Mechanical Technology February 2016

⎪ Materials handling and minerals processing ⎪

Customised solutions for screening efficiency As the demand for enhanced efficiencies and throughput increases, the market is seeking proven solutions that can be customised to suit specific applications, according to Rhodes Nelson, managing director of Multotec Manufacturing. “The ability to stay abreast of technological changes and

implement smarter more cost effective ways of screening is a big differentiator,” he says.

Above: The Multotec TeePee™ three dimensional screen panel has an optimised open area to make it more suitable for dewatering applications. Left: Various polyurethane grades, rubber grades and steel grades of Multotec’s screen panels are available.

to respond to direct customer demands. This has resulted in the development of a number of products and solutions that are geared towards increased return on investment. “Another development we have seen is three dimensional screen- ing with screen panels that have been optimised with respect to open areas. An example is the Multotec TeePee™ panel for dewatering applications,” says Nelson. In addition, Multotec’s O-slot™ aperture is being successfully used in iron ore applications where panel life needs to be optimised, while still retaining non- blinding characteristics. Added to this product development is the availability of multiple screen material options that include various polyurethane grades, rubber grades and steel grades, depending on the custom- ers’ process application requirement. Ongoing market analysis has resulted in Multotec increasing the variety of op- tions and the configuration of its Saddle Top™ runner system to protect both the sub-frame and improve meantime between failures (MTBFs). Coupled with this is accessibility to a wide range of fit-for-purpose attachment systems, which give customers additional flexibil- ity without having to change the screen sub-frame. “The cornerstones of success for Multotec are unequivocal and uncompro- mising customer service, customised so- lutions, product excellence in design and engineering, and a team of highly skilled and experienced employees who are able to devise bespoke screen panel solutions that ultimately result in superior through- put of product,” Nelson assures. q

“ T he screen panel is the will receive from the process,” Nelson argues, adding: “For this reason it is es- sential for the appropriate panel to be in place to ensure correct feed envelopes to downstream processes. Much of the time, screening media is misunderstood and insufficient attention is given to this critical component.” He says that one of the current driv- ing forces in screening is the ability to determine the wear of screen panels and to plan for its maintenance and replace- ment. “By being able to establish wear patterns before they cause a shutdown, process plants can save substantial amounts on labour and downtime costs. As a result, we have seen an increasing demand for our online monitoring sys- tem, Hawkeye, as well as for enhance- ments in recording processes.” Visual wear indicators are another technology that is seeing increased de- mand as it provides a major advantage in terms of monitoring screen panels. most critical aspect of the screening application as it defines the product you

These systems provide visual indicators that show the incremental wear rates occurring on screening media. As the aperture wears, the visual dots become clearly visible “so that the change-out criteria cannot be misinterpreted”. The end result is far more accurate planning for screen panel replacements. Nelson cautions that the use of visual wear indicators does, however, require active field service participation, with at- tention to visual observation and monitor- ing of screen panels to provide feedback. But if correctly implemented, visual wear indicators can further optimise screen performance. Multotec is seeing a significant change in end users’ expectations with respect to product quality and adherence to specifications. Nelson believes that this is predominantly because of the oversup- ply situation and applies specifically to coal and iron ore plants. “This has led to sampling of product now being far more critical, leading to a need for more accurate feed envelopes to the various processes and for the end product.” Multotec strategically invests into R&D

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Mechanical Technology — February 2016