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August 2017
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MechChem Africa
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Materials handling
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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-
Collaboration benefits
vibratory
screen machine operators
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.
Kwatani’s technicians are fully competent when it comes to measuring machine performance on-site.
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.
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
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
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.
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