A locally designed and developed crusher capable of dramatically reducing energy consumption in the comminution circuit was recently introduced to quarry operators during the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa’s (Aspasa) round of regional meetings.
The crusher departs from conventional wisdom by using a stationary mantle fixed to a central hydraulic shaft. Crushing force is transferred via the concave ring which in turn is driven by the fly wheel and eccentric. These rotate on bearings and provide an elliptical, pendulum type action in the direction of feed to take in, reduce and eject rock.
This locally designed and developed crusher requires only two moving parts and is faster and easier to use than conventional crushers.
Developer Leon Venter of Crush Force on the East Rand explains that the new approach is less complex, requires only two moving parts and is quicker and easier to operate than conventional crushers. In addition, it requires less horsepower to spin the weighted flywheel (and eccentric) to produce the required elliptical motion and force required for crushing by the concave ring.
“As a result of this action, our new crusher provides more uniform crushing and can be precisely set to provide required sizes and grades of aggregate. It is also quicker and easier to set with operators able to do setting electronically. Chamber design will also be available in fine, medium or coarse to suit different requirements,” he says.
“With only 38 parts, there is less to go wrong and fewer maintenance points to be concerned with. This ensures the highest possible availability while other design features make allowance to improve productivity issues. A good example of this is the quick replacement of liners which can be completed in just 30 minutes. Uncrushable or tramp iron material will pass automatically through the hydraulic relief without stopping the machine,” he explains.
Although untried in the marketplace, Venter has invited members of Aspasa to trial the crusher and provide feedback to the market.
This outreach was well accepted by several of the more technical individuals who attended the regional meeting and Aspasa director Nico Pienaar says feedback of such trials would be sent to members of the Association if required.
