Smart Granulator Control Integrates Size-Reduction Systems, Enables Predictive and Knife Maintenance

The new SG (Smart Granulator) control brings Conair’s “common control” interface to its Viper line of granulators, integrates with size-reduction and material-handling equipment, and provides data to inform preventive maintenance tasks, including knife changes. The SG Control will be featured on a Conair Viper 1736 granulator operating in both the NPE recycling demo area and at the Conair booth at NPE 2024.

The new Smart Granulator control was specifically designed for larger Viper granulators used in central size-reduction systems or inline applications processing continuous, high volumes of process scrap, such as bottle or film lines. The 10-inch SG color touchscreen HMI, now standard on Viper 17 and 23 Series of granulators (optional on Viper 12 Series), incorporates the shared look and feel of other Conair auxiliary controls. In addition, the standard SG Control adds power-cabinet wiring and connections that integrate easily with other equipment (shredder, conveyor, evacuation systems and other support equipment) used in central bulk-fed or inline size-reduction systems. These power cabinet features eliminate the need for custom hard-wiring while supporting the smooth operation of sequential pieces of size-reduction equipment.

SG Control was developed to enable predictive maintenance by tracking granulator performance to detect when tasks such as knife changes and bearing greasing are needed. It uses data from sensors located throughout the granulator, which record amperage, cutting chamber temperature, screen temperature, vibration, and rpm. These trending key performance indicators (KPIs) are compared to performance norms and used to inform maintenance planning.

When linked to SmartServices (Conair’s cloud-based platform for auxiliary monitoring, measurement and control), the SG control can not only provide trending data about equipment health to the SmartServices dashboard but it can also send maintenance reminders to the proper personnel.