In vibratory separator environments, build-up or “blinding” on screens can slow product movement, slowing productivity and resulting in unnecessary downtime. One way to alleviate this problem is with rubber shaker screen balls. These small circular balls bounce between the sizing screen and a screen located underneath it, efficiently clearing away jagged or otherwise irregularly shaped particles of a similar size.
At RubberMill, we provide customers with precision parts for deblinding. We have experience working with a number of materials to supply rubber shaker screen balls for high-volume production lines, as well as custom-molded solutions for more specialized applications. Learn more about shaker screen balls, their properties, and how RubberMill can provide you with quality rubber shaker ball products at the best possible value.
Materials for Shaker Screen Balls
We can incorporate natural or synthetic rubber materials in our shaker screen balls to meet the deblinding needs of your facility. Some of the materials used in our products include:
Natural Rubber
Our natural rubber shaker screen balls are good general-purpose balls with high resilience, high tensile strength, and good tear and abrasion resistance. These are softer than EPDM balls and work well in food-grade applications or sifting processes involving shear-sensitive products. They are not suitable for applications requiring oil, fuel, thermal, or ozone resistance.
Natural rubber screen balls are available in multiple stock sizes and colors, including white, black, and tan. Some special order colors are also available.
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber is a good general-purpose material for shaker screen balls used in specific food-grade applications. EPDM is harder than natural rubber with a high durometer and abrasion resistance. This material also has good weather and ozone resistance, offering reliable performance across a wide temperature range. EPDM shaker screen balls are only available via custom-quoted orders.
Neoprene
Another common material for shaker screen balls is neoprene, a synthetic rubber that can tolerate temperatures up to 200 °F. Neoprene is highly resistant to ozone, weather, fats, and oils, making it useful in food-grade applications. Neoprene is also only available as a custom-quoted order.
Nitrile
Nitrile is another synthetic rubber with oil, fat, ozone, and weather resistance. Nitrile is similar to neoprene; however, it has slightly better abrasion resistance and good rebound in temperatures ranging from 150 °F to 300 °F. Nitrile is available as a custom-quoted order only.
Choosing the right material shaker screen balls is essential to ensure their effectiveness as a de-blinder. At RubberMill, our experienced team can help you determine which material will work best for your application.
Properties of Rubber Balls
Rubber balls for deblinding have different properties that make them suitable for certain environments. Many of our rubber balls will exhibit a combination of the following traits:
- Corrosion Resistance
- Softness
- Good Electrical Insulation
- Self-Lubrication
- Flexibility and Elasticity
- High Reversible Elongation
At RubberMill, we can custom-mold our rubber shaker balls and their properties to meet the needs of your specific application.
Industries That Use Shaker Screen Balls
Shaker screen balls are a crucial part of screening operations, helping to improve efficiency and prevent costly delays. Industries that use our shaker screen balls include:
- Agriculture. Agriculture facilities such as feed houses and export terminals use industrial screening equipment to handle high product volumes. Our shaker screen balls reduce the buildup of different seeds and plant materials for precise screening and higher yields.
- Chemical. Facilities that process detergents, batteries, and other chemical products can use shaker screen balls to significantly reduce blinding. Our experts at RubberMill can help you choose a material that won’t degrade when exposed to harsh chemicals.
- Food. Shaker screen balls are particularly useful in food-grade applications, as they are durable and heat-resistant. Our screen shaker balls use gentle action to prevent blinding and keep separators working efficiently.
- Plastics. Deblinding supports ongoing operations at plastics processing plants. Rubber shaker screen balls help accurately remove off-size materials for screening quality that plastic compounders can depend on.
Choose Shaker Screen Balls From RubberMill Inc.
Shaker screen balls effectively dislodge near-sized particles in vibrating separator environments, using materials such as natural rubber, EPDM, and Neoprene to provide durability and dependability. At RubberMill, we have the necessary experience to supply high-quality deblinding solutions for our customers. Our commercial-grade rubber balls support the performance needs of industrial applications, meeting RMA Class 3 commercial tolerances in a wide range of specifications and compounds. Commercial balls can also be used in bumpers, stops and stoppers, mallet tips, aggregate processing, and more.
Contact us to learn more about our commercial-grade rubber balls, our material capabilities, and how our rubber ball products could boost efficiency and reduce downtime at your facility.