cooled at ambient temperature before being cooled and straightened at a cooling unit (). The core material is coated in a crosshead and die assembly () with sheath material extruded from extruder (). In a further cooling zone () the sheath material expands under the action of a blowing agent and the extrudate is sized by a calibrator ().