X:GRAN DCU

X:GRAN DCU

The power package for plastic waste of all shapes and sizes

Shredder-feeder-extruder combination

X:GRAN DCU is setting new standards in the high-output segment while at the same time working at maximum efficiency and with improved production capability.

 

Description

Robust and extremely capable – the power of the inhouse plastic recycling machine X:GRAN DCU is clear to see. The X:GRAN DCU solution does more than just process all types of plastics waste. It even handles bulky materials such as large bales and carpet pads – without any additional preliminary size reduction.

X:GRAN DCU is also at the cutting edge of efficiency. Thanks to its material-conserving shredders and optimally guided extrusion, you can be sure that the X:GRAN DCU will achieve sustainable zero-waste production (all production waste fed back in).

At a glance

  • Easy, material-conserving processing, even for difficult industrial plastic waste
  • Output rate up to 2,600 kg/h (5,730 lbs/h) depending on type
  • Switching on and off by a single button
  • Quick and easy start-up and shut-down at any time
  • Small footprint saves space
Extruder screw ø [mm]
Shredder width [mm]
max* kg/h
max* lbs/h
X:GRAN 145-140
145
1400
1200
2645
X:GRAN 165-140
165
1400
1550
3420
X:GRAN 185-140
185
1400
1950
4300
X:GRAN 205-210
205
2100
2150
4740
X:GRAN 225-210
225
2100
2600
5730

* Output values for LDPE according to NGR company standard, depending on material and quality.
In addition, NGR provides all the equipment for conveying pellets such as blower, pipes, cyclones and much more.

More materials: PA, PC, PPS, ABS, EVA, bioplastics, blends, …

Technology

The operating principle of X:GRAN DCU

The Dynamic Classifying Unit (DCU) efficiently processes plastic waste with a powerful combination of a heavy-duty shredder, a hydraulic ram, and dual feed screws. The hydraulic ram precisely controls the material, holding it against the rotor, which gently reduces size using wear-resistant cutter teeth and precision-engineered dead blades.

The DCU effectively manages the size and density of the processed material with AUTO-PILOT, which integrates the shredder rotor, feed screws, and the load on the rotor—each controlled independently with dedicated drives.

Once shredded, the material is conveyed to the extruder via the dual feed screws. AUTO-PILOT manages the drives according to specific target settings. At the entrance of the extruder, a bespoke screw geometry ensures the production of high-quality material. This system is engineered for unparalleled mechanical robustness and reliability. The DCU stands out as the ideal solution for tackling the most challenging materials in plastic waste processing.

One-step-technology

In a single process step, the slow-turning shredder blades grind up the plastic waste and the shredded material is then fed continuously to the extruder by the feeder screw.

Process bulky plastic scrap

Large, thick or bulky waste can be processed without pre-shredding as long as pieces fit into the hopper opening.

One-button automatic ON/OFF control

The control system provides for smooth start-up of equipment components. Restart after unplanned shutdown in less than two minutes with full hopper and full extruder.

Dump and run operation

The material level in the hopper is constantly measured and the feed is regulated accordingly. Discontinuous filling of the conveyor is possible – the NGR control unit does the rest.

Extruder screw

Extruder screw

Extruder screw

Specially developed for the challenges of recycling, the universal extruder screws provide optimum melt homogeneity and process material efficiently with minimal loss of physical properties. For special requirements, our expert NGR engineers develop custom-tailored screw geometries.

Control unit X:GRAN DCU

Control unit

Control unit

All equipment functions from feeding to pelletizing are controlled automatically from the easy-to-read NGR touchscreen. Recipes are managed in the operator control unit, which increases traceability, provides ease of use, and ensures equipment parameters are set properly.

High-quality pellets

High-quality pellets

Pellet size

In addition to high quality, the uniform pellet size also provides for homogeneous mixture in new material. NGR thus plays an indirect role in ensuring consistent quality in the final product.

Add-Ons

  • Feed-in

  • Degassing

  • Pelletization

  • Filter

  • Peripherals

  • Test equipment

Feed-in

Roll feeder

Roll feeder

Roll Feeder

With variable feed speed, roll scrap is treated in a process-controlled manner. The virtually unmanned machine is fed continuously. The roll feeder can be operated at the same time with other types of feeding (e.g. conveyor belt).

Conveyor belt

Conveyor belt

Conveyor belt

The conveyor belt transports the feed material through a metal detector into the feed hopper. The belt is stopped automatically, if metallic matter is detected in order to remove it.

Dosing unit for additives

Dosing unit

Dosing unit

Additives such as color pigments, CaCo3, compatibilizers can be added to the material flow in a process-controlled manner. Dosing systems for pellet and/or powdered additives are available.

Degassing

Single Venting new

Single Venting

Designed for light printing and low humidity. The vacuum degassing system includes a vacuum pump and is connected to two venting ports on the extruder.

Double Venting new

Double Venting

Designed for plastics printed, for example, on all surfaces and/or moist plastics. The simple venting unit can be supplemented by another modular unit with two venting openings and an additional vacuum pump.

Cascade

Cascade

The cascade downstream of the melt filtration is equipped with a special degassing zone (Power Venting Section). This guarantees continuous renewal of the melt surface for removing volatile impurities from the melt for highest degassing requirements.

Vacuum pump with closed water circuit

Vacuum pump with closed water circuit

Each venting combination can be equipped with a closed water circuit. The fresh water consumption at the vacuum pump is thereby reduced significantly.

Heavy duty vacuum pump

Heavy duty vacuum pump

High-performance vacuum

In addition to the modular venting unit, a combination of water ring pump and high-performance vacuum pump runs in order to increase the vacuum performance (e.g. PET processing).

Pelletization

HD pelletizer, hot die-face pelletizer

HD pelletizer

Hot-die Waterring Pelletizer (HD)

For thermoplastics with a higher viscosity. The melt exits through the wear-resistant die plate, and is knocked off by the pelletizer blades. The pellets cooled in the water ring are flushed out, dried in the centrifuge and discharged. By adjusting the blade pressure, pelletizer blades provide a long service life; replacement is quick and easy.

Strand pelletizer

Strand pelletizer

Strand pelletizer (SP)

For low-viscosity melts. The melt emerges from strand nozzles, is cooled in a water bath, dried by means of a fan and cut to the desired length in the pelletizer. The result is cylindrical, dust-free pellets with excellent mixing properties.

Automatic strand pelletizer

Automatic strand pelletizer

Automatic strand pelletizer (A-SP)

In addition to the benefits of the SP, the A-SP option offers the added convenience of fully automated start-up. The strands are transported automatically by a water slide to the pelletizer, and the pellets are dried in a centrifuge.

Under Water Pelletizer

Underwater pelletizer (UWP)

For difficult-to-process (e.g. sticky) polymers or thermoplastics with a very high melt flow index. The melt emerges from the die plate and is knocked off by the pelletizer blades. The whole process takes place under water. In the centrifuge, the pellets are separated from the process water and dried.

Filter

Double piston screen changer

Double piston screen changer

Double-piston screen changer

For light impurities. The hydraulically operated double-piston screen changer allows continuous filtration of the melt. This allows a screen change without process shutdown.

Backflush screen changer

Backflush screen changer

Back-flush screen changer

For heavily contaminated materials. The hydraulically operated double-piston screen changer filters the melt in a process-controlled and continuous manner. The integrated backwash device automatically cleans the screens. The number of back-flushes and the related service life of the screens depend on the degree of contamination of the material.

4K Backflush screen changer

4K Backflush screen changer

4K back-flush filtration

For heavily contaminated materials. In contrast to the standard backflush screen changer with 2 screen cavities, this system is equipped with 4 screen cavities. The double filtration surface with the same frame size results in a longer filter life.

Automatic band melt filter

Automatic band melt filter

Band melt filter

For high contamination at high throughput rates. With the lowest melt losses and low filter costs, fully automatic operation ensures excellent filtration results. It is used particularly for post-consumer plastics.

High-performance melt filter

High-performance melt filter

The continuous melt filters in the ERF series are suitable for a wide range of moderate and highly contaminated polymers and provides a pressure constant operation, long screen lifes, very low melt losses and a compact design. By the permanently rotating filter drum foreign particles are being constantly and effectively removed, depending on the application ERF melt filters enables throughputs from 150 to 10,000 kg/h.

Peripherals

Customized solution for film rolls

Customized solution for film rolls

Film Manufacturing

Best practise in France

Customized solution for decored film

Customized solution for decored film

Film Manufacturing

Best practise in Spain

Customized solution for containers and boxes

Customized solution for containers and boxes

Injection-molded boxes

Best practise in Germany

Customized solution for pipe production

Customized solution for pipe production

Pipe Manufacturing

Best practise in Belgium

Test equipment

Flow scale

Flow scale

The throughput scale is integrated in the machine control system and displays the current production output in kg/h (lbs/hr). The data can be logged in a BDE system.

Gas control unit

Gas control unit

Gas control unit

This unit provides quality control by continuously measuring pellet density. Based on preset parameters, the unit determines whether to switch the gates to the second choice or to scrap when this value falls below a setpoint.   Monitoring is inline and integrated continuously in the production process.

Online Viscometer

Online Viscometer

For continuous melt viscosity measurement. Melt is taken from the production extruder, the viscosity is measured, and then the melt is returned to the extruder.
Based on the differential pressure across the capillary, the viscosity of the material (IV value, MVR) is determined by means of a stored recipe.

Gallery

Images

Solid engineering, high-quality materials and precise execution ensure a long service life for equipment.

Maintenance-friendly access to moveable parts allows you to quickly change material, efficiently disassemble and assemble wear and tear parts, and minimizes downtime.

The solidly-constructed, low-speed shredder combined with hydraulic-driven pusher also provides efficient shredding of bulky plastic scrap.

Testimonials

NGR’s response time and service driven partnership sets a standard unmatched in the industry.

Columbia Recycling

Phillip Goldberg, President
Columbia Recycling, USA

Support

Our all-round service – satisfaction included

Excellent technology calls for excellent service. Our 100% commitment to flawless service ensures maximal cost efficiency and minimal downtime.

Our services

  • Service hubs for the fastest possible processing of all maintenance and repair work
  • Spare parts centers for flexible responses to strong markets
  • High spare parts availability thanks to particularly high stock levels in Europe and North America
  • Worldwide extruder screw production for short-term production or repairs
  • Starter and spare parts packages for every new machine

NGR Applications & Solutions

[5 MB]

Put us to the test!

Your plastic waste is tomorrow’s raw material.

In our test centers, we will demonstrate to you the performance of NGR recycling machines using your raw materials. We’ll be pleased to show you the benefits in person.

Contact us