MechChem Africa August 2017

⎪ Materials handling ⎪

Collaboration benefits vibratory screen machine operators A collaborative relationship between OEMs, panel suppliers and their shared customers on mines is advised by Kwatani’s CEO, Kenny Mayhew-Ridgers, so that end-users get what they are looking for: screening operations that run optimally.

C hanging the type and specifications of screen panels on a vibratory screen is a common strategy to ac- commodate changing material or conditions, but it should ideally be done in consultationwiththeoriginalequipmentman- ufacturer (OEM) of the screening machine. This is according toDerrickAlston, execu- tive director of leading screen OEMKwatani (previously known as Joest), who says that panel specifications need to be carefully in- tegrated with the structural and mechanical features of the screening machine. “All vibratory screens are designed for a certain weight and performance of screen panel,” continues Alston. “When panel types are changed without careful consideration, there is a danger that the machine could be run inamanner forwhich itwas not intended.” Kwatani’s chief operating officer, Kenny Mayhew-Ridgers, reports that the company’s service engineers sometimes find that the panels replacing the originals aremuchheavi- er, changing the dynamics of the machine. “This can undermine performance in the long run, and lead tomoremaintenance stop- pages,” says Mayhew-Ridgers. “It may also reduce the life of the machine, or raise the cost of refurbishing it. The damage caused can even extend beyond the machine, to the building inwhich it is housed, if not identified and rectified quickly.” Alston points out that these kinds of is- sues are often blamed on the OEM, although the source of the problem is not always clear at first. “Themineusuallycalls theOEMtoaskwhy the machine is underperforming, while the root cause may not, in fact, be the machine design,” he says. “It is, of course, part of the process engineer’s job to look for better ef- ficiencies in the plant, so they may want to try different panels to improve performance. Just keep us in the loop, we ask – and we can help save any unnecessary expenditure due to unintended effects.” Mayhew-Ridgers emphasises the value and knowledge that panel suppliers usually bring to the screening process. “A great deal of research and development is carried out by the larger panel suppliers, and this makes for better efficiencies and productivity at mine level,” he says. “We therefore encour-

age a collaborative relationship between OEMs, panel suppliers and our shared customers on the mines.” By working together, he says, OEMs and suppliers can ensure that the end-users get what they are looking for, so that mines’ screening operations run optimally. “In fact, the collaboration can of- ten be facilitated by the mine, which can emphasise that each player needs to focus not only on supplying their own products and services, but also on the broader demands of the mine’s process operations,” he says. “The customer can arrange regular

Kwatani’s in-house design and engineering expertise gives it unique insight into the technical issues of aligning the right panels with its fit-for-purpose screens. panel provider, so it makes sense that there is better communication and co-operation between them.” This collaboration is already being achieved by Kwatani and its partners in the field, saysMayhew-Ridgers, and the result is a win-win for all parties. “Wework closelywith panel suppliers in certain areas, where our respective service technicians often travel to a site together to inspect machinery,” he says. Thisallowsafullinspectiontobedone,consid- ering both the condition of the panels and the screeningmachine itself, so that concerns can be identified and resolved quickly. q

meetings together with their screen OEMs and panel suppliers, to find the best options for improvements.” Alston highlights that certain screening applications are quite difficult, requiring con- stant attention and continuous improvement to give the mine the throughput and results it demands. “Especially under these conditions, both the machine and the panels must be closely scrutinised over time, and the necessary changes can be made by both the OEM and the panel supplier,” he says. “The customer is important to both the machine OEM and

Kwatani’s technicians are fully competent when it comes to measuring machine performance on-site.

August 2017 • MechChem Africa ¦ 17