Welding rotators are essential equipment in industries such as pressure vessel manufacturing, pipe welding, and tank fabrication. They help rotate cylindrical workpieces smoothly, ensuring consistent weld quality and improving efficiency. However, like any industrial machine, a welding rotator may sometimes fail to turn, causing production delays.

Welding rotator not turning and troubleshooting

Initial Checks (The Simple Stuff)

Start with the most common and easiest-to-fix issues before you start taking things apart.

Emergency Stop (E-Stop): Is the red E-Stop button pushed in? This is the most common reason for a machine not starting. Twist and pull it out to reset it.

Overload: Is the workpiece too heavy for the rotator’s rated capacity? An overloaded motor may trip an internal protector or simply not have enough torque to start.

Physical Obstruction: Is anything physically blocking the wheels, the workpiece, or the drive chain/gears? Look for dropped tools, clamps, debris, or weld spatter that might be jamming the mechanism.

Workpiece Position: Is the workpiece centered and balanced correctly on the rotator wheels? An off-center load can create too much resistance.

Systematic Troubleshooting Guide

If the initial checks don’t solve the problem, follow this step-by-step process. You may need a multimeter for some of these steps.

Step 1: Check the Power Supply

Source Power: Check the circuit breaker or fuse in your shop’s electrical panel that supplies power to the rotator. Has it tripped?

Machine Power: Check the main power switch on the rotator itself.

Cables and Plugs: Inspect the entire length of the power cord for cuts, crushing, or damage. Check the plug for bent or burnt prongs.

Voltage Check (Use a Multimeter):

Safely check for the correct voltage (e.g., 110V, 220V, 480V 3-phase) at the wall outlet.

If you are qualified, open the machine’s main control box (with power OFF), then carefully turn the power back on and check for correct voltage at the input terminals. (Warning: Only do this if you are trained and comfortable working with live electricity).

Check the Control System

The problem often lies between you pressing the button and the motor receiving the signal.

Pendant / Remote Control: This is a very common failure point.

Connection: Is the pendant plugged in securely to the main unit?

Cable: Inspect the pendant cable for damage. It can get run over, crushed, or cut.

Buttons: Are the Forward/Reverse/Speed buttons physically working? Sometimes they get stuck or broken internally.

Speed Potentiometer (Dial): Make sure the speed dial is not set to zero. Try turning it up. Sometimes these dials fail and lose contact.

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For more detailed information on what to do if the welding rotator not turning and troubleshooting, please click here: https://www.bota-weld.com/en/a/news/welding-rotator-not-turning-and-troubleshooting.html

A briquetting machine is designed to compress raw materials into solid briquettes with high density and durability. However, in actual production, many users find that the briquettes are not strong enough, easily breaking apart during handling, storage,or transportation. This problem not only reduces product quality but also increases material loss and operational costs.

Reasons Why Briquetting Is Not Strong

Part 1: Reasons Why the Final Briquettes Are Not Strong

When briquettes fall apart easily, it’s almost always a problem with one of three key areas: the raw material, the machine’s condition/settings, or the operating procedure.

A. Raw Material Issues (The “Ingredients”)

This is the most frequent cause of weak briquettes.

Incorrect Moisture Content: This is the #1 culprit.

Too Wet (>12-15%): Excess moisture turns into steam inside the die. This steam creates high pressure, which can cause cracks or even small explosions in the briquette as it exits the machine. The final briquette will be weak and have a rough, fractured surface.

Too Dry (<6-8%): The material won’t flow or compact properly. Lignin (the natural binder in biomass) requires a small amount of moisture to plasticize and bind effectively. Overly dry material results in a crumbly, poorly formed briquette.

Ideal Range: For most biomass (like sawdust), the ideal moisture content is 8% to 12%.

Improper Particle Size:

Too Large: Large particles create voids (air pockets) within the briquette, leading to weak points. They don’t compact uniformly, resulting in a product that easily breaks.

Too Fine (like dust): While better than too large, extremely fine powder can sometimes trap air and may require higher pressure or specific binder ratios to form a strong briquette.

Ideal Size: Generally, particles should be under 5-6 mm for screw-type presses. A consistent, uniform size is key.

Low Lignin Content or Lack of Binder:

Lignin is a natural polymer in wood and biomass that melts under high heat and pressure, acting as a natural glue. Materials like sawdust are rich in lignin.

Materials with low lignin (e.g., rice husks, some grasses) or non-biomass materials (e.g., coal dust, charcoal powder) won’t bind well on their own. They require an external binder (like starch, molasses, or clay) to be mixed in.

Material Purity:

Contaminants like sand, soil, stones, or metal will disrupt the compaction process, create weak spots, and severely damage the machine’s components (especially the screw and die).

B. Machine-Related Issues (The “Equipment”)

If your material is perfect, the problem lies with the machine itself.

Incorrect Temperature:

Too Low: If the heating collars on the die are not hot enough, the lignin in the biomass won’t melt properly. Without this “glue” being activated, the briquette will be loose and crumbly.

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For more detailed information about the reasons why the briquetting machine is not strong, please click here: https://www.zymining.com/en/a/news/reasons-why-briquetting-is-not-strong.html

HPGRs improve grinding efficiency primarily through a fundamentally different and more energy-efficient breakage mechanism called inter-particle comminution. This process not only consumes significantly less energy (20-50% less) than traditional grinding mills but also induces micro-cracks in the particles, making subsequent grinding stages easier and improving mineral liberation, which boosts overall plant throughput and metallurgical recovery.

How HPGR Equipment Improves Grinding Efficiency

1. The Core Mechanism: How an HPGR Works

To understand its efficiency, you first need to understand how it works, which is very different from a conventional SAG or Ball Mill.

Feed Introduction: Material (ore) is choke-fed from a hopper into the gap between two large, counter-rotating rolls.

High-Pressure Zone: One roll is fixed, while the other is on a hydraulic system that allows it to move, applying immense pressure (typically >100 MPa) to the material.

Particle Bed Compression: As the material is drawn into the gap, it forms a compressed “bed.” The key is that the pressure is not applied to individual particles against a steel surface. Instead, the force is transmitted through the bed of particles.

Inter-Particle Comminution: This is the secret to the HPGR’s success. The intense pressure causes particles to crush against each other. Rock-on-rock grinding is far more energy-efficient than the rock-on-steel impact and attrition that happens in a ball mill.

Discharge: The material exits the rolls as a compacted, brittle “cake” or “flake,” which is then de-agglomerated before moving to the next stage.

2. Key Ways HPGR Improves Grinding Efficiency

The efficiency gains from this mechanism can be broken down into several key areas.

a) Superior Energy Efficiency (The Primary Benefit)

This is the most significant advantage. Grinding is the most energy-intensive process in most mining operations.

Direct Force Application: In a ball mill, a huge amount of energy is wasted simply lifting thousands of tons of steel balls and slurry, with much of the energy lost as heat and noise upon impact. In an HPGR, nearly all the energy from the motors and hydraulic system is applied directly to the particle bed for breakage.

Efficient Breakage Mode: Inter-particle comminution is inherently more efficient. It exploits the weakest points in the rock structure, requiring less energy to achieve the same size reduction.

Result: HPGR circuits can consume 20-50% less energy (measured in kWh/ton) than a traditional SAG/Ball Mill circuit to achieve the same final product size.

b) Generation of Micro-Cracks (Improved Grindability)

The intense pressure doesn’t just break particles; it creates a high density of micro-cracks and fractures within particles that don’t fully break.

Weakened Feed: This “pre-weakened” material is fed to the next grinding stage (often a ball mill).

Easier Downstream Grinding: The ball mill now has a much easier job. It requires less impact energy and less time to break these pre-fractured particles down to the final target size.

Result: This effect is a major contributor to increased throughput for the entire grinding circuit. A ball mill that previously processed 1000 tons per hour might now process 1200-1400 tons per hour of HPGR product to achieve the same grind.

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For more detailed information on how HPGR equipment improve grinding efficiency, please click here: https://www.zymining.com/en/a/news/how-hpgr-equipment-improves-grinding-efficiency.html

Preventing a linear vibrating screen from clogging is a critical operational challenge. Clogging, also known as blinding (when fine, sticky particles block the apertures) or pegging (when near-size particles get stuck in the apertures), severely reduces efficiency, lowers product quality, and increases downtime for cleaning.

How To Prevent Linear Vibrating Screen From Clogging

The solution is rarely a single fix but a combination of adjustments across equipment, operation, and material properties. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to prevent clogging, broken down into key areas.

1. Select the Right Screen Media (The Foundation)

Screen Type	Description	Best For Preventing
Self-Cleaning Screen Mesh	Made of individual wires that can vibrate independently, held together by polyurethane or rubber strips. The differential movement of the wires actively dislodges stuck particles.	Pegging and Blinding. This is one of the most effective solutions for difficult, near-size, or slightly damp materials.
Slotted (Rectangular) Mesh	Openings are longer than they are wide. This provides more open area and reduces the chance of near-size particles getting stuck.	Pegging. Ideal for materials with elongated or flaky particles. Note: Sizing accuracy can be slightly reduced.
Polyurethane or Rubber Screens	These materials are more flexible than steel. The openings are often tapered (wider at the bottom), which helps release particles. The natural flexibility helps “pop out” lodged material.	Pegging and high-impact applications. Excellent for abrasive or wet, sticky materials.
Woven Wire (Square Mesh)	The standard, all-purpose screen. While effective for many applications, it is the most prone to pegging with near-size, cubical particles.	General-purpose screening where clogging is not a major issue.

2. Install Mechanical Anti-Clogging Systems

These are devices added to the screen deck to actively clear the mesh during operation.

Bouncing Balls / Slider Rings:

How it works: Rubber balls or polyurethane rings are placed in a compartment beneath the screen mesh. The screen’s vibration causes them to bounce or slide around, constantly striking the underside of the screen. This impact dislodges particles that are pegged or blinded.

Best for: Dry, granular materials from fine to medium sizes.

Ultrasonic Deblinding Systems:

How it works: A transducer applies high-frequency, low-amplitude vibration directly to the screen mesh. This “micro-vibration” breaks the surface tension and static bonds between particles and the screen wires, preventing fine powders from blinding the mesh.

Best for: Very fine, dry, or static-prone powders (e.g., metal powders, pharmaceuticals, pigments). This is a high-performance, but more expensive, solution.

Rotary Brush Systems:

How it works: A motorized nylon brush rotates underneath (or sometimes on top of) the screen, continuously sweeping the mesh clean.

Best for: Greasy, oily, or fibrous materials that tend to smear or agglomerate on the screen surface.

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For more detailed information on how to prevent vibrating screen mesh from clogging, please click here: https://www.hsd-industry.com/news/preventing-linear-vibrating-screen-from-clogging/

To choose a vibrating screen for a specific material, you need to consider a combination of the material’s properties, the desired outcome, and the operational requirements. The type of material, its particle size distribution, moisture content, and density are crucial factors. You also need to define the required throughput (tons per hour), the size of separation you want, and the level of screening accuracy needed.

How to choose a vibrating screen for different materials

Analyze Your Material Properties

1. Particle Size Distribution (PSD):

What is the size of the largest particle? This determines the feed opening size and the structural strength required.

What is the size of the smallest particle? This is critical for selecting the screen mesh aperture.

What percentage of the material is fine vs. coarse? A high percentage of near-size particles (particles very close to the mesh opening size) is harder to screen and requires more screen area or a more efficient screen motion.

2. Particle Shape:

Cubical/Spherical (e.g., gravel, pellets): Easiest to screen. They flow well and pass through openings easily.

Flaky/Elongated (e.g., wood chips, shale): Difficult to screen. These particles can fall lengthwise through an opening they wouldn’t fit through otherwise, or they can lodge in the mesh (pegging). A screen with a more aggressive throwing action might be needed.

Irregular (e.g., crushed stone): The most common shape, with moderate screening difficulty.

3. Bulk Density (Weight per volume, e.g., lbs/ft³ or kg/m ³):

High Density (e.g., iron ore): Requires a heavy-duty screen with a robust frame, stronger springs, and a more powerful motor to handle the load.

Low Density (e.g., wood chips, plastic): The material may become airborne if the vibration is too aggressive. A gentler screening action might be better.

4. Moisture Content:

Dry (< 1% moisture): Easy to screen.

Damp (1-5% moisture): Can be problematic. Fine particles may start to stick together and to the screen surface.

Wet (> 5% moisture) or Slurry: This is a major factor. High moisture causes fine particles to stick to larger ones and clog the screen mesh (blinding). You may need a specialized dewatering screen, water spray bars, or a screen with anti-blinding features.

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For more detailed information on how to choose vibrating screen according to different materials, please click here: https://www.hsd-industry.com/news/how-to-choose-a-vibrating-screen-for-different-materials/