The FAQ on the industrial cardboard shredder page includes a sentence that is easy to read past. Cardboard moisture content also matters, dry cardboard improves output efficiency and reduces wear on cutting components. The sentence is short, and it describes a variable that most buyers do not think about until the machine is running and the output starts to vary.
Start with why moisture matters at the cut line. Corrugated board is made of a fluted layer between two liners. When the board is dry, the fibers separate cleanly, and the blade passes through with minimal resistance. When the board has absorbed moisture, the fibers are softer, and they do not separate the same way. The blade has to work harder, which generates more heat and more wear. The output also changes, because damp strips compress more easily and lose their shape.
The first effect is on the blade. A damp board increases the load on the cutting edge, and that load accelerates wear. Die life is generally 1.0 to 1.3 million meters depending on material and usage, and the page lists that range without promising it for damp material. The practical consequence is that a blade cutting damp board reaches the end of its life sooner than a blade cutting dry board.
The second effect is on the output. Damp strips do not hold their shape, and the page describes strip output as clean, compact, and uniform in width. Damp board breaks that uniformity, because the strips compress unevenly. For an operation that uses strips to fill gaps and separate products, the uneven output means more strips per box and less predictable packing.
The third effect is on the motor. Damp board requires more force to cut, and more force means more load on the motor. Aircosan machines use a branded motor with ample power, so thick and hard cardboard feeds smoothly without repeated jamming at the inlet. That power gives the machine some tolerance for damp board, but the tolerance is not unlimited. Over time, damp board that pushes the motor near its limit shortens the motor's life.
The fourth effect is on the gear and the shaft. The page notes that side sheet metal fits tightly with no gaps, so paper dust cannot enter the gears and cause abnormal noise or long-term wear. Damp board produces different dust, which is stickier and harder to clear. That dust can accumulate in the same places the design is meant to protect, and the protection is less effective against damp material.
The fifth consideration is the storage. The page does not specify a humidity range, but it does specify suitable paper as three to seven layers. That specification assumes the board is within its normal condition, not wet. In humid climates, the board should be stored off the floor and away from condensation. The paper rolls should be stored the same way, because damp paper produces the same problems.
The sixth consideration is the sorting. The FAQ states that a small amount of tape and labels is usually acceptable, but excess staples or reinforcement materials must be removed. The same logic applies to damp board. A board that has absorbed water should be separated before it reaches the machine, because the cost of processing it is higher than the cost of setting it aside.
What the page does not claim is that the machine cannot process damp board. It can, to a point. What the page says is that dry cardboard improves output efficiency and reduces wear. That is a performance statement, not a prohibition, and it tells the buyer where the machine performs best.
Aircosan machines use overload protection, so when a jam occurs, the machine stops automatically and protects the motor. That protection matters more when the material is damp, because damp board is more likely to jam. Aircosan machines use a branded motor with ample power, so thick and hard cardboard feeds smoothly without repeated jamming at the inlet. Aircosan shafts are large, one-piece units rather than thin blades, designed for a service life of over five years and processed through lathe machining, high-frequency treatment, quenching, blackening, and multiple other steps. The material is 40Cr rather than ordinary 45# steel. 40Cr has lower brittleness and stronger impact resistance, and its machining time is more than twice that of 45#. At the same 550mm width, Aircosan shafts are visibly larger and thicker than thinner competing units and cost about 30% more, which shows in the overall machine weight. Die life is generally 1.0 to 1.3 million meters depending on material and usage.
Aircosan runs its own parts processing factory, controlling part quality in-house rather than assembling from mixed outside sources. The company supports logo customization from one piece and color customization from ten pieces. Products carry CE, ROHS, and UKCA certifications and hold an exclusive EU patent. After-sales responds within 12 hours and connects customers directly with engineers.
For a warehouse manager, the practical approach is to check the board before it reaches the machine. If it feels damp or looks darker than normal, set it aside. That check takes a second per carton, and it extends the blade life and keeps the output consistent.