Looking To Buy A Plastic Granulator? Here’s What You Need To Know

A plastic granulator machine is used to break down plastic products in order to prepare them for recycling. Depending on the industry you’re in and the machinery you use, there are various types of plastic granulators for sale. Usually, a plastic granulator is used to process consumer plastics, because they are easier to granulate when compared with nylon or ABS.

If you’re looking to add a plastic granulator to your facility, it helps to know the basics of how a granulator functions. It’s also helpful to know the difference between granulating and other plastic processes like grinding. Once you understand granulation, you’ll have a better idea of what type of plastic granulator machine to purchase.

A plastic granulator breaks down plastic fragments into small pieces for recycling. There are several parts that go into making a plastic granulator, but perhaps the most important is the knife and the rotors.

The knife on the plastic granulator is usually mounted directly on the rotating rotor, or it’s on a stationary bed. There is a set of knives used to help break down the plastic. The exact space between the knives depends on the type of plastic you are processing and how. For example, if you have hard plastic materials, you’ll want to leave more space between the knives. Knives with a smaller space are better for a cleaner cut on soft plastics.

Knowing which type of knives you need is extremely important in deciding on what plastic granulator to purchase. For example, knives that have blunt tips are used for brittle materials most often. With softer materials, you’ll want knives with sharp edges to get more precision.

The rotor is another essential part of a plastic granulator. There are different types of rotors. For example, an open rotor is used for heat-sensitive resins because it allows for a healthy airflow while the material is being cut. A closed rotor doesn’t provide space between the knives and the shaft. You’d likely use a closed rotor if you need to cut thick materials, because this lack of space allows for more strength in the knives.

Understanding these different elements of a plastic granulator will help you determine which is the best for purchase in plastic processing.

There are dozens of different processes within the plastic industry. You’ve likely heard of plastic grinding, which is a way to take a larger material and shrink it so it can be further processed. If you have a large piece of plastic or another raw material that’s too big to be shaped, you need a machine that can make this material usable. That’s where a grinder comes in. This is common in the rubber and plastic industries, where the size of different products varies widely.

Similarly, a plastic granulator also breaks down materials into smaller pieces, which means it’s easy to confuse the two processes. However, a plastic granulator machine is able to reduce materials to much smaller sizes than a grinder. As mentioned, granulators also have a rotor design that can allow for airflow to facilitate cooling. This gives you flexibility in the plastic granulation process. Grinders, however, are always closed, which means there’s little to no airflow while they are processing.

Both of these processes may be applicable to your business, but make sure you know which before you purchase a plastic granulator machine. If you can find a reputable plastic processing equipment supplier, they can answer any questions you have about plastic processing and find you the best machine for your facility.