Resin pelletizer apparatuses, and related abnormality determination methods

Technical Field

0001The present invention relates to a technique of shaping a resin into a pellet form.

Background Art

0002A resin pelletizer apparatus is an apparatus such that, with use of rotary blades that rotate at a high speed on a die surface having die holes formed therein, a molten resin having a strand shape (string shape) extruded from the die holes into water is cut, whereby the resin is shaped into a pellet form.

0003In the resin pelletizer apparatus, poor cutting of the molten resin may occur. The poor cutting refers to a phenomenon in which, for example, a pellet having a whisker-shaped portion is generated, or a plurality of pellets connected in a chain form are generated.

0004In order to prevent poor cutting, the following technique, for example, is proposed. <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="JP2010201864A"><text>JP 2010 201864 A</text></patcit> discloses a resin granulator having a housing formed in a deformed cross-sectional shape in which rigidity in an axially perpendicular direction is mutually different in orthogonal two directions to restrain abnormal vibration of a cutter shaft.

0005<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="JP2001038676A"><text>JP 2001 38676 A</text></patcit> discloses a poor cutting detection method including a step of measuring the position of a cutter knife by allowing the cutter knife to abut against the die surface at each timing of standard position setting and setting the measured position as a standard position, a step of measuring the position of the cutter knife while rotating the cutter knife to cut the molten resin and setting the measured position as a current position, and a step of notifying a user of the occurrence of poor cutting with an alarm when a difference between the current position and the standard position becomes larger than a predetermined set value of clearance.

0006<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="JP2009006576A"><text>JP 2009 6576 A</text></patcit> discloses a method of detecting a molten resin pressure in the inside of the die to change a bias value and controlling the pressing force of a cutter driving shaft. According to this method, an optimal cutting operation can be obtained in accordance with the change in the molten resin pressure.

0007<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US5330340A"><text>US 5 330 340 A</text></patcit> discloses a resin pelletizer apparatus as specified in the preamble of present claims 1 and 3, and an abnormality determination method as specified in the preamble of present claims 5 and 7.

0008<patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US5566092A"><text>US 5 566 092 A</text></patcit> discloses on-line, real time monitoring of mechanical components for possible failures. For this purpose, a model for a normal machine condition is established, new data for an abnormal machine condition is collected, the new data is fitted to the normal model, normalization is utilized to create an average data file for each specific machine type, an exponentially weighted moving average statistic is calculated as an indicator of the overall machine condition, and the statistic is compared with an upper control limit to determine if the machine is in a state of control or if it is out-of-control.

0009For sake of information only, reference is also made to subsequently published and non-colliding document <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US20170259484A1"><text>US 2017/0259484 A1</text></patcit>, which discloses a resin pelletizer including a die with a die surface in which die holes are formed, rotary blades that rotate on the die surface in water, thereby cutting resin extruded from the die holes into a pellet form, a sensor that detects an elastic wave generated during the rotation of the rotary blades on the die surface, and a determination unit that monitors an output value of the sensor, and determines that cavitation occurs when the output value of the sensor becomes less than a predetermined threshold.

Summary of Invention

0010The object of the present invention is to provide resin pelletizer apparatuses and related methods that determine that an abnormality giving rise to a cause of poor cutting has occurred.

0011Resin pelletizer apparatuses according to the present invention are claimed in independent apparatus claims 1 and 3, and related methods according to the present invention are claimed in independent method claims 5 and 7; preferred embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims, respectively.

0012The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the attached drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

0013<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a resin pelletizer apparatus according to the present embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a sectional view of a resin pelletizer apparatus main body.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is a plan view when <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is viewed in the direction of IIIa-IIIb.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a plan view when <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is viewed in the direction of IVa-IVb.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> is a plan view when <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is viewed in the direction of Va-Vb.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the force at which rotary blades are pressed onto a die surface and the output value of a sensor.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 7</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the elapsed time and the output value of a sensor when the die is gradually tilted.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 8</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the rotation number and the output value of a sensor.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIG. 9</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the elapsed time and the output value of a sensor when the contact surface pressure is too large.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the elapsed time and the output value of a sensor when abrasion is in progress.</li><li><figref idref="f0011">FIG. 11</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the elapsed time and the output value of a sensor when the rotation shaft is tilted.</li><li><figref idref="f0012">FIG. 12</figref> is a graph showing a relationship between the elapsed time and the output value of a sensor when a cavitation has occurred.</li><li><figref idref="f0013">FIG. 13</figref> is a flowchart describing a process of discriminating and determining four types of abnormality in a resin pelletizer apparatus according to the present embodiment.</li></ul>

Description of Embodiments

0014Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings, constituent elements denoted with the same reference sign are the same, and the description thereof with respect to the already described contents will be omitted. In the present specification, when constituent elements are comprehensively referred to, the elements will be denoted with reference signs without including suffixes, whereas when the constituent elements are individually referred to, the elements will be denoted with reference signs with suffixes. <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a resin pelletizer apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The resin pelletizer apparatus 100 is provided with a resin pelletizer apparatus main body 110, a control unit 120, an operation panel 130, a notification unit 140, and two sensors 150.

0015First, the resin pelletizer apparatus main body 110 will be described. <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a sectional view of the resin pelletizer apparatus main body 110. <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is a plan view when <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is viewed in the direction of IIIa-IIIb. <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a plan view when <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is viewed in the direction of IVa-IVb. <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> is a plan view when <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is viewed in the direction of Va-Vb.

0016Referring to <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>, the resin pelletizer apparatus main body 110 is provided with a chamber 1, a rotation head 2, a rotation shaft 3, a shaft bearing 4, a motor 5, and a die 6. The rotation head 2 is disposed in an inside 11 of the chamber 1. The rotation head 2 is fixed to one end of the rotation shaft 3. A through-hole is formed in a wall surface 13 of the chamber 1 that intersects with the rotation shaft 3, and the shaft bearing 4 is inserted and fitted into the through-hole. The shaft bearing 4 supports the rotation shaft 3. The other end of the rotation shaft 3 extends to an outside of the chamber 1 and is connected to the motor 5. When the motor 5 rotates, the rotation shaft 3 rotates, whereby the rotation head 2 is rotated.

0017With reference to <figref idref="f0002">FIGS. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">3</figref>, the rotation head 2 includes four rotary blades 21 and a fixation unit 23 to which each rotary blade 21 is fixed. The fixation unit 23 has a circular cone frustum shape, and the rotation shaft 3 is fixed to one end surface of the fixation unit 23. The four rotary blades 21 are arranged at an interval of 90 degrees on the other end surface of the fixation unit 23 (bottom surface 231 of the circular cone frustum). Description will be given on an example in which the number of the rotary blades 21 is four; however, the number of the rotary blades 21 is not limited to four.

0018Each rotary blade 21 has a generally rectangular shape, and the longitudinal direction of the rotary blade 21 is directed in the radial direction of the other end surface of the fixation unit 23 (bottom surface 231 of the circular cone frustum). One end 211 of the rotary blade 21 is fixed to an edge of the other end surface of the fixation unit 23 (bottom surface 231 of the circular cone frustum), and the rotary blade 21 rotates on the outside of the other end surface of the fixation unit 23 (bottom surface 231 of the circular cone frustum).

0019A through-hole is formed in a wall surface 15 of the chamber 1 that opposes the other end surface of the fixation unit 23 (bottom surface 231 of the circular cone frustum). This through-hole is occupied by the die 6.

0020With reference to <figref idref="f0002">FIGS. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref>, the die 6 has a die surface 61 that is disposed in an inside 11 of the chamber 1. The die surface 61 has a circular disk shape and has a plurality of die holes 63 formed therein at an equal interval in a ring shape. The die holes 63 penetrate through the die 6. With reference to <figref idref="f0002">FIGS. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">5</figref>, the die holes 63 are opened to a passageway where the rotary blades 21 rotate, and a molten resin extruded from an extruder (not illustrated in the drawings) passes through the die holes 63 to be extruded from the die holes 63 and is cut by the rotary blades 21 on the die surface 61. This allows the molten resin to be shaped into a pellet form.

0021With reference to <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>, while the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 is in operation, the inside 11 of the chamber 1 is filled with water, so that the rotation head 2, the die surface 61, and the die holes 63 are in water. The pellets are cooled by the water in the inside 11 of the chamber 1. At a lower part of the chamber 1, a through-hole constituting a flow inlet 10 is formed in a wall surface 17 of the chamber 1. At an upper part of the chamber 1, a through-hole constituting a flow outlet 12 is formed in a wall surface 19 of the chamber 1. Water is sent through the flow inlet 10 into the inside 11 of the chamber 1, and the inside 11 is filled with water. The water in the inside 11 is guided through the flow outlet 12 to the outside of the chamber 1 so as to be sent again through the flow inlet 10 into the inside 11 of the chamber 1.

0022While the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 is in operation, in a state in which the inside 11 of the chamber 1 is filled with water, a driving force from the motor 5 is transmitted to the rotation head 2 via the rotation shaft 3, so as to rotate the rotation head 2 at a high speed. This allows the rotary blades 21 to rotate at a high speed on the die surface 61. The molten resin extruded from the extruder (not illustrated in the drawings) passes through the die holes 63 to be extruded from the die holes 63 and is cut by the rotary blades 21 to be shaped into pellets.

0023With reference to <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>, the control unit 120 will be described. The control unit 120 controls the resin pelletizer apparatus main body 110. The control unit 120 is a computer realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and others. The control unit 120 includes a determination unit 121 as a functional block. This functional block will be described later.

0024The operation panel 130 is a device by which an input for operation of the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 is made. This input includes a command for start of the operation of the resin pelletizer apparatus 100, a command for stoppage of the operation, and the like.

0025The notification unit 140 notifies a user of the occurrence of abnormality with an alarm when it is determined by the determination unit 121 that an abnormality has occurred during the operation of the resin pelletizer apparatus 100. The notification unit 140 is realized by a display, a speaker, an alarming lamp, or the like. When the notification unit 140 is a display, an image showing that the abnormality has occurred is displayed. When the notification unit 140 is a speaker, a sound telling that the abnormality has occurred is output. When the notification unit 140 is an alarming lamp, the alarming lamp is lit.

0026With reference to <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, two sensors 150-1, 150-2 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other on a side surface of the die 6. When viewed from the die surface 61, the sensor 150-2 is located at a position rotated by about 180 degrees from the position of the sensor 150-1. While the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 is in operation, the rotary blades 21 rotate at a high speed on the die surface 61 in a state in which the rotary blades 21 are in contact with the die surface 61, so that elastic waves are generated. The sensor 150 detects the elastic waves.

0027When supersonic waves generated by the rotary blades 21 during the rotation on the die surface 61 are detected as the elastic waves, an AE (Acoustic Emission) sensor is used. When a vibration generated by the rotary blades 21 during the rotation on the die surface 61 is detected as the elastic waves, a vibration sensor is used. In the present embodiment, description will be giving by raising an AE sensor as an example of the sensor 150. An output value of the sensor 150 is an intensity of the signals that are output from the sensor 150 and indicates the magnitude of the supersonic waves generated by the rotary blades 21 during the rotation on the die surface 61. The output value of the sensor 150 is preferably a root mean square (RMS (root mean square) value) of the signals that are output from the sensor 150.

0028As described above, the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 cuts the molten resin in water by rotating the rotary blades 21 at a high speed on the die surface 61 in a state in which the rotary blades 21 are in contact with the die surface 61. Poor cutting occurs in the following four cases. <ol id="ol0001" compact="compact" ol-style=""><li>(1) The contact surface pressure between the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 is too large.</li><li>(2) The rotation shaft 3 is tilted.</li><li>(3) Abrasion of the rotary blades 21 or the die surface 61 is in progress.</li><li>(4) Cavitation has occurred.</li></ol>

0029The contact surface pressure is a pressure by which the rotary blades 21 are pressed onto the die surface 61. The case (2) is, in other words, a state in which the rotation shaft 3 is not perpendicular to the die surface 61. The cavitation is a physical phenomenon in which generation and disappearance of bubbles occur in a short period of time due to the pressure difference in the flow of liquid.

0030By conducting the following experiments 1 to 3, the present inventors have found out that the above four types of abnormality can be determined on the basis of the output value of the sensor 150.

0031The experiment 1 will be described. The present inventors conducted an experiment of measuring the output value of the sensor 150 while changing the pressure by which the rotary blades 21 are pressed onto the die surface 61 (This pressure may also be referred to as "pressing force"). <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 6</figref> is a graph in which the experiment results are plotted. The lateral axis of the graph represents the pressing force, and the longitudinal axis represents the output value of the sensor 150. An experiment result of one of the two sensors 150 is plotted, and plotting of the experiment result of the other one is omitted. The straight line L is a regression line of the experiment result.

0032When the pressing force increases, the output value of the sensor 150 increases, whereas when the pressing force decreases, the output value of the sensor 150 decreases. From this, it will be understood that the output value of the sensor 150 is correlated to the pressing force (contact surface pressure between the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61), and that the case in which the contact surface pressure is too large can be determined on the basis of the output value of the sensor 150.

0033When the contact surface pressure is too small, a clearance (gap) is generated between the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61, whereby poor cutting occurs. When abrasion of at least one of the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 proceeds, the contact surface pressure between these decreases. Accordingly, it will be understood that the determination of the progress of abrasion can be made on the basis of the output value of the sensor 150.

0034The experiment 2 will be described. The present inventors conducted an experiment of measuring the output value of the sensor 150 while changing the inclination of the die 6. <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 7</figref> is a graph showing an output waveform W1 of the sensor 150-1 and an output waveform W2 of the sensor 150-2 in this experiment. The lateral axis of the graph represents the elapsed time, and the longitudinal axis represents the output value of the sensor 150. The elapsed time is a period of time that has elapsed from the start of measurement of the output value.

0035The inclination of the die 6 is regarded as the inclination of the rotation shaft 3. Among a plurality of bolts that fix the die 6, the bolt located at a position close to the sensor 150-1 was loosened a little at the time point t1, further loosened a little at the time point t2, further loosened a little at the time point t3, and further loosened a little at the time point t4. This realizes a state in which the die 6 gradually becomes tilted. It has been found out that, when the die 6 is tilted (when the rotation shaft 3 is tilted), the output value of the sensor 150-1 (sensor 150 located at a position close to the loosened bolt) gradually decreases, whereas the output value of the sensor 150-2 (sensor 150 located at a position away from the loosened bolt) gradually increases. Accordingly, it will be understood that the determination of the case in which the rotation shaft 3 is tilted can be made on the basis of the output values of the sensors 150.

0036The experiment 3 will be described. The present inventors conducted an experiment of measuring the output value of the sensor 150 while raising the rotation number of the rotation shaft 3. <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 8</figref> is a graph in which the experiment results are plotted. The lateral axis of the graph represents the rotation number of the rotation shaft 3, and the longitudinal axis represents the output value of the sensor 150. An experiment result of one of the two sensors 150 is plotted, and plotting of the experiment result of the other one is omitted. When the rotation number of the rotation shaft 3 increases, the output value of the sensor 150 increases; however, a cavitation occurred when the rotation number of the rotation shaft 3 exceeded a predetermined value n. It has been found out that the output value of the sensor 150 fluctuates up and down when the rotation number of the rotation shaft 3 exceeds the predetermined value n.

0037From the above, the aforementioned four types of abnormality can be discriminated by monitoring the output values of the two sensors 150. <figref idref="f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012">FIGS. 9 to 12</figref> are graphs for describing the discrimination of the four types of abnormality. In these graphs, the lateral axis represents the elapsed time, and the longitudinal axis represents the output value of the sensor 150. In the graphs, the output waveform W1 of the sensor 150-1 and the output waveform W2 of the sensor 150-2 are shown.

0038A range R of the output value of the sensor 150 is defined in advance. Within the range R, none of the four types of abnormality occurs. An upper limit of the range R is defined as an upper limit value UV, and a lower limit of the range R is defined as a lower limit value LV. In <figref idref="f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012">FIGS. 9 to 12</figref>, the range R assumes the same value; the upper limit value UV is the same value; and the lower limit value LV is the same value.

0039With reference to <figref idref="f0009">FIG. 9</figref>, when the output value of the sensor 150-1 and the output value of the sensor 150-2 are above the upper limit value UV at the same timing, this means the case in which the contact surface pressure between the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 is too large.

0040With reference to <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref>, when the output value of the sensor 150-1 and the output value of the sensor 150-2 are below the lower limit value LV at the same timing, this means the case in which abrasion of at least one of the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 has progressed.

0041With reference to <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 11</figref>, when the output value of one of the two sensors 150 is above the upper limit value UV and the output value of the other one of the two sensors 150 is below the lower limit value LV both at the same timing, this means that the rotation shaft 3 is tilted.

0042With reference to <figref idref="f0012">FIG. 12</figref>, when both of a case in which the output value of the sensor 150-1 is above the upper limit value UV and a case in which the output value of the sensor 150-1 is below the lower limit value LV have occurred within a predetermined period of time and when both of a case in which the output of the sensor 150-2 is above the upper limit value UV and a case in which the output of the sensor 150-2 is below the lower limit value LV have occurred within the above predetermined period of time, this means that cavitation has occurred.

0043<figref idref="f0013">FIG. 13</figref> is a flowchart describing a process of discriminating and determining the four types of abnormality in the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. With reference to <figref idref="f0001">FIGS. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0013">13</figref>, during the operation of the resin pelletizer apparatus 100, the determination unit 121 monitors the output values of the two sensors 150 (step S1).

0044The determination unit 121 determines whether or not it is established that the output values of the two sensors 150 are above the upper limit value UV at the same timing (step S2). When the determination unit 121 determines that this is established (Yes in step S2), the determination unit 121 determines that the contact surface pressure between the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 is too large (step S3). This allows the notification unit 140 to notify that the contact surface pressure is too large (step S4). After the step S4, the determination unit 121 performs the processes of the step S1 and monitors the output values of the two sensors 150.

0045When the determination unit 121 determines that it is not established that the output values of the two sensors 150 are above the upper limit value UV at the same timing (No in step S2), the determination unit 121 determines whether or not it is established that both of a case in which the output value of one of the sensors 150 is above the upper limit value UV and a case in which the output value of the other one of the sensors 150 is below the lower limit value LV have occurred at the same timing (step S5). When the determination unit 121 determines that this is established (Yes in step S5), the determination unit 121 determines that the rotation shaft 3 is tilted (step S6). This allows the notification unit 140 to notify that the rotation shaft 3 is tilted (step S4).

0046When the determination unit 121 determines that it is not established that both of a case in which the output value of one of the sensors 150 is above the upper limit value UV and a case in which the output value of the other one of the sensors 150 is below the lower limit value LV have occurred at the same timing (No in step S5), the determination unit 121 determines whether or not it is established that the output values of the two sensors 150 are below the lower limit value LV at the same timing (step S7). When the determination unit 121 determines that this is established (Yes in step S7), the determination unit 121 determines that abrasion of at least one of the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 is in progress (step S8). This allows the notification unit 140 to notify that the abrasion of at least one of the rotary blades 21 and the die surface 61 is in progress (step S4).

0047When the determination unit 121 determines that it is not established that the output values of the two sensors 150 are below the lower limit value LV at the same timing (No in step S7), the determination unit 121 determines whether or not it is established that both of a case in which the output values of the two sensors 150 are above the upper limit value UV and a case in which the output values of the two sensors 150 are below the lower limit value LV have occurred within a predetermined period of time (step S9). When the determination unit 121 determines that this is established (Yes in step S9), the determination unit 121 determines that a cavitation has occurred (step S10). This allows the notification unit 140 to notify that the cavitation has occurred (step S4).

0048When the determination unit 121 determines that it is not established that both of a case in which the output values of the two sensors 150 are above the upper limit value UV and a case in which the output values of the two sensors 150 are below the lower limit value LV have occurred within a predetermined period of time (No in step S9), the determination unit 121 determines that the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 is in normal operation and returns to the process of the step S1.

0049In the present embodiment, even when the determination unit 121 determines an abnormality (steps S3, S6, S8, and S10), the control unit 120 does not stop the operation of the resin pelletizer apparatus 100, but the notification unit 140 notifies the user of the abnormality (step S4), and the determination unit 121 continues monitoring the output values of the two sensors 150 (step S1). However, the present invention is not limited to this alone, so that, when the determination unit 121 determines an abnormality (steps S3, S6, S8, and S10), the control unit 120 may stop the operation of the resin pelletizer apparatus 100, and the notification unit 140 may notify the user of the abnormality (step S4).

0050The countermeasures for eliminating the abnormality differ in accordance with the above-described four types of abnormality. Therefore, it is important to differentiate the four types of abnormality. As described above, according to the resin pelletizer apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to discriminate and determine the four types of abnormality.

0051In the present embodiment, four types of abnormality are discriminated and determined; however, among the four types of abnormality, it is possible to adopt a mode in which three types of abnormality are discriminated and determined, a mode in which two types of abnormality are discriminated and determined, or a mode in which only one type of abnormality is determined. For example, the determination unit 121 does not determine the occurrence of cavitation but discriminates and determines the other three types of abnormality. For example, the determination unit 121 does not determine the occurrence of cavitation or the progress of abrasion but discriminates and determines the other two types of abnormality. For example, the determination unit 121 determines only the occurrence of cavitation.

0052In the present embodiment, description has been given by raising two sensors 150 as an example of the plurality of sensors 150; however, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the abnormality is determined by using three or more sensors 150. In the mode in which three or more sensors 150 are used, the phrase "two sensors 150" is replaced with the phrase "three or more sensors 150".

0053For determination of whether or not the rotation shaft 3 is tilted (step S5), two sensors 150 are needed (<figref idref="f0011">FIG. 11</figref>); however, the other types of abnormality can be determined with use of one sensor 150. Accordingly, in a mode in which the determination of whether or not the rotation shaft 3 is tilted is not made, the determination unit 121 determines the abnormality with use of the output value of one sensor 150.

Industrial Applicability

0054The present invention provides resin pelletizer apparatuses and relates methods for determining that an abnormality giving rise to a cause of poor cutting has occurred.