GRANULATORS | MACHINERY Repeat performance: latest
in recycling and granulators Advances in recycling and granulators include new models for medical applications, grinders with digital control, and a central system that adds predictive maintenance capabilities
With companies all along the supply chain under pressure to cut their carbon footprint, it makes sense that plastics extruders are incorporating more recycling and regranulation into their operations. The latest Smart Granulator control from Conair, called SG2, adds predictive maintenance to larger Viper granulators used in central size-reduction systems or in-line applications that process continu- ous, high volumes of scrap. The SG2 control made its US debut on a Conair
Viper 1736 granulator at the recent NPE exhibition. Like its predecessor, the SG1 – offered on Viper 12, 17 and 23 Series granulators – the optional SG2 control shares Conair’s common control interface, housed in a 7in colour touchscreen HMI. It also shares a new PLC platform with power cabinet wiring that simplifies connection and sequential control of shredders, conveyors, evacuation systems and other equipment commonly used in central and in-line size-reduction systems. “The new capabilities of the SG2 control open the door to exacting measurement of the factors that drive granulator maintenance, whether it’s knife changes, bearing lubrication, or screen replacement,” said Dave Miller, general manager of size reduction at Conair. In operation, the SG2 gathers performance data
from sensors within the granulator – rotor RPM, motor load/amperage, cutting chamber and screen temperatures, and vibration levels. Then, it compares the data to established ‘good’ data reflecting desired equipment performance. If the live data is outside the desirable range, the SG2 alerts operators. It uses alarms for situations that require immedi-
ate attention (such as a low RPM or high amp alarm indicating a possible material jam), or a combina- tion of maintenance trackers, (such as knife status display) trend-line displays, or on-screen reminders
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to indicate upcoming maintenance needs. When linked to SmartServices –
Conair’s cloud-based Industry 4.0 platform – Miller says the SG2 control in the Viper granulator can provide trending data about equipment health to the SmartServices dashboard, and also send maintenance reminders to the proper personnel. “It means you’re never running with dull knives, worn bearings, or overloaded motors – all prob- lems that can cause future unplanned downtime if not addressed,” he said.
Digital control Hellweg Maschinenbau has developed a number of digitally controlled grinders that claim to offer efficient, energy-saving plastics recycling. These include: the MDSi 340/150 Smart Control machine-side grinder with fill level monitoring; MDSi 600/300 Smart Control Plus central grinder; and MDSGi 1500/600 – one of a new series of wet grinders with forced feed that have low power consumption.
Main image: Various sizes of rotor from Herbold Meckesheim granulators will be seen at Fakuma
� Autumn 2024 | PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION 19
IMAGE: HERBOLD MECKESHEIM
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