HSM Micro Cut Shredders: Reaching P-5 and Above Without Overbuying

HSM specifies cut size in inches rather than security level on many listings, which makes micro cut machines harder to identify than they should be. As a rule: 1/32" x 7/16" is HSM's micro cut, meeting security level P-5, and 1/32" x 3/16" is HSM's super micro cut, meeting P-6. A 1/16" x 5/8" cut is P-4 cross cut, despite sometimes being marketed as fine. If you need P-5 or above, buy on the cut dimension, not on the description.

HSM's naming is precise but not obvious to buyers coming from US brands that lead with the P number. This guide translates the cut sizes and covers what finer cutting costs you.

HSM cut sizes translated

The DIN 66399 standard defines security levels by maximum particle area. HSM's stated cut dimensions map to it as follows:

• 1/16" x 5/8" — cross cut, security level P-4. Standard commercial confidentiality.
• 1/32" x 7/16" — micro cut, security level P-5. Personal data, HR, financial and medical records.
• 1/32" x 3/16" — super micro cut, security level P-6. High security, classified-adjacent material.
• 2 x 2mm — the separate OMDD cutting unit fitted to several SECURIO models for optical and digital media, meeting O-3 and equivalent media levels.

Note the last one carefully. Several HSM SECURIO machines, including P36i and P40i variants, carry a separate 2x2mm OMDD cutting unit alongside their paper cutters. That is a second cutting head for discs and drives, not a finer paper setting.

Which HSM machines reach P-5 and above

SECURIO AF series. The AutoFeed line includes 1/32" x 7/16" micro cut variants, such as the AF350. These accept a stack and work through it unattended, which matters more on micro cut than on any other cut type because throughput is lower per sheet.

SECURIO P series. The P36i and P40i are available in 1/32" x 7/16" micro cut, with options for metal detection and a separate OMDD cutting unit. These are departmental to heavy departmental machines.

SECURIO B series. The B26, B34 and B35 are available in 1/32" x 3/16" super micro cut, several with external automatic oilers. Browse HSM super micro cut shredders.

Powerline series. HSM's industrial line includes 1/16" x 5/8" configurations for continuous high-volume duty. These prioritise throughput over particle fineness.

The full fine-cut range is at HSM micro cut shredders.

Do you need micro cut?

Match the cut to the document, not to the budget.

P-4 cross cut handles general correspondence, drafts, meeting notes, routine invoices and most day-to-day office paper.

P-5 micro cut is appropriate for personally identifiable information, medical records, HR and payroll files, financial statements, customer data and legal client files. This is the level most US organisations specify for regulated records.

P-6 super micro cut is for material where a contract, regulator or agency names it, or where you handle controlled unclassified information. Above this, see NSA/CSS approved models.

Buying above requirement is not free, as the next section explains.

What finer cutting costs you

Sheet capacity drops. The same motor and shaft assembly handles fewer sheets as the cut gets finer. An HSM model rated for a given sheet count in 1/16" x 5/8" will handle noticeably fewer in 1/32" x 7/16", and fewer again in 1/32" x 3/16". Always compare capacity within the same cut dimension.

Oiling frequency roughly doubles. More cutting surface contacts the paper, so the lubricant film degrades faster. Micro cut machines want oil about every half bag. This is why external automatic oilers appear disproportionately on HSM's fine-cut models, and why they are worth specifying. See our HSM shredder oil guide.

Waste behaves differently. Fine particles settle and compact, so bags get heavier than staff expect for the same visual fill. Size shredder bags and bins accordingly.

More dust. Fine cutting generates noticeably more paper dust than cross cut, which matters in small enclosed rooms.

Quick reference

• 1/16" x 5/8" = P-4 cross cut
• 1/32" x 7/16" = P-5 micro cut
• 1/32" x 3/16" = P-6 super micro cut
• 2 x 2mm OMDD = separate media cutting unit, not a paper setting
• Capacity: falls as the cut gets finer, compare like with like
• Oiling: roughly double the cross cut interval
• Worth specifying: automatic oiler on any fine-cut machine

Frequently asked questions

What HSM cut size is micro cut?

1/32" x 7/16" is HSM's micro cut, meeting security level P-5 under DIN 66399. The finer 1/32" x 3/16" is HSM's super micro cut, meeting P-6. A 1/16" x 5/8" cut is cross cut at P-4, even where marketing describes it as fine.

What is the OMDD cutting unit on HSM shredders?

OMDD stands for optical and magnetic data media. Several HSM SECURIO models, including P36i and P40i variants, carry a separate 2x2mm cutting unit specifically for discs, drives and small media. It is a second cutting head alongside the paper cutters, not a finer paper setting.

Which HSM shredders are micro cut?

Micro cut variants exist across the SECURIO AF AutoFeed line, such as the AF350, and the SECURIO P line, including P36i and P40i. Super micro cut at P-6 is available in the SECURIO B line, including the B26, B34 and B35, several with external automatic oilers.

Does a micro cut HSM shredder take fewer sheets?

Yes. The same motor and shaft assembly handles fewer sheets as the cut gets finer, because more cutting work is done per sheet. Compare sheet capacity only within the same cut dimension, never across different cut sizes.

Is P-5 enough for HIPAA?

HIPAA requires protected health information be rendered unreadable and unable to be reconstructed but does not name a particle size. P-5 micro cut comfortably meets that requirement and is the level most commonly specified by US healthcare organisations for paper records.

Specifying the right HSM machine

HSM Machines stocks the full HSM range across every cut size, from SECURIO desktop units to Powerline industrial machines. Browse micro cut and super micro cut shredders, or tell our team the type of records you handle, your daily sheet volume and user count, and we will match a cut size and duty cycle without over-specifying either.