The Working Principle of Plastic Granulator

25 Mar.,2024

 

Plastic granulators are an important piece of auxiliary equipment for plastics processing factories. Many are using it without actually understanding the working principle of plastic granualtors. When choosing a granulator or shredder, it is important to examine the characteristics of each piece of equipment as well as the needs of your factory.

The Working Principle of plastic granulator

Materials enter from A (Material Inlet) and fall into B (Hopper). Next, in C (Crushing Chamber), a rotor that is driven by v-belt and motor rotates at high speed shears and compresses the material in assist of fixed blades. The processed materials are screened and released via D (Screen).

Additional flywheel, belt conveyor and material discharge blower are available based on customer’s requirement. As the machine generates noise, customer can specially order noise reduce model.

What Happens in Crushing Chamber?

There are multiple ways for size reduction equipment to work, and all of them are physical:

Shearing — Means cutting of material. Just like scissors, shearing efficiency depends on the sharpness of the cutting edges working against each other and the tolerance of the space between them. Granulators primarily work by shearing material.

Tearing — Torsional force, involves pulling the material with such force that it comes apart. Some materials like fabric, soft metals, plastics, and tires, are more easily torn than others. Purpose-built tearing reducers are good for reducing mixed waste where small, uniform particle size is not important. A good example is double shaft shredder and pre-shredder.

 

Among actions, shearing and tearing, they are present when size reduction equipment is used. However, when the cutters are kept sharp and the tolerances tight, the dominant and most efficient physical reaction is shearing.

We choose shredder or granulator based on one condition: each type of material is best reduced by a certain type and configuration of granulator. Different materials have their own physical characteristics which determine how they will react to the reduction process. The Working Principle of Plastic Granulator is actually to comprehend due to their simple structure and transmission system.

9 Things You Need to Know About Plastic Granulator

If you are in the business of recycling plastic, then you need to know about plastic recycling granulators. Granulators are essential for breaking down large pieces of plastic into smaller chunks, which makes it easier to recycle. In this blog post, we will discuss 9 things that you need to know about plastic granulators. We will cover everything from the different types of granulators to the benefits they provide. If you are thinking about purchasing a granulator for your business, then this post is for you!

What Is A Plastic Granulator

A plastic granulator is a machine that is used to break down large pieces of plastic into smaller chunks. These machines are essential for businesses that recycle plastic, as they make it much easier to recycle the material. There are different types of granulators available on the market, each with their own set of features. The most common type of granulator is the rotary granulator, which uses a rotating blade to chop up the plastic.

There are also shredder granulators, which use a series of sharp blades to shred the plastic into small pieces. These machines are often used for recycling hard-to-recycle plastics, such as PET or HDPE.

How Plastic Granulators Work

Most granulators work in a similar way. The plastic is fed into the machine, where it is then chopped up by the blades. The small pieces of plastic are then collected in a bag or container, ready to be recycled.

Application Of Granulators

Granulators have a wide range of applications in the plastic recycling industry. They can be used to recycle both hard and soft plastics, including PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, and PP. Granulators can also be used to recycle mixed plastics, such as those found in electronic waste.

The Different Types Of Granulators

As we mentioned earlier, there are different types of granulators available on the market. The most common type is the rotary granulator, which uses a rotating blade to chop up the plastic. However, there are also shredder granulators, which use a series of sharp blades to shred the plastic into small pieces. These machines are often used for recycling hard-to-recycle plastics, such as PET or HDPE.

The Benefits Of Using A Granulator

 

There are many benefits to using a granulator, including:

-They make it easier to recycle plastic

-They can help you recycle hard-to-recycle plastics

-They can save you money on disposal costs

-They can increase the value of your recycled plastic

How To Choose The Right Granulator For Your Business

When choosing a granulator for your business, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. First, you need to consider the type of plastic you will be recycling. If you are only recycling soft plastics, then a rotary granulator should suffice. However, if you are recycling hard-to-recycle plastics, such as PET or HDPE, then you will need a shredder granulator.

You also need to consider the capacity of the granulator. The size of the machine will determine how much plastic you can recycle at one time. If you have a large volume of plastic to recycle, then you will need a larger granulator. However, if you only have a small amount of plastic to recycle, then a smaller granulator should suffice.

Finally, you need to consider the cost of the granulator. Granulators can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The cost of the machine will depend on the size, capacity, and features of the granulator. If you are only recycling a small amount of plastic, then a less expensive granulator should suffice. However, if you are recycling a large volume of plastic, then you will need a more expensive granulator.

How To Use Granulator Safely

Granulators are very safe to use, as long as they are used properly. Always make sure that the plastic you are feeding into the machine is clean and dry. If there is any moisture on the plastic, it could cause the blades to rust. Also, make sure that the area around the granulator is clear of debris.

If you are using a shredder granulator, always make sure that the shredded plastic is collected in a bag or container. These machines can produce a lot of dust, which can be harmful if inhaled. Always wear a dust mask when using these machines.

Finally, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a granulator. These machines are designed to be safe and easy to use, but they can be dangerous if used improperly. If you have any questions about how to use your granulator, always contact the manufacturer.

Tips For Using A Granulator Effectively

Here are a few tips to help you use your granulator effectively:

-Start by recycling soft plastics, such as LDPE or PP. These plastics are easy to recycle and will not damage the blades of the granulator.

-If you are recycling hard-to-recycle plastics, such as PET or HDPE, start by shredding the plastic into small pieces. This will help to protect the blades of the granulator.

-Always make sure that the plastic you are recycling is clean and dry. Any moisture on the plastic can damage the blades of the granulator.

– Always collect the shredded plastic in a bag or container. These machines can produce a lot of dust, which can be harmful if inhaled.

-Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the granulator. These machines are designed to be safe and easy to use, but they can be dangerous if used improperly.

Maintenance Tips For Your Granulator

Here are a few maintenance tips to help keep your granulator in good working condition:

– always make sure that the plastic you are feeding into the machine is clean and dry. If there is any moisture on the plastic, it could cause the blades to rust.

– Always collect the shredded plastic in a bag or container. These machines can produce a lot of dust, which can be harmful if inhaled.

– Always wear a dust mask when using the granulator.

– Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning and maintaining the granulator. These machines are designed to be safe and easy to use, but they can be dangerous if used improperly.

A granulator can be a great addition to any business that recycles plastic. These machines are designed to be safe and easy to use, but they can be dangerous if used improperly. Always make sure that the plastic you are feeding into the machine is clean and dry. If there is any moisture on the plastic, it could cause the blades to rust. Also, make sure that the area around the granulator is clear of debris. Always collect the shredded plastic in a bag or container. These machines can produce a lot of dust, which can be harmful if inhaled. Always wear a dust mask when using the granulator. Finally, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the granulator. These machines are designed to be safe and easy to use, but they can be dangerous if used improperly.

Conclusion

A granulator can be a great addition to any business that recycles plastic. These machines are safe and easy to use, but it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take proper safety precautions when using them. By following these tips, you can ensure that your granulator will last for many years. Thanks for reading! We hope this post was helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Thanks for recycling!

This article was brought to you by Granulator Exchange, your one-stop shop for all things granulators. Visit our website today to learn more about our products and services. Thanks for reading!

Plastics granulator

A plastics granulator shears and smashes scrap plastic to make granules for moulding. Heavy knives are bolted to a rotor turn at high speed, close to a fixed anvil. Plastic offcuts from pressed products are loaded into a small granulator beside the press. Larger quantities are brought to a large granulator.

While this guidance has not been updated to reflect current work health and safety legislation (the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and regulations), it may still contain relevant information and practices to keep workers and others healthy and safe.

Please read this guidance in conjunction with all relevant industry standards that apply to you as a PCBU. This guidance will be progressively reviewed and either updated, replaced with other guidance, or revoked.

Granules pass through a screen which limits their maximum size. Granules that fall through the screen are collected for moulding.

Figure 1: Plastic granulator

Figure 2: Side elevation of plastics granulator

Hazards

Contact with knives

Entanglement

Contact or impact from ejecting plastic

Dust

Fire & explosion

Noise

Slips, trips and falls

Entanglement from unexpected rotor movement (during maintenance, cleaning & repairs)

Collision between moving and fixed knives

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ear protection

Eye protection

Face protection

Hand protection

Dust protection

Tasks

Task – Load & unload

 

Hazard

 

Contact with knives while handling rotors

Harm

Deep cuts or amputation

Controls

POWER the cutters from interlocked circuits to ensure they do not move until guards are closed.

ENSURE that the size and shape of the chutes prevents reach to the knives.

USE a paddle to push items into the chute.

CUT material (like plastic sheet) to a MAXIMUM length of 1.5 metres, to prevent entanglement.

NEVER stand on raised supports that increase the chance of reaching the cutters.

KEEP guard interlocks safely maintained.

Rotors are somewhat sluggish, revolving for several seconds after power is turned off. Operators can slip and make contact with sharp knife edges while handling rotors.

Task – Breaking down plastics

 

Hazard

 

Entanglement when feeding long lengths of material into chute

Harm

Hands and arms pulled into chute

Controls

REDUCE length of material for granulation to a maximum of 1.5 metres.

Hazard

Contact or impact from ejecting plastic

Harm

Cuts

Bruising

Controls

USE flexible curtains in the throat of the chute to minimise the chance of thrown items. Curtains MUST allow entry of items for granulation.

WEAR a face guard as protection from ejected items.

Items that contact the knives and are thrown back from the chute can be hazardous.

Other (non-mechanical) hazards

 

Hazard

 

Dust

Harm

Eye irritation or damage

Breathing problems, lung damage or cancer

Worsening of existing health problems

Controls

CONTAIN plastics dust as much as possible during granulation.

CLEAN plastic dust from surfaces where it lands. Blowing dust with compressed air is NOT acceptable.

Handling and storage processes MUST MINIMISE spills and dust.

PROVIDE adequate ventilation/extraction.

ALWAYS USE respiratory protection.

ALWAYS USE eye protection.

Hazard

Fire and explosion

Harm

Burns

Property damage

Controls

KEEP fire extinguishers readily available, and ENSURE staff know how to use them.

Plastics dust not contained during and after granulation could cause fire and explosion.

Hazard

Noise

Harm

Hearing damage or loss

Controls

INSTALL granulators in rooms separate from the main factory.

Hire specialists to engineer NOISE REDUCTION.

ALWAYS WEAR hearing protection.

A safe level of noise over an eight hour day is 85dB(A). A plastics granulator may exceed this noise intensity.

Hazard

Slips, trips and falls

Harm

Potential for hands to be trapped

Cuts

Bruising from impact or contact

Controls

KEEP up-to-date housekeeping procedures.

KEEP the area around granulators clear of slip and trip hazards.

Task – Maintenance, cleaning & repairs

 

Hazard

 

Entanglement from unexpected rotor movement

Harm

Deep cuts or amputation

Controls

LOCK-OUT all power supplies before maintenance, cleaning and repairs.

ENSURE that guards cannot be opened until knives stop moving.

APPLY daily safety checks, and arrange regular inspections by a competent person.

REMOVE or LOCK-OUT granulators that do not meet safety check requirements, and DO NOT USE until and repaired or replaced.

KEEP guard interlocks safely maintained.

WEAR gloves and USE appropriate tools when handling knives.

If additional safeguards are required they MUST be fitted by a competent person working to recognised safety standards. Instructions MUST BE provided in a language that operators understand.

Hazard

Collision between moving and fixed knives

Harm

Sparking

Damage to granulator

Consequent damage to property and people

Controls

ENSURE knives are secured according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Download fact sheet

PDF

 

 

Plastics granulator

 

 

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