Single-Shaft Recycling Shredder | OS-600–1600 | Rigid Plastic | Controlled Particle Size

RELIABLE OS-series single-shaft recycling shredder — the single-shaft shredding system for preparing rigid and semi-rigid plastics, textiles, film, PET, aluminium cans and injection burrs for recycling and pelletizing lines. Available in six models — OS-600, OS-800, OS-1000, OS-1200, OS-1400 and OS-1600 — this single-shaft recycling shredder combines a rotor with knives mounted on a single shaft with a discharge grate of configurable hole size, ensuring the uniform and controlled particle size required by the extruders and pelletizers in the secondary stage of the recycling line.

Unlike dual-shaft shredders designed for heavy metals and hard materials, an OS-series single-shaft recycling shredder is optimized for plastics and semi-rigid materials — the largest offering in the recycling industry by total volume of waste generated annually. The hydraulic feed ram constantly presses the material onto the rotor, eliminating overload jams and ensuring a uniform feed flow without operator intervention, while the rotor structure with individually replaceable knives allows only the worn blades to be replaced without dismantling the complete rotor. Key Advantages of the RELIABLE Single-Shaft Recycling Shredder

• Discharge grate with configurable size — precise output particle size: The discharge grate mounted under the rotor of this single-shaft recycling shredder retains the material in the shredding chamber until it reaches the maximum mesh size of the grid — configured at 20mm, 30mm, 50mm or another size depending on the requirements of the pelletizer or extruder in the secondary stage. The uniform output particle size eliminates manual sorting and reduces the reject rate in the pelletizing process.

• Hydraulic feed ram — constant flow without overload jams: The hydraulic ram presses the material with controlled force onto the rotor with knives, maintaining a uniform feed flow regardless of variations in the volume or density of the fed material. This prevents the overload jams specific to systems with simple gravity feeding and ensures continuous operation of the shredder without operator intervention to clear blockages.

• Individually replaceable rotor knives — selective maintenance without complete dismantling: The rotor of this single-shaft recycling shredder has individually mounted knives accessible for selective replacement — only worn or damaged blades are changed, not the complete rotor set. This reduces the maintenance cost per cycle versus single-piece rotor systems and shortens downtime when replacing partial knives.

• Design optimized for rigid plastic and semi-hard materials: The rotor geometry and rotation speed of the OS series are calibrated for the specific cutting energy of rigid plastic (PVC, HDPE, PP, ABS, PC) and semi-rigid materials (PET, aluminium cans, thick film). Compared with dual-shaft shredders with lower rotation speed and high torque for metals, the OS series operates at higher speeds with lower specific energy consumption per kilogram of plastic processed.

• Robust housing with a wear-resistant shredding chamber: The shredding chamber of the OS series is lined with wear-resistant plates in high-strength steel, protecting the load-bearing structure from the abrasion of fine plastic and metal particles generated in the shredding process. The wear plates are replaceable independently, without affecting the main housing of the machine.

• Six models OS-600–OS-1600 — scalable from small stations to industrial lines: The OS series covers all sizes of recycling operations — from small collectors and processors with the OS-600 to high-volume industrial lines with the OS-1400 and OS-1600. All models share the same operating principle and the same maintenance structure, allowing operators familiar with one model to handle any other size in the series.

• Applicable at any stage of the recycling line: The OS series functions both as a primary shredder for initial size reduction and as a secondary shredder (coarse granulator) after a first shredding stage — maximum flexibility in configuring the recycling line according to the materials processed and the required output particle size.

• Proven in recycling facilities in Europe, Southeast Asia and South America: The RELIABLE OS series is installed and operational in recycling facilities on three continents — an operating reference under real production conditions, accessible on request for performance evaluation before purchase.

Models and Applications — RELIABLE OS Single-Shaft Recycling Shredder

Applications — What Materials the OS Single-Shaft Recycling Shredder Processes

An OS-series single-shaft recycling shredder is the first processing stage of the majority of plastic recycling lines. Packaging waste collectors, manufacturers recovering injection and extrusion scrap and post-consumer PET recycling operators feed bottles, containers and rigid plastic profiles directly into the OS chamber, obtaining 20–50mm flakes ready to feed the granulator or extruder in the secondary stage, without an additional crushing step.

Textile factories and composite material manufacturers use the OS series for shredding textile waste, multilayer film and flexible packaging with aluminium content — materials that wrap around the rotors of standard crushers and block pelletizing lines. The hydraulic feed ram of this single-shaft recycling shredder pulls the textile material and film into the shredding chamber with controlled force, preventing wrapping. Explore the complete range of Uzinex industrial equipment for complete solutions in recycling plastics, metals and WEEE.

Manufacturers in the plastic injection and extrusion industry use OS-type single-shaft recycling shredder systems for the internal recycling of burrs, injection sprues and production rejects — reducing production waste to reusable granulate directly in the manufacturing process, in accordance with international standards for processing and recycling plastic waste applicable in the European industry. Single Shaft vs. Double Shaft — How to Choose the Right Model

The choice between the single-shaft shredder and the dual-shaft one depends on the dominant material and the particle size requirements of the recycling line:

• OS single-shaft shredder — the choice for plastic and semi-hard materials: Rigid and semi-rigid plastic (PVC, HDPE, PP, PET, ABS), textiles, film, aluminium cans, injection burrs. The configurable discharge grate ensures precise output particle size — essential for directly feeding granulators and extruders. The higher rotation speed and lower specific energy per kg make it more energy-efficient than double shaft on these materials.

• D-series dual-shaft shredder — the choice for metals and mixed hard waste: Ferrous and non-ferrous metals, household appliances, WEEE, tyres, lithium batteries, refrigerators. The high torque on two synchronized shafts and the SKD11 knives at HRC62 handle the heavy metals that a single-shaft shredder cannot process efficiently. The lower speed and higher force are specific to materials of high mechanical strength.

• Mixed materials (plastic + metal): If the input flow contains both plastic and metal in significant proportions, the dual-shaft shredder is the more versatile choice — it handles both types without the risk of knife damage on impact with hard metals.

How It Works — The Single-Shaft Shredding Process

• Feeding into the shredding chamber via the hydraulic ram: The material is fed manually or by conveyor belt into the shredder's feed zone. The hydraulic ram advances with controlled pressure, pressing the material onto the rotor with knives without overloading the motor — the feed rate is adjusted automatically according to the torque measured on the shaft.

• Shredding on the rotor with individual knives: The rotor with individually mounted knives cuts the material in contact with the fixed knives (counter-knives) mounted on the housing. The speed difference and knife geometry generate a shearing force that fractures the material into progressively smaller pieces with each pass.

• Retention and re-shredding through the discharge grate: The shredded material falls by gravity through the discharge grate mounted under the rotor only when it has reached the maximum size of the configured mesh. Oversized pieces remain in the shredding chamber and are re-shredded on the next cycle — uniform output particle size without subsequent sorting.

• Material discharge and transport to the secondary stage: Flakes of the set size fall through the grate into the discharge conveyor or directly into the granulator in the secondary stage. The continuous discharge flow keeps the shredding chamber at an optimal fill level, without jams from accumulation.

• Monitoring and preventive maintenance: The operator monitors the motor current and housing temperature for early detection of knife wear. When the wear threshold is reached, the damaged individual knives are replaced selectively in a short time, without dismantling the rotor or halting production longer than necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions about the RELIABLE OS Single-Shaft Recycling Shredder

What is the main difference from a plastic crusher?

A single-shaft recycling shredder operates at lower speed and higher torque than plastic crushers — it is designed for the initial size reduction of large material (whole bottles, profiles, containers) to flakes of 20–100mm. A crusher operates at higher speeds and produces a finer particle size (2–15mm). In recycling lines, the shredder precedes the crusher: the shredder reduces the size, the crusher produces the final particle size required by the extruder or granulator. Can the discharge grate be changed for different particle sizes?

Yes — the discharge grate is a replaceable element of this single-shaft recycling shredder, with different mesh sizes available (usually 20mm, 30mm, 50mm, 80mm or custom on request). The operator can change the grate to adapt the particle size to the requirements of the secondary stage without modifying the other components of the machine. The grate change takes 15–30 minutes and is carried out with standard tools. Can the OS process thin plastic film that tends to wrap around the shaft?

Yes — the hydraulic feed ram and the knife geometry of the OS series are designed to handle film that tends to wrap around gravity-fed systems. The ram pulls the film into the cutting zone with continuous force, preventing accumulation and wrapping. For large volumes of thin and light film, the UZINEX team can recommend the specific knife configuration optimized for flexible materials. Can the OS-600 be used inside a production workshop (noise, vibration)?

The OS series is designed with a rigid structure and rotor balancing to minimize vibration during normal operation. The noise level depends on the material processed (rigid plastic generates more noise than soft materials) and the feed rate. For installation in production workshops with personnel, the UZINEX team recommends a site assessment and, if necessary, configuration with a sound-absorbing enclosure or installation in a separate space with adequate ventilation. How do the purchase and operating costs compare with a dual-shaft shredder?

The single-shaft OS series generally has a lower purchase cost than the dual-shaft D series of equivalent capacity, due to the simpler single-shaft and rotor mechanism. The operating cost (energy, knife maintenance) is lower per tonne of plastic processed versus double shaft on the same materials — single shaft is more energy-efficient on plastic. Double shaft has a lower cost per tonne on heavy metals, where single shaft is not suitable. Why Buy the RELIABLE Single-Shaft Recycling Shredder from UZINEX?

• Free consultancy for model and discharge grate selection: The UZINEX team analyzes the type of materials processed, the daily volume and the required output particle size and configures this single-shaft recycling shredder with the right OS model, grate size and knife type suited to your specific materials.

• Delivery, commissioning and operator training included: Every OS single-shaft recycling shredder delivered through UZINEX includes installation and start-up on your site and operator training for correct feeding, monitoring of knife wear and selective blade replacement.

• Extended 60-month warranty and technical support under 36 hours: The 60-month warranty and guaranteed response time under 36 hours ensure the continuity of the recycling line — with priority delivery of knives, counter-knives and replacement grates from UZINEX's own stock.

• A globally proven solution — active installations in Europe, Asia and South America: The RELIABLE OS series operates in recycling facilities on three continents. Installation references are available on request for evaluating real performance before the purchase decision.

• Scalable within a complete RELIABLE recycling line: The OS integrates natively into the complete RELIABLE recycling lines — alongside the plastic crushers, the gravity and electrostatic separators and the granulators distributed by UZINEX — with support for designing and installing the entire line from a single source.

RELIABLE single-shaft recycling shredder OS-600–1600 — configurable discharge grate for precise particle size, hydraulic feed ram for continuous flow without jams and individually selectively replaceable knives, for any recycling line that needs a single-shaft recycling shredder optimized for rigid plastic, PET, textiles, film and injection burrs that require controlled particle size and maximum energy efficiency on semi-hard materials.