Rapid Granulator reveals The Raptor Series

Rapid Granulator, headquartered in Bredaryd, Sweden, has introduced The Raptor Series for plastics shredding. These modularly designed units feature an “open-hearted” design, as well as a “unique” cutting system and tilt-back hopper, according to the manufacturer. They also are designed for integrated granulation and will be on display during K 2016, 19-26 October in Dusseldorf, Germany, at the Rapid Granulator booth in Hall 9, stand E19.

“The Raptor Series is a shredder and granulator hybrid with the shredder’s heavy-duty cutting technology combined with granulator features such as Rapid’s “open hearted” design that makes it super-easy to operate, service and clean,” says Rapid CEO Bengt Rimark. “The Raptor Series has been developed with 100% focus on every single detail that is of importance for plastic processors in order to create simplicity and a minimum cost of ownership. As we develop and manufacture both granulators and shredders, we make sure that the machines are tailored for each other and that we can provide complete recycling systems, direct from Rapid.”

The “open hearted” design of the Raptor enables quick and direct access to the shredder rotor and cutter chamber, simplifying the cleaning and service process, according to the manufacturer. The front door, hinged on the side, provides unrestricted access to the rotor and to the screen, which is mounted in the door. Once the front door is open, the shredder hopper mounted on a rear hinge can be tilted back.

Once the machine is open, all fasteners are accessible from the outside using air driven tools, Rapid says. The access made possible by the “open hearted” designs makes any contamination immediately visible.

The tilting hopper opens with an electrically operated jack, while the screen and granule bin can be handled by a single operator. According to the manufacturer, the screen cradle design does not require bolts to be removed when removing the screen, and the granule bin slides out easily. The same tool is used to unlock the front door and to rotate the rotor. As an option, a light can be fitted to provide extra illumination.

Rapid offers 36 base configurations for the Raptor to handle various customer applications. The modular systems feature two diameters and two widths (31.5 inches and 53 inches, or 800 millimetres and 1.35 millimetres). There are two system designs for pushing material into the rotor—FlexiPUSH and PowerPUSH. The PowerPUSH is available with an extended pusher length (PowerPUSH-XT). Three cutting systems also are available: Quad Cut, Claw and Power Wedge.

The FlexiPUSH is a pneumatically driven pusher and is intended for basic applications, including lumpy materials. It can handle large products, such as a 1200-L IBC (intermediate bulk container) for example. The hydraulically powered PowerPUSH maximises output for shredding sheet and film. The cutting chamber features a textured floor to reduce the risk of material adhering or finding its way under the pusher and is offset by 5 degrees to enable liquids to drain away, Rapid says.

The QuadCut cutting system for general plastic scrap features a solid knife that allows the full use of all four cutting edges. The knives are supported by a sacrificial washer to protect the rotor should nonplastic material accidently enter the cutting chamber.

The base of the Raptor Shedder series is equipped with the Rapid MCB feature (mineral composite base), which absorbs stress and vibration during operation and gives the shredder a solid footing and a low centre of gravity, Rapid says.

The Raptors also can be configured in the Rapid DUO concept, with a floor-standing granulator located directly beneath the output of the shredder.

More information is available at www.rapidgranulator.com.