Polymer pelletizing indexing system

An underwater pelletizing apparatus comprising:

• a die having a surface and at least two apertures through the surface;
• a drive shaft operably connected to a drive motor;
• at least one blade attached to the drive shaft;
• an advancing device operably connected to the drive shaft operating to advance the drive shaft and the blades by one or more predetermined distances toward the die surface to place the rotating blades in contact with the surface of the die;
• a programmable controller connected to the advancing device, wherein the programmable controller monitors the expiration of one or more predetermined time periods and activates the advancing device to advance the drive shaft and the blades by at least one of the predetermined distances toward the die surface after expiration of at least one of the predetermined time periods;
• and wherein the programmable controller provides for activation of an alert when the blades have been advanced a predetermined total distance, the alert signifying the need to change the blades.

A method of indexing knives against a die face in an underwater polymer pelletizing system, wherein the knives rotate with respect to a die and have a predetermined useful life comprising:

• positioning the rotating knives at a first position;
• advancing the knives in the direction of the die to a second position;
• stopping the advancement of the knives;
• maintaining the knives at the second position for a predetermined time period;
• advancing the knives in the direction of the die to a third position;
• and stopping the advancement of the knives;
• and
• providing an alert when the knives have been advanced a predetermined total distance, the alert reflecting the need to change the knives.