an apparatus and process for manufacturing insulation for metallic rod which includes a mechanism for housing a plurality of ingredients , scales for weighing a predetermined quantity of each ingredient , a blender for blending predetermined amounts of each ingredient into one material , a mixer to mix the dry blend of ingredients , a mill to form the blended material into strips , a dicer to transform the strips into pellets of insulation , an extruder for placing insulation around the metallic rod , a conveyor to transport the ingredients and / or material between each of the above steps , a controller for outputting commands to the blender and receiving inputs from the scales to obtain the predetermined amount of each ingredient , and a computer for verifying that the correct amount of each ingredient has been obtained . the ingredients used in the manufacture of this insulation material include plasticizers , fillers , a resin , and modifiers . in the step of obtaining the correct weight of each ingredient , the controller employs multiple setpoints to gradually obtain the required ingredient weight through what is known as a dribble feed function .