Cable granulators are specialized machines designed to recycle scrap cables by separating copper from plastic, offering an efficient way to recover valuable materials and generate revenue. Despite their importance in the recycling industry, many people are unfamiliar with how these machines function and their practical applications. This blog provides a detailed explanation of the working process of a cable granulator, highlighting its significance and the steps involved in transforming waste cables into valuable copper granules.
A cable granulator is a machine that processes waste cables by crushing them and using gravity separation to isolate copper from plastic. This process yields high-purity copper granules, which are highly valuable in the recycling market. Selecting the right granulator is crucial, as a high-quality machine can significantly enhance profitability and deepen one's understanding of the recycling industry. Conversely, a low-quality granulator may lead to inefficiencies and lost opportunities. By mastering the machine's operation and principles, recyclers can improve the purity of copper granules, thereby increasing their market value.
The core function of a dry cable granulator involves crushing waste cables and separating the metal and plastic components through an air separation system and a small vibrating screen. The machine typically consists of three essential components: a main crusher, an air separator, and a small vibration table. Depending on the characteristics of the cables being processed, additional equipment can be configured to optimize performance, ensuring effective separation and high recovery rates.
The operation of a cable granulator involves a series of steps to transform scrap cables into pure copper and plastic granules. Initially, the cables to be processed are prepared and sorted by type to enhance efficiency. A three-phase power supply is connected to the machine's electrical box to power it on. The sorted cables are then fed into a pre-shredder, which breaks them into smaller pieces, typically ranging from 5 to 20 centimeters. These pieces are transported via a conveyor belt to the main crusher, where they are further processed into fine copper-plastic mixed particles. The mixture is then moved to an air separation device for initial separation, followed by a secondary separation on a small vibrating bed, which uses vibration to isolate pure copper and plastic particles. Any remaining copper-plastic mixture can be reprocessed for further separation. For cables containing iron, a magnetic separator can be added to remove ferrous materials, while extremely thin copper wires may require an electrostatic separation device to address adhesion caused by static electricity. This multi-step process ensures near-complete copper recovery, maximizing the value of the recycled materials.
Langye, a trusted manufacturer of cable granulators, offers a range of machines with varying processing capacities and compatible accessories to meet diverse recycling needs. While the core process remains consistent, specific configurations may slightly alter the workflow to suit different cable types. For those seeking to deepen their understanding of copper recycling or explore high-quality granulators, Langye provides reliable solutions and expert support to ensure optimal performance and profitability in recycling operations.