ME SecureFIT® external bolting offers an advanced fastening solution for SAG mill liners. This innovative approach securely attaches the liners to the mill shell using bolts inserted from the outside.
Aligning with Customer Needs
In today's mining industry, safety stands out as the foremost Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Therefore, any innovation or development that can minimize exposure times to hazardous conditions for people, equipment, and the environment takes priority for implementation.
Among the critical tasks in SAG milling, changing liners is a process that significantly impacts both the safety and operational availability of the plant. This task involves multiple personnel, exposing them to hazardous conditions often referred to as the "line of fire." It is crucial for this process to be highly efficient to minimize maintenance times and reduce the risks associated with prolonged exposure. Unfortunately, there have been instances of fatal accidents during liner changeouts in mining operations, highlighting the urgent need for safer and more efficient methods to conduct these tasks.
One of Peru's most significant mining operations, which serves as a benchmark for the local industry, is seeking reliable and innovative solutions for its SAG mills. Safety stands out as a primary pillar in its operational activities, necessitating advancements that enhance safety protocols. Traditionally, the customer has relied on traditional bolting solutions for their SAG mills. However, this method is considered unsafe and risky, particularly during installation and maintenance processes. There is a growing need for safer alternatives that can improve operational safety while maintaining or enhancing efficiency in maintenance routines.
The ME Elecmetal Solution
ME SecureFIT® external bolting offers an advanced fastening solution for SAG mill liners. This innovative approach securely attaches the liners to the mill shell using bolts inserted from the outside. Unlike traditional methods that require personnel to be inside the mill passing bolts from the inside to the outside for each liner installation, ME SecureFIT® eliminates this need entirely. Specifically, this solution reduces the number of people inside the mill by an impressive 75%.
Internally, ME Elecmetal applies specialized technology within the thread of the piece's perforations to optimize fastening conditions using a loose-nut approach. This technology is designed to reduce friction during bolt installation, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving the intended design tension. By minimizing torque loss due to friction, ME Elecmetal enhances the overall efficiency of the installation process. Furthermore, this technology improves the distribution of loads on the bolt threads and the piece itself, ensuring that the transmission of forces is more efficient and effective throughout the operational campaign.
ME Elecmetal's line of materials combining rubber and steel offers customized solutions tailored to meet the specific objectives of each mill operation. These solutions prioritize client needs such as longevity, increased capacity, and minimized downtime. The rubber-and-steel composite materials are engineered to be abrasion-resistant, effectively minimizing the volume occupied within the mill. By reducing the number of parts required, these materials optimize the capacity of the liner handler, enabling faster installation processes.
Benefits
Safety
Eliminates a significant number of hours of exposure to human-machine interaction by reducing the number of workers inside the mill, which has a positive impact on safety indicators.
Maintenance and Installation
Simplicity in assembly and disassembly of parts effectively reduces maintenance risks and installation times. These streamlined processes enhance efficiency in managing SAG mill operations.
Wear Rates
Externally bolted liners eliminate through-holes. This design improvement optimizes the use of steel and effectively reduces preferential wear in the perforation zone of the liners.
Leak Elimination
Eliminates the possibility of leaks or pulp leakage typically associated with through-holes. Instead, it may include a few strategically placed drainage points if necessary.
Elimination of Retorquing
The rubber lining used in ME Elecmetal's solutions effectively eliminates the need for retorquing, providing substantial advantages for operational continuity in SAG mill operations.
A High-Quality Partner
To implement this solution, ME Elecmetal has partnered with Valley Forge-USA, a company renowned for its premium-quality manufacturing of fastening products. Through this business agreement, both companies are committed to developing and innovating together, ensuring the highest standards in fastening technology and enhancing the overall effectiveness of ME Elecmetal's solutions for SAG mill operations.
We have specialized laboratories and equipment, staffed by recognized and outstanding personnel in each area involved. This expertise allows us to provide solutions that are highly focused and tailored to meet specific needs with great precision and assertiveness.
