The Granulator’s Secret: How Screen Size Shapes Your Plastic Output

For procurers, engineers, and technicians in the plastics industry, understanding every component of your equipment is key to optimising production. One often-underestimated element in a granulateur de plastique is the screen. Its size isn’t just a minor detail; it’s a critical factor that directly influences the quality, consistency, and suitability of your granulated plastic.

---

Understanding the Plastic Granulator: A Quick Refresher

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of screen sizes, let’s briefly revisit what a granulateur de plastique does. At its core, a granulator (also known as a grinder) is designed to reduce the size of plastic waste – such as sprues, runners, rejected parts, or larger plastic items – into smaller, more manageable, and often reusable particles called regrind or granulate.

The plastic is fed into a cutting chamber where rotating and stationary knives shear and cut the material. Once the pieces are small enough, they pass through a screen with specifically sized holes, determining the maximum size of the final granulate.

---

The Crucial Role of the Screen in a Plastic Granulator

The screen in a granulateur de plastique acts as a gatekeeper. It’s a perforated metal sheet or plate situated beneath the cutting chamber. Its primary functions are:

• Determining Final Particle Size: The diameter of the holes in the screen dictates the maximum size of the granulated particles. Material remains in the cutting chamber until it’s small enough to pass through these perforations.
• Ensuring Particle Uniformity: A well-chosen screen helps produce a more consistent and uniform granulate, which is vital for many downstream processes like injection moulding or extrusion.

Without the correct screen, you might end up with material that’s too large, too small, too inconsistent, or with an excessive amount of fine dust – all of which can negatively impact your subsequent operations and product quality.

---

How Screen Size Directly Impacts Output Quality

The choice of screen hole diameter is a balancing act. Let’s explore the key ways screen size influences the output:

Particle Size and Uniformity

This is the most direct impact.

• Smaller Screen Holes (e.g., 4-6mm): Produce smaller, often more uniform, granules. This is generally desirable for applications requiring fine, consistent regrind that melts and flows evenly, such as intricate injection moulding. However, achieving this might reduce throughput and increase the chance of fines.
• Larger Screen Holes (e.g., 8-12mm+): Result in larger granules. This can be acceptable, or even preferred, for less demanding applications or when the regrind is being mixed with virgin material in lower ratios. Throughput is typically higher.

The goal is to achieve the smallest practical particle size that your downstream process can efficiently handle, without creating excessive fines or compromising throughput unnecessarily.

Throughput and Efficiency

Throughput refers to the amount of material a granulator can process per unit of time (e.g., kg/hour).

• Larger Screens: Generally allow for higher throughput because material can exit the cutting chamber more quickly.
• Smaller Screens: Can reduce throughput as material needs to be cut multiple times to reach the required size to pass through the smaller holes. This means particles spend more time in the cutting chamber.

It’s a trade-off: do you prioritise finer, more uniform particles at the cost of processing speed, or is higher throughput with slightly larger/less uniform particles acceptable?

Fines Generation and Material Integrity

“Fines” are very small particles or dust. Excessive fines are generally undesirable as they can:

• Cause issues in conveying and feeding systems.
• Lead to inconsistent melting and processing in machinery like extruders or injection moulders.
• Pose a dust hazard in the workplace.
• Represent material loss.

Whilst counterintuitive, very small screens, especially with brittle plastics, can sometimes lead to increased fines. This is because the material is repeatedly impacted by the knives as it struggles to pass through the tiny holes, potentially causing it to fracture into dust rather than being cleanly cut. Conversely, a screen that is too large might not reduce the material sufficiently, leading to oversized particles that also cause problems. The type of plastic also plays a significant role here; flexible plastics behave differently to rigid or brittle ones.

Energy Consumption and Heat Build-up

Processing material through smaller screen holes can potentially lead to:

• Increased Energy Consumption: The motor works harder for longer to reduce particles to a smaller size.
• Higher Heat Build-up: More cutting action and friction within the chamber generate more heat. For heat-sensitive plastics (like PVC or PET to some extent), excessive heat can lead to material degradation, altering its properties or causing discoloration.

Proper machine design, sharp knives, and appropriate screen selection can mitigate these issues. Some granulators also offer features like water cooling for the cutting chamber.

---

Visualising Performance: Screen Size vs. Key Metrics

To better illustrate these relationships, consider the following general trends (actual performance will vary based on material, machine type, and knife condition):

Screen Hole Size	Typical Particle Size	Relative Throughput	Fines Potential (Material Dependent)	Typical Application
Small (e.g., 4-6mm)	Fine, Uniform	Inférieur	Moderate (can be higher with brittle plastics)	High-precision moulding, high % regrind use
Medium (e.g., 6-10mm)	Medium, Fairly Uniform	Moyen	Generally Low to Moderate	General purpose moulding, extrusion
Large (e.g., 10-15mm+)	Coarse, Less Uniform	Plus haut	Low (but particles are larger)	Bulky waste reduction, low % regrind use

This table provides a simplified overview. Always conduct trials with your specific material and application to determine the optimal screen size.

---

Choosing the Optimal Screen Size: Key Considerations

Selecting the right screen for your granulateur de plastique involves considering several factors:

• Type de matériau: Brittle plastics (e.g., PS, SAN) might shatter and produce more fines with very small screens. Softer, more ductile plastics (e.g., PE, PP) might be more forgiving but can also smear or melt if too much heat is generated.
• Desired Output Quality: What is the maximum acceptable particle size for your downstream process? How uniform do the granules need to be?
• Downstream Application:
  • Injection Moulding: Often requires finer, uniform granules (e.g., 4-8mm) for consistent melting and flow.
  • Extrusion: Can often tolerate slightly larger or less uniform particles (e.g., 6-10mm), but consistency is still important.
  • Recycling/Reprocessing: Requirements vary widely. If it’s being sold as regrind, the buyer will have specifications.
• Exigences de débit : How much material do you need to process per hour? Balance this against the desired particle size.
• Percentage of Regrind Used: If using a high percentage of regrind with virgin material, a more consistent and finer granulate is usually preferred.
• Condition of Knives: Sharp knives are crucial. Dull knives will crush and tear material rather than cutting it cleanly, leading to more fines and higher energy consumption, regardless of screen size.

---

Conclusion: A Small Choice with Big Impact

The screen in your granulateur de plastique is far more than just a metal plate with holes. It’s a pivotal component that significantly defines the characteristics of your granulated material. By understanding how different screen sizes affect particle size, uniformity, throughput, fines generation, and energy use, you can make informed decisions to optimise your granulation process.

Always consult with your granulator manufacturer or a material processing expert if you’re unsure. Experimenting with different screen sizes (if feasible) for your specific materials and applications can lead to substantial improvements in output quality and overall operational efficiency. Remember, the right screen choice helps ensure your regrind is a valuable asset, not a processing headache.

Looking for more information on plastic granulators or need expert advice? Explore our range of plastic granulators here or contact our technical team today.