Vibrating screen fault detection system debuts

On Stand 99a, at this year's Hillhead International Quarrying and Recycling Show, SKF will debut its Copperhead system, a fault detection and bearing solution

On Stand 99a, at this year's Hillhead International Quarrying and Recycling Show, SKF will debut its Copperhead system, a fault detection and bearing solution that will revolutionise the operation of vibrating screens in the mining, quarrying and construction sector.

The SKF Copperhead system was developed globally in consultation with users and manufacturers of vibrating screens.

The rigorous environment and duty cycles that vibrating screens endure places the utmost demands on the bearings and mechanical arrangements of the machines.

Copperhead senses the vibration to detect faults such as loose mesh, bottoming out (where material builds up under the screen), overloading, loose cross members, gear damage and poor lubrication.

By placing the sensor close to the bearings, early warning signals are given of bearing wear and undue temperature increase in the bearing housings, which can help avoid catastrophic failure and unplanned shutdown.

The detection system uses SKF's unique enveloped acceleration technique to evaluate the dynamic features of the screen in isolation from other extraneous vibration.

The bearing system includes the specially designed SKF Explorer spherical roller bearing for vibrating applications (VA405), the SKF Explorer spherical roller bearing for vibrating screens with a PTFE-lined bore (VA406), or an SKF CARB(tm) toroidal roller bearing.

Either the Explorer bearing with a PTFE-lined bore (VA406) or the CARB(tm) bearing can be mounted in the non-locating shaft position.

Either of these bearing solutions can virtually eliminate the fretting corrosion and resulting damage that occurs on the shaft of a vibrating screen.

Mine and quarry operators can gain immediate benefit from installing the SKF Copperhead solution, while vibrating screen manufacturers can enhance their product reliability and efficiency by building SKF Copperhead into their machine designs.

SKF is extending the use of the SKF Copperhead solution to crushers, mills, conveyors and other equipment used in the mining and construction industry.

Misaligned pulleys and belts account for premature damage to both belts and bearings, and, as a result, the SKF stand will also feature the new BeltAlign, a precision laser tool which ensures perfect alignment.

With most belt arrangements aligned using trial and error adjustments, BeltAlign brings alignment methods up to date for high-speed precision machinery.

The SKF BeltAlign achieves greater accuracy by placing a laser transmitter/receptor magnetically within the groove of each pulley being aligned.

SKF opted to fit its devices within the pulley groove as greater accuracy can be obtained by placing them exactly where the belt runs.

Moreover, this method ensures equally accurate alignment, even when the pulleys are of different diameter or width.

Also on display will be SKF's full range of bearings, seals, housings, lubricants, and maintenance tools suitable for use in the quarrying industry.

SKF engineers will be on hand to discuss the company's maintenance systems, including the new Integrated Maintenance Solutions (IMS) programme, together with training opportunities.

Back to top