Lindemann creates like-for-like replacement of shredder housing for Cimco

With an active global base of over 2,000 machines, the oldest of which was installed over half a century ago, Lindemann aims to keep its machines operational for as long as possible. A good example of this is a recent project for long-term customer Cimco Resources, a metals recycling business with six locations across Illinois. After 17 years of processing all types and grades of metals, including sheet iron, cast iron, and plate steel, Cimco's shredder in the steel town of Sterling – or at least its shredding housing - was inevitably beginning to show signs of old age.

Ready for retirement

"They are operating a Metso 80 model, which is a kind of hybrid of our legacy Hammermills and Lindemann shredders, with a throughput of 80-100 tons per hour," explains Keith Carroll, product manager for Texas Shredder, Lindemann's longstanding brand in North America. "We installed it back in 2006, so it's definitely seen some action. A poorly made shredder will typically have a functional life of 10 years or less, while a good one can last for 15 to 20 years, so Cimco's box, at 17 years old, had done well and was ready for retirement."

However, with the rest of the system still in good working order, and a large supply of wear parts on hand, a partial replacement was clearly the way to go. "The shredder box is the primary housing for everything, like the rotor, which is the beating heart of the machine," Carroll continues. "Then there's the wear parts, such as liners, grates, and other cast materials – all of which they keep in stock - that are used in the primary impact and abrasion aspects of the process. So, it made sense to reuse all these and just create a like-for-like replacement of the main steel box that holds it all together."

Original blueprints

With access to the original drawings and full control of the engineering intellectual property, Lindemann offered the most cost-and-performance effective means of creating a like-for-like replacement. This would ensure Cimco's system remained high performing and - as all the connections with the rest of the system would be identical – the changeover could occur with minimal downtime. 

Having operated as an outsource manufacturer ever since its inception, the company soon selected a partner to carry out the fabrication before COVID-19 caused a temporary setback.

"The original box did a great job – it could really take a beating and keep on ticking! So, with their having the original drawings, I was confident Lindemann could do a good job in getting us a new one to match right up to our existing system," says Ron Brenny, operations manager at Cimco Resources. "And they did – even when some initial problems arose during manufacturing due to issues arising from COVID-19, they stepped right up to the plate and quickly found someone else to fabricate the box."

After the delay, the replacement box was delivered in three truckloads in May 2023. Less than two weeks later, Cimco had installed and commissioned the new box.

"One thing that never goes out of fashion at Lindemann is the support we give to all customers," Carroll concludes. "Our promise of original-quality rebuilds and made-to-order replacement components ensures that even the oldest metal recycling systems can live to fight another day."