Mining Screens Overview
Mining screens are designed to separate materials, such as aggregates, coal, ores, and more, by particle size. Once separated, the minerals can be further refined for processing or recycled into products. Mines are often harsh environments, so equipment wears down from abrasive materials, high temperatures, humidity, and heavy impact loads. Mining screens are often a significant expense for mining companies, so choosing one that lasts and withstands the conditions of your operation is critical.
Here are some strategies from GK’s mining experts to increase your service life on mining screens to maximize your return on investment.
Design and Durability/Reliability
The longevity of all mining screens is determined first and foremost by their construction quality. Mining screens need to withstand the harsh conditions in mines, where they are subjected to constant vibration, abrasive materials, and heavy loads. That’s why screens built with heavy-duty, high-quality steel construction and precision welding are essential. High-quality materials and construction extend a screen’s service life and reduce the frequency of costly replacements.
General Kinematics takes this commitment a step further with our STM-SCREEN™ Two-Mass Mining Screen. Our patented modular design uses a center spline to significantly increase structural integrity compared to other screens. This innovative approach not only reinforces the screen’s structural integrity but also enables quick, easy assembly and disassembly. This simplifies transport, installation, and on-site maintenance, so operations can get back up and running with minimal downtime.
Ease of Maintenance/Maintenance to Extend Life
Proactive maintenance is the single most effective way to extend your mining screen’s lifespan and prevent failures before they occur. Regularly check your screen components, such as springs, rocker legs, the mounting system, and liners, for cracks or wear. Replacing components as soon as they start to wear out prevents them from failing and causing more extensive issues down the line. Lubricating your equipment’s moving parts regularly also keeps machinery running smoothly for longer.
During your daily or routine equipment checks, look over your screen media. Is it clean, properly tensioned, and free of damage and wear on screen components? If it’s loose, make sure you increase the tension equally on both sides.
When checking your screen media, if you find any wear or damage, replace it immediately. Quick-change liners, such as DURO-DECK™ Screening Media, make changing liners a breeze, significantly reducing downtime.
Monitoring your vibratory mining equipment with historical, actionable data over a long period of time is another great way to keep your screen operating smoothly. Using vibratory monitoring equipment, you can predict downtime before it happens, replace problematic components during planned/routine downtime, and keep equipment running smoothly.
Cut Costs: Screen More Effectively
GK’s mining screens are designed for better material retention times for more thorough screening. Screens that use Two-Mass technology are specifically designed to respond positively to material surges thanks to their sub-resonant technology. Sub-resonant screens take screen weight and material surge weights into account, then optimize the screen’s motor horsepower and spring network so screening efficiency and capacity aren’t impacted negatively as material conditions change.
Increase the Longevity of Your Mining Screen
Your mining equipment shouldn’t need to be replaced every few months. With GK’s heavy-duty mining screens, you’ll be able to run your equipment long-term with proper care and maintenance.
Ready to upgrade your mining operation? Contact General Kinematics today, and we’ll help you reduce downtime and increase your return on investment.
