Home News and Events How to Keep Your Separation Equipment Running Smoothly

How to Keep Your Separation Equipment Running Smoothly

July 7, 2011

6 tips to help keep your vibratory sieve running smoothly

Vibratory sieves rely on vibration to screen and separate powders and liquids, removing contamination and improving the quality of your product. These tips will help you to ensure your separation equipment is operating at maximum efficiency throughout its life.

Tip 1 - Ensure your vibratory sieve is set up correctly

With appropriate installation you can limit the amount of maintenance your vibratory sieve requires. It must be mounted on a solid floor that does not allow any secondary vibration. Setting up the machine by adjusting the weight settings can give you a precise level of vibration to meet you application needs without causing excessive wear.

Most separator manufacturers suggest a basic running-in period. After this all nuts and bolts should be checked for tightness to ensure trouble free operation. Due to the vibration of the vibratory sieve, clamps require regular tightening as they can become loose, causing damage to sieve decks, mesh frames and gaskets.

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Tip 2 - Correctly store and handle your mesh frames and gaskets

Mesh frame gaskets can be easily damaged. They should be cleaned with suitable cleaners which will not attack the gasket material. They should also be routinely replaced to ensure good quality sealing. Spare gaskets should be stored away from direct sunlight (see the Russell Frame Guard for an example of how you can store your products).

Tip 3 - Use good quality mesh

Mesh cloth can stretch with use so mesh screen tension should be checked regularly to optimise screening efficiency. Mesh failure can stop your production line completely, it is recommended that you keep a spare to use in case of failure. This will limit the amount of downtime you incur. Most mesh screen damage is caused by incorrect handling and storage of the screens. Therefore, ensure your spares are packaged and protected adequately and stored away from harm.

To ensure your mesh screens have a long life and provide accurate screening it is vital that you use experienced mesh suppliers. High quality suppliers use advanced bonding techniques to ensure the mesh has the correct tension. This maximizes their life and prevents sagging which causes excessive wear and reduced screening capacity. These suppliers also ensure that your mesh screens are finished neatly to eliminate sharp edges that can cause harm to your operators and your screener. Reputable suppliers will also use high quality mesh that will not only last longer but will have accurate aperture sizes to ensure consistent product quality. Read our blog post on ‘Three reasons for using high quality mesh’

Tip 4 - Carry out regular maintenance checks on sieve components

Other components that require routine maintenance checks include clamps, which must be in good condition in order to provide adequate sealing and prevent movement of sieve decks which causes excessive wear. Flexible connectors must be checked for wear, splitting and leakage which can occur if they are not able to flex freely in both horizontal and vertical directions. Read our blog post on ‘Flexible connections on vibratory sieves and screeners’ Suspension of all types such as rubbers or springs, must also be maintained in order to efficiently transfer the vibration to the sieve decks.

Tip 5 – Purchase genuine spare parts

Most screener manufacturers offer a recommended spares package. This will include consumable items requiring routine replacement.

Purchasing genuine spare parts that have been designed and tested for your specific vibratory sieve is an obvious method for ensuring it runs efficiently. Poor quality copies can be cheaper but often have a shorter life, reduce your screening efficiency and accuracy and can even cause damage to other parts of your unit, costing you more in the long term. Read our case study on how ‘Russell Finex take the lead in customer support’

Tip 6 - Consult your manual to carryout any maintenance

For safety reasons you should always consult your operating instructions before carrying out any maintenance on your vibratory sieve. If in doubt contact your supplier and speak to an experienced technical representative.

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