AEC GP1200 Series Specification sheet

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Operation and Installation Manual
Model GP1212, GP1218, & GP1224
Granulators
  
$30.
00

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Write down your granulator ________________ ________________
serial numbers here ________________ ________________
for future reference ________________ ________________
________________ ________________
AEC can advise you on proper selection and sizing of systems for your operating
environment.
AEC is committed
to a continuing program of product improvement.
Specifications, appearance, and dimensions described in this manual
are subject to change without notice.
Bulletin No. Effective 3/24/2005
DCN No. ____________
© Copyright AEC 2005
All rights reserved.

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Safety Considerations
AEC granulators are designed to provide safe and reliable
operation when installed and operated within design
specifications, following national and local safety codes.
To avoid possible personal injury or equipment damage
when installing, operating, or maintaining this granulator,
use good judgment and follow these safe practices:
LEARN AND OBEY your company’s safety policy
regarding granulating equipment.
MOVING OR LIFTING THE GRANULATOR:
Although our equipment is built and engineered for
great ruggedness in operation, care must be taken when
moving the machine along the floor or lifting it.
Damage may occur to sheet metal covers, electrical
cabinets, or small brackets if pressure is applied to
them when moving the granulator. When lifting the
granulator, be certain of total machine weight and the
capability of the lifting equipment (see the Granulator
Specification Sheets for machine weights and
dimensions).
GRANULATOR LOCATION: Adequate area for
routine maintenance should be provided in order to
open the machine for knife, screen, or cleanout service.
Proper service area clearances also should allow
people who are working on the machine to be clearly
visible to others, thereby reducing the potential safety
hazards.
SAFE HOUSEKEEPING: The work area must be
kept clean and uncluttered to allow personnel safe
movement around the granulator during periods of
operation or maintenance. No hand tools or other
metal objects should be left on or about the machine.
Any tools or other metal objects which mistakenly fall
into the hopper feed opening can cause severe damage
to internal cutting chamber and screen chamber
components.

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SAFETY GLASSES OR A FACE SHIELD MUST
ALWAYS BE WORN when servicing or operating
the machine. Although our machines are designed for
the maximum in flyback control, caution must be used
when operating near the area of the hopper feed
opening in order to guard against unexpected material
flyback.
EAR PROTECTION may be required when
operating the machine during granulation or very
hard/noisy materials. The Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 has established guidelines for
Permissible Noise Exposures (OSHA 1910.95) that
should be followed.
NEVER attempt to operate the granulator unless it is
fully assembled with all guards and interlocks in place
and functional.
OBSERVE all danger, warning, caution and safety
labels on the equipment.
Upon completion of any machine maintenance, be
certain ALL SAFETY GUARDS AND COVERS are
securely and properly fastened prior to resuming
machine operation. All fasteners must be in place and
properly tightened. ANY SHORTCUTS MAY
RESULT IN INJURY TO PERSONNEL OR
DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT.
NEVER wear any loose fitting clothes, neckties, or
dangling items such as earrings, belts or shoestrings.
Jewelry such as wristwatches, bracelets, or rings
should NEVER be worn. Long hair must be tied back
or placed in a tight fitting hairnet. NEVER lean
against or rest hands/feet on the granulator when it is
in operation or open for maintenance. NEVER stand
on the granulator when it is in operation.
ROTATION OF MOTORS: All rotating items in the
granulator are clearly marked on the machine. Always
check for proper rotation of motors.
ELECTRICAL GROUNDING: All electrical
equipment on the granulator must be grounded in
accordance to all local codes and Article 250 of the
National Electric Code.

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ALWAYS DISCONNECT AND LOCKOUT THE
MAIN ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE
GRANULATOR BEFORE PERFORMING ANY
SERVICE.
SAFETY INTERLOCKS MUST NOT BE
BYPASSED. The mechanical and electrical safety
interlocks ensure the safety of personnel. They should
never be tampered with or removed for ANY reason.
They should be frequently checked by a qualified
mechanic for proper operation.
NEVER modify the machine configuration or any
individual component without written consent from
AEC
For further information on granulator safety, installation, and operation, see the American
National Standard for Plastics Machinery - Granulators, Pelletizers, And Dicers Used
For Size Reduction of Plastics - Construction, Care, and Use. ANSI B151.11-1982.
AEC has long recognized the importance of safety and has designed and manufactured
it’s equipment with operator safety as a prime consideration. As a user, we expect you
will abide by the foregoing recommendations in order to make operator safety a reality.
SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT

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Table of Contents
1 General Information 9
1-1 Introduction 9
1-2 General Description 10
1-3 Granulator Specifications 11
2 Shipping Information 12
2-1 Unpacking and Inspection 12
2-2 In the Event of Shipping Damages 12
2-3 If the Shipment is Not Complete 13
2-4 If the Shipment is Not Correct 13
2-5 Returns 13
2-6 Uncrating 14
3 Installation 16
3-1 Scope 16
3-2 General 16
3-3 Set-up 16
3-4 Electrical Service Connections 19
3-5 High Amperage Readings 19
4 Accessing Cutting Chamber 20
4-1 Opening Cutting Chamber 20
4-2 Closing Cutting Chamber 20
5 Accessing Screen Chamber 20
5-1 Opening Screen Chamber 20
5-2 Closing Screen Chamber 22
6 Sequence of Operation 23
6-1 Scope 23
6-2 Electrical Test 23

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Table of Contents
7 Startup Checklist 25
7-1 Introduction 25
7-2 Fan Evacuation 25
7-3 Granulator Startup Checklist 25
8 Operation 27
8-1 Operation Instructions 27
8-2 Temporary Machine Stops 27
8-3 Final Machine Stops 27
8-4 Emergency Stops 28
9 Routine Maintenance 29
9-1 Lubrication Specifications 29
9-1-1 Description 29
9-1-2 Screw Jack Lubrication InstructionsError! Bookmark not
defined.
9-2 Motor & Belts Servicing 29
9-3 Knife Removal & Adjustment 32
9-4 Rotor Knife Removal 33
9-5 Rotor Knife Sharpening 34
9-6 Recommended Knife Design Per Material 35
9-7 Rotor Knife Installation 38
9-8 Bed Knife Sharpening 36
9-9 Bed Knife Installation & Setting 37
9-10 Preventative Maintenance Service 39
9-11 Recommended Torque For Knife Bolts 39
10 Troubleshooting 40
11 Spare Parts 44
12-1 Recommended Spare Parts 44
12-2 Additional Parts 44

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Charts and Figures
1
Granulator Specifications Table
Granulator Dimensions 11-12
2
Belt Span and Deflection
Belt Deflection Force Table
33-34
3
Rotor Knife Drawings
36
4
Recommended Knife Replacement Blades
37
5
Bed Knife Drawings
39
6
Recommended Bolt Torque
41

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1 General Information
1-1 Introduction
This manual is intended to be used as a guide and reference
for personnel who will be installing, operating, and
maintaining the AEC GP1200 Series Granulator. The
purpose is to aid these individuals in applying efficient,
proven techniques, which will enhance productivity.
This Introduction includes a brief functional description, a
physical description, and machine specifications for these
granulators. Additional sections within the manual provide
instructions for installation, pre-operation, preventative
maintenance, and corrective maintenance.
Section 2, Shipping Information, includes all required data
for receiving, unpacking & inspecting the granulator.
Section 3, Installation, provides information on the proper
setup of the granulator. Also included are illustrations,
which will aid in utilizing techniques to accomplish these
tasks efficiently. We can provide the assistance of a factory
trained technician, for a nominal charge, who will help in
training your operator(s).
Pre-operation Instructions include procedures, checks, and
adjustments, which should be followed before commencing
with operation of the granulator. These instructions are
intended to supplement standard shop procedures performed
at shift, daily, and weekly intervals.
The Troubleshooting Section is intended to serve both as a
guide for identification and location of most common
problems and as a source of detailed assembly and
disassembly instructions for those areas of the equipment
requiring service.
The Spare Parts Section contains a partial list of
recommended parts, which may require replacement. Refer
to the Spare Parts Manual for a comprehensive listing of
components, which can be purchased.

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1-2 General Description
AEC granulators are designed to uniformly and consistently
size reduce your scrap. They have been engineered to
consistently deliver clean granulate with a minimum of
“fines”.
The rotor, on which the cutting knives are mounted, is a
fabricated steel unit supported by bearings mounted outside
the cutting chamber. A motor drives the rotor, which is
capable of producing high torque loads. The granulator is
equipped with a magnetic starter that is protected by
manually resettable overload heaters. The slanted rotor
knives produce a scissors cutting action which reduce the
possibility of feedstock jamming in the cutting chamber.
Motors are individually fused for maximum protection in
compliance with the National Electric Code.
The control enclosure houses all of the necessary wiring,
fuses, overload heaters, motor starter coils, along with the
115V control transformer and granulator operating controls.
The control enclosure is built to meet NEC, JIC (M.T.), and
ANSI-B regulations.

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1-3 Granulator Specifications
Figure 1
Granulator Dimensions
Model 1212X 1218X
“A” Dimension 51.25” (1301.8 mm) 59.25” (1505 mm)
Weight 3025 lbs (1372 kg) 3400 lbs (1542.3 kg)
Est. Throughput 900 lbs/hr (408 kg/hr) 1500 lbs/hr (680 kg/hr)

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2 Shipping Information
2-1 Unpacking and Inspection
You should inspect your AEC GP1200 Series granulator for
possible shipping damage. If the container and packing
materials are in re-usable condition, save them for
reshipment if necessary.
Thoroughly check the equipment for any damage that might
have occurred in transit. In case of breakage, damage,
shortage, or incorrect shipment refer to the following
sections.
2-2 In the Event of Shipping Damages
Important!
According to the contract terms and conditions of the Carrier,
the responsibility of the Shipper ends at the time and place of shipment.
Notify the transportation company’s local agent if you
discover damage.
Hold the damaged goods and packing material for the
examining agent’s inspection. Do not return any goods
to AEC before the transportation company inspection
and authorization.
File a claim against the transportation company.
Substantiate the claim by referring to the agent’s report.
A certified copy of our invoice is available upon
request. If the shipment was prepaid, call us for a
receipted transportation bill.
Advise AEC regarding your wish for assistance and to
obtain an RMA (return material authorization) number.

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2-3 If the Shipment is Not Complete
Check the packing list. You should have:
AEC 1200 Series granulator
Bill of lading for equipment shipped
Operating and Installation packet
Electrical schematic and panel layout drawings
Re-inspect the container and packing material to see if you
missed any smaller items during unpacking. Determine that
the item was not inadvertently taken from the area before
you checked in the shipment. Notify AEC immediately of
the shortage.
2-4 If the Shipment is Not Correct
If the shipment is not what you ordered, contact the AEC
shipping department immediately. For shipments in the
United States and Canada, call 1 [phone]; for all
other countries, call our international desk at (508) 399-
6400. Have the order number and item number available.
Hold the items until you receive shipping instructions.
2-5 Returns
Important!
Do not return any damaged or incorrect items
until you receive shipping instructions from AEC

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2-6 Uncrating
GP1200 Series Granulator
GP1200 Series granulators are shipped mounted on a wooden
skid then blocked and banded to prevent movement. All non-
painted items subject to corrosion are coated with a quality rust
preventative and the machine is then covered with heavy duty
polyethylene to protect it from moisture and dirt.
AEC granulators are normally shipped completely assembled
unless the size of the machine or an agreement for special
shipping arrangements causes partial disassembly.
If inspection revealed no shipping damage, unpack the unit by
removing the polyethylene covering and banding. For detailed
uncrating information, follow the instructions listed below:
1. Remove the nails holding the box to the skid and lift the
box off carefully, avoiding staples in the 1’ x 4’ wood
supports. Cut steel banding.
2. Use a pry bar to remove the blocks securing the unit to the
skid.
3. Insert forks between skid and granulator from the side
(guard side) until they protrude beyond the opposite side
of the unit. The forks must be equidistant from the
centerline of the unit and the unit must be balanced on the
forks.
4. Lift the unit off the skid with a fork truck. Lift slowly and
only high enough to clear the skid. Use a pry bar if
necessary to carefully remove the skid from the unit.
5. Lower slowly. The unit should land on its casters or rails
and can then be moved into position.
6. Temporary hardware has been installed to prevent side
panels from shifting in transit. Remove hardware.
Important!
Retain the crating material for reshipping the granulator in case hidden
shipping damage is found.

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GP1200 Series Granulators
GP1200 Series Granulators are shipped mounted on a skid,
enclosed in polyethylene, and open-crated on all four sides and
top.
1. Pry the crating away from the skid.
2. Follow the instructions listed above.
3. Use a pry bar to remove the blocks securing the unit to the
skid.
4. Lift unit from the sides (guard side) inserting forklift under
the base into the lifting openings provided. Use a pry bar if
necessary to carefully remove the skid from the unit.
CAUTION!
DO NOT attempt to lift the granulator by means of
any shaft or protruding member,
ESPECIALLY THE HOPPER
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3 Installation
3-1 Scope
This section contains all instructions required for
experienced installation personnel to install the AEC
granulator and prepare it for production. It is essential to
follow all instructions carefully and in the sequence
presented. Be sure to observe all DANGER, WARNING,
and CAUTION statements in order to prevent personal
injury or machine damage, and to observe all NOTE
statements which are designed to assist in the performance
of procedures.
3-2 General
The site selected for installation of the granulator should be
prepared in advance. Be certain that the area to be
occupied by the machine is clean, level and free of
obstructions. The site selected must have a floor rated to
easily support the weight of the machine. A concrete floor
of 4” minimum in thickness is recommended.
3-3 Set-up
Make certain the floor is clean, level, and free of
obstructions before placing the machine into position.
Visually inspect the hopper infeed opening to insure that no
stray packing material or debris are present.

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Opening the front latch allows access into chamber area. The pivoting door is allowed to
swing open giving fast, and easy access to the major components.

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CAUTION!
The knives mounted on the rotor and also located at the edges of the cutting
chamber are extremely sharp. Always wear heavy gloves and exercise care
when working in the cutting chamber.
Wipe out the inside of the hopper and upper cutting
chamber. Carefully inspect the interior of the cutting
chamber for foreign material or debris. Slowly turn the
rotor by hand to verify that it rotates freely and without
obstruction or contact between the rotor and bed knives.
Before closing the cutting chamber, check the chamber to
insure that nothing has been left inside the machine. Rotate
the hand crank counter-clockwise (towards the rear of the
machine) until the cutting chamber is fully closed.
Lower the screen chamber until it comes to rest.
Remove the screens and place them on their side. Wipe out
the screen chamber and transition. Once cleaned, place the
screen back into position. Raise the screen chamber and
tighten the (2) fasteners to hold the screen chamber and
cutting chamber securely closed. Connect the fan transition
(optional) or replace the bin to prepare the machine for
operation. Position and connect any optional accessory
equipment such as fans, conveyors, and separators. Ensure
all tubing joints are securely clamped and supported.
Make certain all electrical connections are properly made
and supported between accessories and the control
enclosure. (Refer to the wiring diagrams for wire and
terminal connections.)
Open the sheave guard (LH) by removing the fastener
attaching the cover. Check the belts for proper tension and
alignment (refer to Section 9-2). Upon completion, close
the sheave guard by placing the cover back into position,
insert all of the fasteners originally removed, and tighten
them fully.

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3-4 Electrical Service Connections
Carefully check the diagrams packed with the machine. All
internal wiring has been done at the factory and safety
interlocks have been verified for proper functioning before
shipment. It is only necessary to connect the electrical
power source to the machine at the control enclosure.
WARNING!
All equipment must be grounded in compliance with Article 250 of the National
Electric Code. The customer’s disconnecting means and branch circuit
protection must also be in compliance with the National Electric Code and all
Local Codes.
3-5 High Amperage Readings
NOTE: Make sure the granulator is not drawing excessive
amperage.
1. Check appropriate amperage as listed on the motor
nameplate.
2. Measure amperage with ammeter by connecting
ammeter to incoming power feed wires. Make sure
machine is not drawing more than amperage listed on
the nameplate. The amperage will change according to
motor size.
3. If amperage exceeds the amount listed on nameplate,
check the following:
• Sharpness of knives
• Quoted feed rate of granulator
HP FRAME PH3 HZ60
TYPE KM
VOLTS AMPS RPM
SERVICE
FACTOR NEMA CODE TEMP RISE
230/460
Amperage
208
May not meet NEMA
torque on 208V systems BEARINGS DRIVE/OPP
NEMA
DESIGN B
NEMA
NOM. EFF. SERIAL
AC Motor
LOW VOLTAGE LINE
• • •
4 5 6
Y
HIGH VOLTAGE LINE
CONT
DUTY @ MAX AMB INS TV MADE IN USA

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4 Accessing Cutting Chamber
4-1 Opening Cutting Chamber
1. Allow material to run out of the cutting chamber.
2. Shut OFF and LOCKOUT all power, including the main
disconnect switch.
3. If equipped with optional sound enclosure, open front
doors.
4. Loosen fasteners on front of machine. They are designed to
remain with the upper screen chamber.
CAUTION!
New or resharpened knives should be handled with extreme care. It is
suggested that the sharp cutting edges be covered with tape to prevent damage
to the knives or injury to personnel during installation.
4-2 Closing Cutting Chamber
1. Double check the cutting chamber area for tools, rags, and
other debris left in the area.
Raise screen cradle and tighten (2) fasteners.
2. Tighten the fasteners in the front of the cutting chamber.
5 Accessing Screen Chamber
5-1 Opening Screen Chamber
1. Allow all material to run out of the cutting chamber and
screen chamber.