Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations, a leading company from Wisconsin, USA, specializes in IT asset disposition (the professional disposal of IT equipment) and the recycling of electronic waste. The company places particular emphasis on recovering valuable raw materials such as iron, aluminum, copper and precious metals such as gold and silver from old computers, smartphones, hard drives and similar devices.
The challenge
A 4-shaft shredder comminutes the input material for further magnetic processing (including an eddy current separator). Various lines ensure optimum processing of different fractions. Screening is therefore necessary after the shredder to obtain three grain classes.
The problem: the machine previously used was working inefficiently, with material often getting caught up in the steel screen linings. In order to improve the sorting of e-scrap and optimize the subsequent separation of raw materials, the company decided to replace the old screening technology and approached the IFE team.
Meaningful results at the IFE Technical Center
In order to define the ideal screen lining constellation and machine design, test material was sent to the IFE test center in Austria and extensive trials were carried out. A wide variety of screen linings such as finger screens, wire mesh and harp were tested. A team from Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations was present during the tests and was able to see the successful trials for themselves. The customer also received detailed screen analyses. It was important to him to achieve the best possible separation of the < 10 mm fraction (consisting of small pieces of cable and other fine material) and, at the same time, to reduce the stuck grain in the screen linings.
With its elastic screen deck with two different mesh sizes, the IFE VARIOMAT ultimately delivered convincing results for the Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations team.
Custom-fit design and production
The VARIOMAT from IFE was specially adapted to the spatial conditions and process requirements of Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations. Due to the limited space below the shredder, it was necessary to arrange the two separating cuts one behind the other instead of one above the other.
A stationary cover ensures that the material is not thrown outwards by the elastic screen deck. All surfaces in contact with the material are also covered with a stainless steel wear lining to prevent material build-up and increase the service life of the machine.
In addition, the screen has been designed so that all panels can be replaced individually and in just a few steps. This not only enables easy maintenance, but also more flexibility should the material composition change.
As with every machine, an extensive test run was carried out before delivery.
A reliable partner on site
The installation of the new screen in March 2024 went smoothly. Thanks to the customized design of the VARIOMAT, the screen fitted seamlessly into Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations' existing recycling plant. Al Pena (IFE Material Handling NA Inc., USA) and Ferdinand Hager (IFE Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH Austria) were part of the installation team that also commissioned the IFE VARIOMAT.
Results speak for themselves
The decision in favor of the IFE VARIOMAT has already paid off for Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations after a short time. The screening result is now significantly better and the machine works much more efficiently. Thanks to the flexible screen deck, there are no more problems with jammed material, and the pre-classification enables optimal further processing of the valuable raw materials.