WO2002092245A1

WO2002092245A1 - Modular screen panel

Info

Publication number: WO2002092245A1
Application number: PCT/AU2002/000566
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Anastasi
Original assignee: Melwire Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-05-15
Filing date: 2002-05-07
Publication date: 2002-11-21
Also published as: AUPR501201A0

Abstract

A modular screen panel for a screening machine is disclosed which includes a microchip 50 embedded in the panel. The microchip 50 contains data which will identify the panel and can be read by a scanner so that the panel can be identified and data relating to its manufacture entered into the database. The panel can also be scanned in use to enter information into the database relating to wear rate of the panel to facilitate maintenance, repair and replacement of the panel.

Description

MODULAR SCREEN PANEL

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a modular screen panel for a screening machine and in particular to such a panel for a machine which screens ore and like material .

Background Art

Screening machines for screening ore generally comprise a screen deck which is formed from a number of modular screen panels. The screen panels will normally have a surface which includes a plurality of apertures through which material can fall in order to screen the material and therefore size the material. However, some panels can be "blank" having a continuous surface depending on the nature of the screening or application required. The screen panels are fixed to the screening machine by various different techniques including pin and bush type connectors, deformable rail type connectors and the like. Generally, because of the environment in which the screen panels are used it is extremely difficult to trace panels through a manufacturing process and then in the field so that the performance of the panel can be monitored.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to overcome this problem.

The invention, in a first, may be said to reside in a modular screen panel for a screening machine, including; a surface for receiving material; coupling means for coupling the panel to a screening machine; and machine readable identifying means on the panel to enable the panel to be identified by reading the identifying means with a machine.

Since the panel includes the machine readable identifying means, the panel can be traced by reading the identifying means during the manufacturing process and also during operation of the panel and, furthermore, if the panel becomes dislodged and lost so that the identity of the panel can be determined. This enables information to be logged against the panel which includes its manufacturing history and its operating condition such as wear rates and the like. Thus, a database of the manner in which the panel wears can be determined which can be used for maintenance purposes and also to obtain information as to the performance of panels in various types of screening machines and also at various locations on a screening machine.

Preferably the machine readable identifying means comprises a microchip embedded in the panel beneath the surface of the panel. However, in other embodiments the identifying means may include bar codes or other identifying indicia formed on the surface of the panel although such embodiments may not be as useful as the preferred embodiment of embedding a microchip because as the panel wears the bar code will be damaged or removed thereby reducing the time period over which the code can be ready by a machine.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the machine which reads the microchip is a scanner and preferably the microchip includes data which provides an identifying code identifying the screen panel. The scanner can then be used either directly to input data relating to the panel or, by connection to a portable computer or the like to allow entry of data which can be logged against the identified panel.

Most preferably the information which is logged in relation to a panel includes batch traceability information which includes; the materials from which the panel was formed, time of manufacture and the like; on site traceability information which includes on site positioning of the panel when the panel was installed, how long it has been installed; and condition monitoring information which enables wear data and wear rates to be associated with a particular panel.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the microchip is embedded in the panel about 10 mm below the surface of the panel.

Preferably the panel includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs and the microchip is embedded in one of the reinforcing ribs.

Preferably the coupling means used in the panel is the coupling means as disclosed in Australian Patent Application Number 96986/98 and International Patent

Application No. PCT/AU01/01599, the contents of which are incorporated into this specification by this reference.

The invention, in a second aspect, may be said to reside in a method of identifying a modular screen panel for use in a screening machine, including the steps of; locating a machine readable identifying means on the panel to enable the panel to be identified by reading the identifying means with a machine; and reading the identifying means with a machine to thereby identify the panel.

The invention in a further aspect may also be said to reside in a method of identifying a modular screen panel for use in a screening machine and logging information relating to the panel, including; reading with a machine, a machine readable identifying means on the panel to enable the panel to be identified; and inputting information relating to the panel.

Preferably the input of information enables a database of information relating to a panel to be compiled which includes at least one of; information relating to manufacture of the product; information relating to installation of the panel in a screening machine; and information relating to wear of the panel in the screening machine.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the machine readable identifying means comprises a microchip which is embedded in the panel.

Preferably the microchip is embedded about 10 mm below a surface of the panel which receives material to be processed by the panel.

The invention also provides a method of identifying and monitoring a screen deck panel for a screening machine, including: forming a plurality of screen deck panels, each panel being provided with a machine readable identifying means for separately identifying each panel reading the machine readable identifying means with a machine to identify each panel and to load the panel identification into a database; inputting information into the database relating to the manufacture of the panel; and supplying the database and a plurality of said panels to an end user so that the end user is able to: read the readable identifying means of each panel with a machine; determine the location each panel will have on a screening machine; locate each panel at the predetermined location on the screening machine; and subsequently again reading the readable identifying means of the panels with a machine to identify the panels and input data relating to the panels into the database relating to wear of the panels.

Preferably the method further includes processing means associated with the database for determining, from the wear of each panel, the need to repair, replace or reorder new panels from a supplier.

Preferably information relating to manufacture of the panels input into the database includes raw material batch numbers, cure times, post-cure times and dates of manufacture.

Preferably the machine readable identifying means comprises a microchip embedded into each panel, each microchip having a unique identifying code associated with the microchip to thereby separately identify each panel.

Preferably the machine for reading the microchip comprises a scanner which detects the code associated with each microchip to identify the panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a panel according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a further flow chart showing still further operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating layout of panels on a screening deck.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, a modular screen panel 10 is shown which includes sides 12 and 14, and sides 16 and 18 which form a generally rectangular outer periphery of the panel 10. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 20 extend parallel to the sides 16 and 18 and a central reinforcing rib 22 extends in the middle of the panel and at right angles to the reinforcing ribs 20.

The panel includes an upper surface 30 which receives ore which is to be screened by the panel. Typically the upper surface 30 includes a plurality of apertures 32 of a predetermined size so as to enable material of a particular size to fall through the apertures to thereby separate that material from material of a larger size. The formation of such apertures in screening panel of the present type are well known and therefore further details need not be given. The outer peripheral frame formed by the sides 12 to 18 and one or more of the reinforcing frame members 20 or 22 can include a plastic or metal reinforcing frame 34 to provide additional structural integrity to the panel 10. Such reinforcing frames are well known and therefore need not be described in any further detail. The sides 16 and 18 include coupling members 40 in the form of deformable rails which enable the panels 10 to be coupled to a screening machine (not shown) . Most preferably the rails 40 are formed in accordance with the above identified Australian and International patent applications the contents of which are incorporated into the specification by this reference. However, other forms of coupling such as pin and bush type couplings could also be used if desired.

A microchip 50 is embedded in the panel 10 during formation of the panel 10. Most preferably the microchip 50 is embedded in the reinforcing frame 22 at a distance of about 10 mm below the surface 30 of the panel 10. The microchip 50 is embedded during molding of the panel 10 from polyurethane material. In order to locate the microchip 50 the microchip 50 is suitably supported in a mould so that when the polyurethane material is poured into the mould the polyurethane material surrounds the microchip 50 to thereby embed the microchip 50 within the reinforcing frame member 22 for a distance of about 10 mm below the surface of the formed panel 30.

By embedding the microchip 50 below the surface of the panel 30 the microchip 50 is protected when the panel 30 is in use so that it will not be damaged during use of the panel. Furthermore, since the microchip is preferably embedded 10 mm below the surface of the panel the panel can wear by this amount before the microchip 50 will be exposed during use of the panel.

The microchip 50 is preferably read by a scanner (not shown) and includes identifying data which will provide a unique identifying code for the particular panel concerned. The microchip 50 enables information relating to batch tracability of formed panels to be obtained. After the panel is formed the panel can be scanned by the scanner so that the microchip 50 is read to thereby provide the identifying code relating to that particular panel. Information relating to the manufacturing process of the panel can then be input and logged against a particular identifying code of the panel. This information may include materials from which the panel was formed, time of manufacture, particular manufacturing techniques employed and the like. The information can be input direct into the scanner or, alternatively, the scanner could be coupled with a laptop computer or the like so that the scanner provides the identifying code to the computer and then the information is input directly into the computer.

The microchip 50 also enables the panels to be scanned during transportation and installation in a screening machine. Thus, once again the scanner will scan the panels so that the identifying code produced by the microchip 50 is read and information relating to on site tracability of the panels such as the site the panel is to be installed, when and how the panel is installed in a screening machine, the position of the panel on a screening machine and how long it was installed may be inputted to provide data relating to each particular panel .

After the screening machine is in use the microchip 50 also enables panels to be identified by again scanning the panels and information relating to wear data such as wear rates or the amount of wear of a particular panel to be inputted into the computer so that a database of the wear history of the panel during use of the machine can be compiled.

This information can be used to predict when the panel will wear to its maximum extent and no longer be serviceable and also to monitor screening machines for maintenance purposes and the like.

If a panel is dislodged from a screening machine during operation the microchip 50 enables the panel to be easily identified so that its manufacturing history, position on the machine and other information relating to the panel can be determined so that the panel can be correctly relocated and also knowledge as to the manufacturing and installation of the panel obtained to determine whether any faults may of occurred which have lead to the dislodg ent of the panel.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the microchip 50 is a TX1410L microchip supplied by Animal Electronics ID Systems Pty Ltd. The scanner used to read the microchip is a Destron-Fearing HS6100LEX.

Figures 2 and 3 are flow charts showing monitoring of a panel from manufacture to use in a screening machine.

With reference to Figure 2, after the panel described with reference to Figure 1 is manufactured, the panel is scanned with the above-mentioned scanner at step 201 to identify the panel by virtue of the scanner reading the code associated with the microchip embedded in the panel.

At step 202, the panel identification code is entered into a database.

At step 203, the manufacturer enters data relating to manufacture of the panel which includes raw material batch numbers, cure times, post-cure times, date of manufacture, and like information.

After the data is entered into the database, the panels can then be despatched to an end user for use on a screening machine. The data included in the database is also electronically transmitted to the end user so that the end user has a database of information relating to each panel supplied to it, which identifies each panel and also the manufacturing data entered into the database.

As shown in Figure 3, when the end user receives the panel, the end user scans each panel with a scanner of the type referred to above so that each panel can be identified. This enables on-site inventory control so that the user knows that the user has been supplied with each of the panels ordered.

As each panel is installed in a screening machine, or after all of the panels are installed, the scanner is used to identify and load each panel into the database which positions the panel on a diagrammatic grid layout of the screening surface of the screening machine. For example, and with reference to Figure 4, the screening machine typically may involve two rows of panels labelled la to NA and lb to NB with a total of two N panels being included in the installation. For example, N may equal 10, meaning that the screening deck is made up of 20 different modular panels. When it is necessary to identify the position of each panel in the screening machine in accordance with step 303, a grid layout of the screening machine, such as that shown in Figure 4, is provided. As each panel is scanned, the location of each panel in the grid can be identified. For example, the panels need not be scanned in any particular order. For example, panel 3b could be scanned first and its identifying code therefore obtained. The user then inserts an input into the scanner identifying position 3b on the display so that the software now knows that the identified panel is located at position on the machine. This continues for all of the panels on the machine until all of the identifying codes have been entered in accordance with their position on the surface of the screening machine.

Thus, a database of information including the identifying codes for each panel, manufacturing data relating to the panel and position of the panels on the screening machine is now available.

From time to time, the panels are again scanned by the scanner and, as is shown in step 305, information relating to the wear rate of the panel is input into the database. The information relating to wear rate may include an exact measure of the wear, an approximation such as no wear, slight wear, medium wear, significant wear, etc. so that the database maintains a compilation of the wear rate of each machine. The software associated with the database may include code for determining from the information inserted, the expected lifetime of the panel on the screening machine from its wear rate over time, and therefore can provide information for determining whether panels should be repaired, re-ordered or replaced.

For example, from time to time, a print out of maintenance can be provided from the database which indicates those panels which are in need of repair or replacement so that the exact machine, location of the panels and number of panels involved is available to a workman. Thus, the workman knows exactly which panels require attention without the need to carry out a detailed inspection of the machine himself.

Furthermore, the software may also automatically re-order new panels from the supplier once the wear of the panel has reached a certain level or as the software otherwise determines that the panel is approaching the end of its useful life. This enables new panels to be supplied in time to replace those which are almost worn out before the panels are worn out, thereby minimising down time of the machine.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

Claims

1. A modular screen panel for a screening machine, including; a surface for receiving material; coupling means for coupling the panel to a screening machine; and machine readable identifying means on the panel to enable the panel to be identified by reading the identifying means with a machine.

2. The panel of claim 1 wherein the machine readable identifying means comprises a microchip embedded in the panel beneath the surface of the panel.

3. The panel of claim 2 wherein the microchip is embedded in the panel about 10 mm below the surface of the panel .

4. The panel of claim 1 wherein the panel includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs and the microchip is embedded in one of the reinforcing ribs.

5. A method of identifying a modular screen panel for use in a screening machine, including the steps of; locating a machine readable identifying means on the panel to enable the panel to be identified by reading the identifying means with a machine; and reading the identifying means with a machine to thereby identify the panel.

6. A method of identifying a modular screen panel for use in a screening machine and logging information relating to the panel, including; reading with a machine, a machine readable identifying means on the panel to enable the panel to be identified; and inputting information relating to the panel.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the input of information enables a database of information relating to a panel to be compiled which includes at least one of; information relating to manufacture of the product; information relating to installation of the panel in a screening machine; and information relating to wear of the panel in the screening machine.

8. The method of claim 5 or 6 wherein the machine readable identifying means comprises a microchip which is embedded in the panel.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the microchip is embedded about 10 mm below a surface of the panel which receives material to be processed by the panel.

10. A method of identifying and monitoring a screen deck panel for a screening machine, including: forming a plurality of screen deck panels, each panel being provided with a machine readable identifying means for separately identifying each panel reading the machine readable identifying means with a machine to identify each panel and to load the panel identification into a database; inputting information into the database relating to the manufacture of the panel; and supplying the database and a plurality of said panels to an end user so that the end user is able to: read the readable identifying means of each panel with a machine; determine the location each panel will have on a screening machine; locate each panel at the predetermined location on the screening machine; and subsequently again reading the readable identifying means of the panels with a machine to identify the panels and input data relating to the panels into the database relating to wear of the panels.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the method further includes processing means associated with the database for determining, from the wear of each panel, the need to repair, replace or re-order new panels from a supplier.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein information relating to manufacture of the panels input into the database includes raw material batch numbers, cure times, post-cure times and dates of manufacture.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the machine readable identifying means comprises a microchip embedded into each panel, each microchip having a unique identifying code associated with the microchip to thereby separately identify each panel.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the machine for reading the microchip comprises a scanner which detects the code associated with each microchip to identify the panel .