Modern Mining November 2016

PRODUCT News

FLSmidth commissions wedge wire machine

FLSmidth has significantly upgraded its local steel wedge wire screen manufac- turing capabilities following the recent commissioning of state-of-the art technol- ogy at its facility in Edenvale, Gauteng. Buks Roodt, Director responsible for Meshcape® Screen Media at FLSmidth in South Africa, says the company’s new wedge wire machine was made available from FLSmidth’s Australian operation. The South African operation is one of four global facilities that specialise in the manufacture of this quality screening material for international markets. Known for its ability to significantly reduce blind- ing and plugging, this specialised wire mesh is used extensively in mining. “A team of international FLSmidth experts assisted in commissioning the machine, together with its advanced control system and wide range of tool- ing. They also provided training for the operators deployed on the wedge wire manufacturing line,” says Roodt.

The machine was developed in-house by FLSmidth engineers and incorporates second generation technology based on the company’s extensive experience man- ufacturing wedge wire screening products. The technology provides FLSmidth with the flexibility required to use a range of support rods of varying sizes as well as to manufacture with different wire profiles and aperture sizes. FLSmidth carries stock of a wide range of profiles and support rods in different materials ranging from ferritic stainless steels to exotic duplex stainless steels to cater for the different segments of indus- try using wedge wire in their applications. The machine incorporates a sophisti- cated resistance welding head capable of precision welding. This ensures optimum strength between support rods and the wire intersections, enhancing the quality and integrity of the final product. Roodt explains that the advanced weld- ing head can weld wires with head widths

Wedge wire being manufactured at FLSmidth. ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm and with high accuracy slot sizes ranging from 0,2 mm to 20 mm. In addition, the machine can produce cylinders with diameters rang- ing from 650 mm to 1 250 mm and up to 6 000 mm in length. These can be split and rolled to produce flat panels. Completing this investment is a new automated rod straightener and cutter on the factory floor. FLSmidth, tel (+27 10) 210-4820

November 2016  MODERN MINING  47