Aggregate, rock and mineral mine operators and plant managers can gain insight into the physics of processing materials using vertical shaft impact (VSI) crushers during a two-day course at VSI crushing specialist CEMCO, in Belen, New Mexico, US.

The next two-day course, which has been introduced on demand, will be held on May 15 and 16.

“The goal for anyone in this industry is to reduce operating costs and improve the bottom line. We want to teach people how to do that with VSI crushers so that they can be successful,” says CEMCO president Neil Hise.

He adds that, with recent innovations in wear-part materials like ceramic and tungsten carbide, VSI crushers reduce maintenance and overhead costs, and can be used in new applications that involve processing man-made materials, such as heavy metals.

Technology

Variable-frequency drives (VFDs) are being used to improve the control of crushing capabilities. Operators can readily change the revolutions per minute (RPM) of a crusher with controls rather than manually controlling the entire process, which saves significantly on time and reduces maintenance costs. VFDs are also more precise and efficient, which reduces energy costs.

New, more durable materials, such as ceramic and tungsten carbide, embedded in chrome white-iron castings, are currently used for wear parts, which provides a longer wear life and further reduces maintenance.

Educating Operators

CEMCO’s two-day course highlights topics that are relevant to operators’ and plant managers’ daily use of VSI crushers. These include hands-on lessons on how to adjust the machine’s RPM settings for certain materials to achieve the best possible gradation and efficiency. The course also teaches operators and plant managers to measure horsepower consumption and determine the appropriate levels of materials for certain applications.

Participants will also be provided guidance on reducing wear costs and downtime, increasing efficiency and boosting profits. They will also learn about best practices for the installation, maintenance and safety of VSI crushers.

“Participants can see how the units are assembled and how the internal components are balanced,” says Hise.

As part of the course, attendees can test their own material in one of CEMCO’s full-sized test crushers. These units deliver more accurate production rates than what can be achieved using smaller lab crushers at other manufacturers’ facilities.

Further, the course will cover the four types of VSI crushers and how each can affect production rates, product quality and the profits of specific applications. It will also deal with every aspect of the production process, from engineering to welding.

CEMCO asserts that there is not a lot of information available on VSI crushers, which means that many mining industry stakeholders do not realise there are different internal configurations and adjustments that can be made on the machines, like flow rates, which could have a significant impact on the bottom line.

“We have been designing and manufacturing Turbo VSI crushers for almost 50 years, so we know the machines inside and out,” says Hise, adding that the company’s goal is to share its knowledge about VSI crushers and educate people about how these machines can positively impact their businesses.

Meanwhile, the company says several operators and plant managers who have completed the course have attested that, by implementing what they learnt from the course, they have been able to reduce their operating costs, become more efficient and improve their profitability.

Hise has been with the family-owned CEMCO since its inception in 1962. He has patented numerous VSI-related technologies in the US and is a member of several industry associations, including the US-based National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the National Association of Manufacturers.

A full line of Turbo VSI crushers provides innovative solutions for a variety of recycling applications, including cement, glass, ceramic tiles, drywall, bricks, roofing tiles, copper slag and steel slag.

CEMCO also offers several portable and stationary crushing systems, including the patented Glass Gator glass crushers that are energy efficient and easy to maintain.

“Our goal for every operation is to produce quality products while reducing operating costs and improving the bottom line. With rising energy costs worldwide, this is becoming even more imperative,” says Hise.

VSI crushers are becoming increasingly popular in the mining industry, as they can produce a high-quality product in just one pass and with less energy, resulting in considerably reduced overhead costs.