How Paper Shredder Works

Shredders are a secure way to dispose of documents that contain confidential information. However, many people do not know how these machines work. Here are the basics of how a shredder works.

Sensors
Since running the machine all day is a waste of energy, shredders have sensors that allow them to turn on and off automatically. One of the sensors is in the cutting head, which is why the machine turns on when you place paper near the blades. There is also one in the bottom of the bin that works with the sensors in the cutting head; their function is to ensure that the machine is stationary and stable before shredding. Unfortunately, these sensors cannot determine the difference between paper and clothing, so make sure that only the paper can get close to the cutting head sensor.

Cutting head and teeth
The cutting head is the device that pulls the paper into the machine and starts the shredding process. The teeth will then begin shredding the paper into pieces. The two types of shredding options include cross-cut and strip-cut shredders. Cross-cut shredders use teeth that rotate in opposite directions to produce small sections of paper, while strip-cut shredders use blades that cut in the same direction to produce strips of paper.

The finished product
Once a person connects the shredder to a power source, the sensors are in place and the teeth are ready, the machine is ready for shredding. Many organizations and businesses prefer to use shredders for their confidential content because it saves time and effort. Especially if you work for the government, it is crucial to get a shredder from a government supplier. Shredders are one of the best ways to keep all confidential information safe.

Now you know all the basics of how shredders work. At Capital Shredder Corp, we offer high quality shredders that any business or organization can use to ensure that their confidential information is secure at all times.

It seems so simple, shredders shred paper, right? Sort of." Shredding" is a generic term used to describe the mechanized process of destroying confidential or sensitive documents to ensure that private information is not disclosed to others. While all shredders have the same goal, they do not all achieve their objectives in the same way or with the same level of effectiveness. Strip shredders, also known as straight shredders or spaghetti shredders, cut paper into long strips, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide, that match the length of the original paper. The narrower the strip, the more secure the shredding. This type of shredder produces the most waste and is the least secure because the pieces can be reassembled; however, they require less maintenance and can handle large volumes of paper. Cross-cutting/shredders are also known as micro-cutting or diamond-cutting. They cut paper horizontally and vertically into approximately 500-800 small geometric shapes, such as diamonds, rectangles and parallelograms. While these machines are more expensive and may require more maintenance, they provide safer shredding and require fewer trips to the trash to dispose of the shredded paper. The smaller the particles produced by the machine, the more security it provides and the slower the shredder will operate.

Other types of shredders include pellet cutters, disintegrators and granulators, hammer shredders, piercing and tearing machines, and grinders. Pellet cutters cut paper into small squares or circles. The disintegrators and granulators randomly cut and re-cut the paper until they become fine powders. Hammer shredders do not cut the paper at all. Instead, they "hammer" the paper through a sieve, producing tiny paper particles. Piercing and tearing shredders do exactly what their name implies; they pierce the paper with a rotating blade and then tear it. Shredders shred paper by grinding it until it is small enough to pass through the screen.

In addition to the different ways that shredders work, they also differ in capacity and quality. There are machines designed for personal use by individuals or small groups handling less than 200 sheets per day, office machines designed for large organizations, production equipment designed for uninterrupted commercial use, and high security models designed for the best information protection. Shredder feed capacities range from one sheet at a time to over 500 sheets at a time. To avoid breakdowns, look for a shredder that can handle about 20% more than you predict you will need.

Shredders also offer different features, such as automatic start/stop. These machines are equipped with sensors that will automatically start shredding when paper is inserted. Another useful feature included in some devices is the provision of a bag or shelf for shredding. This reduces the work involved in handling shredded paper. Although most shredders can handle the occasional overlooked staple or paper clip, efforts should be made to check for these types of foreign objects before shredding. Due to the diversity of quality, capacity and features, there is no single best shredder. The best shredder is the one that makes the most sense based on the user's needs.