Glossary

How Virtus Equipment Does Business
Terms

Equipment Terminology

  1. Cutting Chamber
    The main section of a shredder or granulator where materials are fed and cut by rotating blades or knives.
  2. Rotor
    A rotating component in shredders and granulators equipped with blades that shred or granulate materials as it spins.
  3. Fixed Blade
    A stationary knife in the cutting chamber that works with the rotor blades to slice through materials.
  4. Screen
    A perforated metal sheet under the cutting chamber that determines the size of the output particles by allowing only appropriately sized pieces to pass through.
  5. Hopper
    The top opening of a shredder or granulator where materials are fed into the machine for processing.
  6. Shaft
    The central axle in a shredder or granulator that holds and rotates the cutting blades or tools. Machines may have single or multiple shafts for different applications.
  7. Drive System
    The mechanism that powers the machine, typically including an electric motor or hydraulic system that drives the rotor or shafts.
  8. Feed Rollers
    Mechanized rollers that grip and push materials into the cutting chamber, ensuring consistent feeding in shredders.
  9. Grates
    Replaceable screens or bars that control the size of the material exiting the shredder or granulator.
  10. Infeed Conveyor
    A conveyor belt system that moves materials into the shredder or granulator, allowing for continuous and automated feeding.
  11. Discharge Conveyor
    A conveyor system that removes processed materials from the shredder or granulator and transports them to the next stage of processing or storage.
  12. Overload Protection
    A safety feature that shuts down the machine if it is overburdened with material to prevent mechanical damage.
  13. Flywheel
    A rotating wheel that stabilizes the machine’s energy and ensures smoother operation during cutting or shredding.
  14. Blade Gap
    The precise spacing between the rotor and fixed blades, critical for effective cutting and material size control.
  15. Hydraulic Ram
    A powered component that pushes bulky materials into the cutting chamber, commonly used in industrial shredders for heavy-duty applications.
  16. Cutting Angle
    The angle at which blades meet materials, which influences the efficiency and quality of the shredding or granulating process.
  17. Counter Knife
    A stationary knife positioned opposite the rotating blades, creating a shearing action to cut through materials.
  18. Wear Plate
    A replaceable metal plate that protects machine components from abrasion and damage caused by processed materials.
  19. Cutter Block
    The assembly that holds and supports the cutting knives or blades on the rotor.
  20. Torque Limiter
    A mechanism that prevents damage by disengaging the drive system if the machine encounters excessive resistance or a blockage.
  21. Baffle Plate
    A device inside the hopper or cutting chamber that helps guide materials into the blades for even cutting and shredding.
  22. Hydraulic Power Pack
    A system that supplies hydraulic pressure to components like the ram or feed rollers, enabling smooth and powerful operation.
  23. Bed Knife
    A stationary cutting blade mounted in the cutting chamber that works in tandem with the rotor knives to slice materials.
  24. Screen Basket
    A cylindrical or semi-cylindrical screen used in some shredders or granulators to filter processed materials based on size.
  25. Pulley System
    A series of wheels or belts that transfer power from the motor to the rotor or other moving parts of the machine.
  26. Chipper Rotor
    A specialized rotor design with large, sharp blades, often used for shredding wood and fibrous materials.
  27. Claw Cutter
    A blade design resembling a claw, often used in granulators to achieve efficient cutting and reduce material stress.
  28. Reversible Blades
    Cutting blades that can be flipped and used on both sides, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
  29. Material Feed Sensor
    A sensor that monitors the flow of materials into the machine and adjusts feed rates to prevent overloading or jams.
  30. Dust Extraction System
    An integrated system that removes dust and fine particles created during the shredding or granulating process to maintain a clean and safe environment.
  31. Auto-Reverse Function
    A feature that automatically reverses the rotor’s direction if a jam occurs, preventing damage to the machine.
  32. Knife Holder
    The structure on the rotor that secures individual cutting blades in place.
  33. Edge Hardening
    A treatment applied to blade edges to improve durability and resistance to wear when cutting abrasive materials.
  34. Magnetic Separator
    A machine add-on used to remove ferrous metals from shredded or granulated materials, ensuring cleaner outputs.