Resources search results "Lead"

Mining, Process Plant, Maintenance & Safety Training
PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL
Excellence in Mining, Process Plant, Maintenance, and Safety Training Performance Associates International, Inc. (PAI) is the world leader in online and on-site training for the mining industry. We provide organizations with a single source for assessments, skills training, continuing education, safety training and compliance mandates, and more. Our first-class content guides your staff to gain the critical knowledge they need to work safely and efficiently today. Our proven, leading-edge industrial training programs improve performance in existing operations and ensure success during the start-up of new operations. Our training programs have saved companies millions in personnel accident prevention, production loss, and equipment damage. We partner with our customers and consult collaboratively to provide the analysis and content development to meet your needs. Services PAI Offers Plant Operator TrainingOur three-tier concept for effective plant operator training starts with fundamental knowledge and progresses to plant-specific concepts that are reinforced through detailed animations and interactive simulations. Maintenance TrainingWe custom build state-of-the-art maintenance training programs using exploded graphics, explanatory text, detailed procedures, and management systems. Mobile Equipment Operator TrainingOur first-class training program focuses on operator controls and indicators, safety, and performance optimization. It also includes operating, emergency, and troubleshooting procedures.Commissioning and Start-UpWe can identify, track, and control the thousands of activities that must occur for the successful commissioning and start-up of a process plant. There is no shortcut to a successful start-up.Testing and Tracking SystemsWe can help manage and track the performance of employees to improve the overall performance of the mine and plant industrial training programs. Our testing and tracking systems provide invaluable assistance in safety and operational compliance. Introductory and Safety TrainingOff-the-shelf introductory and safety training packages are an excellent source for mine and plant industrial training courses. They provide fundamental knowledge and basic training concepts. Now offering online courses!E-Learning, Animations, and SimulationsOur interactive e-learning keeps trainees focused and engaged. Our experienced in-house multimedia team develops state-of-the-art graphics, virtual and mixed reality training, stunning 3D animations, and technically engineered simulations of real-world scenarios.Other ServicesWe also provide many services relevant to planning, analyzing, and evaluating process plants, including:·         Operations readiness plan.·         Planning studies.·         Quality management.·         Systems implementation.·         Statistical process control.·         Reliability-based asset management.·         Productive capacity studies.·         Surveys and needs analyses.·         Economic life analysis.·         Process control strategies and methods.·         Debottlenecking and process optimization.·         Spare parts inventory and analysis.·         Feasibility studies.·         Consulting assistance.Consulting * Gap Analysis * Content Development * LMS * On-Site * Train-the-Trainer * E-Learning * Process Plant Optimization * Training * Safety * Mine Training * Plant Operator Training * Maintenance * Mobile Equipment * Competencies * Commissioning
Mining, Process Plant, Maintenance & Safety Training
PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL
Excellence in Mining, Process Plant, Maintenance, and Safety Training  Performance Associates International, Inc. (PAI) is the world leader in online and on-site training for the mining industry. We provide organizations with a single source for assessments, skills training, continuing education, safety training and compliance mandates, and more. Our first-class content guides your staff to gain the critical knowledge they need to work safely and efficiently today.  Our proven, leading-edge industrial training programs improve performance in existing operations and ensure success during the start-up of new operations. Our training programs have saved companies millions in personnel accident prevention, production loss, and equipment damage. We partner with our customers and consult collaboratively to provide the analysis and content development to meet your needs.  Services PAI Offers  Plant Operator Training Our three-tier concept for effective plant operator training starts with fundamental knowledge and progresses to plant-specific concepts that are reinforced through detailed animations and interactive simulations.  Maintenance Training We custom build state-of-the-art maintenance training programs using exploded graphics, explanatory text, detailed procedures, and management systems.  Mobile Equipment Operator Training Our first-class training program focuses on operator controls and indicators, safety, and performance optimization. It also includes operating, emergency, and troubleshooting procedures. Commissioning and Start-Up We can identify, track, and control the thousands of activities that must occur for the successful commissioning and start-up of a process plant. There is no shortcut to a successful start-up. Testing and Tracking Systems We can help manage and track the performance of employees to improve the overall performance of the mine and plant industrial training programs. Our testing and tracking systems provide invaluable assistance in safety and operational compliance.  Introductory and Safety Training Off-the-shelf introductory and safety training packages are an excellent source for mine and plant industrial training courses. They provide fundamental knowledge and basic training concepts. Now offering online courses! E-Learning, Animations, and Simulations Our interactive e-learning keeps trainees focused and engaged. Our experienced in-house multimedia team develops state-of-the-art graphics, virtual and mixed reality training, stunning 3D animations, and technically engineered simulations of real-world scenarios. Other Services We also provide many services relevant to planning, analyzing, and evaluating process plants, including: ·         Operations readiness plan. ·         Planning studies. ·         Quality management. ·         Systems implementation. ·         Statistical process control. ·         Reliability-based asset management. ·         Productive capacity studies. ·         Surveys and needs analyses. ·         Economic life analysis. ·         Process control strategies and methods. ·         Debottlenecking and process optimization. ·         Spare parts inventory and analysis. ·         Feasibility studies. ·         Consulting assistance. Consulting * Gap Analysis * Content Development * LMS * On-Site * Train-the-Trainer * E-Learning * Process Plant Optimization * Training * Safety * Mine Training * Plant Operator Training * Maintenance * Mobile Equipment * Competencies * Commissioning  
Interested in BIG Productivity Gains? Wipe Out Non-Productive Driver and Fleet Time
Command Alkon
There’s some good, solid news for the construction industry: Dodge Data & Analytics Index projects that we’ll have “moderate strengthening” through the end of 2018. But in terms of productivity, we appear to be heading in a different direction. Of note, a recent survey of 600 global construction leaders* compiled by PlanGrid and FMI Corporation mentions: ·         Poor communication, rework and bad data management cost the construction industry; $177 billion annually in labor costs in the United States alone. ·         Construction workers lose almost two full working days per week solving avoidable issues and searching for project information. ·         Each construction project team member spends more than 14 hours weekly on average dealing with conflict, rework and other issues. ·         Almost half of all rework is due to poor communication among project stakeholders, and poor project information, while 26% of rework is due to poor communication or miscommunication between team members caused unresponsiveness of team members; the inability of project stakeholders to collaborate effectively; and the lack of a common platform for all team members to communicate and share project data. ·         The most common goals for technology adoption included providing better access to project data, improving project productivity and increasing the accuracy of project information. ·         Workers are not taking full advantage of mobile devices and IT investments. Stamp Out Non-Productive Driver and Fleet Time for Big Productivity Gains It stands to reason that companies who address productivity issues will not only avoid scrambling for information and wasted hours and energy but also quickly gain competitive advantage. If you’re managing drivers and trucks that wheel in and out of numerous sites during the day or week and aren’t using automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet, there’s more good news. You can increase driver productivity and avoid the 20-40 minutes per truck per day that’s lost through clocking in and out and other non-productive activities during: ·         Time in Transit ·         Time at the Job Site ·         Time in the Yard Forty minutes per day, per truck may seem marginal at first glance. But 200 minutes/week x 48 weeks/ year = 9,600 minutes, 160 hours or a total of 4,000 hours of inefficiency for a fleet of 25 trucks. Time in the yard is the lever most within a producer’s control and represents over half of the total nonproductive time per truck. So, rather than simply adding incremental trucks and drivers to the fleet to boost productivity (which unfortunately only adds to the total non‐productive hours and fails to improve operational processes), consider a solution that: ·         Uses automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet. ·         Enables your drivers to punch the clock from in the cab, an efficiency enhancer that alone could save you up to 20 minutes per day (this is time spent in your own yard, under your own watch, that you can act on quickly to recapture those minutes, regardless of what happens away from your yard). ·         Captures a meaningful portion of that lost time from each driver. ·         Provides a constant view into the location and performance of your entire fleet. ·         Is adaptable and helps your teams collaborate in real-time with a “central source of truth” and access to relevant data when you need it. At least 50% of employees’ non‐productive time can be captured back efficiently and effectively when the right combinations of levers are pulled – both in terms of area of focus (i.e., time in yard) and adaptability to each individual customer’s business process requirements. This equates to big productivity increases over both the short- and long-term. Learn more about how Command Alkon’s TrackIt solution offers an industry specific, flexible and fully customizable solution to track your fleet and meet your specific needs, including in-cab time and attendance functionality focused at recapturing lost time in the yard, helping you drive a more efficient fleet and improve your profitability. *500 respondents from the United States and 99 from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada. Of those surveyed, 49% work for general contractor firms, 36% came from specialty trades and 15% were owners. Over 300 respondents came from the commercial sector and the other respondents represent industrial and manufacturing, heavy civil, healthcare, power (oil and gas, and energy), education and government.
Interested in BIG Productivity Gains? Wipe Out Non-Productive Driver and Fleet Time
Command Alkon
There’s some good, solid news for the construction industry: Dodge Data & Analytics Index projects that we’ll have “moderate strengthening” through the end of 2018. But in terms of productivity, we appear to be heading in a different direction. Of note, a recent survey of 600 global construction leaders* compiled by PlanGrid and FMI Corporation mentions: ·        •Poor communication, rework and bad data management cost the construction industry; $177 billion annually in labor costs in the United States alone.        •Construction workers lose almost two full working days per week solving avoidable issues and searching for project information. ·       • Each construction project team member spends more than 14 hours weekly on average dealing with conflict, rework and other issues. ·         •Almost half of all rework is due to poor communication among project stakeholders, and poor project information, while 26% of rework is due to poor communication or miscommunication between team members caused unresponsiveness of team members; the inability of project stakeholders to collaborate effectively; and the lack of a common platform for all team members to communicate and share project data. ·        •The most common goals for technology adoption included providing better access to project data, improving project productivity and increasing the accuracy of project information. ·        •Workers are not taking full advantage of mobile devices and IT investments.      Stamp Out Non-Productive Driver and Fleet Time for Big Productivity Gains It stands to reason that companies who address productivity issues will not only avoid scrambling for information and wasted hours and energy but also quickly gain competitive advantage. If you’re managing drivers and trucks that wheel in and out of numerous sites during the day or week and aren’t using automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet, there’s more good news. You can increase driver productivity and avoid the 20-40 minutes per truck per day that’s lost through clocking in and out and other non-productive activities during: ·         •Time in Transit ·         •Time at the Job Site ·         •Time in the Yard Forty minutes per day, per truck may seem marginal at first glance. But 200 minutes/week x 48 weeks/ year = 9,600 minutes, 160 hours or a total of 4,000 hours of inefficiency for a fleet of 25 trucks. Time in the yard is the lever most within a producer’s control and represents over half of the total nonproductive time per truck. So, rather than simply adding incremental trucks and drivers to the fleet to boost productivity (which unfortunately only adds to the total non‐productive hours and fails to improve operational processes), consider a solution that: ·         •Uses automatic processes via technology to more efficiently track and manage your fleet. ·         •Enables your drivers to punch the clock from in the cab, an efficiency enhancer that alone could save you up to 20 minutes per day (this is time spent in your own yard, under your own watch, that you can act on quickly to recapture those minutes, regardless of what happens away from your yard). ·         •Captures a meaningful portion of that lost time from each driver. ·         •Provides a constant view into the location and performance of your entire fleet. ·        •Is adaptable and helps your teams collaborate in real-time with a “central source of truth” and access to relevant data when you need it. At least 50% of employees’ non‐productive time can be captured back efficiently and effectively when the right combinations of levers are pulled – both in terms of area of focus (i.e., time in yard) and adaptability to each individual customer’s business process requirements. This equates to big productivity increases over both the short- and long-term. Learn more about how Command Alkon’s TrackIt solution offers an industry specific, flexible and fully customizable solution to track your fleet and meet your specific needs, including in-cab time and attendance functionality focused at recapturing lost time in the yard, helping you drive a more efficient fleet and improve your profitability. *500 respondents from the United States and 99 from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada. Of those surveyed, 49% work for general contractor firms, 36% came from specialty trades and 15% were owners. Over 300 respondents came from the commercial sector and the other respondents represent industrial and manufacturing, heavy civil, healthcare, power (oil and gas, and energy), education and government.
Get More Performance Out Of Your Crusher
Stedman Machine Company
Get More Performance Out Of Your Crusher impactor maintenanceThere’s an urban legend out there about the company whose maintenance crew mistakenly installed a new crusher with the rotor spinning backwards. It still worked! And you think you have issues? To get the most from your equipment investment, you need to put in the time. Yes, a crusher costs a bit more than your average automobile, but that doesn’t mean it’s maintenance-free. An automobile needs oil changes too, right? Performing regularly scheduled maintenance on impact crushers is crucial for guaranteeing day-to-day reliability and optimum product output. Did you know you can boost output and quality by doing just a little bit more? Even daily cleanups and inspections can increase service life. It’s a no-brainer, though possibly easier said than done. Here are some steps and practices to incorporate in your ongoing operations and maintenance. Beginning with maintenance team education, parts logs, and general maintenance record keeping, plus troubleshooting, these guidelines will help your crusher go the distance. Training: Proper training for consistent maintenance is one of the most fundamental requirements for successful, reliable production. Begin with the crusher’s operation and maintenance manual. Incorporate the manual’s suggested routine maintenance schedule into the maintenance team’s duties. Appoint a “lead person” for each crusher as the go-to for that machine. This person is the historian for the unique operational adjustments the producer has incorporated for raw feed and product requirements. Daily log (document the following every 8 hours): Amperage draw: See if it changes from day to day. If amperage is exceeding normal levels, it could be a signal of bearing problems, loose belts, or general feed issues. Coast-down time: You’re going to need to know (and log) how long it takes the machine to come to a complete stop after shutdown. Here’s why: If the time starts to shorten, this could indicate a bearing problem. Oil pressure: You’ll want to record performance in a variety of operating conditions. This will allow you to identify trends and help to detect problems before they cause costly damage or downtime. Daily maintenance (every 8 hours): Check oil level, sight glass, grease appearance, and other lubrication schedules. Check high temperature or low hydraulic pressure indicators and switches. Check wear parts. Tighten bolts. Inspect belts. Remove dirt and debris from crusher frame surfaces and areas around the machine. Check intake/discharge chutes for any obstructions and/or build up. Check alarms. If electrical changes are made or programs are altered in automated systems, verify that all alarms and interlocks function properly. Don’t be afraid to replace switches or timers that appear damaged or are in poor condition. This is more economical than a major overhaul, but never disable or alter any alarms or interlocks! Lubrication: Completely drain and thoroughly clean out the inside of the oil tank (if you have one) to eliminate any contaminants before refilling. Find contaminant sources. Contaminants such as dust particles and water can get in where oil leaks out. Inspect hydraulic systems and tag any leaks for corrective action on the very next maintenance cycle. Use the proper grade of oil. Use the proper specification of filters. Keep the oil breathers clean. Understand grease versus oil lubrication. Grease requires less-intensive maintenance than that of oil-lubricated systems. Automatic oil lubrication systems or sealed cartridge bearings are for higher speed crushers like vertical shaft impactors, air swept fine grinders, or high-speed cage mills. Most horizontal shaft impactors, hammer mills, and cage mill applications are below 1,000 rpm and grease is sufficient. Maintain a scheduled oil sampling program. By creating a baseline of normal wear, it helps indicate when abnormal wear or contamination is occurring. The exact condition of a mechanical assembly is reflected in the oil. Belts: Inspect V-belt drives for damaged belts or loose belt tension. By replacing cracked, glazed, torn, or separated belts, plus maintaining proper belt tension, you’ll optimize your plant’s performance. Wear parts: Don’t overextend wear parts. Avoid running them so long that they become too worn. You may find that you can no longer rotate breaker bars or interchange wear plates to lower wear areas — and now, you’ve lost half of the wear. Guards: Rubber and chain curtains located in the feed and discharge openings of the crusher are subject to wear and tear. Since they are a first line of protection, it’s important to inspect them regularly and to establish a schedule of regular maintenance. Electrical: When (or if) electrical changes are made, you’ll need to verify that all alarms and interlocks still properly function. Same goes for programs when altered in automated systems. Always check with the manufacturer before making any modifications. Spares recommendation: Keep the recommended spares on hand and order replacements as soon as they are used. A list of recommended spares may be included with your equipment operations manual. If not, contact the manufacturer for recommendations. Update your equipment: All equipment evolves, and the recommended manufacturer upgrades are a good investment for increased life and better crusher performance. Check with the manufacturer for any possible updates. Unapproved modifications: Manufacturer design engineers have considerable field experience, which helps them as they calculate the design and perform prototype testing. Their engineering tasks include calculating bearing loads and bearing clearances. They’ve also worked to maximize throughput by establishing the most efficient speed and setting combinations to optimize impact on the material undergoing reduction. So when plant personnel suggest modifications that alter the intended design, these changes will more than likely hurt the purpose of the original design. As a result, you’ll have a less productive and reliable crusher due to potential damage and overload. Since the manufacturer has a vested interest in how well the crusher performs, contact them before making any modifications Cage Mill Operation and Maintenance Requirements for optimum production and wear part utilization include the following: sleeve wear patterns cage wear pattern identification To increase multi-cage sleeve life, cage rotation should be reversed regularly, if possible. (Some cage mills can be reversed, while others cannot.) By reversing the cage direction, sleeves will be worn from both sides, thus extending wear life. Wear parts: Index and or replace sleeves periodically. Inspect or replace hopper ring and shaft protector, if needed. Cage rebuilding is an option. Bearings: Follow the manufacturer’s recommended specifications and schedule for lubrications, temperature, and vibration ranges of spherical roller bearings in pillow block housings. Horizontal Shaft Impactor Operation and Maintenance Variables affecting product gradation include the following: Rotor speed – Higher rotor speeds produce finer product output.Breaker bar wear & new edges crush finerBreaker bar changes. Apron gap settings – Closer gaps retain the feed longer producing a finer product. Breaker bar wear – Regular inspection and turning will lower operating costs. Throughput (tons per hour) – Overfeeding a crusher can make the output more coarse, but it also causes a number of wear and longevity issues making overfeeding a major concern to avoid. Moisture – Moisture cushions the impact, producing a coarser product. Apron wear – Worn plates can be replaced or moved to areas of lower wear. Spring bridge operation – Spring set height is critical to maintain proper operation of spring bridges. Spring bridges return the aprons to their original positions after an overload situation. The use of altered or non-specified springs can cause equipment damage or catastrophic failure. Requirements for optimum production and wear part utilization include the following: Protect inlet and outlet. Restrict maximum feed size. Maintain feed rate within allowable limits. Check rotor rotation. Use metal detection (required). Check for wear. Follow recommended breaker bar rotation setting sequence. Check rotor breaker bar, wedge, and stop block or jack screws. Check liners and breaker plates. Vertical Shaft Impactor Operation And Maintenance The vertical shaft impactor uses high rotor speeds (1,000 to 3,000 rpm) to apply high energies to the material, and since Energy + Material = Size Reduction, it can create sand from 2-inch feed. Requirements for optimum production and wear part utilization include the following: optimized parts in rotor tube Limit feed size. Use metal detection (required). Observe any vibrations with the use of continuously monitored vibration sensors. Listen to the equipment, if something sounds unusual, shut down and inspect. Limit recirculating product in a closed system. If using water for dust suppression, introduce it into the discharge area if possible. Introducing water in the intake will increase wear. Place weight match shoes opposite one another. The image above shows rotor tubes indexed 90 degrees providing a new wear surface. Wear parts include the following:recommended parts for vertical shaft impactors Shoes and tubes Anvil ring or other inserts Housing liners Rotor table liners and assembly Spares recommendation: Shoes (one complete set) Table liner Anvils (one complete set) Discharge plate The spare parts inventory shown above is recommended for vertical shaft impactors. Hammer Mill operation and Maintenance Up running hammer mills combine impact and shear to reduce material. Down running hammer mills primarily use shear by immediately taking feed to the screen or grate bars where hammers shear the material, until it passes through the openings. Requirements for optimum production and wear part utilization include the following: Lubricate bearings regularly. Regularly inspection (unclamp or unbolt front upper half housing for access to screens and hammers) liners, hammers, hammer bolts, rotor discs, grate bars, and screens. Spares recommendation: Hammers Screens Liners Grinding plate Summary A partnership begins between the manufacturer and the customer when the crusher is installed in the field. The manufacturer needs the customer’s help as much as the customer needs the manufacturer’s help to achieve the highest performance possible. Maintenance service after the sale, although mentioned last, is a central part of crusher system performance. And just in case, the manufacturer will have the people and the parts available 24/7 to assist with any problems. Regardless of the field application, the training of personnel is key to successfully and optimally operating equipment. For the size-reduction industry, crusher maintenance problems are mostly related to inadequate training. This exists at plants both large and small. The most effective education is a current and ongoing program for crews — and that’s what will result in legendary performance.
All You Need to Know About: Vertical Shaft Impactor (VSI) Primers
Stedman Machine Company
All You Need to Know About: Vertical Shaft Impactor (VSI) Primers By Eric Marcotte, Inside Sales Manager, Stedman Machine Company Vertical Shaft Impactor What Is VSI? All roads, you might say, lead to the Vertical Shaft Impactor (VSI) because these crushers make it possible to create roadways and just about everything else. Francis E. Agnew of California patented one of the first Vertical Shaft Impactors in 1927. His configuration stacked three VSIs atop each other to produce sand, thus starting the VSI evolution. Today, VSI crushers – and the folks who rely on them – have produced many configurations to include everything from the addition of cascading material into the crushing chamber, to air swept separation of lighter product. One version suspends the shaft from above like a sugar centrifuge. It’s also one of the most feature-patented crushers, so some of the things mentioned here might be unique to a single manufacturer. VSIs apply a large amount of energy to crush material and that’s why it’s one of the most versatile crusher configurations today. View our VSI Machine Specifications, and get a quote today! VSI Benefits When it comes to producing materials such as aggregate for road making, VSI crushers use a high-speed rotor and anvils for impact crushing rather than compression force for the energy needed for size reduction. In a VSI, material is accelerated by centrifugal force by a rotor against the outer anvil ring, it then fractures and breaks along natural faults throughout the rock or minerals. The product is generally of a consistent cubical shape, making it excellent for modern Superpave highway asphalt applications. The rotor speed (feet per minute) controls final particle size. The VSI’s high cubical fracture percentage maximizes first-pass product yield and produces tighter particle size distribution. It has a high-throughput capacity ideal for beneficiation (elimination of soft material). Properly configured the VSI accepts highly abrasive materials. It has simple operation and maintenance. You can quickly change product size by changing rotor speed or cascade ratio. Some models have reversible wear parts to reduce downtime. The VSI typically has low operating costs even in high-moisture applications because of reduced energy costs and low wear cost per ton. VSI Disadvantages There are some feed size limitations with a VSI because of the small feed area available in the center of the rotor. Tramp material in the feed such as gloves, tools, etc. can cause problems with imbalance. The high RPM and HP require careful balance maintenance such as replacing shoes on both sides of the rotor at the same time. High wear part cost may be a problem for some hard abrasive materials, but the VSI may still be the best option. VSI Applications Major limestone applications are for Superpave asphalt aggregates, road base, gravel, sand and cement. Industrial uses include: corundum, corundite, ferro silicon, glass, refractories, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide and zeolite. Mining applications include: bauxite, burnt magnesite, iron ore, non-ferrous metal ore, perlite and trona sulfate. VSIs are excellent for everything from abrasive materials to waste and recycling applications. Verticl Shaft Crushers VSI Crushing Method The VSI is typically used after a primary or secondary crusher. This makes a VSI ideal for making sand and for making coarse and medium aggregates for concrete/asphalt production. Feed size and characteristics will affect the application of a VSI. The feed size is limited by the opening in the center of the rotor. Normally less than 5-inch material is desired, but very large VSIs can handle up to 12-inch feed. Another feature that will affect application is moisture, which can make the feed sticky. Required production capacity is the final limiting criteria. Large primary horizontal shaft impactors can output up to 1600 TPH and more. 1000 TPH is about the maximum for a VSI because of the limiting motor size and the rising G-force of a high-speed rotor, which is calculated by multiplying the radius times the square of the RPM. Shoe configurations are many: rock on rock, groups of rollers, special tip wear parts and many others. The metallurgy of the shoes is also highly varied. Rotors can have three to six shoes. The number of shoes is typically governed by the diameter of the rotor. The larger the diameter rotor, the more openings are possible. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) mathematical models are utilized to simulate the flow and collision forces to reveal solutions for lower wear cost, consistent final product, and higher energy efficiency. The material to be crushed is fed into the center of an open or closed rotor. The rotor rotates at high rpm, accelerating the feed and throwing it with high energy into the crushing chamber. When the material hits the anvil ring assembly, it shatters, and then the cubical shaped product falls through the opening between the rotor and the anvil and down to the conveyor below. The rotor speed (feet per minute) controls final particle size. Speeding up the rotor will produce more fines, slowing it down will produce fewer fines. Feeding Methods Center feed The typical VSI is fed, from above, into the center of its rotor. The material is then flung across an open void to the crushing chamber. It then impacts the outer anvil ring. This crushing action imparts very high energy to the material and is very effective on most types of material. It gives a very uniform and consistent grade of product. Cascade feeding V-Slam Impactors In cascade feeding, material bypasses the rotor and enters the crushing chamber from above. It’s called cascade feeding because as material fills up a large feed bowl, with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the rotor, it spills over the side and falls into the crushing chamber from above, bypassing the rotor. The effect of increasing feed through cascade is similar to slowing the rotor. Cascade feeding in amounts up to 10 percent may have no effect on particle size distribution or quality. The product gradation curve and product shape will change, if an increased amount of cascade feeding is used. Vertical Shaft Impactor for Aggregates (Above: Vertical Shaft Impactor, No Cascade vs. With Cascade Feed, Particle Size Distribution Chart) Rotor and Anvil Configurations The VSI features multiple rotor/anvil configurations for various applications. From open or enclosed rotors to the tubular rotor, each machine is configured for their unique application. In many cases the rotor table, rotor assemblies, anvil ring or rock shelf are interchangeable, allowing maximum application flexibility. Crushers for Aggregate Industry Open top metal rotor shoe on metal anvil The open top metal rotor is good for large feed or medium to very hard material, but it will work best for softer materials. It can handle medium abrasive, dry or wet, but not sticky materials. High reduction ratios are common, which are excellent for sand and gravel production in closed loop systems. Shoe shape can change the production size range. A straight shoe face design produces finer product, and a curved shoe face design produces coarser material. Stedman VSI Impactor Tubular metal rotor shoe on metal anvil The tubular rotor creates higher tip-speeds, which increases first pass yield with tighter particle size distribution and also reduces the recirculation loads. One unique feature is that the rotor rotation is reversible, allowing wear on both sides of the tube. Rotating the tube itself one-quarter turn also doubles the wear. Vertical Shaft Impactor Benefits Enclosed metal rotor shoe on metal anvil The enclosed top plate on a rotor primarily prevents material from escaping from the top of the rotor, which could happen with an overfed open top rotor. Vertical Shaft Impactor Applications VSI Crushers (Above: Rock shelf when VSI at rest. In operation, the brown rock fills the chamber to the upper roof ring. Rock impacts rock in operation.) Enclosed autogenous rock rotor table on autogenous rock shelf Any time the material or rock is used as an impact wear surface the term autogenous is used. Putting a top on the rotor table and shoes allows autogenous use. During operation of the VSI, a bed of material can be designed to build up inside the rotor against each of the shoe wall segments. The bed, which is made up of material that has been fed to the rotor, extends to a wear tip. The bed protects the shoe wall segment from wear. Concerning the rock shelf anvil, it forms a near vertical wall of material upon which the accelerated material impacts. “Rock-on-rock” crushing reduces maintenance but can require up to 30 percent of material recirculation before meeting size requirements. Also, the rock shelf anvil absorbs energy that could otherwise be used for breaking, which may reduce efficiency. More RPM may be needed to achieve the same result as a solid metal anvil. Good for medium abrasive materials, rock-on-rock configurations of either or both rotor and anvil may produce consistent material with low-wear cost and can handle wet but not sticky conditions. Reduction ratios from 2:1 to 5:1 can be expected. It’s widely used for quarried materials, such as sand and gravel. Due to the many configurations of the VSI feed, rotor, anvil and open- or closed- system design; testing is the only way to ensure proper application of a VSI crusher. V-Slam Supplier Summary The VSI is one of the most versatile crushers available on the market today. Even with some limitations, like feed size and output capacity, VSI features have been and continue to be developed to maximize first-pass yields and lower operating costs. If you test your process on full-scale equipment before choosing your VSI, you won’t be disappointed. About the author: Eric Marcotte joined Stedman Machine Company and its affiliate Innovative Processing Solutions in 2010. He has a Mining Engineering Degree from the University of Kentucky.
All You Need To Know About Cage Mills
Stedman Machine Company
All You Need To Know About Cage Mills Cage Mills have a high ratio of size reduction after a single pass through the cages. Here's why, and how. Hands down one of the most versatile size reduction machines and one of the hardest working is the cage mill. There are several varieties of cage mills, but their similarities are more numerous than their differences. They all are internally fed impactors that can crush, grind or pulverize many different materials to specified degrees of fineness. History By 1900, Nathan Stedman had built more than one hundred cage mills designed exclusively to crush coal. Soon other applications were discovered, leading to the increased use of cage mills for crushing such products as chemicals, clay and fertilizer materials. Multiple-row cage mills – two-, four- and six-row -- were commonplace. It was not until the 1930s that the true value of cage mills in the production of agricultural limestone and the crushing and beneficiation of stone and gravel was realized. Cage Mill Pulverizers The cage mill was so popular the Stedman Machine Company became part of farming vernacular -- farmers began referring to agricultural limestone as “Stedman Lime” due to the cage mill's unique capability to create the proper material fineness in just one pass through the crusher. Single-row cage mills were used extensively in the construction of the pioneered Pennsylvania Turnpike, primarily for the beneficiation of aggregates. Beneficiation is an elementary process, but it still is one of the most widely practiced applications of single-row cage mills. Gravel is passed through the mill and the softer, undesirable particles; -- breaking more readily than the harder ones; -- are screened or washed away, leaving a hard, high-quality aggregate. Versatility New uses are constantly being discovered for these versatile workhorses, but the nature of cage mills is such that improvements in them tend to be gradual and evolutionary instead of dramatic and revolutionary. The cage mill can be applied to effectively crush, grind and pulverize a broad array of abrasive and non-abrasive materials, including wet sticky types. The latest technology incorporated in these high-efficiency design mills insures greater crushing capacities, finer grinds and cleaner, safer operation. Fundamentally, cage mills are crushers capable of reducing or disintegrating many kinds of materials to small pieces. They reduce materials solely by impact and range in size from as small as 18 inches to as much as 72 inches in diameter. However, custom units may range as high as 96 inches in diameter. In general, the larger the mill, the lower the cost of operation when measured against tons of output. Operation Cage Mill Size Reduction Equipment A typical cage mill has only one part that moves - the rotor assembly. The material to be crushed is fed into the center of the rotor, or cage, through an intake hopper. The massive bars of the spinning cage aligned in rows strike the material and smash it into particles. The particles are then thrown against subsequent rows, other particles and the cage housing where they impact against breaker plates. Every impact - against cage bar, breaker plate or another particle - tends to reduce the original matter further, into more numerous and smaller pieces. By the time the material finally escapes from the cage mill, it has been thoroughly crushed. The major difference compared to other size reduction methods is the absence of close clearances between the crushing part and the breaker plates, allowing for less maintenance and higher efficiency of the machine. Also, they do not require grate bars as the principal source of impact in the cage mill are the pins of the revolving cages. Impact crushing, particularly impact crushing that uses the most suitable cage mill available, has a number of advantages over compression crushing. Cage mills produce a more cubical product of consistently high quality and they are capable of a very high ratio reduction. There is no decrease in quality of the product even after long periods of operation. Cage mills represent a lower initial investment than most other types of crushing equipment and maintenance is easy and inexpensive to perform. Application Cage Mill Manufacturer The wisest and most effective use of cage mills depends on a proper understanding of them, of how they are made and what they will and will not do. Multi-row mills typically consist of an even number of cages: two, four or six. The cages are arranged concentrically, with each row spinning in the opposite direction from that of the row adjacent to it. Two motors are required. They are mounted on opposing sides of the mill, where they turn in opposite directions. One, two or three rows may be mounted on each shaft. A multi-row cage mill utilizes multiple stages of selective impact reduction. The material to be reduced is fed into the center of the innermost cage, where it is struck by the massive spinning pins and distributed 360 degrees around the cage. Centrifugal force and the impact of the pins causes the material, now reduced to smaller pieces, to pass through the cage into the pins of the next row, which is spinning in the opposite direction. The farther away from the center cage the particles travel, the more their impact velocity is increased. In the process of being thrown from row to row the particles also strike each other. They finally are thrown against tough breaker plates that line the inside of the housing. After many violent strikes against the pins, the breaker plates and each other, the much-reduced particles are caught by the outer housing and allowed to drop through the discharge at the bottom of the housing. Size Control Properly presetting the speed of the cages allows the succeeding rows, moving from the innermost outward, to act principally on the particles that have not yet been reduced to the desired size. Particles that have been crushed sufficiently tend to pass through the subsequent rows without being materially affected. Thus, over crushing or under crushing is effectively controlled by adjusting the speed of the cages. All cage mills are fed internally - - the material to be crushed is dropped into a hopper, from which it travels by chute into the center of the innermost row. It falls from the chute onto the spinning pins of the cage, which strike the falling pieces of feed and explode them into many smaller pieces. The particles are propelled by centrifugal force from the innermost cage into the pins of the adjacent row, which is spinning in the opposite direction. Cage Mills for Aggregates Particles that are still too large are struck by the pins of the second row and reduced further. The reduction process continues through any additional rows that may be part of the machine. The impact velocity of the particles increases as the centrifugal force carries them outward from one cage to the next until they finally strike the mill housing and drop toward the large discharge opening at the bottom of the housing. Controlling the speed at which the cages revolve allows the operator to control the amount of reduction that takes place. That is, if the speed is properly preset and controlled, the material will be reduced to its desired size at some point during its trip through the cage mill and then virtually no further reduction will have to take place. The selective impact crushing that is a characteristic of cage mills minimizes the amount of oversize and undersize particles to be found in the finished product. The design of the cages controls the path that the material will flow through the machine. This makes it possible to concentrate the wear on the pins, which are made of very hard alloys to give maximum possible service before they have to be replaced.
SIL2 / SIL3 certification for its Centurion Guided Radar
Hawk Measurement Systems
Hawk Measurement acquires SIL2 / SIL3 certification for its Centurion Guided Radar to improve reliability in safety instrumented systems in hazardous operations. Hawk Measurement Systems (HAWK), a global leader in measurement solutions, has announced that it has earned Safety Integrity Level rating SIL2 / SIL3 to aid in reducing safety risks in hazardous applications from the International Electrotechnical Commission. This Commission's (IEC) standard IEC 61508 defines SIL using requirements grouped into two broad categories: hardware safety integrity and systematic safety integrity. A device or system must meet the requirements for both categories to achieve a given SIL. Achieving this SIL certification means HAWK’s Centurion Guided Radar measurement systems will provide operators with the added insurance that it will consistently and reliably identify all processes considered hazardous and, if failure was to occur, determine that level of risk. The rating will help evaluate whether this specific technology for the measurement of multiple mediums such as liquids, sludge, powders and granules to a range of 18.5m (60ft) for level meets the selected risk tolerance level. These standards have been widely accepted globally to help define Safety Instrumented Systems and their reliability as a means of assessing and improving their safety. According to Jack Evans, President (Hawk Measurement America), “Risk reduction can be an expensive procedure and operators are looking to reduce that risk to a level as low as reasonably practicable. We take great pride that our Centurion Guided Radar measurement systems have sufficient operating history and that they have a proven track record. HAWK has long been committed to safety and risk reduction and earning SIL2 / SIL3 compliancy will establish a rigorous development process so that our customers can benefit from the advancing technologies that we have to offer. This certification is just another way we assist our customers achieve compliance while demonstrating our involvement to reduce risk.” HAWK is a world leader in level, positioning and flow measurement, providing cutting edge equipment to the global industrial market. With 30 years of experience and a record of success in a wide range of areas including mining/mineral processing, water supply/waste water, bulk material handling and chemical, our on-going commitment is to provide industry leading technology with cost-effective solutions. For more information and global representatives: [email protected]
Why Simulation?
IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Simulation based operator training has been successfully applied to a range of diverse industries where high risk and high costs are everyday issues requiring smart solutions. Whether piloting a plane or launching a space shuttle, simulation training has been proven to dramatically reduce risk, cost, unscheduled maintenance, increase trainer effectiveness and efficiency while maximizing productivity. Within the often hazardous mining industry, simulation training has quickly gained recognition as a significant method of increasing site safety and profitability through improved operator skill and knowledge. Simulators provide operators a safe environment to learn and practice their skills while allowing the operator to practice for a range of possible emergency situations. Many of these situations are too dangerous, too difficult or too expensive to test in an actual mine. Operators can also be shown and assessed for the proper operating technique much more quickly and accurately than the traditional in machine approach. Focus on improving operator technique with Immersive Technologies’ simulators has delivered proven results including longer tire life, reduced spot time, reduced brake abuse, improvements in fuel use, reduction in engine overspeeds and more. Simulator training allows operators to be shown and assessed without the need to borrow machines from production. This allows new operators to practice many skills before being placed into a production circuit. Because operators are consistently shown and assessed on the proper operator techniques they have a better understanding and knowledge of the real machine. Following Immersive Technologies release of the world’s first mining dump truck simulator in 1998, their customer results, support network, machine range, global mining footprint, level of realism and OEM endorsements are without equal in the industry. Highlighting the benefits of simulation training, four leading Original Equipment Manufacturers, Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu and Liebherr have chosen to exclusively sign technical information licensing agreements with Immersive Technologies, providing access to proprietary technical information necessary to accurately replicate the operation of their mining equipment. After significant supplier evaluation each major OEM has chosen to exclusively recommend Immersive Technologies' Advanced Equipment Simulators. This unprecedented support and commitment from the OEM's has helped to firmly entrench Immersive Technologies' Simulator technology as the industry leader. This provides customers the comfort of knowing they are investing wisely in a proven and accepted technology that is here to stay. As the world’s largest supplier of mining equipment simulators, Immersive Technologies’ has a customer base that includes many of the world’s leading mining operations, mining contractors, training schools and original equipment manufacturers. Widely recognized as the global industry standard, Immersive Technologies’ has extensive experience in delivering complete training solutions to the mining industry with measurable safety and business improvement outcomes. Immersive Technologies has worked closely with thousands of mining training professionals, managers, and executives to deliver comprehensive solutions that have been proven to improve safety and mine profitability.
Performance Associates International (PAI) y Torex Gold colaboran para una puesta en marcha exitosa
PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL
Con demasiada frecuencia, las compañías de recursos naturales ponen en marcha plantas nuevas sin contar con un equipo de operaciones y mantenimiento debidamente capacitado. El resultado puede ser desastroso tanto en términos de seguridad como de ingresos. Obviamente el objetivo fundamental es una planta que funciona de forma segura y rentable. En la mayoría de los casos, la capacitación sobre seguridad que se da antes del arranque de la planta es satisfactoria, resultando en pocos accidentes (o ninguno) durante la puesta en marcha y operaciones subsecuentes. Sin embargo, muchas plantas son negligentes cuando se trata de la buena capacitación de su personal de operaciones y mantenimiento. Un programa de capacitación bien ejecutado compensa con creces los costos de ejecución del mismo. Si se va a presupuestar una ingeniería de alta calidad, un proceso de adquisición eficiente y una gestión de construcción experimentada y comprobada (incluyendo el comisionamiento), ¿por qué dejar a la suerte la capacitación? Performance Associates International (PAI) desarrolló un programa de capacitación por computadora comprensivo, el cual abarca operaciones y mantenimiento, para su planta de oro El Limón-Guajes en el estado de Guerrero, México. En el 2015, los especialistas de capacitación industrial de PAI viajaron al lugar del proyecto para entrenar a los empleados de Torex Gold en anticipación de la puesta de marcha de la planta y la producción de oro. El emprendimiento fue un “éxito masivo,” según Nelson Bodnarchuk, Director, Sistemas Operacionales. Este video cuenta la historia de ese éxito, incluyendo comentarios generosos de los oficiales ejecutivos de Torex, quienes reconocen nuestro papel en la colaboración.
Gold and Silver Recovery—Carbon Adsorption Training
PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1983, Performance Associates International (PAI) is the worldwide leader in mine and plant industrial training. Our custom interactive modules have improved start-up success and operations for hundreds of clients on nearly every continent. In this training module, we cover how activated carbon is used to concentrate gold and silver from pregnant leach solution. The concentrating process is based on the concept of adsorption, in which complex gold, silver, and (if present) mercury molecules are adsorbed—or adhered—onto small, millimeter sized particles of activated carbon. The adsorption process is carried out at atmospheric temperature and pressure. During the process, the metals migrate from a cyanide leach solution to the surfaces of carbon pores. In addition to the animation, this module includes an animated process flowsheet, process variable target ranges and control methods, as well as alarm response procedures. This module covers one area of a gold ore processing plant. In a typical plant of this type, there would be another 4 to 8 modules that would cover the other plant areas with each module containing the same type of training materials, but specific to that plant area. In the training environment, some concepts are difficult to explain using still 2-D or even 3-D images. When this is the case, we develop animations and/or simulations in order to ensure better transfer of knowledge to our trainees.
Part 4 - Information Systems and Maintenance Work Control
PAUL D TOMLINGSON
Part 4 – Information Systems and Maintenance Work Control - Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series established that many existing fully-integrated information systems do not provide adequate support of supervisor’s maintenance work control needs. Work order elements are too complex and time consuming for use in the ‘pressure-cooker’ working environment of maintenance supervisors. As a result many supervisors are using ineffective work control procedures that neither control work nor provide field data for required information. In turn, maintenance planners are compelled to prepare ‘official’ work order documents to capture missing data. Many planners are simply ‘work order administrators’ with no time left to plan. When management requires information, these planners may be ‘creating’ bogus information misleading management decision-makers. Since not all work requires planning, a simpler work order element for supervisors can meet their work control needs and also allow them to control all non-planned work. Information system problems are acknowledged by system developers but without being corrected. However, many maintenance organizations have contributed by not developing a well-defined maintenance programs and specifying their information needs. Instead, they have accepted and tried to use the generic information output of overly complex package systems. This ‘log jam’ requires corrective actions. An outstanding PC-based system that satisfies the supervisors work control requirements, returns planners to their full time planning tasks and creates essential information has been identified. The system developer’s introductory presentation was obtained and is attached.
Mine on Demand
MMI
Productivity has become the new mantra in recent years for the mining industry. Ever since the “super cycle” of the commodities price boom came to an end, industry executives have realized that a blind chase for value can lead to significant structural costs and productivity defects in the mining process, which ultimately decrease profit. Many chief executive officers (CEOs) have responded to this market volatility by making significant cuts in capital investments. Possessing more operational (“back to basics”) profiles than their predecessors, industry leads now realize that in addition to improving short-term cash flows, they need to: ●● Make sustainable gains in productivity. Programs aimed at improving productivity need to have an enterprise-wide impact, beyond pilot programs that address people or equipment. These productivity initiatives also need to be accepted across all operations and made sustainable going forward by emphasizing truly continuous improvements. ●● Respond with more agility to fluctuating market demands. Business agility requires a supply chain design that enables faster responses to shifts in market demands and prices. With improved business agility, it’s possible to optimize net results per quarter—right down to margin-per-hour operations. Transforming the supply chain design in this way requires a forward-looking understanding of market demand, scenariobased planning, optimal resource allocation and flexible scheduling decisions—all of which necessitate changes across people, technology and processes.