Design and Fabrication of Sieve-Shakers for Particle Size Analysis

Abstract

The research focused on the design and fabrication of a set of sieve shakers, an essential equipment in mineral extractive industries for particle size analysis and material separation. The fabrication process involved the selection of appropriate materials, designing a robust frame, and integrating an efficient motor and eccentric mechanism to achieve the desired vibratory motion. The components of the machine are assembled in accordance with ASTM standard by ensuring the quality control measures are implemented. Key considerations were made that include durability, ease of operation, and minimal maintenance requirements. The resulting device was evaluated based on performance metrics such as sieving efficiency, noise levels, and energy consumption, with necessary adjustments made to achieve optimal performance. The efficiency of the machine was 49.75%, which was considered averagely suitable in laboratories and not in industrial settings, to provide a reliable tool for quality control and research applications. The noise level for the sieve shaker was found to be 52 decibels, which falls under acceptable levels according to OSHA. The energy consumption of the sieve shaker was calculated based on the 60 W motor power used as 216 KJ per hour. It is equally observed that the sieve shaker is cost effective because it was tailored to specific need by totally eliminating the costs associated with unnecessary features when compared to commercial alternative. The findings reveal that necessary modifications are required to enhance the performance of the machine, and also optimize the energy use by incorporating a speed regulator or advanced control for future design.