Hi Frank - Thanks for the detailed comments. This is a very interesting reply. This was a project done over many years with multiple students participating so it was evolutionary - but the current design is shown right with the cut pipe. Based on what we have run through the granulator, the plastic sometimes shoots all the way back up the PVC pipe and that you are right and having a more complete pipe could provide us with better results and would simplify the manufacturing process. If we kept the pipe together and only cut out a small section for material to feed into the granulation screen, it could improve the accessibility of making the granulator as well since heat treatment of the pipe would no longer be needed. I'm not sure how we would handle the granulation screen given that our current design is using a 3D-printed screen in poly carbonate. Looking at the paper, I don't think we talked much about the 3D printed granulation screen in enough detail -- so the comment saying "cut materials being sheared by the perforations in the screen I would surmise the material the screen is made of should be hardened" is incorrect, but that may be where we are losing some of our efficiency as well. Most of the cutting occurs at the fixed blade location and not at the granulation screen.

Overall, I want to thank you again as I think the comments could be used to improve the design and possibly improve the machine's capabilities.