Ball mill: understand the importance of choosing a supplier

Ball and rod mills are some of the most important pieces of equipment in mining that work with very fine grain sizes. The rock reduction capacity of these machines is impressive.

However, they need to be highly productive, in addition to generating particles within the programmed granulometry. Therefore, choosing the equipment supplier is an important decision.

The Máquinas Furlan line of ball and rod mills offers productivity and robustness, with four options for feeding the lines.

Stay with us and learn about other features of grinding using balls and bars.

How does a ball mill work in mining?

In product development, one of the main questions people have is: how does a mill work in mining?

Basically, ball and rod mills are used in work when the objective is to generate fines, as they have an enormous capacity to reduce particle size. The difference between them is in the grinding body.

Rocks are processed using balls or steel bars. In the case of balls, there is also the option of bodies made of ceramic material.

Defining the application in the plant is important. The rod mill performs a coarser job and usually operates in an open circuit. Ball milling, on the other hand, generates a finer product, whether in an open or closed circuit, through impact and friction. The load of balls, in different diameters, contributes to the product's granulometry.

They are found in plants that operate in dry or wet processes, in sectors such as mining plants, chemical industries and others. These are lines that process the most diverse types of minerals.

Long or unexpected shutdowns generate losses in mining

When choosing machines, mining and quarrying companies must take into account the equipment that exists before and after the mills.

The project objectives will also determine the number of machines and whether the operation will be in series or parallel.

Because it occurs in the “heart of the plant”, the operation requires highly productive equipment. Long or unexpected shutdowns harm results. Quarries are still seeking low operating costs and little maintenance.

Therefore, managers need to choose a reliable machine supplier. In other words, a supplier that delivers a machine that works for as long as possible, generating a final product within the specified particle size.

Furlan's differentials in the line of ball and rod mills

In its catalog, Máquinas Furlan presents the lines of cylindrical rotary ball mills (MB line) and rod mills (MA line), aimed at products with finer grain sizes. These are robust, durable machines with excellent performance.

The grinding agents are composed of special alloy steels or ceramics.

The ball line models reduce to finer granulometries, with a control mesh of up to 0.044 mm. They usually operate in a closed circuit, both in dry and wet conditions.

The discharge arrangements for this line can be of the overflow type, generally for wet processes, or by means of a diaphragm, for wet or dry processes.

The MB bar line is suitable for coarser grinding, with a control mesh of 0.5 to 6.7 mm. It normally operates in open circuit and in stages prior to grinding by ball mills, integrating wet process projects. The discharge arrangement can be of the overflow or peripheral types.

Máquinas Furlan offers a range of models. The variations in size and capacity take into account the ideal model for the customer, as shown the MA and MB lines page on our website.

One of the distinguishing features of the Furlan brand is the versatility in feeding the mills. The mining company can choose between four systems, considering the adaptation of the equipment to different types of installation.

The system that uses a conventional spout is intended for direct feeding in wet or dry processes. The drum was developed for locations where the mill feeding height is limited, in wet processes.

The other option is through the parrot's beak, applied in a wet way to raise the material when the plant has a feeding box at a low level.

The fourth and final option is the system applied to direct feeding with dosing. Designed for dry grinding, this system consists of a metal silo, vibrating trough and screw conveyor.

Options for the mill line

Mills require optional extras. Furlan produces aeroseparators, trommels, bucket elevators and belt or screw conveyors. Review here the post that presented six practices that improve results in the use of conveyors in mining.

The technical team also develops grinding projects that include items from other manufacturers.

With 61 years of activity, Furlan is one of the leaders in the supply of mining equipment and steel castings.

Its industrial park generates a complete solution. At the unit in Limeira (SP), the company executes and monitors the production stages – such as steel manufacturing, heat treatment, machining, boilermaking and equipment assembly.

This format provides greater durability in equipment and parts, which, on the other hand, generates fewer stoppages in quarries and mining companies.

Then, click here and let's talk about your project.