Hongda, a Jiangsu-based equipment manufacturer, produces the YK Series swing granulator — also known as an oscillating granulator — in stainless-steel construction for GMP-regulated industries. Below, we cover everything a procurement manager needs before requesting a quotation, from working principle and technical specifications to pricing factors and supplier selection tips.
What Is a Swing Granulator?
A swing granulator is mechanical granulation equipment that presses wet or lumpy powder through a mesh screen using a rotating, oscillating roller. The forward-and-reverse swinging action breaks down agglomerates and reshapes them into consistent granules of a set particle size.
This machine is known under several names depending on the region and industry, including:
• Oscillating granulator
• Swing pelletizer
• Wet mixer granulator
• Rotating granulator
• Oscillating granulating machine
Regardless of the name, the working concept stays the same: powder in, uniform granules out, with minimal fines and consistent flowability.
How Does a Swing Granulator Work?
The swing granulator working principle is mechanically simple, which is part of why it remains popular for batch production. A motor drives the roller shaft to rotate and oscillate back and forth inside a semi-circular screen housing.Step-by-step process:
• Damp or agglomerated powder is fed into the hopper
• The oscillating roller rotates forward and reverse against the mesh screen
• Rolling and squeezing force extrudes the material through the screen
• Wet granules exit through the discharge outlet
• Granules are collected for drying or further processing
Because the roller moves in both directions, wear is distributed evenly across the screen, which extends screen life and keeps granule size more consistent across a production run.
Swing Granulator vs Oscillating Granulator: Are They the Same Machine?
Yes. Swing granulator and oscillating granulator refer to the same equipment. The naming difference mainly comes from regional preference — "swing granulator" is more common among Asian and Middle Eastern buyers, while "oscillating granulator" appears more frequently in European and North American pharmaceutical documentation.Other common names you may see in RFQs or technical datasheets include swing oscillating granulator, wet powder granulator, and swing pelletizer. When you search for suppliers or write your own RFQ, using more than one term helps you compare quotations from manufacturers who may list the same machine under a different label.
Key Features of Hongda's Swing Granulator
Hongda's YK Series swing granulator is built for both laboratory testing and industrial-scale batch production. Key characteristics include:• Dual-function design – handles wet extrusion granulation and dry material crushing/de-agglomeration
• Uniform granule output – stable reciprocating motion keeps particle size consistent batch after batch
• Broad material compatibility – suitable for pharmaceutical powders, herbal extracts, food additives, feed granules, and chemical powders
• Sanitary, GMP-compliant build – full stainless-steel contact parts with no dead corners for easy cleaning
• Simple, low-maintenance operation – compact footprint, low noise, and straightforward daily upkeep
These features make the machine practical for buyers who need one unit to cover both R&D-scale trials and production runs.
Swing Granulator Technical Specifications & Models
Hongda offers five YK Series models to match different production capacities, from small lab trials to full industrial output.| Model | Capacity | Granule Size | Motor Power | Drum Speed | Drum Diameter | Overall Dimension | Weight |
| YK-60 | 5–30 kg/h | 0.8–5 mm | 0.37 kW | 48 r/min | Ø60 mm | 530×450×580 mm | 70 kg |
| YK-160 | 200–300 kg/h | 0.8–5 mm | 3 kW | 55 r/min | Ø160 mm | 1000×800×1300 mm | 380 kg |
| YK-250 | 200–500 kg/h | 0.8–5 mm | 5.5 kW | 38 r/min | Ø250 mm | 1050×890×1320 mm | 550 kg |
| YK-320 | 400–700 kg/h | 0.8–5 mm | 11 kW | 35 r/min | Ø320 mm | 1600×800×1520 mm | 1080 kg |
| YK2-160 | 300–500 kg/h | 0.8–5 mm | 5.5 kW | 55 r/min | Ø160×2 mm | 1000×800×1300 mm | 420 kg |
Applications: Pharmaceutical, Food & Chemical Granulation
The swing granulator is used across several industries where consistent particle size affects downstream processing quality.Pharmaceutical:
• Granulating APIs and excipients before tablet compression
• Preparing granules for capsule filling
Food & Nutraceutical:
• Food additives and flavoring powders
• Instant beverage and nutritional powder granulation
Chemical & Feed:
• Chemical powder granulation for handling and dosing
• Feed pellet pre-processing
Because the machine handles both wet extrusion and dry crushing, one unit can often support multiple product lines within the same facility. This flexibility is particularly useful for contract manufacturers and OEM buyers who process different formulations on the same equipment throughout the year.
Wet Granulation vs Dry Granulation with a Swing Granulator
Buyers new to granulation equipment sometimes ask whether a swing granulator is a wet or dry granulation machine. The answer is both, with wet granulation as the primary function.| Factor | Wet Granulation Mode | Dry Crushing Mode |
| Material condition | Damp powder mixture | Caked or agglomerated dry powder |
| Purpose | Form uniform wet granules | Break down lumps, reshape particles |
| Typical follow-up step | Drying, then compression or packing | Screening or direct packing |
| Common industries | Pharma, food | Chemical, feed |
GMP Compliance & Stainless-Steel Construction
For pharmaceutical and food buyers, material contact surfaces matter as much as mechanical performance. Hongda's swing granulator is built with stainless-steel contact parts and a smooth-surface housing designed to avoid dead corners where residue can collect.
This construction supports:
• Easier cleaning and validation between batches
• Reduced risk of cross-contamination
• Compliance with GMP production standards common in pharmaceutical and food-grade manufacturing
Buyers who need to verify compliance documentation before placing an order can review Hongda's Certificate page for available quality certifications.
Swing Granulator Screen Mesh Sizes & Granule Size Control
Granule size on a swing granulator is controlled primarily by the mesh screen fitted inside the machine. The YK Series produces granules in the 0.8–5 mm range as standard, and mesh screens can be swapped to adjust particle size for different formulations.Practical buyer tips:
• Confirm the mesh size range needed for your formulation before ordering
• Request spare screens if your product line changes frequently
• Ask about screen material (stainless steel is standard for GMP applications)
If your process also requires post-granulation size classification, a Screening Machine can be added downstream to separate oversize and undersize particles.
Why Choose Hongda as Your Swing Granulator Manufacturer
Hongda manufactures powder processing equipment, including crushing, mixing, granulating, and drying machines, from its facility in Jiangsu, China. For international buyers evaluating suppliers, a few practical factors matter most:• Direct factory pricing without middleman markups
• Multiple model options covering lab-scale to industrial-scale capacity
• Stainless-steel, GMP-oriented build suited for regulated industries
• Experience supporting export orders, including documentation and shipping coordination
Buyers can review the company background on the About Us page before submitting a technical inquiry. When comparing suppliers, it also helps to ask for reference specifications, request photos or video of the actual machine before shipment, and clarify after-sales support for spare parts such as mesh screens and drive components.
Swing Granulator Price: What Affects the Cost?
Swing granulator price varies significantly based on model, capacity, and configuration. The main cost factors include:• Drum diameter and motor power – larger models (YK-320) cost more than lab-scale units (YK-60)
• Single vs dual-roller configuration – the YK2-160 dual-roller model costs more than a single-roller unit of similar throughput
• Material grade – higher-grade stainless steel for pharmaceutical use may add cost
• Customization – special mesh sizes, automation upgrades, or non-standard dimensions
• Order quantity and shipping terms – FOB, CIF, or other Incoterms affect landed cost
Because pricing depends on your exact production requirement, it is best to request a quotation based on your target capacity and material type rather than relying on a general price range.
Installation, Operation & Maintenance Guide
Proper installation and routine maintenance keep a swing granulator running reliably over years of use.Installation basics:
• Place the machine on a level, stable foundation
• Confirm power supply matches motor specifications
• Allow adequate clearance for feeding and discharge access
Operation tips:
• Feed material at a steady, controlled rate to avoid screen overload
• Monitor granule output for consistency during startup
Maintenance checklist:
• Inspect the mesh screen for wear and replace as needed
• Clean contact surfaces after each production run
• Lubricate moving parts per the equipment manual
• Check motor and drive components periodically
Following these steps helps maintain granule quality and reduces unplanned downtime.
Customization Options for Your Production Line
Every production line has different requirements, so Hongda offers customization on the standard YK Series swing granulator, including:• Custom mesh screen sizes for specific granule dimensions
• Single or double-roller configuration based on capacity needs
• Adjusted drum diameter and motor power for non-standard throughput
• Integration with upstream mixers or downstream drying equipment, such as an Industrial Drying Machine
Buyers planning a full granulation line, from mixing through drying, can request a combined equipment proposal rather than sourcing each machine separately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swing Granulators
1. What is a swing granulator used for?A swing granulator converts damp powder mixtures into uniform granules, and can also crush caked dry materials. It is common in pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and feed production.
2. Is a swing granulator the same as an oscillating granulator?
Yes, these terms describe the same equipment. Naming differences depend on regional terminology rather than mechanical design.
3. What granule sizes can the YK Series produce?
The standard mesh screens produce granules in the 0.8–5 mm range. Custom mesh sizes are available on request.
4. Can this machine handle dry granulation?
The YK Series primarily performs wet granulation and dry crushing/de-agglomeration. For pure dry compaction granulation, a dedicated dry granulator is more suitable.
5. What materials come into contact with the powder?
Contact parts are stainless steel, which supports GMP-compliant, sanitary production and easier cleaning between batches.
6. How do I choose the right model for my production capacity?
Match your required output (kg/h) against the technical specifications table. For higher throughput needs, the YK-320 or dual-roller YK2-160 are typically recommended; contact the factory for guidance based on your material and target capacity.
Get a Free Swing Granulator Quote Today
Choosing the right swing granulator depends on your material characteristics, target granule size, and production capacity. Whether you need a lab-scale unit for product development or an industrial-scale line for full production, Hongda's YK Series offers a stainless-steel, GMP-oriented solution built for pharmaceutical, food, and chemical manufacturers.If you are ready to move forward, contact Hongda with your material type, target capacity, and any customization needs. The team can provide technical specifications, pricing, and support for samples or further questions before you place an order.