Adam Gordon, Astec Australia National Account Manager, talks high-frequency screening efficiencies and a growing waste sector presence.
With the Victorian Government’s recent $100 million investment in recycling and Infrastructure Australia’s call for a harmonised national waste plan, sector growth is imminent. Add increasing market interest in the use of waste for infrastructure applications and, according to many stakeholders, the future looks bright for domestic reprocessing markets.
While equipment supplier Astec Australia has traditionally focused on the quarrying and mining sectors, Adam Gordon, National Account Manager Aggregate and Mining, says developments in the resource recovery sphere have entrenched the company’s growing interest in “waste as resource.”
“In recent years, our interest in, and equipment offerings for, the waste and recycling industry has increased significantly. And we now have multiple screening options on offer to help operators separate deleterious material from valuable resources,” Adam says.
“Plus, with demand for fine material growing for applications such as glass in roads and crushed rock, and the growing acceptance of reclaimed asphalt pavement, operators need access to the best possible tools for separating fines. That’s a progressive development we want to support.”
One such offering, Adam says, is Astec’s new GT2612V track high-frequency screen. He adds that as the screen is high, rather than multi- frequency, the GT2612V is capable of screening finer and more difficult to manage material.
“Our high-frequency screens offer ideal gradation control for reclaiming fines in dry applications, with all high-frequency screen decks driven by variable-speed hydraulic vibrators for optimal screen efficiency and production,” Adam says.
“Producers save time and money with easy hydraulic screen angle adjustments and our unique rotary tensioning system, which ensures some of the quickest screen media changes in the market.”
The screen works via stratification, with larger size particles rising to the top of the vibrating material bed, while smaller particles sift through voids to the bottom.
“It also works on the probability of separation, as particles that reach apertures are rejected if they’re larger than the opening or passed through if smaller,” Adam says.
“As fines screening is most efficient when machines are configured with a short stroke, high revolutions per minute and steep angle, the GTV2612V can operate at angles up to 43 degrees to operate through the natural angle of material repose.”
Astec’s track-mounted screens, Adam says, are engineered to provide higher production capacities and more efficient sizing when compared to conventional screens.
“Our track-mounted screens combine heavy-duty screens with industry-leading conveyor heights.With easy-to-reach engine controls and grease points for routine service, they facilitate operator ease and process efficiency,” he says.
Adam adds that due to the high-frequency screen inducing vibrations directly into the screen media, operators have reduced maintenance issues and increased production and uptime.
Astec’s new screening addition has a hopper size of 7.2 metres cubed, which Adam says facilitates consistent and high-level processing.
He adds that the GT2612V separates at up to 4200 revolutions per minute.
“Our unique rotary tensioning system also provides quick screen media changes, up to 50 per cent faster than competitive models,” Adam says.
“Easy replacement of each screen section also translates to less downtime for screen changes and increased operational time.”
In addition to selling high-quality equipment, Adam says Astec is committed to providing ongoing support and assistance to all its clients.
“We have a dedicated team of customer service staff who are always ready to provide clients with information about what machinery is best suited to their application,” he says.
Adam says Astec also has a number of business processes, including sound commercial and project management, based on industry standard principles and best practices.
He says that this means that all customer projects are carried out through known project phasing. This comprises appropriate project software to ensure equipment is delivered, installed and commissioned on time and on budget.
Adam adds that Astec stamps all of its equipment with an “Astec Response Promise”. This means equipment purchases are supported by quality maintenance, repairs and spare parts nationwide.
“We believe in our responsibility to ensure our equipment operates effectively and efficiently throughout its life, which fits in nicely with our growing waste industry presence,” he says.
Related stories:
- Astec Australia’s advanced screening
- Astec’s AMS FT2618VM Fast Trax high frequency screening plant
- Six steps to reducing waste