Overflow ball mills play a crucial role in the mining industry, as any unexpected downtime in these machines can lead to production line stoppages. To prevent such interruptions, regular and planned condition monitoring is essential. In the context of the slag flotation plant at the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, an increase in vibration in the overflow ball mill prompted this study to diagnose the fault using vibration and thermal analysis. To conduct this analysis, we employed data measurement techniques, including a vibrometer and accelerometer probe for vibration analysis, as well as thermal imaging for assessing thermal conditions. Our exami-nation of the collected data via frequency spectrums revealed significant vibration amplitudes in gear mesh frequencies, which are indicative of problems with the pinion and ring gear. The vibration analysis pointed towards symptoms of tooth profile errors and misalignment. Addi-tionally, our thermal analysis uncovered an uneven temperature distribution across the pinion surface, corroborating the findings from the vibration analysis. In conclusion, we propose cer-tain recommendations to address these issues and ensure the consistent peak performance of the ball mill.
Vibration Analysis for Fault Diagnosis in an Overflow Ball Mill: A Case Study at Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex
Authors
Abstract
Overflow ball mills play a crucial role in the mining industry, as any unexpected downtime in these machines can lead to production line stoppages. To prevent such interruptions, regular and planned condition monitoring is essential. In the context of the slag flotation plant at the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, an increase in vibration in the overflow ball mill prompted this study to diagnose the fault using vibration and thermal analysis. To conduct this analysis, we employed data measurement techniques, including a vibrometer and accelerometer probe for vibration analysis, as well as thermal imaging for assessing thermal conditions. Our exami-nation of the collected data via frequency spectrums revealed significant vibration amplitudes in gear mesh frequencies, which are indicative of problems with the pinion and ring gear. The vibration analysis pointed towards symptoms of tooth profile errors and misalignment. Addi-tionally, our thermal analysis uncovered an uneven temperature distribution across the pinion surface, corroborating the findings from the vibration analysis. In conclusion, we propose cer-tain recommendations to address these issues and ensure the consistent peak performance of the ball mill.
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