Maintenance and Care Essentials for Laboratory Granulators

The maintenance and care of laboratory granulators are crucial for ensuring their normal operation, extending their service life, and guaranteeing the accuracy of experimental results. The following are some key maintenance and care points:

I. Daily Maintenance
Cleaning
Exterior Cleaning: After each use, promptly remove dust, particles, and other debris from the surface of the granulator. Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe the surface, preventing debris from entering the equipment and affecting its operation. For stubborn stains, a small amount of mild detergent can be used, but be careful to avoid getting the detergent into critical parts of the equipment.
Internal Cleaning: Regularly clean residual materials from inside the granulator, especially in areas prone to material accumulation such as the hopper, screw, and die holes. When cleaning, stop the equipment and disconnect the power supply before using appropriate tools to remove the residual material.
Lubrication Check
Regular Lubricant Check: Regularly check the lubricant level and quality according to the equipment's instruction manual. It is generally recommended to check the lubricant level weekly to ensure it is within the specified range; check the oil quality monthly. If the lubricant is found to be deteriorated, cloudy, or has an unusual odor, it should be replaced promptly.
Lubrication of Key Parts: Regularly lubricate the transmission components, bearings, and other key parts of the equipment, generally adding lubricant every 2-4 weeks. When adding lubricant, ensure that the lubricant used meets the equipment requirements and avoid over-lubrication to prevent lubricant from overflowing and contaminating the material.
Parts Inspection
Tightening Check: Regularly check whether the bolts, nuts, and other connecting parts of the equipment are loose, especially the connecting parts of the motor, reducer, and transmission belt. It is generally recommended to conduct a comprehensive inspection monthly. If any looseness is found, tighten them promptly to ensure the stability and safety of the equipment's operation.
Wear Inspection: Pay attention to the wear and tear of consumable parts such as blades, molds, and screens. Based on usage frequency and material characteristics, regularly inspect the wear and tear of these components. If severe wear is found, replace them promptly to avoid affecting granulation efficiency and equipment performance.

II. Regular Maintenance
Electrical System Inspection
Wiring Inspection: Regularly check the equipment's electrical wiring for damage, aging, etc. A comprehensive inspection should be conducted quarterly. If any problems are found, replace or repair them promptly to prevent safety accidents such as leakage and short circuits.
Motor Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance on the motor, including cleaning the motor surface, checking the motor's insulation performance, and lubricating the motor bearings. A comprehensive motor maintenance should be performed every six months to ensure normal motor operation.
Mechanical Components Maintenance
Transmission System Maintenance: Inspect and maintain the equipment's transmission system, such as belts, chains, and gears. Regularly adjust the tension of the belts, check the wear of the chains, and replace them if necessary; lubricate and inspect the gears to ensure smooth operation of the transmission system. A comprehensive transmission system maintenance should be performed every 3-6 months.
Hydraulic System Maintenance: If the granulator is equipped with a hydraulic system, regularly check the oil level and quality of the hydraulic oil, replace the hydraulic oil filter, and clean the hydraulic oil tank. A comprehensive maintenance of the hydraulic system should be performed every six months to one year to ensure the normal working pressure and stability of the hydraulic system.
Precision Calibration
Granulation Parameter Calibration: Regularly calibrate the granulation parameters of the granulator, such as temperature, pressure, and speed. Adjust using professional calibration tools and methods according to the equipment's instruction manual to ensure the accuracy and stability of the granulation parameters. It is recommended to perform a comprehensive parameter calibration at least once a year.
Mold Replacement and Debugging: When replacing molds of different specifications or shapes, replace them using the correct method and debug the new mold. During debugging, pay attention to adjusting the position and gap of the mold to ensure that the granulation effect meets the requirements.

III. Maintenance during Long-Term Storage
Cleaning and Rust Prevention: If the granulator is to be left idle for a long period, it should be thoroughly cleaned and rust prevention measures should be taken. The metal parts on the surface of the equipment can be coated with a layer of anti-rust oil, then covered with moisture-proof material and stored in a dry, well-ventilated environment.
Regular Power-On Inspection: Even when the equipment is idle, it is recommended to regularly power it on to check if the electrical system is functioning properly. This should be done every 1-3 months, with the power on for at least 30 minutes each time, to prevent electrical components from being damaged by moisture.