OST-Africa’s advanced screen mount system offers the mining industry a maintenance-free alternative to conventional coil spring mechanisms, ensuring improved performance and greater operational safety.
“The OST screen mount design - which is based on the Neidhart Concept, originally pioneered at the University of Pretoria’s Laboratory of Advanced Engineering - addresses long-standing reliability and safety concerns in mining vibratory equipment,” explains Chantelle Scheepers, Marketing Manager, OST-Africa, part of Invicta Holdings Limited. “This highly efficient system features a mechanically advanced design comprising an outer and inner tube separated by four precision-moulded rubber elements. When the inner tube rotates, controlled torsional forces compress the rubber components, isolating vibratory motion and eliminating lateral displacement. This method overcomes the limitations of traditional coil springs, which are prone to frequency amplification, fatigue-related failure and safety risks during handling and replacement.
“Advantages of OST screen mounts over conventional coil spring assemblies, include simplified installation and greater personnel safety. The rubber-damped design is resistant to corrosion, dust ingress and water exposure, maintaining stable performance in challenging site conditions. Retrofit compatibility is achieved using adapter plates, facilitating easy integration into existing installations, without the need for extensive structural modification.”
OST screen mounts are available in several configurations. The Standard Type (AR/CR) supports vibratory equipment and drive systems, eliminating harmful resonant frequencies. The Compact Type (AD/CD) provides high load-bearing capability in constrained installations, ideal for two-mass systems. The Stainless Steel Type (S4) is suitable for operations requiring hygienic or wash-down conditions, while the Suspended Type (AS/HS) is recommended for overhead configurations. Specialists recommend the Heavy-Duty Type (AH/HR) for high-impact loading in intensive mining environments.
By mitigating excess vibration during operation and deceleration phases, the durable OST system extends component life and prevents the fatigue-related failure of structural elements.
The advanced design offers consistent acoustic and vibratory isolation, without the need for periodic adjustment or inspection. This allows for uninterrupted production cycles and contributes to lower total cost of ownership over the equipment’s operational lifespan.
OST-Africa specialises in the design, manufacture and full engineering support of custom screen, transmission and materials handling products, that meet stringent quality and safety specifications.
