General Kinematics is a gold-star leader in aggregates processing. For decades, GK has been leading the pack in terms of innovation and execution. Here are just a few ways that the company has and continues to pave the way:
Non-Brute Force Methods
GK’s natural frequency processing solutions have many benefits over brute force counterparts. Some might even say, they are more elegant.
While the majority of the competition engineer and manufacture brute force equipment, GK manufactures an alternative: natural frequency sub-resonant units. Innovating these screens, feeders, drums and more give GK a market advantage while also enhancing the overall life and operation of the equipment.
So—how does it work? And, what does natural frequency sub-resonant even mean?
Traditional vibrating machines are driven by brute-force, which is accomplished by rotating large eccentric weights to force the desired stroke. One of the inherent flaws of this drive is high startup and shutdown forces applied to the foundation as a result of the large eccentric weights.
According to one of GK’s Technical Directors, Steve Massman: “Most of our machines are designed so that they run near to the natural frequency, so it doesn’t take as much force to cause amplification and get the motion that’s desired. It’s a more elegant solution.” Lower exciting force translates to lower startup and shutdown loads. In addition, the two-mass design allows for lowering the dynamic running loads by strategically positioning isolation springs in a way that the isolation forces cancel.
Up ahead? High-Frequency Screens
From grinding drums to brute force machinery, GK has devoted countless hours and resources to R&D—and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. So what’s next on the agenda? GK is getting more involved with the fine screening market.
As materials are ground down in a drum, they become a fine powder. Given that the material size is so small, it becomes extremely difficult to screen out and separate it. The solution? GK engineers are developing a high-frequency screen (patent pending) which will help to separate the small particles according to their different sizes.
Until the screen debut, check out more of GK’s aggregate material handling equipment, which simplifies the intensive management of handling hundreds of types of materials.
