Astec launched numerous new innovations at CONEXPO in Las Vegas, including its groundbreaking Vari-Frequency Horizontal Screen in a larger 2400mm wide model, that tackles clogged screens to potentially doubling output depending upon application
Astec took to the show floor at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in early March with an impressive collection of new equipment.
With a collection of subsidiary brands across aggregate, recycling and mining production, including its most recent acquisition of TerraSource Global, Astec took the opportunity to spotlight its extensive capabilities with high quality crushing, screening, washing & classifying, rock breaking, tracked mobile plants and material handling equipment.
The full line-up included the launch of the A60 jaw crusher – further expanding its new A series of crushers – and the Telsmith T400 cone crusher was also on display, which includes Astec’s TRAC10 automated control system for enhanced safety and consistency.
These were in addition to the Kolberg 9225-2P dual product sand plant, Frontier JA45 tracked jaw, Frontier SF20 tracked screen, 36125T mobile SuperStacker, Ranger I35 tracked impactor and BTI adaptive stroke technology (AST) hydraulic breakers. The BTI smart breakers speed up or slowdown in response to the rock texture, to achieve greater energy efficiency.
The standout product release at the show however was the Vari Frequency technology for screening sticky material.
Vari-Frequency technology
A common issue with screening sticky material is blockages in the screen media. This means frequent downtime where the screen needs to be stopped and the screen media manually cleaned to clear the mesh.
Astec has developed a solution using Vari-Frequency, to prevent the screen media from clogging and keeping production moving.
Astec business line manager material solutions Adam Gordon says that clogged screen media is a common issue with clients handling clay soils, and the Vari-Frequency screen will be a gamechanger for their operations.
“It will make a huge difference with regards to efficiency, productivity and profitability for contractors separating stone from clay and other sticky material.”
Gordon says this Vari-Frequency screening technology will greatly improve the recovery and quality of valuable stone out of previously scalped material, greatly improving its sales value.
“If you look at a scalper plant, you’ve got large rocks going over the top deck, then you’ve got clay clogging up the bottom deck because you haven’t got enough motion,” he says.
“This makes it difficult to maximize the recovery of valuable rock out of this scalped material, which then carries over with the clay, causing product quality issues if you’re looking to reuse that material in something like a residential subdivision.
“It also means that, every 30 to 40 minutes, operators must shut the machine down to unblock the screen media apertures. These delays cost money and there’s also the safety risk as well if you have people reaching into the machine between screen decks to clean them.”
Astec’s Vari-Frequency screens are minimising blockages before they start, even with heavy sticky material like clay intermixed with higher valued rock.
“We’ve changed how we apply the vibration to the product, which virtually can greatly increase your throughput with sticky material,” he says.
“It’s got enormous benefits across the different types of screening.”
Additionally, with further application development it gives us the ability to expand this screening advancement into other screening products in our extensive product range.
Consolidated approach
Astec’s strong presence at CONEXPO highlighted the variety of brands that operate under the Astec umbrella. A rebrand in 2021 saw Astec bringing all of its subsidiary brands together under the one name as part of its ‘simplify, focus and grow’ strategy.
This growth has continued, with its most recent acquisition being TerraSource Global, brought into the Astec family in July last year.
TerraSource is known for its robust portfolio in crushing, screening, feeding and material handling offerings, offering brands such as Gundlach Crushers, Jeffrey Rader, Pennsylvania Crusher and Elgin.
The acquisition was a key step in Astec’s growth strategy, supporting the company’s materials solutions segment with innovative equipment and a strong customer focus.
“The TerraSource Global acquisition brought another 16 facilities into our group from around the world, and a lot of expertise particularly in the mining space,” Gordon says.
“This has meant that Astec can leverage the research and development of TerraSource into its other products, creating strong synergies across the range products Astec produces.
“CONEXPO is an excellent platform for us to showcase our capabilities as a unified supplier of material handling and processing equipment that can add value to our customers’ operations through increasing efficiency, reducing downtime and providing cutting edge technology.”
For more information on Astec, visit: astecindustries.com
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