CM Rolls Out Dual Drive Cracker Mill System

Columbus McKinnon recently purchased the intellectual property for the Artisan™ Dual Drive™ Crackermill from David Futa, the original developer of the machine.

The Artisan™ Dual Drive™ Crackermill is recognized worldwide for the development and production of the dual roll technology that revolutionized and modernized the production of ground rubber material. The machine is capable of processing tire crumb as well as other rubber materials.  

In the 1990's, David Futa and a team of stakeholder's set out to modernize the existing crackermill technology that had been in use for many decades in the general rubber and tire recycling industry. Futa and his group developed a number of improvements that resulted in a modern, efficient crackermill with dramatically improved performance characteristics. Futa's forward-thinking dual drive crackermill quickly captured the interest of the crumb rubber marketplace and sales jumped with nearly 30 machines in operation worldwide today.   

What truly revolutionized the mill was decoupling the rolls. This allowed the rolls to be driven independently at variable speeds to create the rolling and cracking of the rubber known as the "friction ratio".  As the friction ratio was increased, the mill's production and size reduction performance capabilities were greatly enhanced.  

Another performance plus involved improvements to the way the machine is driven. The dual drive mill uses a regeneration process which allows the machine to lower its energy requirements and operate more efficiently. This process is controlled by programmable, fully integrated logic controls that increase production rates while cutting power consumption.  

"This new fine grind mill system provides CM with a complete tire processing solution from initial size reduction and steel reclamation down to fine grind rubber powders ranging from 10 to 120 mesh. CM General Manager, Charles Astafan said, "CM is now making the Dual Drive Cracker Mill available as part of a complete tire processing package or as an addition to an existing operation."  

In addition to manufacturing the new dual drive crackermills, CM has opened a complete refurbishment department to service existing mill equipment. CM will also provide roll replacement and regrinds and will stock and supply parts including rolls and bearings.