Even though granulation may not have been an essential part in the plastics size reduction process a few years ago, granulation is an opportunity to provide customers with regrind and recycled materials in products. However, selecting the right plastics granulator to fit your needs can be challenging. The wrong granulator can even be risky when used in certain environments or situations.
Cumberland has been providing plastic recycling industries with granulators and shredders since 1939 and we take pride in offering customers durable, reliable products.
The type of granulator that will fit your needs the best will depend on its intended use. Without the proper size granulator and components, plastic that is either too big or too small won’t be properly processed, which can result in higher energy use, additional dust and noise, and increased wear on the knife. To ensure that you select a plastic granulator that fits your intended use, the size of the equipment is an important factor. In order to find the right size granulator, consider these things:
Plastic granulators need to be maintained regularly and thoroughly to ensure a high-quality product and to reduce dust in the material as well as in the air at the facility. There are several reasons why granulator maintenance is challenging and may not be completed as often as it should.
Maintenance of the granulators knives is an especially challenging task, but it is also one of the more important tasks. When the knives are worn down or improperly spaced, it can result in excess dust and fines. When the machine does have sharp knives, it can improve energy efficiency and cut the material more effectively, helping to reduce dust, tearing of the material, and noise.
A plastic granulator should feature multiple safety switches, power-assisted tilt-back hoppers, rotor locking devices, and screen cradles and screens that are easy to access and remove. Equipment operators should also have a clear visual path in order to inspect the equipment in cases where the granulator needs to be cleaned in between each processing run.
There are several factors to consider in terms of knife design in a plastic granulator, including the number of knives, how they are arranged, the tip angle, speed, and sharpness. The overall design of the knives can impact the quality of the final granulate and the efficiency of the equipment.
Knives are typically mounted either on a stationary bed or directly on the rotating rotor. How much space is between these sets of knives will depend on the size and type of plastic being processed. For softer, more ductile materials, a smaller space will increase efficiency and produce a cleaner cut.
If you need granulates of the same size, a slower knife speed will increase the production of uniform material, lessen noise, and reduce wear on the knives and cutting chamber. A high-speed rotor increases the risk of the material becoming frayed or simply rolling around in the machine.
The type of rotor in the granulator will depend on what is being processed. There are four main types of rotors used in plastic granulators:
The plastic granulators and shredders from Cumberland are known in the size reduction industry for being rugged and reliable. We offer beside-the-press, central, heavy-duty, and thermoforming plastic granulators to best fit your processing plant’s needs. Our granulators are configurable, can process small and high-capacity runs, and can process a wide variety of material. They are also easy to maintain, ensuring they get the care and service they need for a long lifespan. Cumberland also offers plastic granulator refurbishment to help you maximize your return on investment as well as replacement parts and OEM upgrades.
Get in touch with Cumberland for all of your plastic granulator and shredder needs.
If you have any questions on plastic granulating machine. We will give the professional answers to your questions.