Machine Overview & Summary
This is a Plastics Technologies SHD-25 Standard Hopper Dryer (model SHD-25). It is an industrial plastic pellet drying unit intended to remove moisture from hygroscopic plastic resins (e.g. ABS, PS, PP, PET, etc.) ahead of injection molding or extrusion processes. The machine you have seems to match the SHD-25 spec class, with a heater of ~3 kW and 220 V / 3-phase input (though some versions use 230 V).
It was manufactured in 2014 (based on your serial date) and is designed for continuous operation in a plastic processing shop environment.
Below is a refined listing-style description that covers what buyers often want to know:
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Specifications
- Manufacturer / Brand: Plastics Technologies
- Model: SHD-25 (Standard Hopper Dryer)
- Serial Number: 140801015
- Year / Date: 08/27/2014
- Power / Heater: ~ 3 kW (for SHD-25 typical heater)
- Voltage: 220 V (3-phase)
- Frequency: 60 Hz
- Loading / Hopper Capacity: ~ 25 kg (pellet equivalent)
- Blower / Airflow Power: approx. 0.12 kW (for SHD-25 class)
- Max Drying Temperature: up to ~ 160 °C (320 °F)
- Dimensions (approx): as typical SHD-25 units ~ 725 mm width × 405 mm depth (for SHD-25 class)
- Weight (approx): ~ 40 kg (for SHD-25 class)
- Control / Interface: Microcomputer control, timer, RS-485 communication interface (for automation)
- Safety features: Overheat protection / thermal cutoff, blower fault protection, electronic over-trip relays
- Construction: Stainless steel contact surfaces (where plastics touch), insulated hopper, hot air diffuser for even flow, removable hopper base for cleaning access
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Description & What It Does
The SHD-25 is a hot-air hopper dryer used in plastics processing. Its main job is to dry plastic resin pellets (especially hygroscopic polymers) by blowing heated, controlled air through the pellet bed in the hopper. Moisture is carried away so that downstream molding or extrusion processes receive a dry feedstock, which helps avoid defects, bubbles, or other issues in the plastic parts.
It is designed to be mounted above or adjacent to molding machines or in drying rooms, feeding material directly into the machine as needed.
It uses a blower and heater assembly: air is drawn in, heated, diffused evenly via a cone or diffuser, then passed upward through the hopper. Moist air is vented, or in optional configurations recirculated (with filter) to save energy.
The control system regulates temperature, blower speed, timing, and safety interlocks.
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Capabilities / Core Functions
- Efficient drying of hygroscopic plastic resins (ABS, PS, PP, PET, PC, PBT, etc.) before molding or extrusion
- Maintain consistent and stable drying temperature (user settable)
- Timer / scheduling operation for daily or weekly cycles
- Intermittent operation mode to reduce energy when idle
- Optional air recirculation to improve energy efficiency (hot air recycler)
- Interface with automation systems via RS-485 / communication port
- Safety interlock / overheat protection and blower fault detection
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Design Features & Benefits
- Hot Air Diffuser: Designed to distribute heated air evenly through the hopper, avoiding hot/cold spots and improving drying uniformity.
- Stainless Steel Material Contact Surfaces: Prevent contamination and corrosion, especially useful when processing sensitive or colored resins.
- Heater Pipe Connection via Aluminum Sheets (for SHD-25 ~ SHD-150 models) to ensure thermal coupling and protect heater elements.
- Insulated Hopper / Double Insulation: Reduces heat loss, saves energy, and maintains stable internal temperatures.
- Blower Fault / Overheat Protection: Electronic cutoff prevents damage if blower fails or temperature exceeds safe thresholds.
- Timer / Intermittent Operation: Enables scheduled runs or intermittent cycles rather than continuous run, saving power during idle periods.
- RS-485 Communication Port: Allows integration into factory automation or monitoring systems.
- Optional Accessories: Hot air recyclers, magnetic base (to remove metal impurities in resin), suction / shut-off boxes, dust filters, blower inlet filters, stand mounts, etc. TELFORD SMITH
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Applications & Industries
- This hopper dryer is well suited for:
- Plastic injection molding shops (small to medium size)
- Extrusion / pelletizing operations
- Facilities that process hygroscopic plastic resins (e.g. ABS, PC, PET, PBT, PA, PMMA, PS)
- Recycling / regrind operations where moisture in regrind needs removal
- Research / lab-scale plastic plants with moderate throughput
- Anywhere you need a small footprint drying solution for pellet feedstocks
- Because the SHD-25 class is relatively compact, it is good for integration with molding machines where space is limited.