granulator

A granulator is a machine that forms materials into granules, either by cutting and grinding larger pieces into smaller, uniform particles or by agglomerating fine powders into discrete granules. Granulators are used to improve material handling, flowability, storage stability, and compatibility with downstream processes. They find applications across plastics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and mining, among others.

In plastics processing, plast ic granulators reduce scrap and reclaimed material into uniform regrind that can be remelted and reused. Most plastic granulators use a rotating knife and a stationary blade arrangement with a perforated screen to control particle size. The feed is cut into small chips or granules and exits the machine through the screen.

Pharmaceutical granulators are used in wet or dry granulation steps to produce granules that promote uniform tablet formation. Dry granulation compacts powders into ribbons or sheets before milling into granules, while wet granulation binds powders with a liquid binder. Equipment ranges from high-shear granulators to fluid-bed or extruder-based systems, designed to produce a defined granule size distribution.

Fertilizer and agrochemical granulators often employ extrusion, drum granulation, or roller-compaction to convert powders into durable granules suitable for handling and controlled nutrient release. Disk or rotary drum configurations are common in this sector.

Other considerations include material properties (hardness, moisture, abrasiveness), desired granule size, throughput, energy use, and dust control. While related, pelletizers specifically emphasize producing elongated granules or pellets, whereas granulators cover a broader range of granulation approaches.