Stud mounting

Abstract

A method and machine (10) for stud installation is described. The machine comprises: a support device (20) configured to support a tire (14) and a shaft (12), the tire being mounted on the shaft for angular displacement about a longitudinal rotation axis; and a stud insertion device (22), at least a portion of which is displaceable with respect to the tire supported on the support device, and which is configured to insert a stud into a hole in the tire.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to installing studs on a high pressure grinding roll (HPGR); more particularly, to installing studs on a wheel rim of a HPGR. Background Art

[0002] HPGRs consist of a pair of rollers which counter-rotate and grind the ore fed in the gap between the rollers. The roller surfaces are subject to very high pressures and therefore tungsten carbide studs are usually provided on the roller surfaces, protruding radially therefrom.

[0003] In a typical HPGR, the roller surface is provided by a hollow cylindrical steel tyre having a plurality of spaced apertures (or holes) into which studs of highly wear resistant material (usually made of tungsten carbide) are partially inserted during manufacture of the roller so that the outer portion of each stud protrudes radially beyond the outer surface of the tyre.

[0004] The studs are adhesively held in their respective holes. However, it is important that the operative inner or root end of each stud is in direct contact with the material of the tire forming the inner or blind end of the associated hole. This ensures that loads applied to the stud during operation are transferred directly from the stud to the tire and that the adhesive serves primarily to hold the stud in the hole. If there is a gap between the root end of the stud and the inner end of the hole, the load applied to the stud is transferred to the tire through the adhesive interface between the stud and the tire. This can result in failure of the adhesive interface and loosening or even falling out of the stud.

[0005] Currently, each stud is installed manually in its associated hole. The installation procedure involves the installer introducing adhesive into the hole in the wheel hoop. After the adhesive is introduced, the installer inserts the stud into the hole. A drill-mounted tool is then used to engage the operable outer end of the stud and push the stud into the hole while rotating the stud. This ensures that the entire surface of the stud located in the hole is coated with adhesive. In addition, this allows air trapped in the hole to escape along with excess adhesive. As mentioned above, it is important that the stud is fully inserted into the hole. One way to check the installation of the stud is by hitting the stud with a plastic hammer after installation. The sound made when the stud is fully inserted and when the stud is not fully inserted is different. Another way to check the insertion of the stud is to check the extent to which the stud protrudes from the outer surface of the wheel hoop by, for example, using a straight strip. The studs should all protrude approximately the same distance from the surface of the wheel hoop, and if this is not the case, the stud may need to be removed and checked to see if it is within specification.

[0006] Each roll has a large number of studs, typically about 15,000 (depending on the size of the roll), and therefore, the installation of the studs is very time consuming and prone to human error. For example, the amount of adhesive applied can vary from hole to hole. In addition, given the tedious nature of the job, it is easy for the installer to lose focus and fail to properly install one or more studs. It is extremely difficult to check after the studs have been installed to see if any studs were installed incorrectly.

[0007] It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to alleviate this problem or to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the invention

[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] In this application, relative terms such as front, back, upper, lower, etc. are used only to facilitate description and understanding of the embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. Ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are arbitrarily assigned herein and are used to distinguish components and do not indicate a particular order, sequence, or importance.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stud installation machine for installing a stud in a wheel tire of a HPGR, the machine comprising: a support device, the support device being configured to support the wheel tire and a shaft, the wheel tire being mounted on the shaft for angular displacement around a longitudinal rotation axis; and a stud insertion device, at least a portion of which is displaceable relative to the wheel tire supported on the support device, and the stud insertion device being configured to insert a stud into a corresponding hole in the wheel tire.

[0011] The machine may include an adhesive dispensing device, at least a portion of which is displaceable relative to the hoop supported on the supporting device, and the adhesive dispensing device is configured to dispense adhesive into the hole before the stud is inserted into the hole in the hoop. The adhesive dispensing device may include a dispensing head, which is insertable into the hole in the hoop and dispenses adhesive onto the surface of the hoop defining the hole. In particular, the adhesive dispensing device may include a control unit, an adhesive storage tank, a metering valve and a rotary sprayer, and may be based on components available from Ecolab Engineering GmbH, Raiffeisenstraβe 7, 83313 Siegsdorf, Germany. These components may include a Multiline 1000 (trademark) control unit (https: / / www.ecolab-engineering.de / en / home / ).

[0012] The stud insertion device may include a feed device configured to feed the stud from a stud supply into an insertion position in which the stud is radially spaced and aligned with a radially extending stud receiving hole in a wheel rim of a roller into which the stud is to be inserted, and a stud displacement mechanism configured to displace the stud from the insertion position to insert at least an operative inner end portion of the stud into an associated hole. The stud displacement mechanism may include an actuator displaceable between a retracted state in which the stud is receivable in the insertion position and an extended state, displacement of the actuator from its retracted state to its extended state displacing the stud from the insertion position into the hole in the wheel rim. The actuator may be a linear actuator, and displacement of the actuator between its extended and retracted states may be achieved by a pressurized fluid, for example hydraulically or pneumatically.

[0013] The machine may include an indexing device configured to align at least a portion of the adhesive dispensing device and at least a portion of the stud insertion device with the hole in the tire to ensure accurate adhesive dispensing and stud placement.

[0014] The indexing device may include a sensor configured to sense the position of the hole in the wheel tyre and adjust the position of the stud displacement mechanism to align it with the hole in the wheel tyre into which the stud will be displaced when necessary. The sensor may include a probe having a tapered front end that can be inserted into the hole in the wheel tyre and a detector device for detecting lateral loads and / or displacements of the probe, which will indicate misalignment of the probe and therefore the stud displacement mechanism relative to the hole in the wheel tyre. The displacement mechanism, adhesive dispensing head and the probe may be laterally spaced, with the spacing between them corresponding to the lateral spacing or pitch spacing of the holes in a row of holes in the wheel tyre. Therefore, in use, when the probe is inserted into a hole in a row of holes, if the probe is aligned with the hole, there will be no lateral displacement of the probe, and due to the lateral spacing of the displacement mechanism and adhesive dispensing head relative to the probe, the displacement mechanism and adhesive dispensing head will be aligned with other holes in the row of holes. However, if the probe is not aligned with the hole when it is inserted, it will deflect due to its tapered front end. The position of the shifting mechanism and adhesive dispensing head will be adjusted in response to the direction and degree of deflection of the probe to align it with the corresponding hole in the tire.

[0015] The pitch spacing of the holes on different tires can vary. Thus, the lateral spacing between the shifting mechanism, adhesive dispensing head and probe can be adjustable to fit the specific hole spacing of the tire, thereby enabling the machine to be used to install studs in tires of different sizes and with different spacing between the holes.

[0016] The machine may include a tool support module and a gantry, the stud insertion device, the adhesive dispensing device and at least a portion of the indexing device being mounted on the tool support module, the tool support module being mounted on the gantry, and the gantry being configured to allow displacement of the tool support module relative to a wheel hoop supported on the support device. More particularly, the gantry may be configured to allow displacement of the tool support module in at least one of the following ways: longitudinally, parallel to the axis of rotation, vertically and transversely relative to the axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the gantry may be configured to allow displacement of the tool support module along mutually perpendicular X, Y and Z axes.

[0017] The stage may comprise a carriage displaceable along a first horizontal displacement path parallel to the axis of rotation.The machine may comprise a base track on which the carriage is displaceably mounted.

[0018] The stage may comprise an intermediate support mounted on the carriage and displaceable relative to the carriage in a second horizontal displacement path perpendicular to the first horizontal displacement path.

[0019] The gantry may include an upright support member mounted on and extending upwardly from the intermediate support member, and the tool support module is mounted on the upright support member. The position of the tool support module on the upright support member may be adjustable along a vertical displacement path. This arrangement allows the tool support module to be displaced in three dimensions (i.e., along the X, Y and Z axes) relative to the wheel hoop mounted on the support device.

[0020] The support means may comprise a first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers longitudinally spaced from the first pair of rollers, the rollers being rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal rotation axis and configured to support a shaft on which the hoop is rotatably mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis. The machine may comprise drive means for driving at least one of the rollers to rotate the shaft and thereby the hoop supported on the rollers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive means may be configured to drive both rollers of at least one of the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers. The drive means may comprise a motor drivingly connected to the or each roller.

[0021] The position of one or more of the rollers may be adjustable to allow the axle and tyre of the rollers of different sizes of HPGRs to be supported thereon, and to allow adjustment of the rollers to ensure that the longitudinal axis of rotation extends horizontally.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting a stud on a roller of a HPGR, the method comprising the steps of: feeding the stud from a stud supply into an insertion position in which the stud is radially spaced and aligned with a radially extending stud receiving hole in a wheel rim of the roller; and displacing the stud by means of a stud displacing mechanism to insert at least an operative inner end portion of the stud into an associated hole.

[0023] The method may comprise the step of applying adhesive in the hole prior to the step of feeding the stud.

[0024] Each stud may have an operative inner end inserted into a hole in the rim and an operative outer end intended to project from the radially outer surface of the rim once the stud has been installed.

[0025] Optionally, the method comprises, prior to inserting the stud, detecting whether the stud is in a correct orientation such that when positioned in the insertion position, the operable inner end of the stud faces the hole in the wheel rim into which the stud is to be inserted. If the stud is in an incorrect orientation, the method may comprise returning the stud to the stud supply and feeding another stud from the stud supply to the insertion position.

[0026] Optionally, applying adhesive to the hole comprises inserting an adhesive dispensing head into the hole and discharging adhesive from the dispensing head onto a surface of the tire defining the hole.

[0027] Optionally, after the stud has been installed, the method includes laterally displacing the stud displacing mechanism so that it is aligned with an adjacent hole in the row of holes in the wheel tyre to allow the stud to be inserted into the adjacent hole.

[0028] Once studs have been inserted into all of the holes in one row of holes in the tyre, the method optionally includes rotating the tyre about the longitudinal rotational axis to bring another row of holes into registration with the stud displacement mechanism to allow studs to be inserted into the other row of holes.

[0029] Optionally, the method comprises aligning the displacement mechanism with the hole into which the stud is to be inserted before displacing the stud into the hole.

[0030] These and other aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a stud installation machine for installing a stud in a wheel hoop of a HPGR according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the machine with the shaft and wheel tyre of the HPGR mounted on the machine;

[0033] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A schematic plan view of the machine;

[0034] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 2 An end view of the machine;

[0035] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the stand of the machine;

[0036] Figure 6 Shows the formation Figure 1 A front view of a tool support module of a portion of a machine;

[0037] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 3D view of the tool support module;

[0038] Figure 8 Shows the formation Figure 1 a part of a stud feeding device of a part of a machine;

[0039] Fig. 9 Shown for installation in Figure 1 A side view of a stud in a machine;

[0040] Fig.10 a three-dimensional view showing a portion of a wheel hoop into which a stud has been inserted;

[0041] Figures 11 to 14 It shows sequentially Figure 1 The operation of a machine to insert studs into holes in the wheel hoops of the HPGR; and

[0042] Fig.15 shows a method for preventing unauthorized use Figure 1 Barrier device for machines. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a stud installation machine for installing studs in a wheel hoop of a HPGR according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the HPGR roll 11 with which the machine 10 is intended for use generally includes an elongated shaft 12 and a hollow cylindrical tire 14 mounted on the shaft 12 with an interference fit.

[0044] The shaft 12 extends from a driven end 12a to a mounting end 12b and defines bearing mounting portions 12c, 12d proximate each end 12a, 12b and a frustoconical wheel rim mounting section 12e located between and radially projecting from the bearing mounting portions 12c, 12d of the shaft 12. In other embodiments, the wheel rim mounting section 12e may be cylindrical (i.e., having a uniform circular cross-section).

[0045] A plurality of spaced apart, radially extending blind holes 16 open from the radially outer surface of the tire 14. The holes 16 are generally arranged in circumferentially spaced rows, wherein each row extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 of the roller 11. As will be described below, the machine 10 is used to insert the studs 70 (in Figures 8 to 10 1 and 2 (best shown in FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, each row is aligned with its adjacent row, however, other configurations may be used. For example, adjacent rows may be offset (equal or unequal) from each other so that alternating rows are aligned but adjacent rows are offset. Other configurations are also possible.

[0046] The machine 10 includes support means, generally indicated by reference numeral 20, for supporting the tire 14 and the shaft 12 for angular displacement about the longitudinal axis 18. The machine 10 also includes a stud insertion device, generally indicated by reference numeral 22 (see Figure 7 ), the stud insertion device is configured to insert the stud into the hole 16 in the wheel rim 14 as part of the wheel rim manufacturing process.

[0047] The stud installation machine 10 also includes an adhesive dispensing device generally indicated by reference numeral 24 (see Figure 6 and 7 ) and a graduation device generally indicated by reference numeral 26 (see Figure 7 ).

[0048] The machine 10 includes a base, generally indicated by reference numeral 28. The base 28 includes a pair of parallel elongated longitudinally extending base members 30 and end members 32 connected to the ends of the base members 30.

[0049] The supporting device 20 includes a first pair of rollers 34, 36 and a second pair of rollers 38, 40. Each pair of rollers (ie, the first pair 34, 36 and the second pair 38, 40) supports one of the bearing mounting portions 12c, 12d, thereby supporting the HPGR roller 11 and allowing rotational movement thereof.

[0050] The first roller support structure 42 supports the rollers 34 , 36 for rotation about parallel rotation axes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 .

[0051] The second roller support structure 44 supports the rollers 38 , 40 at a location longitudinally spaced from the first pair of rollers 34 , 36 such that the rollers 38 , 40 are rotatable about parallel axes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis 18 .

[0052] The support structures 42, 44 are configured to allow adjustment of the lateral spacing between the rollers 34, 36 and 38, 40 to support different diameters of the shaft 12. In addition, the second support structure 44 is longitudinally displaceable along the base member 30 to allow adjustment of the longitudinal spacing between the first roller support structure 42 and the second roller support structure 44. In addition, the second roller support structure 44 is supported on adjustable spacers or jacks 46 to allow adjustment of the level of the second pair of rollers 38, 40 to ensure that the longitudinal axis 18 extends horizontally in use.

[0053] The machine 10 includes drive means including a pair of motors 48, 50 drivingly connected to the rollers 34, 36 respectively to rotate the rollers 34, 36 and the shaft 12 in use, as described in more detail below.

[0054] The machine 10 includes a tool support module generally indicated by reference numeral 52 (in Figure 5 and 7 ), at least a portion of the stud insertion device 22, the adhesive dispensing device 24 and the indexing device 26 are mounted on the tool support module.

[0055] The tool support module 52 is mounted on a gantry 54 .

[0056] The stage 54 comprises a carriage 56 mounted to be displaced in the direction of arrows 57 along a pair of parallel rails 58 extending horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis 18. The stage 54 also comprises an intermediate support 60 mounted on the carriage 56 and displaceable in a horizontal plane (in the direction of arrows 62) (i.e., perpendicular to the direction in which the carriage 56 is displaceable). Figure 5 ). The gantry 54 also includes an upright support 64 mounted on the intermediate support 60. The tool support module 52 is mounted on the upright support 64 and is vertically displaceable thereon in the direction of arrow 66. Thus, the tool support module 52 is effectively displaceable about mutually perpendicular X, Y and Z axes.

[0057] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 6 and 7 The stud insertion device 22 includes a stud support 68 configured to support a stud 70 in an inserted position in which the stud is radially spaced and aligned with the radially extending stud receiving hole 16 in the wheel rim 14 .

[0058] The tool support module 52 includes a hollow housing 72 having a front face 74. The stud support 68 is mounted in the housing 72 in registration with a hole 76 in the front face 74. An adjustable stud guide 78 is mounted on the front face 74 and includes a support ring 80 in registration with the hole 76, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending adjustment screws 82 that project into a central opening defined by the ring 80. By adjusting the position of the adjustment screws 82, the effective size of the opening can be adjusted to accommodate the diameter of the stud 70 being installed.

[0059] The stud insertion device 22 includes a feed device generally indicated by the reference numeral 84, which is configured to feed the studs 70 from the magazine 85 to the stud support 68. Figure 8 As can be best seen in FIG. 8 , the feeding device 84 comprises a first stud elevator 86 configured to pick up the studs 70 from the magazine 85 and feed them to the intermediate platform 88. The feeding device 84 comprises a second stud elevator 90 configured to displace the studs from the intermediate platform 86 onto the upper end of a slide 92, along which the studs slide downwardly under the influence of gravity onto the stud supports 68, where they are in an insertion position ready to be inserted into the holes in the tire.

[0060] As shown in the attached figure Fig. 9 As can be seen in the drawings, each stud 70 has an inner operative end 94 and an outer operative end 96 that are dome-shaped or hemispherical in shape.

[0061] The feed device 84 includes a sensor 98, typically an optical sensor, which is positioned to sense the orientation of the stud on the intermediate platform 88. If the stud is in the correct orientation, i.e., whereby the operable inner end 94 will be inserted into the hole in the tire, as described in more detail below, the stud is displaced and discharged onto the slide 92 by means of the second elevator 90. However, if the sensor 98 determines that the stud is in an incorrect orientation, the stud is discharged from the intermediate platform 88 back into the bin 85, and a new stud 70 is displaced from the bin 85 onto the intermediate platform 88 by means of the elevator 86. Only when a stud 70 in the correct orientation is sensed is the stud displaced from the intermediate platform 88 onto the slide 92 via the second elevator 90.

[0062] The stud insertion device 22 also includes a stud displacement mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 100, which includes a pneumatically actuated plunger 102, which is displaceable between a retracted position and an inserted position or an extended position, in which the stud can be received on the stud support 68, and in which the plunger displaces the stud forward from the stud support through the hole 76 and the ring 80 into the hole 16 in the wheel hoop 14.

[0063] The adhesive dispensing device 24 includes an extendable arm 104 extending through an aperture 105 in the front face 74 of the housing 72. A dispensing head 106 is mounted on the free or protruding end of the arm 104. The arm 104 is connected to a pressurized adhesive supply 107 and is configured to shift between a retracted position, in which the arm is clear of the tire 14, and an extended position, in which the dispensing head 106 is inserted into the aperture 16 in the tire, where adhesive can be dispensed from the dispensing head 106 onto the surface of the tire defining the aperture 16. A collection container 108 is provided to collect any excess adhesive that may drip from the dispensing head 106.

[0064] The indexing device 26 includes a sensor 109 (e.g., an inductive sensor) and a control system, wherein the sensor is configured to sense the position of the hole 16 in the tire 14 and the control system is configured to adjust the position of the tool support module 52 (e.g., in the direction of arrows 57 or 66) when necessary to align the stud guide 78 and the adhesive dispensing arm 104 with the hole 16 in the tire 14, as described in more detail below.

[0065] The sensor 109 is coupled to a probe 110 that projects through an aperture 111 in the front face 74 of the housing 72 and is displaceable between a rest or retracted position and an extended position. The probe 110 has a tapered front end 112, and the sensor 109 includes one or more inductive sensors (e.g., inductive analog proximity sensors) for detecting lateral (e.g., sideways) loads on the probe 110.

[0066] The machine 10 also includes a stud feeder, generally indicated by reference numeral 114 , configured to feed studs from a storage container or hopper 115 into the bin 85 .

[0067] The spacing between the holes in a row may be different in various HPGR rolls. To enable the machine 10 to be used with tires 14 of different sizes, the arm 104 and the probe 110 are mounted in the housing so that they are laterally displaceable to allow the relative lateral spacing between the probe 110, the arm 112, and the stud support 68 to be adjusted to correspond to the pitch spacing between the holes in the particular tire 14 into which the stud 70 is being inserted.

[0068] In use, the machine 10 is arranged when mounted so that the rollers 34, 36, 38, 40 are positioned to support the shaft 12, wherein the longitudinal axis 18 extends horizontally. In this regard, the rollers 34, 36, 38, 40 are positioned to support the shaft 12, wherein the longitudinal axis 18 extends horizontally. Figure 1 ) indicated by a laser alignment device.

[0069] With particular reference to the accompanying drawings Figures 11 to 14, the position of the housing 72 is adjusted so that the hole in the front face 74 through which the stud 70, arm 104 and probe 110 protrude is at the same height as the longitudinal axis 18, which is aligned with the row of holes 16 in the tire 14. In addition, the housing 72 is positioned at the desired radial spacing from the radial outer surface of the tire 14. With the stud 70 positioned on the stud support 68, the probe 110 extends ( Fig.12 ) into the hole 16 in the wheel rim 14.

[0070] If the probe 110 is aligned with the hole 16, it will not contact the sides of the hole 16 and no lateral forces will be applied to the probe 110, allowing it to move freely in and out of the hole 16. The spacing between the probe 110, the arm 104 and the stud guide 78 is selected to correspond to the pitch spacing between the holes 16 in a row of holes 16. Therefore, if the probe 110 is aligned with the hole 16, the arm 104 and the stud guide 78 will also be aligned with the other holes 16 in the row of holes 16.

[0071] However, if the probe 110 is not fully aligned with the hole 16 due to its tapered front end 112, a lateral load will be applied to the probe 110 as it enters the hole 16. The sensor 109 is configured to determine the direction and extent of displacement of the housing 72 required to align the probe 110 with the hole 16 and, therefore, also align the arm 104 and the stud guide 78 with the adjacent hole 16 in the row. The sensor 109 transmits this direction and distance information to a controller (not shown), which moves the tool support module 52 accordingly so that the probe 110 is aligned with the corresponding hole 16.

[0072] As shown in the attached figure Fig.13 As shown in , once the displacement of the housing 72 (if necessary) is completed, the arm 104 is extended so that the dispensing head 106 is positioned in the hole aligned therewith, wherein a predetermined volume of adhesive is dispensed in the hole onto the surface of the side of the tire defining the hole. At the same time, the plunger 102 is extended so as to displace the stud 70 into the hole into which the adhesive has been dispensed, thereby inserting the stud 70 into the hole so that the operative inner end of the stud abuts against the root end or inner end of the associated hole.

[0073] Once the adhesive has been dispensed, the arm 104 is retracted. Furthermore, once the stud has been inserted into the hole, the plunger 102 is retracted and a new stud 70 is fed onto the stud support 68 by means of the feeding device 84. Fig.14 As shown in , housing 72 is then displaced laterally so that probe 110 is aligned with an adjacent hole in the row of holes, and the above process is repeated, dispensing adhesive and inserting a stud into each hole in the row.

[0074] Once the stud has been inserted into each hole in a row, the motors 48, 50 are activated to rotate the shaft 12 and the wheel rim 14 an amount sufficient to align the subsequent (which may be adjacent) row of holes with the probe 110, arm 102 and stud guide 78, and the above process is repeated to install the stud 70 in each hole 16.

[0075] If desired, to inhibit unauthorized use of the stud mounting machine 10, it may be enclosed within a barrier element or enclosure 118, as shown in the accompanying drawings. Fig.12 as shown in .

[0076] The stud installation machine 10 according to the above-described embodiment should greatly increase the speed at which studs 70 can be installed in holes 16 in tires 14. In addition, the machine 10 will allow studs 70 to be installed with greater consistency (due to the limited amount of force and adhesive used), thereby reducing the risk of incorrectly installing studs 70.

[0077] Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above within the scope of the present invention.For example, the sensor 109 may include a sensor other than an inductive sensor, for example, it may include a strain gauge.

[0078] List of reference numerals Stud Installation Machine 10HPGR Roller 11

[0079] Axis 12

[0080] Driven end 12a

[0081] Mounting end 12b

[0082] Bearing mounting portion 12c, 12d wheel rim mounting section 12e wheel rim 14

[0083] Blind hole 16

[0084] Longitudinal axis 18

[0085] Support device 20 Stud insertion device 22 Adhesive dispensing device 24 Indexing device 26

[0086] Base 28

[0087] Base member 30

[0088] End member 32 Rollers 34, 36, 38, 40 Roller support structure 42, 44 Adjustable spacer 46

[0089] Motor 48, 50 Tool support module 52 Stage 54

[0090] Slide 56

[0091] Parallel Track 58

[0092] Intermediate support 60 Arrows 57, 62, 66 Upright support 64

[0093] Stud support 68

[0094] Stud 70

[0095] Hollow shell 72

[0096] Front 74

[0097] Hole 76

[0098] Adjustable stud guide 78

[0099] Support ring 80

[0100] Adjusting screw 82

[0101] Feeding device 84

[0102] Storage silo 85

[0103] Stud lifter 86, 90

[0104] Platform 88

[0105] Sliding member 92

[0106] Stud inner end 94

[0107] Stud outer end 96

[0108] Sensor 98

[0109] Stud shifting mechanism 100

[0110] Plunger 102

[0111] Extendable arm 104

[0112] Hole 105

[0113] Dispensing head 106

[0114] Adhesive supply 107

[0115] Container 108

[0116] Sensor 109

[0117] Probe 110

[0118] Hole 111

[0119] Frontend 112

[0120] Stud feeding device 114

[0121] Hopper 115

[0122] Barrier device 118

[0123] Laser alignment device 120

Claims

1. A stud installation machine for installing a stud in a wheel hoop of a HPGR, the machine comprising: (i) a support device configured to support a wheel hub and a shaft on which the wheel hub is mounted for angular displacement about a longitudinal axis of rotation; as well as (ii) a stud insertion device, at least a portion of which is displaceable relative to a wheel hoop supported on the support device, and the stud insertion device is configured to insert a stud into a hole in the wheel hoop.

2. The stud installation machine of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive dispensing device, at least a portion of which is displaceable relative to a hoop supported on the support device, and the adhesive dispensing device is configured to dispense adhesive into the hole in the hoop before the stud is inserted into the hole.

3. The stud installation machine of claim 2, wherein the adhesive dispensing device further comprises a dispensing head insertable into a hole in the tire.

4. A stud installation machine according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the stud insertion device further comprises a feed device and a stud shifting mechanism, the feed device being configured to feed the stud from a stud supply into an insertion position, wherein the stud is radially spaced and aligned with a radially extending stud receiving hole in the wheel rim of the roller into which the stud is to be inserted, and the stud shifting mechanism being configured to shift the stud from the insertion position and insert at least the operative inner end portion of the stud into the associated hole.

5. The stud installation machine of claim 4 , wherein the stud displacement mechanism further comprises a linear actuator displaceable between a retracted state in which the stud is receivable in the insertion position and an extended state, wherein displacement of the linear actuator from its retracted state to its extended state causes the stud to be displaced from the insertion position into the hole in the wheel hoop.

6. The stud installation machine of any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising an indexing device configured to align at least a portion of the dispensing device and at least a portion of the stud insertion device with the holes in the tire to ensure accurate adhesive dispensing and stud placement.

7. The stud installation machine of claim 6, wherein the indexing device includes a sensor configured to sense the position of the hole in the tire and, if necessary, adjust the position of the stud shifting mechanism to align it with the hole into which the stud is to be shifted.

8. A stud installation machine according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is coupled to a probe having a tapered front end insertable into the hole in the wheel tyre and a detector device for detecting lateral loads and / or displacements of the probe, which lateral loads and / or displacements will indicate misalignment of the probe and therefore the stud shifting mechanism relative to the hole in the wheel tyre.

9. The stud installation machine of claim 8, wherein the shifting mechanism, adhesive dispensing head and probe are laterally spaced along a line, and the spacing between the shifting mechanism, adhesive dispensing head and probe corresponds to the lateral spacing or pitch spacing of the holes in a row of holes in the wheel tire, so that when the probe is aligned with a hole in a row of holes, the shifting mechanism and the adhesive dispensing head are automatically aligned with other holes in the row of holes.

10. The stud installation machine according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a tool support module and a stand, wherein the stud insertion device, the adhesive dispensing device and at least a portion of the indexing device are mounted on the tool support module, the tool support module is mounted on the stand, and the stand is configured to allow the tool support module to be displaced relative to the tire supported on the support device.

11. The stud installation machine of claim 10, wherein the gantry is configured to allow the tool support module to be displaced in at least one of the following ways: longitudinally, parallel to the rotation axis, vertically, and laterally relative to the rotation axis.

12. The stud installation machine of claim 11, wherein the gantry is configured to allow the tool support module to be displaced along mutually perpendicular X, Y and Z axes.

13. A stud installation machine according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the carriage comprises a carriage displaceable along a first horizontal displacement path parallel to the rotational axis.

14. A method of installing a stud on a roller of a HPGR, the method comprising the steps of: (i) feeding the studs from a stud supply into an insertion position in which the studs are radially spaced and aligned with radially extending stud receiving holes in a wheel rim of the roller; as well as (ii) displacing the stud by means of a stud displacing mechanism to insert at least an operative inner end portion of the stud into an associated hole.

15. The method of claim 14, the method comprising, before feeding the stud from the stud feeder, applying an adhesive in the hole before the stud is inserted into the hole; and wherein the displacement of the stud into the hole further comprises activating an actuator from a retracted state, in which the stud is receivable in the insertion position, to an extended state, in which the actuator displaces the stud from the insertion position into the hole.

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