HDPE plastics

[AtomRat]

I've been playing with hdpe plastic for a few years now on and off and just wondering if anyone else has had a go?

This means things like injection molding, re-use, extruding..etc. Anything HDPE ( that's number 2 in the recycling triangle )

I'm mostly after advice on cutting or shredding it in bulk though, but anything on the subject can be shared here

 

[Goldtarget]

You tube is your friend.

 

[AtomRat]

Nah I already do all of that I'm looking for others who do it as well though

 

[grubstake]

The regrind machines that I used in my plastic injection moulding days (at the tail end of the 70's), were similar to very large garden mulchers. Provided the material isn't too thick, I imagine one of those might be modifiable to do the job for you. For cutting large mouldings into smaller pieces for regrinding, we used a bandsaw. (Be very careful with your fingers around those machines).

You need to be take care to ensure that your recycling material is 100% HDPE, as if there is contamination by other plastics (eg. polystyrene, polypropylene), moulded objects will eventually delaminate - the item slowly flakes/crumbles away. For some low value, short-term, disposable items (eg. plant nursery flowerpots), this may be acceptable, so some contaminated material may still be commercially useable.

 

[Goldtarget]

No worries. Pretty awesome diy extrusion setups shown step by step. I'm thinking bandsaw and granulator for the step from diy to large scale.

The plastic recycling guys had a custom one made for just under 10k that was tonnes per hour before they shut down. I'm certain there would be somewhere you could source small plant.

The recyclers up the road do a mobile granulation truck, I'm sure they would hire with labor if you were super keen. Interesting process nonetheless.

 

[AtomRat]

What's this company called and mobile granulator pls Goldtarget? In VIC?

 

[Christos57]

When I worked in Plastics the regrind machines we very similar to a rock crusher except they had blades and an anvil similar to an old fashioned push mower except beefed up. you should try looking on machinery auction sites as many many plastics company's have now shut down or left our shores.

 

[AtomRat]

It has to be kept simple. I cant emphasis that anymore. These machines don't need to be large unless your dealing with a town supply. I've made something before which is only a couple of feet in size but the chopping is where I'm stuck. Hdpe is very slippery and I'm working with milk cartons mostly which are very thin too

I'm trying to find the easist way to .. I can't keep sharing this in public sorry pm me if you'd like to try and help

 

[Goldtarget]

Northern vic but there are others around the metropolitan areas. I can forward some details if your interested.
On that note it troubles me that you ask for help and sharing and then say you have decided to not speak about it. Confusing.

 

[AtomRat]

Its for the safety of my project to not be discoverable on google so I'm not mentioning certain things and so on. Nothing towards anyone and the help is highly appreciated

 

[Tathradj]

What about an old chaff cutter. ??
Has a set of feed rollers with teeth and generally 3 blades.
And turned by hand.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/antique-cast-iron-chaff-cutter-/331702647022?hash=item4d3b04b8ee

 

[AtomRat]

Hdpe is extremely hard to cut as its slippery like teflon and a chaff cutter would probably squish it. Thanks for that though, its been useful for my design

 

[AtomRat]

Northern vic but there are others around the metropolitan areas. I can forward some details if your interested.
On that note it troubles me that you ask for help and sharing and then say you have decided to not speak about it. Confusing.

I'd appreciate those details GT