SCREENING TECHNOLOGY
Multotec builds on screen panel demand
Continued growth in demand for Multotec Manufacturing ’ s screen panels has led the company to expand and upgrade the dedicated toolroom at its extensive manufacturing facilities in Spartan , Gauteng . According to Ian Chapman , Engineering Manager at Multotec Manufacturing , these technology investments have accelerated the tool manufacturing process and delivered better tool finishes . This translates into enhanced product quality , greater speed to market and more cost effectiveness for the endcustomer . The tools required are mainly for rubber and polyurethane injection moulding , rubber compression moulding and cast polyurethane products . The wide variety of tooling produced includes ‘ mother moulds ’ and components such as frame bars , cores and inserts . “ By 2015 , our success in growing markets had placed considerable demand on our toolroom ,” Chapman says . “ This led to the replacement of two CNC milling machines and adding two new wire electric discharge machines ( EDMs ) in recent years .”
The new milling machines use specialised Heidenhain controllers , which strengthen Multotec ’ s jobbing capability for customised tooling . Based on
the specification from the sales team , drawings are created for the company ’ s tool and dye makers . They , in turn , convert these drawings using computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM ) software to create the tool-path for the CNC machine .
“ Our experts ’ familiarity with the Heidenhain language speeds up our work and avoids human error ,” he notes . Wire EDM machines are another key resource in the toolroom , using electrical erosion technology to cut relatively long tool-pieces accurately and finely .
" Unlike a milling machine – where there is contact between a tool and a work-piece – on the EDM there is no engagement with the wire and hence no forces to accommodate and few residual stresses ,” Chapman says . “ This allows us to cut pre-hardened steel without distorting its shape , creating very fine tolerances in our finished tooling .”
To augment the existing two EDMs , a third was acquired in 2018 , with even larger wire spools than the previous models . This allows longer production runs of up to 90 hours , improving cutting strategies and productivity . So successful was this investment that a fourth wire EDM was purchased and installed in 2019 .
FLSmidth ’ s full screening package
Borne out of a strong pedigree in Australia with Ludowici ( 2012 ), FLSmidth sees its screen design features and above all reliability as the main factors in its growing global success , both in sales of greenfield plant equipment but also in replacement of other OEM screens which became an increasingly important part of the business when greenfield projects became few and far between .
So from its Australian roots the screening business pushed out to regional areas like China and SE Asia first . Opportunity took them next to South America in the early 2000s . Ludowici then acquired Innovative Screen Technologies in North America in 2006 and immediately established a market presence in that region . In 2012 , FLSmidth acquired Ludowici which presented further growth opportunities in new regions such as South Africa and eventually in Europe .
Eddie McKerr , Global Product Manager for Screens at FLSmidth told IM : “ We have chosen to focus on mining screens rather that aggregate screens for the reason that getting it right with mining class screens is much harder and therefore there are relatively fewer players in the market . It is a market where we can best demonstrate our technical capabilities with high spec screens that last the minelife journey .” A typical construction aggregates screen uses circular motion , whereas mining screens typically use linear motion such as with banana screens for much higher g-force to process more tonnes more efficiently . Many mining customers are more focussed on high production throughput , reliability and understand the value proposition technical advantages can deliver over the life of the screen .
McKerr said its success in replacing other OEM screens is grounded on its engineering capabilities
FLSmidth says its focus on engineering design and reliability have allowed it to grow both in greenfield mining screening projects but also in the replacement market
where it can effectively design a customised screen to suit the client need to achieve results beyond the existing installation . “ I would say our knowledge of fundamental screen design plus wear packages is a differentiator in the market . Innovations specific to
PROCESS THE FUTURE
The ingenious BIVITEC flip-flow screens have been extended by a smart type series . The BIVITEC e + consumes less energy , has almost no dynamic loads and is easy to control . This keeps your operating costs and investment low and means that you always have the right screening machine , even if the feed material changes .
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RELIABLE CRUSHING |
EFFICIENT SCREENING |
WET PROCESSING |
THERMAL PROCESSING |
SENSOR BASED SORTING |
BAGGING PALLETIZING |
OCTOBER 2020 | International Mining 49