Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/718149
AGGREGATES MANAGER / September 2016 27 by Duncan High MINE MANAGEMENT O ne of the ways operation managers naturally pre- sume to increase profits in a mining or aggregates operation is to cut costs. Parts are often an area that production managers eye as a way to save money, but it's important to look beyond the price and under- stand the role that a component plays in the performance of a vibrating screen and long-term productivity. Operation managers need to be sure they choose the most reliable parts for their equipment. They need to consider the knowledge, experience, and resources required to manufacture the part, the potential hazards of using a fabricated version, and the value of having the support of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Here's a look at the difference between the two and how those differences can impact production. OEM expertise Consider the difference between fabricated and OEM compo- nents. Fabrication shops have come a long way and are often able to produce quality components, but some equipment, such as vibrating screens, needs such a precise tolerance that a fabricated part might not work correctly, no matter how closely it resembles the OEM version. Only a machine's manufacturer has the precise equipment drawings, mea- surements, plus/minus tolerances, material composition, and know-how on what needs to be heat-tempered. This means only the manufacturer can produce a component that fits those fine-tuned parameters. Even a reputable fabrication shop with capabilities similar to that of the OEM has to rely on reverse engineering and guesswork to fashion a replacement. The part may look identical, but if it's even a little off, it could cause problems. A vibrating screen isn't so much a machine as a complete system where every component works in tandem to accom- plish a specific goal. If an operation screens 1,200 tons per hour, for example, a manufacturer designs parts with different strength and rigidity than they would for a 200-tons-per-hour application. This customization ensures the entire system runs to the proper g-force and is strong enough to resist the forces of the material running over the screen. The weight of the parts, the required running speed, and amplitude are all taken into consideration when balancing the screen. If an operation chooses to fabricate a side plate and the weight is wrong, for example, it could impact the machine's balance. This could lead to improper motion in the vibrating screen causing poor Are OEM parts worth the cost? Take a look at the lifetime costs of fabricated parts for vibrating screens. Fabricating Failure The original equipment manufacturer can offer an in-depth knowledge of an operation's vibrating screen along with account- ability and fast, reliable problem solving.