Mill Liner Lifting Elements for Autonomous Relining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for mounting and demounting liner elements in mills require trained personnel and dedicated lifting points, which are often damaged during operation, leading to inefficiencies and the need for manual handling.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising liner lifting elements and fastening bolts that allow mill reline machines to autonomously mount and demount liner elements by engaging with lifting tools, eliminating the need for internal personnel and dedicated lifting points, and featuring guide portions for precise positioning and sacrificial end portions for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated lifting points are used on liner elements for placement on the mill wall, then the liner elements can be mounted using a mill reline machine grapple, but the lifting points are destroyed during mill operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is separated from the liner element itself by using removable liner lifting elements that can be inserted into through-holes. The liner element has through-holes that receive separate lifting elements, allowing the lifting function to be provided without permanently attaching lifting points to the liner element, thus preventing destruction of the liner element during operation
Solution Approach 2:
Liner lifting elements act as intermediary components between the mill reline machine grapple and the liner element. These lifting elements are inserted into through-holes of the liner element and provide engagement surfaces for the grapple, serving as a mediator that enables mounting without direct attachment to the liner element structure
2Productivity
If traditional lifting techniques are used to remove spent liners, then the liners can be picked up and removed from the mill, but trained personnel are required to work alongside the mill reline machine
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the mill reline machine can autonomously perform both mounting and demounting operations without requiring trained personnel to assist inside the mill. The standardized interface with liner lifting elements allows the machine to handle all operations independently, improving productivity by eliminating the need for human operators in hazardous environments
3Manufacturing precision
If customised reline jigs are used for mounting liner elements, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the device complexity and need for specialized equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The through-holes in liner elements serve multiple functions: they guide the liner element during mounting, provide retention by receiving liner lifting elements, and enable precise positioning. This universal use of the through-holes eliminates the need for separate guiding structures or customised jigs, reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting and positioning functions are merged into a single operation by using the liner lifting elements that simultaneously provide both guidance during insertion and lifting capability. The grapple engages with the lifting elements to both position and secure the liner element in one action, eliminating the need for separate positioning devices
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mounting and/or demounting a liner element to a mill shell of a mill, wherein the system includes one or more liner lifting elements each structured and arranged to be fastened in a respective liner element through-hole such that the one or more liner lifting elements protrude out from the front side of the liner element to define associated lifting portions for allowing an engagement with a lifting tool. The system further includes one or more fastening bolts for fastening the liner element to the mill shell. A method for mounting and demounting a liner element to a mill shell of a mill is also disclosed.