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How to Maintain a Vibrating Screen for Longevity?
Time : 2025-10-09
Basic Structure and Operating Principles of Vibrating Screens
To be able to properly maintain a vibrating screen, one must first understand its basic elements and how it works. A vibrating screen consists of several components, including a screen frame, screen mesh, a vibrator, and some springs. The vibrator enables the screen to oscillate so that the materials on the screen mesh separate according to size.Each component experience different mechanics and some components have different functional stresses and loads (for example the screen mesh will wear out faster as it directly contacts the materials). The fasteners of the vibrating assembly may loosen, the springs will lose their elasticity, and the shock absorbing mechanism will wear out over time. Knowing the function of each component enables one to identify the possible problems when the screen requires maintenance.
Create a Consistent Inspection Schedule
During daily inspections, the main emphasis is on the equipment’s condition and basic operating status. Determine the condition of the screen mesh to see if it is damaged and whether it is blocked. Should you find damaged equipment, it is important to replace them in a timely manner; prevent a decline in the screening efficiency by cleaning blocked materials immediately. Additionally, the bolts and nuts that connect parts of the devices should be checked to see if they are loosened. If they are loosened, they should be tightened, and a wrench should be used. Lastly, the oil level in the vibrator should be checked. If it is below the standard, you should lubricate it.
Weekly inspections should be a lot more in depth. New screen mesh should be checked in addition to those in daily inspection. The wear of the screen mesh should be checked and measured. If the wear of the screen mesh exceeds the allowable limit, the screen mesh should be replaced. The elasticity of the springs also should be checked. The screen frame should be pressed down. If the screen frame springs back up, that means it is in working condition, if it springs back weakly, the springs should be replaced. The electrical system’s wiring should also be checked and should not have loose or damaged wires.
Vibrator Maintenance Lubrication Should Be Done Well
Lower the rate of wear on a vibrating screen and keep it operational by performing lubrication maintenance. Bearings and the vibrator's gears are the primary components to service. Choosing oil that is appropriate for lubricating is the first criterion. Different models of vibrators require varying types of lubricating oil. According to the equipment manual, choose a lubricating oil that fits the parameters. Mixing lubricating oils of varying types is highly discouraged as it can form a compensating oil and cause severe wear on the components.
Follow the equipment operator’s manual to the letter when it comes to the lubrication cycle. For the vibrator, the lubricating oil should be replaced on a routine basis, with an oil change interval set at 3 to 6 months. Oil replacement involves a complete oil drain, cleaning the oil tank and oil passage with clean diesel or kerosene, and filling to the specified level with fresh lubricating oil. Fill to the specified recommended oil level; do not overfill or underfill. An overfill lubricating oil condition will create more resistance on the vibrator parts and cause them to heat while an underfill lubricating oil condition will increase wear because the parts will be overworked and insufficiently lubricated.
Follow Appropriate Procedures and Use
Appropriate operation and use will reduce failure and result in a longer lifespan of the equipment. Before starting the equipment, make sure the environment around the site is clean and determine if anything will obstruct the equipment’s operation. Check the materials to be screened to see if they are evenly distributed, and determine if large impurities or foreign hard objects are present. If they are, remove them to avoid damaging or clogging the mesh.
While the equipment is running, it is required to monitor its Operating Status at all times. If the equipment abnormal noise, violent vibration, or a sudden drop in screening efficiency occurs, the equipment abnormal shutdown should be performed. Never run the equipment with faults, as it would cause greater damages to the equipment.
It is also necessary for a vibrating screen to be well maintained and properly operated if it is to be used for a long time, as faults will inevitably arise. Therefore, prompt fault resolution and proper maintenance to the screen will help the equipment to run properly and have an extended service life.
Come time to replace damaged parts, ensure the replacement is a genuine and compatible part to the designed model of the equipment. Trying to use unscrupulous parts to minimize cost will be detrimental to the equipment's function and lifespan. Moreover, during replacement, the appropriate procedures must be adhered to; make sure the part is properly secured and the interface is cohesive, so the connections are stable.
Fault record systems are documentation systems for equipment malfunctions. You must record for every malfunction the time it happened, what caused it, what maintenance was done and any other subsequent maintenance impacts. Such documentation systems allow for maintenance record analysis and identification of repeating issues, therefore maintenance plans may be adjusted to prevent further issues.
Schedule and Complete Overhaul Maintenance on All Equipment
Overall maintenance and overhaul are required in addition to daily and maintenance on faults. The maintenance and overhaul of the equipment largely depends on the frequency of use and the working conditions, best done on an annual basis.
In equipment maintenance and overhauls, begin by removing the equipment's main components like the vibrator, screen frame and springs. Assess each component for wear and for deformation, cracks and other defects. Repair parts using grinding and welding for minor repairs while severely worn or damaged parts must be replaced.
Check the assembly accuracy of the equipment. For example, the the coaxiality of the shaft and parallelism and levelness of the screen mesh and frame. Correct any deviations promptly to ensure the equipment is in optimal working condition.
Once maintenance and overhaul is completed, the equipment is reassembled in reverse order of disassembly. Each part must be checked for positional and tightness symmetry to ensure proper assembly. Once assembly is completed, perform a comprehensive test run for a minimum of 2 hours to verify the operation's conditions, the screening efficiency and stability of the maintenance parameters. Overall maintenance and overhaul will only be completed after all indicators meet the specifications.
