Schenck Process Australia to rethink conventional screen design

The programme drew input from mineral processing facilities, design engineers and international stakeholders. External research organisations and specialist suppliers were also consulted.

The focus was around equipment construction and process performance, machine operability, maintenance access and site management environmental factors.

The vibrating screen redesign programme, to be managed by SPA’s Global Centre of Competence for Vibrating Equipment, at Beresfield, NSW, will use the research results as the starting point to critically analyse the existing vibrating screen design.

Along with improving machine reliability, increasing asset life and extending periods between maintenance shutdowns, the redesign programme will also canvass the broader issues of design standards, advanced condition monitoring, remnant asset life prediction and whole of life asset cost.

According to Schenck Process Australia R&D Group Project Manager Karl Carter, design standards, including understanding the operating environment, is the first stage of the programme and Carter believes that a back-to-basics design philosophy will prove the best approach.

“The site analysis programme has given us some valuable data around load characteristics, screen loading and variations in particle size,” he said. “Individually these factors are not unique – most screen installations will experience operational variations – but they are not normally included as part of the design spectrum. Factors such as feed biasing, overloading, operational and crash stops were quantified and became vital inputs into the redesign programme.”

Local environmental factors and feed variations will also be considered as part of the programme.

Carter said that BS7608, the design standard for fatigue analysis used by screen manufactures, will remain as the reference standard however extensive analysis and testing of components and techniques will be undertaken with the goal of extending machine performance and reliability.

He added that the range of inputs into the programme has provided an excellent foundation for ongoing development of what could prove to be a breakthrough in screen design and management.

The company see the technology they are developing as a game changer for the international hard rock processing sector.

According to Carter, the opportunity to collaborate with mining companies in research projects is an important part of the evolution process of equipment and machinery and should be grasped with both hands.

“Our customers have a need for efficient and reliable vibrating screens,” he said. “We have the screen and the technology and the proven history with the product to meet that need. At the next level, by using the operational data available from the evaluation project, we can design and develop a better product, which will benefit our client and the industry.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/handling-processing/26092018/schenck-process-australia-to-rethink-conventional-screen-design/