JBF Hard Disk Drive Shredders

In comparison with paper printouts, each HDD – independent from its storage capacity – contains an enormous amount of information. This can be private, business or confidential information. When an HDD is taken out of service, because storage demand exceeds its capacity, because the device it is sitting in is sold or returned to the lease company, or because it is not working any more, the contained data shall or have to be deleted properly to comply with applicable data security regulations. As long as the HDD is still working, this can be done with certified overwriting tools, which is, however, a long winded process and thus - for economic reasons or for maximum security - shredding is the preferred method anyway. For damaged or non-operating HDD ́s degaussing or shredding are the only options for secure data deletion. Both will destroy the HDD, the advantage of shredding over degaussing is the visible proof of the destruction.

Conventional 5 1⁄4” and 3 1⁄2” HDD ́s are massive blocks of various metals. They also contain hardened axles or bearings and rare- earth-magnets, which make shredding even more challenging. For proper shredding, sufficient motor power, carefully adapted knife geometries and specially selected knife qualities are required. JBF offers machines with proven dual shaft technology and low r.p.m. for a smooth shredding process and limitation of spark generation and heat-build-up. Since high peak loads are generated during the shredding process, JBF only uses DirectDrive technology with extra-strong gearboxes and a bolted flange-connection between gearbox and cutting shafts, eliminating chain drives, which cannot withstand these peak loads for longer.

Depending on data contained, different regulations may apply. For private and commercial data DIN 66399 gives advice on required destruction levels, depending on the applicable security level. Governmental institutions, armed forces and central intelligence have specific standards (NATO-SDIP, CPNI, DIPCOG,...). For lower and medium security levels single shredding of the HDD is sufficient, as found in JBF models HD 15/40, HD 18/54, HD 38/50, HD 54/60. Higher security levels require smaller particle sizes, which cannot be generated within a single shredding process. This can be achieved by combining two cutting units, like at the JBF HD 38/50 DUO, or by combining the shredder with a sizing screen, like at JBF HD 38/50 and JBF HD 48/50. Here, a screen underneath the cutting units lets pass small particles through its holes and keeps all larger particles within the cutting unit for further size reduction. The machine can be fitted with different screens and thus be adapted to various or changing security levels within short.

Health & Safety: 

Depending on the shredding material various substances may be set free during the shredding process. Following official guidelines of the German Professional Organisation for electronic scrap recycling, workers shall not eat, drink and smoke in the room, where the shredder is placed and also pregnant workers shall not operate it or work in the room where it is placed. Further provisions are not required in this guideline. JBF suggests to check whether deviating local regulations apply.

Disposal & Recycling: 

HDD ́s mainly exist of steel, aluminium, zinc-die-casting, rare-earth-magnets, and small PCB-boards with their usual components. Other memory media like magnet tapes mainly exist of various plastic materials. Shredding creates numerous particles which consist of solely one material and thus prepares media perfectly for following sorting processes. JBF suggests to check if local regulations for treatment of electronic scrap and media apply.

Batteries: 

It is strongly recommended to remove any batteries from media or electronic devices before shredding. Do not damage or break the batteries and seal the contacts with adhesive tape to avoid a short circuit, all of this might – especially with the popular Lithium-Ion batteries – cause an explosion or combustion of the battery. When a removal is not possible, JBF strongly recommends to survey the collecting bin during shredding and store the shredded material outside of the building and out of harm ́s way of buildings. Based on experience shreds might start burning even hours or days after shredding.

For higher throughput capacities larger and more powerful machines are available, which all operate on three-phase supply with direct connection of the feed line to prepared terminals in the control cabinet of the shredder. (Type JBF HD 48/50 or JBF HD 70/74).

For a fast adaptation to various security requirements (e.g. in shredding services) two shredders can be combined in the HD 38/54 DUO in one machine. Media are always shredded on the primary-shredder to 30 mm wide pieces. A sliding hopper below the primary shredder can be moved by hand within a few seconds and either lets pre-shredded particles drop into the collecting box, or guides them into the secondary shredder for further size reduction. This second shredder can alternatively be operated without or with screens with 30 down to 3 mm hole diameter, so that a huge variety of particles sizes can be produced.

(Type JBF 38/54 DUO).

Further machines and combinations can be made available upon request. Please share your specific requirements with our sales department for technical evaluation and quoting of the most appropriate solution.