A GMC400 copper wire granulator is the choice of operators who have outgrown the capacity of a small granulator and need a medium-capacity model that is reliable and easy to operate. It crushes used cables into small granules, separates them by gravity and electrostatically, and delivers clean copper granules and PVC granules, all in a dry process, with no wastewater, with integrated PLC control.
A GMC400 copper wire granulator is a stable machine, designed for continuous flow over long operating hours, with automatic feeding and a re-feeding system for incompletely separated material. It is the right entry point into the medium industrial capacity segment. See the full range of recycling equipment and how it integrates into the flow.
Key Advantages of a Medium-Capacity Copper Granulator
• Stable medium capacity, sized for long hours of continuous operation, with constant throughput and no overload.
• Copper granules ≥99%, gravity and electrostatic separation produce clean granules, accepted by smelters.
• Dry process, no wastewater, no basins, simpler permitting than wet granulators.
• PLC control, continuous feeding, automatic re-feeding and an alarm on anomalies.
• Dust filtration, capture of fine dust, a clean working environment.
• Two sellable products, copper granules and PVC granules, each with its own market.
• Compact and affordable, smaller and easier to install than high-capacity industrial lines.
• Scalable, can become the first stage of a larger line as volume grows.
Technical Specifications, GMC400 Copper Wire Granulator
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | GMC400, copper wire granulator, medium capacity |
| Process type | Dry: crushing + gravity separation + electrostatic separation |
| Feedstock | Used copper wires and cables |
| Primary separation | Air gravity separator |
| Secondary separation | High-voltage electrostatic separator |
| Recovered products | Copper granules (≥99%) and PVC/rubber granules |
| Control | PLC, automatic feeding and re-feeding |
| Components | CE-marked where applicable |
| Capacity | Configurable per project |
Applications and Industries for Copper Wire Recycling with the GMC Model
A GMC400 copper wire granulator is chosen by growing recyclers who have outgrown the capacity of a small granulator and want to process more material without jumping straight to a complete industrial line. It is the logical middle solution: more capacity, more copper recovered per day, with a proportional investment. It is the typical choice of an operator who collects a few tons of cable per week and wants to process them on site.
The management of cable waste containing copper falls under European requirements; a GMC400 copper wire granulator delivered in Europe is designed in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery. For integration into a complete flow, see also the complete industry solutions.
At medium capacity, a GMC400 copper wire granulator works efficiently for a full shift without intensive supervision: you feed it at the start, the PLC coordinates, and you monitor remotely and step in for maintenance. This means a single operator can handle other tasks at the same time, reducing the labor cost per kilogram of copper produced.
The copper granules produced are a commodity with a constant market: smelters, refineries and producers of copper semi-finished products buy regular volumes of clean granules. At medium capacity, an operator can sign medium-term supply contracts, ensuring a predictable revenue stream.
When the volume of collected cable grows, a GMC400 copper wire granulator can become the first stage of a larger line: you add a primary shredder for thick cables, a second electrostatic separator or an electrolyzer for refining. The investment in the GMC400 is not lost, it integrates into the expanded configuration.
The dry process is a daily operational advantage: you start and stop the line simply, there is no sludge to manage, there are no treatment costs and there is no risk of contaminating the copper with traces of water. At medium capacity, these savings add up significantly over a year of operation.
Compatible Materials
A GMC400 copper wire granulator processes a wide range of used wires and cables, from fine wires to medium cables. Thicker cables benefit from pre-shredding before the granulator. The better the input material is sorted, the cleaner the copper granules.
| Accepted material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Copper wire Ø 0.3 to 20 mm | Main range, direct input |
| Automotive and industrial cables | Wiring harnesses and machinery cables |
| Standard installation cables | Cables from construction and demolitions |
| Communications cables with PVC | Thin data and telecommunications cables |
How It Works
1. The used cables are fed into the crusher, which reduces them to small granules.
2. The granules pass through the air gravity separator, which separates the copper from the PVC.
3. Partially separated material is returned automatically for a second pass.
4. The copper granules pass through the high-voltage electrostatic separator.
5. The copper granules (≥99%) and the PVC granules are collected separately.
6. The filter captures fine dust throughout the cycle.
A GMC400 copper wire granulator is sized to work at rated capacity for hours without overload. The PLC system signals deviations and allows planned preventive maintenance, without unplanned stops that affect production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a GMC400 different from a small granulator?
Medium capacity means higher throughput per hour, a more robust construction for long operating hours and a more complete PLC for automation. It is the right choice when you have grown beyond the capacity of a small granulator and want to process a few tons per week.
What purity do the copper granules have?
The purity reaches about 99% by combining gravity separation with high-voltage electrostatic separation. The granules can be sold directly to smelters or sent to refining.
Can it later become the first stage of a larger line?
Yes. It is designed to be modular: as volume grows, you add a primary shredder, additional separators or an electrolyzer. The investment in the GMC400 integrates into the expanded line, without replacement.
Does the process use water?
No. It uses a fully dry process: crushing, gravity and electrostatic separation, with no wastewater and no basins. Daily operation is simple, and permitting is faster.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
