Capital Equipment News January-February 2024

to diminished performance or more significant issues. The machine may be running perfectly in some cases, but changing the screen media can prevent screening irregularities and the resulting damage. “Vibration analysis is an excellent tool for getting the most out of your screen media. This technological advancement can substantially improve efficiency,” says Fair. Consider the three phases material goes through within the vibrating screen, from layered to essential to sharp. Producers can customise the screen deck with various types of screen media through each phase by accounting for open area and wear life to maximise productivity. In the layered phase, as the material of all sizes hits the screen deck, the media should handle a deep bed depth, high impact and a mix of coarse and fine particles. The material should stratify in the middle of the deck during the primary phase, and near-size and oversized particles should be at the top of the screened material. Virtually all undersized material should have fallen through the screen media by the time it reaches the sharp phase at the discharge end, where near-size and oversized particles should be in direct contact with the media. A vibrating screen operator should also examine wearability to determine whether media in the three phases is reaching maximum potential. If screen media has to be changed too often, consider switching to something more durable. Next, look at the screening challenges. Examine discarded screen media for signs of problem areas, such as broken wires, wear areas, pegging or blinding. Common screening issues include premature wear due to heavy material and significant abrasive fines. Screening problems can cause carryover or contamination, resulting in unwanted material in the screened pile or the added cost of rescreening. Also, broken screens mean costly unscheduled changeouts. All of these signs indicate there’s likely a better screen media option for at least one phase of screening, if not all three. maintenance costs and downtime due to using the wrong screen media. Suppose a vibrating screen continues to operate while having issues with pegging, blinding, broken screens or screen media with incorrectly sized openings. In that case, the screened pile will likely be contaminated and require rescreening. The most costly problems are unscheduled Screening a solution An operation can see increased

Haver & Boecker Niagara highlights polyurethane, rubber, and perforated steel plates for effective mining and aggregate operations.

Fair advises considering the operation, material composition, and proper installation and maintenance for optimal screen media.

Engineered screen media offers durability, reduced noise, and customisation for unique applications, enhancing service life.

Fair says vibration analysis is essential for real-time issue detection, efficiency improvement, and problem prevention in vibrating screens.

QUICK TAKE

Consider the types of materials going through the vibrating screen. Factors such as material size, weight and abrasiveness all come into play during selection. For example, screening gravel typically requires media with higher wearability to handle the material’s abrasiveness.

Steve Fair is the Tyler-engineered media manager at Haver & Boecker Niagara.

TALKING POINT

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