An all-rubber lining has been successfully developed by Trelleborg for composite lifter bar solutions. The company recently developed and supplied a cost effective, long lasting rubber lifter bar solution for a ball mill in Australia. The success with the special 1605AM rubber compound and design has given Trelleborg the opportunity to offer its clients an alternative to composite steel lifter bars.
Composite lifters can not only add to the load in the mill, but are also difficult to handle in confined spaces and take much longer to install, adding to downtime and installation costs. The lifter bars made with new 1605AM rubber compound come with added benefits such as; easy handling, quick installation time, reduced power draw and noise pollution. The reduction in overall weight decreases the impact on rotating components.
Downtime is a significant issue faced by the mining industry, and the mining and material processing industry is always looking for ways to enhance availability of the mills that grind and blend materials. Trelleborg says its rubber lifter bars offer increased operational efficiencies, significantly reduced downtime, simple wear monitoring and life predictability. “In addition, when compared with steel, a rubber solution also provides superior resistance to the severe impact, high temperature and abrasion caused by the comminution of the ore within the mine’s grinding mill, enhancing the life of the mill.”
“Composite steel is currently the traditional material of choice for primary and some secondary milling applications; and until now, has provided a whole-life performance that alternatives could not. However, the development of Trelleborg’s special grade rubber compound and various face angles to suit any application, offer greater value and performance versus composite steel lifter bars, without compromising the available volume and throughput in the mill.”
Trelleborg offers a wide range of rubber lifter bars and plates for ball mills, rod mills and drum scrubbers. The standard rubber lifter sizes from Trelleborg range from 50 mm to 250 mm wide and 50 mm to 350 mm in height. They come complete with aluminium and steel tracks, with different face angles to suit the milling or scrubbing application. Trelleborg also provides a wide range of shell plates, grate plates, head plates and filler segments, including the backing rubber to protect the mother plate of the mill.
“With over 100 years’ experience in the mining industry and expertise in the use of polymers and polymer composites, Trelleborg has the ability to provide cost effective lining packages with superior grades of rubber and composite steels using the latest moulding techniques.”
