Gravel screens

Types of gravel screens

The function of a gravel screen is to separate larger particles from the intended material. However, there are many kinds of screens in stone quarries adapted for different types of equipment and the design of the screen mesh itself. The most common types of gravel screens are:

• Vibratory screens

  A gravel vibrating screen, or vibratory screen, is one of the most common types of screening equipment for separating aggregate materials. It operates using a high-frequency motor to throw materials down the screen mesh. The frequency at which the gravel vibratory screens function is fundamentally responsible for product separation. Larger particles will move slower across the screen and eventually be pushed out of the screen's boundaries, while smaller particles will be screened faster and processed accordingly. Vibratory screens come in different sizes and specifications. Some common ones are the WA8044 vibratory screen and the SW1045B, WA1045B vibratory sand screens. WA8044 vibratory screens feature a mesh size of less than 20/40 and are acceptable for almost any type of material, such as coal, gravel, ores, etc. On the other hand, WA1045B, WA1047B screens feature a mesh size of 20 / 50 and are acceptable for sand material with straight-line motion.

• Rotary screens

  Rotary screens separate materials by allowing them to pass through a rotating cylinder. Rotary gravel screening equipment is more effective in large-scale operations where high volumes of material need to be screened. The disadvantage is that they take up much space so are not suitable for smaller quarries or where the material does not need to be screened at high volumes.

• Crushing and screening plant combls

  A crushing and screening plant combo features both a crusher to break down large rocks into smaller, manageable pieces and a screen to separate the desired material from unwanted contaminants. The advantage of having a gravel crushing screen combo is that it reduces the need to transport materials to different facilities for processing.

• De-watering screens

  A de-watering screen is a special type of screen designed to drain excess water from material before stockpiling it. It features a decline angle that allows water to run off the screened material, making it easier to handle, especially in the case of sand. Sand sometimes needs to be de-watered before it can be sold.

• Finger screens

  A finger gravel separator screen is a type of rigid frame screen that employs wide-spacing polyurethane or rubber "fingers" to separate materials. Finger screens are particularly well-suited for handling large volumes of bulky materials, such as construction and demolition debris. They can effectively separate oversized objects, rocks, and gravel while allowing smaller materials to pass through, reducing the risk of blinding or saturation.

Specification and maintenance of gravel screens

Specifications are essential when discussing the types of gravel screening equipment available for sale. Let's take a look at some of them.

• Screen Materials

  Diverse strong materials are utilized, like stainless steel and polyurethane, to manufacture gravel screen mesh. The materials provide different attributes that meet specific requirements, such as durability, tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and more.

• Screen Openings

  The size of the openings in gravel screens determines the quantity and sizes of materials filtered or separated. Different screening purposes require distinct opening sizes, ranging from fine to coarse openings.

• Layer Numbers

  Gravel screen mesh can have up to five layers or floors. The multilayer design offers numerous filtering combinations and increases productivity.

• Vibration Frequency

  Aggregate screens vibrate at a particular frequency to filter materials effectively. The frequency can be high, moderate, or low, with each setting having distinct filtering effects.

• Separation Number

  The number of separations denotes the different material categories the screen can separate simultaneously. Screens used in mining typically have multiple separations, whereas those used in agricultural or domestic settings have fewer.

Maintenance

Regular maintenances can help sustain the performance and prolong the lifespan of gravel screens for sale. Here are some of the best maintenance tips.

• Routine Inspections

  Users should carry out regular inspections to ascertain the overall functionality of the screening equipment. They should check for signs of wear, damage, or loosening of any components and promptly address issues as they arise.

• Cleaning

  Users should regularly remove any accumulated debris from the screen surface to avoid clogs and maintained optimal airflow. They can use water or pressurized air to clean the screen meshes.

• Lubrication

  The gravel screen's moving components should be properly lubricated to reduce friction and prevent premature wearing and tear. Lubricate the components based on the manufacturer's instructions and advice.

• Adjustment and Tightening

  Over time, screen gravel mesh may require adjustments and a tightening routine due to vibrations. Regularly inspect and adjust the screening settings to ensure optimal separation and filtering. Also, regularly tighten the bolts and fasteners to enhance stability and safety.

Scenarios of gravel screens

The key application of a gravel screening machine is to separate gravel by size for different uses. This application comes with many other related applications.

The main use of a gravel screener is in the mining industry. Many mining companies use gravel screens to classify the materials they mine. This improves the efficiency of their operations and aids material processing.

The construction industry heavily relies on the gravel screeners' work. Whether the material is screened at the source or brought to the site, gravel of different sizes is used for diverse construction purposes. Smaller grade gravel is usually used for concrete production and the construction of road foundations.

Sizing the material for landscaping projects is another application of gravel screens. Homeowners and landscapers use different-sized gravel for paths, decorative features, and drainage solutions.

Public and private golf course developers also screen gravel to achieve specific green layering. Gravel screens can help achieve the desired layer order and blend when developing a golf course or golf green.

Topsoil can also be screened with gravel screens. Screening topsoil can help separate debris, stones, and organic material. This allows quality organic material to be used for landscaping and agricultural purposes.

Gravel mesh screens also have applications in the road construction industry. Road construction companies use screeners to produce gravel for road bases, drainage installations, and sub-layers.

The recycling industry stands to benefit from gravel screeners. The reason for this is that many companies need to separate recyclable materials; gravel screens provide that separation.

Besides the industries mentioned above, gravel screens are used in the agricultural industry. Agriculture producers screen gravel and soil to create fields and pathways for better drainage and crop production.

How to choose gravel screens

When purchasing gravel screening equipment, several factors need to be considered to make the right investment. Because the cost of buying a screen is significant, the following will help in decision-making when purchasing a screening machine for gravel.

• Quality: Suppliers should be requested to provide details of the material from which the screen component parts are manufactured. The feeder, main frame, screening mesh, and screening box should be made of high-quality steel. Once the component parts have been inspected, the gravel screen can be confidently purchased, knowing that it will have a long operating life.
• Screen mesh/panel options: Different types of screen meshes/panels are available, which present many possibilities for wholesalers and end-users. The most common types of screens are all made to have interlinked sockets. They are easy to replace, saving downtime and making maintenance easy. Screens are made of materials with specific characteristics. For instance, polyurethane rigid screens can resist high temperatures, while stainless steel screens can be resistant to corrosion. Wholesalers can find different types of screens, including woven screens, which are tightly knitted to sift smaller particles. They could offer an extensive product line to customers.
• Vibration/frequency: A screen's vibrational frequency helps break down material to screen it. Frequencies can be low, high, or somewhere in between. Screens with higher frequencies tend to be more energy efficient, while lower frequencies have a greater throw, allowing them to screen more oversized materials.
• Warranty: Machines with moving parts that constantly get rub against each other put quite a considerable strain on component parts. When buying a gravel screen for sale, it is essential to check the warranty on all parts of the machine. The warranty will give some assurance that part of the machine will be covered in case of any defects.
• After-sales service: In addition to the warranty, the after-sales service the supplier offers is essential in deciding whether to buy from them or not. If there are any significant issues with the machine, will the service team be there to sort them out? Will they have replacement parts readily available? Suppliers who have excellent service teams to assist their clients improve and grow their businesses.
• Customizations: In some cases, customers want to have their gravel screens customized to have specific features. For example, they may want their screen to fold for better storage or include wireless technology for remote monitoring. Customizations may come at an additional cost, but it helps to have a machine tailored to unique requirements.

FAQ

Q1: How can buyers find the right gravel screen for their needs?

A1: Buyers can find the right gravel screening machine by considering the application, material characteristics, production capacity, available space, budget, and whether new or used. Screening equipment catalogues and help articles can also assist in guiding the screening machine selection process.

Q2: Are gravel screens customizable to specific requirements?

A2: Yes, many manufacturers offer gravel screens that are scalable or configurable to specific requirements. Buyers can choose the size, capacity, and features of the screen to suit their particular application and needs.

Q3: Can gravel screens be integrated into existing production lines?

A3: Yes, gravel screens can be integrated into an existing production line. Manufacturers of gravel screens usually offer the screens that are compatible with other processing equipment and production lines. Gravel screens allow automated material separation together with other processing machines.

Q4: What are the warranty and after-sales services for gravel screens?

A4: Most screen suppliers offer equipment warranties for manufacturing defects or quality issues. In addition, they provide after-sales services such as installation guidance, technical support, equipment maintenance, and repair services.