ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder | 650–672 rpm, 150–264kW Dual Motor, Aluminium 800–3000 kg/h

The ZY-VC series vertical hammer shredder is the industrial equipment for the impact fragmentation of non-ferrous metals — aluminium motor housings and radiators, aluminium profiles and sheets, lightweight mixed metal components — with a vertical rotor at 650–672 rpm driven by a dual motor, 36 alloy-steel hammers weighing 40 kg each with manganese-steel hammer heads of 20–30 kg.

The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder features a screen-bar-free design for continuous discharge without blockages, a hydraulic self-cleaning system, and dust collection systems at the inlet and outlet — available in three models: ZY-VC1000 (150 kW total, 800–1.000 kg/h, 9.000 kg), ZY-VC1200 (180 kW total, 1.500–2.000 kg/h, 12.000 kg) and ZY-VC1500 (264 kW total, 2.000–3.000 kg/h, 18.000 kg).

The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder uses the principle of high-speed impact fragmentation, completely different from all other shredders in the UZINEX range, which work by cutting or shearing at low speed: the 40 kg hammers mounted on the vertical rotor strike the metal with the kinetic energy accumulated at 650–672 rpm, crushing and flattening housings and metal components into dense, uniform fragments — the optimal format for smelters and foundries processing recycled aluminium and non-ferrous metals.

Key Advantages of the ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder

• 650–672 rpm — the highest speed in the UZINEX shredder range — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder runs at 650–672 rpm, 8–9 times faster than blade shredders (75–80 rpm); high speed means high kinetic energy at the hammer heads, essential for crushing aluminium housings and dense metal components by impact; high-speed impact fragmentation produces pieces with an irregular contour and high density, superior for melting compared with the straight-cut pieces produced by blade shredders.

• 36 hammers of 40 kg with manganese heads of 20–30 kg — maximum impact mass — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder has 36 hammers mounted on the vertical rotor, each weighing 40 kg, with manganese-steel hammer heads weighing 20–30 kg per head; manganese steel has the property of hardening progressively under impact (work-hardening effect), becoming harder in the contact zone with the metal at each strike.

• Extended manganese-head service life through progressive work-hardening — the manganese-steel hammer heads of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder have a significantly longer service life than carbon-steel heads when processing aluminium and hard non-ferrous metals; progressive work-hardening at the impact surface increases hardness from an initial ~200 HB to over 500 HB after partial wear, extending the replacement interval compared with conventional materials.

• Screen-bar-free design — continuous discharge, zero blockages from build-up — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder has no screen bars (fixed grilles) which, on other hammer shredders, retain material in the crushing chamber until it reaches the size of the openings; the absence of screen bars allows the continuous discharge of fragments by their own weight without accumulation in the impact chamber; the screen-bar-free design of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder eliminates the main cause of blockage in classic hammer shredders — the accumulation of soft material (deformed aluminium) that clogs the bars and requires manual intervention.

• Hydraulic self-cleaning system — fast maintenance without unplanned stoppages — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder has a hydraulic self-cleaning system that actively clears the crushing chamber of the aluminium residues, oxides and metal dust accumulated during continuous operation; the hydraulic self-cleaning of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder activates programmatically without stopping the rotor, maintaining consistent performance throughout the production shift and reducing the duration of manual maintenance cleaning.

• Dust collection systems at inlet and outlet — compliance with environmental regulations — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder is equipped with systems to collect the metal dust generated during high-speed impact fragmentation; the aluminium dust generated by vertical hammer shredders is combustible and can create explosion risks at high concentrations in the air; the dust collection system of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder captures fine metal particles at the source, complying with occupational safety regulations and the air-quality regulations of industrial halls.

• Independent dual motor — power distributed uniformly across the rotor — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder uses two independent electric motors driving the vertical rotor; the dual-motor system distributes power uniformly around the rotor circumference, dynamically balancing the 9.000–18.000 kg mass of the equipment at 650–672 rpm; the dual drive of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder also allows reduced-regime operation with a single active motor when processing lighter materials, reducing energy consumption.

• PLC control with real-time monitoring — operation and diagnostics from the panel — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder is controlled by a PLC system with real-time monitoring of operating parameters: rotor speed, motor current, hydraulic self-cleaning system pressure and the status of the dust collection systems; the PLC panel of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder alerts the operator to parameter deviations before they cause faults, enabling preventive intervention.

Technical Specifications — ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder (All Models)

Materials Processed by the ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder — Non-Ferrous Metals and Light Alloys

The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder is specialised for the fragmentation of non-ferrous metals and light alloys — the category of materials for which high-speed impact fragmentation is superior to blade cutting or shearing:

• Aluminium electric motor housings — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder fragments worn aluminium electric motor housings, whether cast or forged; motor housings have thick walls and complex geometry with cooling fins that resist blade cutting but quickly give way under the repeated impact of the 40 kg hammers at 650 rpm; the dense aluminium fragments produced by the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder are directly usable in melting furnaces without additional sorting by fraction.

• Aluminium radiators — automotive, industrial, HVAC — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder processes aluminium radiators from vehicles, industrial machinery and air-conditioning systems; the vertical hammer mill is the standard solution for fragmenting finned-structure radiators that cannot be cut efficiently by blade shredders due to the fragile geometry of the fins, which deform rather than being cut; the high-speed impact of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder crushes the fins and compacts them into dense fragments.

• Aluminium profiles and sheets from construction and industry — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder fragments extruded aluminium profiles (joinery, industrial structures), aluminium sheets and plates, and large aluminium packaging; the impact of the hammers turns long profiles into short, dense pieces without producing pieces with sharp edges dangerous to handle.

• Mixed metal components from auto and machinery dismantling — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder processes mixed metal components from the dismantling of vehicles and machinery, where aluminium, zinc, magnesium and other non-ferrous metals are mixed together; impact fragmentation partially separates metals of differing densities through the gravitational stratification effect at discharge.

• Aluminium dross and foundry residues — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder fragments aluminium dross and solid residues from melting operations to recover the metallic aluminium embedded in the dross; fine impact fragmentation maximises the contact surface and increases the recovery yield in aluminium dross remelting processes.

The ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder vs the ZY-S Scrap Metal Shredder — Opposite Principles for Different Metals

The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder and the ZY-S scrap metal shredder are both equipment for processing metals, but with completely different fragmentation principles, optimised for distinct material categories:

• The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder — high-speed impact for soft non-ferrous metals and light alloys — aluminium, copper and non-ferrous alloys have low compressive strength and give way quickly under repeated high-speed impact; the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder, with its rotor at 650–672 rpm and 40 kg hammers, generates the kinetic energy needed to crush aluminium housings in rapid cycles; blade cutting of soft aluminium frequently produces blockages through sticking on the blade edge (aluminium smearing onto the blade surface), which high-speed impact avoids entirely.

• The ZY-S scrap metal shredder — slow cutting at 75–80 rpm for steel and hard ferrous metals — steel and hard cast irons do not give way to impact but to the shearing forces generated by blades with a precise cutting angle; at 75–80 rpm and with Cr12MoV blades, the ZY-S shredder generates the cutting torque needed to sever steel profiles and hard ferrous parts without damaging the blades; the high-speed impact of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder on hard steel would cause accelerated wear of the manganese-steel hammers through chipping.

• Practical selection rule — for aluminium, copper, zinc, magnesium and light non-ferrous alloys: the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder; for steel, cast iron, ferrous scrap and hard ferrous metals: the ZY-S scrap metal shredder; for mixed non-ferrous + ferrous streams of small dimensions: consult UZINEX engineers for the optimal configuration.

Industrial Applications — Who Uses the ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder

• Secondary aluminium smelters and foundries — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder produces recycled aluminium fragments at the optimal size and density for charging the melting furnace; impact-fragmented aluminium has a larger specific surface than blade-cut pieces, accelerating melting and reducing energy consumption per tonne of aluminium produced.

• Non-ferrous metal recycling centres — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder is the primary processing equipment of centres that collect scrap aluminium from vehicle dismantling, industrial demolitions and construction-industry waste; on-site fragmentation increases the per-tonne value of the aluminium delivered to smelters compared with delivering whole, unprocessed parts.

• Automotive industry — end-of-life vehicle dismantling and recycling lines — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder processes the aluminium components from the dismantling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in accordance with the requirements of the European End-of-Life Vehicles Directive; motor housings, cylinder heads, engine blocks and aluminium transmission components are fragmented for efficient recycling.

• Authorised WEEE collection operators with non-ferrous metal fractions — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder processes the metal components from dismantled WEEE — aluminium IT-equipment housings, radiators from industrial equipment, non-ferrous components from household appliances — to recover the valuable metal in fragmented form.

• Producers of secondary aluminium from foundry dross — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder fragments aluminium dross and foundry residues to maximise the recovery of the embedded metallic aluminium; aluminium dross processing facilities necessarily include an impact-fragmentation stage before density-separation processes and thermal recovery treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about the ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder

Can the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder also process steel or ferrous scrap?

The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder is designed and dimensioned for non-ferrous metals and light alloys; hard steel and cast iron processed with the manganese-steel hammers at 650 rpm cause accelerated wear of the hammer heads through chipping rather than normal progressive wear; for ferrous scrap and steel, the ZY-S scrap metal shredder with Cr12MoV blades is recommended; UZINEX engineers confirm compatibility with the customer’s specific materials on request.

How often must the manganese-steel hammer heads of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder be replaced?

The manganese-steel hammer heads of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder wear progressively through abrasion and impact; manganese steel hardens at the surface through work-hardening under impact (hardness rising from an initial ~200 HB to 500+ HB after use), extending service life compared with ordinary steels; under intensive aluminium processing, quarterly inspection of the heads is recommended; heads worn below the minimum permitted dimension are replaced modularly without dismantling the complete rotor; a stock of hammer heads is kept permanently at UZINEX.

What is the smallest ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder model and what volume is it sized for?

The smallest model is the ZY-VC1000 with 150 kW total (75×2 kW), 800–1.000 kg/h and a weight of 9.000 kg; the ZY-VC1000 is sized for small and medium recycling centres processing 6–8 tonnes of aluminium per 8-hour shift; the 9.000 kg weight and the dimensions of 1.200×1.200×3.000 mm require a foundation calculated for the dynamic load at 650 rpm and a 150 kW electrical connection; UZINEX engineers calculate the foundation and the necessary electrical infrastructure at commissioning.

Is the dust collection system of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder mandatory from a safety-regulation standpoint?

The fine aluminium dust generated during impact fragmentation is classified as combustible dust (category St1) and can create explosion risks at concentrations of 40–200 g/m³ in the air; European ATEX regulations and Romanian occupational safety regulations require combustible dust to be captured at the source in aluminium-processing facilities; the integrated dust collection system of the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder meets the applicable ATEX compliance requirements; the technical documentation needed to authorise the installation is provided by UZINEX on request.

Why Choose UZINEX for the ZY-VC Vertical Hammer Shredder

• Consultancy for the design of the complete installation — foundation, electrical, ventilation — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder, with a mass of 9.000–18.000 kg at 650–672 rpm, requires foundation design for dynamic loads, a three-phase electrical connection of 150–264 kW and a ventilation system for dust collection; UZINEX engineers provide the technical specifications needed by the customer’s structural designer and authorised electrician to prepare the installation before delivery.

• Specialised transport and commissioning included — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder (9.000–18.000 kg) requires specialised transport with a flatbed and lifting equipment at unloading; UZINEX organises the specialised transport and commissions the equipment, calibrates the rotor balance, and tests the PLC system and the dust collection system on the customer’s real material.

• Extended 60-month warranty and spare parts in stock — the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder benefits from a 60-month warranty; the manganese-steel hammer heads, replacement hammers, rotor bearings and components of the hydraulic self-cleaning system are kept permanently in stock at UZINEX.

• Nationwide service with intervention within 24–48h — the UZINEX service team intervenes on site anywhere in Romania; for industrial equipment of 9.000–18.000 kg, rapid on-site intervention is the only practical option compared with transporting the equipment to a service centre.

• Financing and European-funding eligibility — leasing and credit solutions available; the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder qualifies for European funding as an investment in non-ferrous metal recycling and the circular economy.

• Complete range for metal recycling — non-ferrous and ferrous — UZINEX offers complete solutions for shredding and crushing metals: the ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder for aluminium and non-ferrous metals by impact, the ZY-S scrap metal shredder for steel and iron by shearing with Cr12MoV blades — both available with nationwide service and a 60-month warranty.

The ZY-VC vertical hammer shredder, with its rotor at 650–672 rpm, 36 hammers of 40 kg with manganese-steel heads of 20–30 kg, a dual motor of 150–264 kW total, a screen-bar-free design for continuous discharge, hydraulic self-cleaning and dust collection systems at the inlet and outlet, is the industrial equipment for the impact fragmentation of non-ferrous metals — aluminium motor housings, radiators, profiles, mixed non-ferrous components — available in three models for capacities of 800 to 3.000 kg per hour.