GRANULATORS | TECHNOLOGY
operation possible. “There are many applications where you need a
large granulator but only for a very limited time,” explains Martensson. “Today energy consumption is really a hot topic and a critical aspect to profit- ability, so to be in control and make informed decisions is a huge benefit.” The current focus on recycling is not only good for our planet but plays a key role in making production profitable. There are several applica- tions that would not turn a profit at all if it were not for the option to recycle the scrap they produce. Running a recycling unit in the optimal and most cost-effective way requires fully trained, engaged operators, but a lack of time and resources is often a hindrance. This is another advantage of the Rapid Connect system.
“Many customers are running a preventive maintenance program, but the issue is it’s offline,” Martensson says. “They don´t know if the machine has been in production all that time it was sched- uled to be [and] when they later discover that the unit is not in need for service, they have already lost valuable time. By connecting your unit and setting your own standards for notification you will be able to increase the efficiency and utilising machines and operators in a much more proficient way. We are constantly looking at ways to improve the overall process, the efficiency, and the perfor- mance of recycling equipment.”
Two-in-one An indication of growing versatility in size reduc- tion machinery is the integration of shredding and granulating. With the Polyplex PPC 50/120, Hosokawa Alpine combines a shredder and granulator in a single machine featuring a vertically arranged rotor with an upper shredding zone and a
Hosokawa Alpine’s Polyplex PPC 50/120 combines a shredder and granulator in a single machine
granulator zone below. The vertical orientation of the mill allows for good accessibility to the rotor and cutting blade, facilitating quick cleaning, and significantly reducing downtimes. “With our combination grinder, granulator fineness levels are achieved in just one step,” says Josef Zöttl, Senior Sales Manager in the company’s Recycling & Granulator Mills Division. “The shared drive for the two functions makes shredding even more energy-efficient.” The way the Polyplex works is as simple as it is
efficient. Using a feed unit, the feed material of the shredder/granulator mill combination is dis- charged in a self-dosing operation. The supply can be individually adjusted according to the task. After passing through the shredding zone, the shredded material enters the granulator area where it is further reduced. Be it injection moulding, chunks and plates weighing several hundred kilos, or profiles and tubes, Hosokawa Alpine says the Polyplex can be used universally and could be especially useful for in-house recycling as the design allows varied materials to be fed into the machine at the same time.
“Being able to simultane- ously feed a wide variety of plastic waste eliminates the need for pre-sorting or metered material feeding,” says Zöttl. “This makes the Polyplex a very practical solution for our customers.” Rapid Granulator is also introducing a new one-step solution, making its popular Raptor Series with the open-hearted design available with an open-hearted integrated grinder. It says the design is a result of 80 years of accumulated knowledge in size reduction, with the ultimate aim being to maximize profitability for customers. “The Raptor Duo series has all the benefits that a
heavy-duty shredder provides combined with the granulator,” says Anders Martensson. “It enables the production of granules directly from a huge purging in just one step.” Rapid’s focus on modular built units enables it
to integrate the Duo solution in multiple configu- rations. The Raptor series has both pneumatic and hydraulic pusher systems, and there is a third pusher system available for bulky items to increase capacity and allow large products like IBC directly into the hopper. It offers 36 base configurations and features two widths
along with three different cutting systems so there is a configuration for any application.
www.injectionworld.com � January/February 2023 | INJECTION WORLD 29
IMAGE: RAPID GRANULATOR
Below: The Raptor Duo series com- bines a shredder with a granulator
IMAGE: HOSOKAWA ALPINE
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