At NPE 2018, Conair officially launches its entirely new portfolio of Viper™ granulators with standard features that include improved sound insulation, hardened and water-cooled cutting chambers on most models, as well as bigger screens for increased throughput compared to the company’s previous offerings. Seven different models will be on display at the show, in configurations for injection molding, blow molding, and both pipe/profile and film/sheet extrusion. Conair is exhibiting in Booths W1845, W2163, and S14045 in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando FL.
From small press-side units to large, central granulators, the new Viper product line includes 14 different models with rotor diameters of 6, 8, 12, 17 and 23 inches (140, 200, 300, 420 and 570 mm), and maximum throughputs from 80 lb/hr (36 kg/hr) to 3800 lb/hr (1724 kg/hr). Tangential-feed cutting chambers are standard on smaller grinders, while large units come in a super-tangential configuration to facilitate feeding of large and bulky scrap. Three-blade open rotors are also standard, and other rotor designs are available. Larger granulators and specialty units will be added to the line in the near future.
MORE STANDARD FEATURES
“The design of our new Viper granulators has been totally customer-driven,” Sam Rajkovich, VP, Sales & Marketing, says. “Our objective was to develop a straightforward, uncomplicated suite of Conair-designed machines, suitable for most applications. We also wanted to make standard as many popular features as possible. I think we have done just that and very successfully. This may well be the largest product launch at NPE 2018 and it certainly is one of the most exciting.” Among the important standard features and benefits of the new Viper granulators line are:
- Quieter operation… all but the smallest and largest models are fully sound-insulated not only on the hopper, like most competitive grinders, but also on the cutting chamber. Testing is underway, but Rajkovich expects most units will operate at about 80 dbA for most materials and throughputs.
- Hardened cutting chambers… made with abrasion-resistant steel, hardened to 550 HV, reduce wear and increase the cutting chamber’s life span. Normally an option on most granulators, Conair makes it standard on all but the largest models.
- Water cooling… on machines with 12-inch (300-mm) diameter rotors and larger, where high temperatures may develop, cutting chambers have cooling channels to prevent over-heating that can cause smearing and melt downs.
- Larger screens… screen areas equal to 50% of the rotor diameter, or 180 degrees, get more granulate through the cutting chamber more quickly for higher throughput without added horsepower.
- Better quality regrind… the bigger screen area also results in better regrind and fewer fines. So do scissor-cut rotor and bed knives that can be easily adjusted to maintain tight tolerances relative to each other and the screen.
- Quick and easy knife changes… knives are designed to be adjusted in an outside jig on a workbench, rather than inside the cutting chamber. The blades are “pre-gapped,” so installation is quicker and safer.
- Maintenance and cleaning are easy… thanks to tool-less front access, hinged, tilt-back hoppers (powered on large models), and drop-down screen cradles. Users have full access to the cutting chamber and screen area for adjustment and quick cleaning.
- Low energy consumption… rotating sidewalls, integral roller bearings and a solid flywheel make for smooth, well-balanced operation.
FEEDING AND DISCHARGE
Every one of the new Viper granulators can be configured for the safe and convenient feeding of scrap in a wide range of shapes and sizes. For basic hand feeding, an upturned feed tray accepts most parts and/or runners. A similar feed-tray configuration suits robot feeding and front-facing hopper opening accepts metered feeding of scrap via conveyor. Conveyor speed can be automatically regulated to prevent excessive loads on the granulator drive motor. For reclaiming film scrap, the granulator infeed can be fitted with feed rollers (slaved to drive motor amps) that draw film from large rolls. A relief head can be mounted on top to receive blown-in edge trim. When small parts, blow-molding tops and tails, or preshredded scrap is fed by a blower, a cyclone can be fitted to the top of the hopper. And, for long pipes and profiles, an angled side feed chute is used. For other unusual applications, custom infeed configurations can be engineered.
Several evacuation options are also available, including self-powered vacuum motor loaders that draw granulate out of the catch bin and deposit into a Gaylord or bin. Compressed air evacuation via venturi can be used to move regrind to a Gaylord or barrel, which can be fitted with flexible covers to minimize dusting. Finally, multiple granulators can be emptied by a central vacuum system to a common collection bin or box. Each granulator is equipped with a vacuum pick-up tube and a material line valve, sequenced by a central loading control like the Conair FLX-128 Plus. In each of these cases, evacuation can be set up to convey continuously, on a timed basis or a signal from a level sensor in the catch bin. Blower/cyclone evacuation systems, including back filters when needed are also available.