Page 29 - HUB-4 Magazine Issue 89

Shredders
Welding Alloys offer a proposed solution which involved a complete rebuild of the shredder
Jon Scholtz - JTC engineering
Welding Alloys was recently approached by JTC Welding & Engineering for technical expertise and support in carrying out a critical task- the repair of an industrial shredder, a key component used in the recycling of household waste. The shredder was in a poor state, and the customer recognised that they would need advanced welding wires to carry out the repair. They were aware that Welding Alloys was well- positioned to offer an effective solution but required guidance in choosing the right product to suit the specific needs of the shredder. Welding Alloys was invited to visit the site and assess the situation in person, and on arrival, the issue was made clear. The shredder had suffered extensive damage throughout, more specifically, to the blades attached to the main body. Over time, the abrasive action of waste particles and the corrosive effects of its acidic residues culminated with the total disfiguration of the blades, ending in a drastic decrease in the shredder’s overall efficiency and service life.
Initially, several competitors attempted to address the problem through various onsite repairs. Unfortunately, these efforts were inadequate and superficial, involving welding that only masked the visible issues on the surface of the blades without addressing the root cause. This approach merely postponed the inevitable, allowing the underlying problem to worsen.
Due to this issue being left unmanaged for so long, the problem persisted, transforming the base of the blades from rectangular and sturdy into a thin, unstable V-like structure. This change caused unshredded waste to collect and circulate in the space at the base instead of being shredded as intended, causing irreparable damage to the gearbox and as a result, severely escalating the final repair costs and overall downtime of the machine.
Manufactured new blades
New blades welded onto the shaft
Welding of the new blades
Recognising the need for a more robust solution to their problem, JTC Welding & Engineering decided to collaborate with Welding Alloys. The proposed solution involved a complete rebuild of the shredder, starting with the complete removal of the old blades from the shaft using a mixture of air arc gouging and oxy fuels to remove worn parts from the shaft.
www.hub-4.com Nov/Dec - Issue 89
| p29 |