Aluminium Profile vs UBC Recycling: Different Feed, Different Line
Aluminium is not one uniform feed. Profiles, castings, loose cans and UBC bales differ in shape, attachments, density and preparation, so the same machine list should not be assumed for every aluminium recycling project.
Profiles and castings bring different attachments
Aluminium profiles and castings may carry steel inserts, hinges, paint, plastic and dirt. Size reduction and magnetic separation are evaluated around how those attachments release from the aluminium body.
The target furnace feed and the required removal of ferrous and light contamination determine whether screening and eddy current separation are needed.
UBC can arrive loose or baled
Used beverage cans may arrive loose, compressed into bales or mixed with steel cans and food tins. Feed opening, bale preparation and the amount of attached contamination should be stated before selecting a crusher or shredder.
A UBC-specific product route can be linked to a wider aluminium recovery line when the project needs staged size reduction and separation rather than a standalone machine.
Output quality is a project requirement
The useful output may be separated aluminium, ferrous attachments and residue streams, or a furnace-ready fraction with a defined size range. The buyer specification determines the practical sequence.
Confirm moisture, particle-size distribution, contamination and the desired downstream melting route with a representative sample.
Send the right information for a quote
Include photos, loose or baled condition, aluminium form, steel attachment level, daily volume, target product and available site conditions.
A sample test helps decide whether the project needs shredding, crushing, screening, magnetic separation, eddy current separation or only a subset of those stages.
What to take away
- Treat profiles, castings and UBC as different feed cases.
- State whether cans are loose, baled or mixed with steel before selecting equipment.
- Define the target furnace feed and contamination limit before adding separation stages.
- Use a representative sample to confirm the final configuration.
Written by the Miracle Machinery engineering team. Figures quoted are from published equipment specifications; project-specific results are confirmed by material test.