Page 26 - Plastics News September 2021

FEATURE

Granulating scrap beside the press, floor space. The net effect is increased engages with manual override, Chamber
instead of at a central location, production capacity where material lock ensures that the upper chamber is
minimizes handling, storage and possible storage previously took place. locked via solenoid-activated interlock,
contamination. Also, you’ll benefit from less storage Discharge-bin lock operates via solenoid-
Labor Savings or material to be processed, as well as activated network.
Beside-the-press granulators eliminate decreased storage of regrind material Currently, the gold standard for
the need to collect, store, and process after processing. granulator safety is ISO 12100 and
batches in a central granulator workflow. Less Maintenance Category 3 requirements. This requires
For example, a typical central granulator With a BTP granulator, the frequency that the equipment conforms to the
process might include dedicated of machine cleanout is minimized principles of risk assessment and has
personnel responsible for: Collecting because each unit is typically dedicated two sets of redundant safety interlock
materials to regrind, Depositing them to one production line. With a central circuits so that a single fault does not lead
in gaylords,Using a forklift to move the granulation process, the system may need to the loss of the safety function. Safety-
gaylords to a dedicated central granulation to be cleaned out multiple times a day rated components and reliability are also
room;, Regrinding the materials there with material changes from multiple lines. part of these requirements.The fewer
using a central granulator, Depositing Plus, newer well-designed BTP models tasks involved with unloading, cleaning,
the ground materials back into gaylords; can permit accelerated total machine retooling knives or screens, or any other
and, Forklifting ground materials back cleanout due to increased accessibility internal workings of a granulator, the
into the production facility for reuse, or to the cutting chamber. The potential safer your operation.
transporting them back to storage (onsite benefit may make machine cleanout up Plastic manufacturing operations with
or offsite). Obviously, all these manual to six times faster. BTP size reduction will naturally reduce
tasks—done repeatedly—present a layer Also, today’s premium BTP models injury risks and increase safety overall by
of complexity and increase labor costs. feature high-quality knives and screens minimizing manual handling of material.
For operations where a beside-the-press that have increased longevity, reducing Decreased maintenance of knives and
granulator is the best fit, the benefits consumable parts and decreasing variable screen components mentioned above is
may include an immediate decrease in operating cost. It’s not uncommon for also a factor that keeps employees safe.
operational costs without the constant new granulators to run for well over a Simply put, the fewer tasks involved with
need to handle and transport regrind year with the original knives and screens unloading, cleaning, retooling knives or
materials. and zero downtime. Generally, the knife screens, or any other internal workings
Increased Production Floor Space and screen kits for each BTP granulator of a granulator, the safer your operation.
In today’s competitive environment, are selected for regrinding a specific type Poor service on a granulator can result
square footage on the production floor of material. This specificity results not in poor-quality regrind with excessive
comes at a premium. A BTP granulator only in greater performance but greater dust and fines. So, accessibility to the
is an ideal solution for maximizing uptime and less maintenance. cutting chamber, rotors and knives is
your floor space.With a beside-the- Increased Safety extremely important. Knives must be
press granulator, you can increase Safety during servicing is important. kept sharp and clean for best results,
production capacity. This gives you the Features such as rotor lock; safety and the cutting gap between rotating
ability to replace former storage space interlocks to access the chamber; and stationary knives should be easy to
with potential additions to production hopper and chamber lift assist; tipping set and maintain. Ease of cleaning is
prevention; and other key features are also important, particularly in short-run
recommended with any granulator environments where the granulator must
installation. Industry-leading companies be thoroughly cleaned before moving on
use a variety of interlocks to ensure that to the next material.
service work can be done safely: When determining the right beside-the-
Zero rotor-speed detection prevents press granulator for your facility, look for
users from accessing the cutting chamber sound-damping features that help make
until the rotor has stopped, Hopper your operation quieter, safer, and more
lock automatically engages with manual enjoyable for your employees.
disengagement, Rotor lock automatically

26 PLASTICS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2021 27 PLASTICS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2021