PRECIOUS PLASTIC – SHREDDER

Re-designed and manufactured by:

Crutchfield Engineering

Operation and servicing manual

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About Precious Plastic

Ultimately, “Precious Plastic” is a platform for people all around the world to collect, recycle,
build and sell recycled plastic goods, The precious plastic open source project encourages
anyone to get involved by developing machinery and business opportunities to buy and sell
recycles plastics projects and of course this allows for a cleaner earth by collecting un-wanted
plastic .

Crutchfield Engineering is to build and further develop a plastic shredder, based on open source blueprints from the
Precious Plastic machine series to reduce plastic waste. Its purpose is to shred common plastic waste so that the shreds
can be melted and extruded to create new products by anybody in the subsequent machine series. The main goals of the
Precious Plastic project were to build the shredder at minimum cost and to develop an improved version after testing it. It
was built using in-house machines at the workshop and is powered by a gearbox/motor that can be offered in versions.
Minor modifications were made of the original designs to improve handling and assembling of the machine. The gearmotor
and its electronics were also built on a separate platform to create a modularised unit that is easily detached if desired to
be stored or shipped abroad.

Plastic can become a source of income, or an educational tool for your community, and Precious Plastic wants to show the
world the incredible opportunities of plastic waste in order to eliminate plastic pollution, reducing the demand on new
virgin plastic and closing its materials loop – while creating better livelihoods for people around the world. Precious Plastic
is, above all, a cultural tool to change the way society perceive plastic.

The devices are made using everyday materials and basic

tools that Hakkens said are available all over the world.
The set includes a plastic shredder, an extruder, an injection
moulder and a rotation moulder, which can each be used to
turn waste plastic into new products. Hakkens first
showed prototype versions at the Design Academy Eindhoven
graduation show in 2013, and has spent the last two years
refining the designs.
"People can play around, start a business and recycle like
rockstars," said Hakkens, who also designed the
original Phonebloks modular mobile phone.
He hopes to address the reported 311 million tonnes of plastic
waste created around the world each year, less than 10 per cent
of which is currently recycled.
"Most of this will end up in the wrong place, landfills, oceans,
inside animals," he said. "It's damaging our earth."
A recent effort by designers and companies to clear up waste
plastic from the oceans and raise awareness of the problem has resulted in a variety of projects.
Architecture firm Spark also wants to recycle the material into a series of elevated beach huts.
Hakkens has used the Precious Plastic machines to create chopping boards, bowls, clipboards and plant pots that feature a
distinctive mottled pattern of colours – all from waste material.
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Safety precaution

ATTENTION
Please read and understand the precautionary steps before embarking on operating, assembling
or serving the machine as hazards can result in serious injury or death.

Crutchfield Engineering or Precious Plastic do not take any responsibility for negligence or un-safe
actions by the operator.

• Do not operate, assemble or service any part of the machinery when fatigued, poorly
maintained equipment. Facilities are riddled with risks, both hidden and out in the open. If
you don't know where to begin looking, such hazards can result in serious injury or death.

• Never operate unattended!

• Do not leave appliance when plugged in. Unplug from outlet when not in use and before
servicing. Connect to a properly grounded outlet only.

• Do not expose to rain – store indoors.

• Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when used by or near
children or education purposes.

• Use only as described in this manual. Use only Manufacturer’s recommended

attachments.

• Do not use with damaged cord or plug. If appliance is not working as it should, has been
dropped, damaged, left outdoors or dropped into water, contact Crutchfield Engineering
for assistance.

• Do Not: pull or carry by cord, use cord as a handle, close a door on cord or pull cord around
sharp edges or corners. Do not run appliance over cord. Keep cord away from heated
surfaces.

• Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug; not the cord.

• Do not handle plug with wet hands.

• Do not put any object into openings. Do not use with any openings blocked; keep free of
dust, lint, hair and anything that may reduce air flow.

• Keep hair, loose clothing, fingers and all parts of body away from openings and moving
parts.

• Do not pick up anything that is burning or smoking,

• Turn off all controls before unplugging.

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Operation dangers

• This equipment incorporates parts such as switches, motors or the like that tend to
produce arcs or sparks that can cause an explosion.

• Do not shred bottles, containers or any other device that has flammable, combustible, or
hot material inside.

• Do not use around explosive liquids or vapours, as electrical devices produce arcs or sparks
which can cause a fire or explosion.

• do not use at filling stations or anywhere gasoline is stored or dispensed.

• WARNING² IF ANY OF THE MOTOR HOUSING PARTS SHOULD BECOME DETACHED OR

BROKEN, EXPOSING THE MOTOR OR ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, OPERATION
SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR FURTHER
DAMAGE TO THE SHREDDER. REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE REUSING THE SHREDDER

Lifting the heavy devices

• Ensure appropriate personal protective equipment worn like gloves, safety goggles. And steel-toed
safety shoes or boots.
• Lift Properly – Use proper lifting techniques: bend at your hips and knees to squat down to your
load, keep it close to your body, and straighten your legs to lift. Consider wearing a lumbar support belt
for spine support and encourage leg lifting.
• Add Handles – When moving materials manually, workers should attach handles or holders to loads.
• Get Help – When an oversized load is too bulky to properly grasp or lift, get a co-worker to assist you to
reduce risk to yourself and avoid damaging the material. If you cannot see around or over the load, seek
help from another employee to help you move the material safely.
• Blocking Materials – Use blocking materials that are large and strong enough to support the load
safely. Blocking material should be in good condition, and not have cracks, be splintered, or dry rotted.
When placing blocking material under a load, be cautious that load is not released before removing
hands from under the load.
• Do not place hands, finger or other body parts under a heavy load.
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Unpacking and Getting started.

The plastic shredder is designed to be in a ‘packed’ form that allows the shredder to be shipped
without taking unnecessary space. This is done by placing the main shredder unit from the lower
deck to the upper deck and attaching chute and hopper with the provided fasteners. The main
shredder unit is fastened down with 4xM10 bolts on both decks for quick assembly time. The Hopper
and Chute will be fastened with M10 Bolts with a washers and nuts. The main shredder unit already
has the gearbox attached and therefore there is no work needed to install the gearbox.

You will need:

2x size 17 spanners or sockets

2x size 13 spanners or sockets

TOP DECK

Hopper must be
removed first
and slide chute
out of hopper

Remove bolts to
remove hopper

Main shredder unit

with gearbox
attached

Remove bolts to BOTTOM DECK

remove shredder
unit
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Step 1 - Ensure the stand is stable and on a flat surface. The first step would be to remove the
hopper directly from the shredder by using 2 size 17 spanners to remove the bolts and slide the
hopper and chute away.

Step 2 - Loosen and remove the wing nuts and bolts on the bottom deck that holds the shredder
assembly unit to the structure.

You may leave the bolts and wing nuts in place at the bottom for future use.

Step 3 - The shredder assembly unit must be lifted to the top deck manually or using a lifting device.

Please see the lifting heavy loads safety precautions before attempting this step.

Ensure the electrical cabling is free and not restricting the motion of movement.
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Step 4 – Place the shredder assembly unit on the top deck, matching the fastening holes to guide the
bolts through. Fasten the 4 main bolts to the stand structure. See diagram below.

Removes bolts and

slot shredder unit
on top to match
holes

Fasten the bolts to

secure the
shredder unit

Figure 1 – Shredder Figure 2 – Final assembly

placement on top
Step 5 – installing the screen filter

The shredder has 2 screen size options which sieve out the shedder plastic to the particular size. The
size options are 6 and 10mm holes. The screen can be installed by inserting the screen mesh from
under the shredder if needed. The handle pin secures the sieve screen through the matching holes

Do NOT do this step with power cord plugged in.

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Step 6 – Bolt the Chute on with the 4 bolts to the shredder assembly by matching up the holes on
the side tab and placing the fasteners provided. See diagram below.

Shredder assembly
unit fasteners x4
Shredder
assembly unit
Chute
fasteners x4

Side tab
that chute
mounts to

Chute
Stand
structure

Step 7 – Install the electrical box by removing the wing nuts that attach the electrical box and place
electrical box above to the top deck, using the same mounting holes and fasteners to secure it in
place.

Step 8 – Fasten the hopper directly to the shredder by using the 2 size 17 spanners and fasteners
provided
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Running the shredder.

Before the shredder is plugged in and started. Ensure that the shredding blades are clear
of any material, other than plastic or nobody is servicing the machine. Please reference to
the safety precautions before operating the shredder.

• KEEP HANDS CLEAR FROM MOVING BLADES

• JEWELLERY, LONG SLEEVES OR ANY OTHER LOOSE ITEMS IS PROHIBITED

Step 1 – Plug the electric cord into mains 230Vac and switch on

(CAUTION – this will cause the motor and blades to run if the shredder is switched ‘ON’.)

DO NOT DO THIS STEP if the shredder is not cleared of persons, tools and other materials.

You will need a container to capture the shredded plastic under the chute.

Step 2 – Switch the controller on to begin the shredding process.

(CAUTION) – this is the last safety machismo in place and will cause the motor and blades
to run if the shredder switch is switched ‘ON’. DO NOT DO THIS STEP if the shredder is not
cleared of persons, tools and other materials.

The controller will begin by reversing the blades for a few seconds to clear or un-clutter the blades
on start up. Then the controller will stop and rotate to shred normally. At any point during
operation when the blades get congested that results in the motor stalling or slowing down at which
point, the controller will force a stop and reverse function to clear congestion.

The green light indicates normal shredding rotation.

The red light indicates the motor has stopped the operation of rotating.
The white light indicates that the motor is un-congesting its self / reversing the rotation.

Step 3 – Place the specified plastic waste in the hopper to begin feeding the process. If required a
plastic pole or plunger may be used to feed the plastic. DO not use hard materials on the blades as
will cause damage to the blade. Only waste plastic can be shred and no other materials.
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Servicing the blades

The gearbox/motor does not need be de-attached and the servicing can be done on the opposite
end to the motor.

DO NOT have the shredder plugged to the mains before attempting any servicing.

You will need:

• 2x size 13 spanners
• 2x size 17 spanners
• A rubber or copper mallet
• Oil

Step 1 – Remove the sieve screen, hopper and chute.

Step 2 – Loosen the all the plate fasteners on the side plate and removing the side plate with the
bearing. Do not remove the actual bearing, rather keep in fastened to the side plate.

Step 3 – Gently remove the blades, shaft spacers and fixed spacers. It is recommended to not mix up
the spacers and blades due the fine tolerances.
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Step 4 – Clean out all dirt between the blades and spacers. Inspect the blades as some may turn
ground to be severely blunt. Judge whether it will need replacing, depending on your application.

Step 5 – Re-assemble the blades and shaft spacers first. Starting with a blade on the end, create a
spiral of 6 blades. Repeat the pattern of the first set. See picture below.

Step 6 – Place the fixed spacers in between the blades. The long bolt can help align the spacer in the
correct position.
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Step 7 – Place the side plate back in place by gently sliding the bearing over the shaft. You may use a
mallet if it slightly tight.

Step 8 – Fasten the all the bolts and ensure the side plate is tighten for operation.

Step 9 – All the other components for the shredder can now be placed back, including the hopper,
the chute and sieve screen.