provides an incomplete picture. “Operators should consider service life, screening efficiency, open area, throughput, product quality, maintenance requirements, installation time and production losses associated with downtime.” A cheaper panel may require more frequent replacement or compromise screening efficiency, ultimately increasing the cost of processing each tonne. Screenex’s approach is underpinned by approximately 70 years of experience in the South African screening industry. The company was the original designer and manufacturer of the modular screening panel system in South Africa, building knowledge around local materials, applications, panel design and plant conditions. That experience also supports the company’s custom-design approach. “Not every screening problem can be solved with an off-the-shelf product,” says Botha. “By working closely with customers, we can assess the application, identify the root cause of a performance issue and develop a solution around the plant’s actual operating conditions.” For a screening operation, that means the conversation is moving beyond simply asking which panel to buy. The more useful question is how the entire screening system can work harder, remain maintainable, and minimise the production cost attached to every tonne processed.
The correct solution must balance wear life, screening efficiency, throughput, product quality and maintenance requirements.
an opportunity to assess the application and identify potential issues that may not be apparent from specifications or panel dimensions alone. Not every deck needs the same answer Application conditions also dictate which type of media is appropriate. Rubber, for example, can provide advantages over polyurethane in certain high-impact and high-density applications, including scalping decks and solid impact areas. In other applications, harp or piano- wire-type media can address problems associated with conventional square apertures. “The correct solution must balance wear life, screening efficiency, throughput, product quality and maintenance requirements,” says Botha. Screenex’s development work includes a wedge wire insert panel, combining modular
screening media with the precision and open-area characteristics of wedge wire where appropriate. The company also manufactures a range of fixing and retention systems, including nipple pin and snap-on arrangements, allowing the solution to be matched to different deck layouts and operating conditions. Its polyurethane manufacturing capability extends beyond screening panels, with spray nozzles for different process and washing requirements and polyurethane replacement belt scrapers for demanding materials-handling environments. Experience still matters The increasing availability of imported and lower-cost products is placing more emphasis on how operators assess screening solutions. Botha argues that purchase price alone
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS OCTOBER 2026 31
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker