Lifecycle management cuts screen costs
Ensuring that vibrating screens meet production targets at the lowest cost per tonne requires close monitoring, careful maintenance and timeous optimisation throughout their lifecycle, says Sandvik Rock Processing business line manager: lifecycle solutions Lomave Sukati.
Sukati explains that the mines should request a full assessment from their original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner to enable a gap analysis to identify opportunities for improvement, so that equipment can be restored to OEM standards.
Sandvik Rock Processing’s assessments include a visual inspection followed by dynamic testing to measure mechanical performance, with any defects or concerns reported to the customer for action.
“Our training empowers a customer’s team to recognise conditions that need early attention, as part of overall lifecycle management to keep equipment well maintained and productive,” she adds.
Regular inspections allow the remaining wear life of parts and components to be estimated and logged, enabling maintenance and part sourcing to be planned. This helps prevent unscheduled downtime and allows maintenance work to be done during planned plant shutdowns.
The performance of the screens is also affected by the changing nature of the ore bodies being mined, which may require different wear materials in the screen panels to achieve the required output and wear life.
“Effective lifecycle management is aimed at achieving the lowest cost per tonne over the life of the screen,” says Sukati. “By focusing on where most screen costs are incurred, mines can quickly identify areas to reduce costs as part of broader efficiency and productivity efforts.”
She asserts that this is the most direct route to achieving low costs per tonne, especially when done in collaboration with the OEM. She also highlights the value of formal agreements between mines and OEMs regarding responsibilities for keeping screens functioning optimally.
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