FAQ

AEI does not offer financing. We can refer you to a trusted partner upon request.

Our policy is 12 months non-wear items, but an extended warranty is available upon request.

Commissioning and training is included with every machine.

AEI offers free customer support over the phone. Machine repair and refurbishment are available at the AEI facility. On-site technical inspection is available; we offer pricing upon request. We can refer you to qualified contractors if maintenance assistance is needed on site.

All replacement parts are manufactured and inventoried here at AEI in Lancaster, PA.

AEI’s machinery and processes focus on the circular economy and the efficient recycling and recovery of materials to return to the supply chain. AEI’s machines allow the conservation of water and material in process across mining and recycling industries.

Vibrating screens utilize high-frequency vibrations to ensure highly efficient particle separation. They can also be equipped with multiple screen decks, enabling simultaneous screening of various size fractions and processing larger volumes of material in a single pass.

To meet your specific requirements, you can customize your mesh size and scalping deck on the BIVITEC, and adjustable vibration amplitude and frequency settings allow operators to optimize the screening process.

Vibratory screens are versatile and can process a wide range of materials across various industries. Some of the typical materials they’re used for include:

• Aggregates and minerals: sand, gravel, crushed stone, coal, ag lime, and gold ore
• Recycling materials: C&D waste, scrap metal, glass, plastics, auto shredder fluff, shredded tires, and roofing shingles
• Biomass and wood products: compost, leafy materials, peat moss, and wood waste
• Industrial materials: concrete, clay, and slag

Amplitude refers to the distance the screen surface moves during one cycle of vibration. Higher amplitude can help in screening larger and heavier particles, while lower amplitude is better for finer particles and more-delicate materials.

Frequency refers to the number of vibration cycles per second (measured in Hertz). Higher frequency is generally used for finer materials, while lower frequency is better for coarser materials.

Other parameters that can be adjusted include the deck angle, screen tension, and feed rate. In order to test real-world applications, AEI Screens offers on-site testing of our equipment. We’ll work with you to find the right machine and settings for your application. Contact us for more information.

These screens are built from rugged materials, so little maintenance is required. But to ensure safety, longevity, and optimal performance, it’s best to do routine inspections, lubrication, cleaning, tightening of loose components, and drive system and screen media maintenance. 

Keeping a maintenance log and continually monitoring performance involving throughput rates and separation efficiency helps in identifying potential problems before they lead to significant failures.

The equipment should feature adequate machine guarding, easily accessible emergency stops, and well-functioning control systems. Regular safety inspections and strict adherence to lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures are essential.

Operators and maintenance personnel should be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment and properly trained. AEI Screens offers training for all of our equipment.

Using sand washing equipment in these applications provides numerous benefits, including:

• Consistent quality
• Improved efficiency
• Enhanced durability and reliability
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic advantages

By ensuring the sand is clean and free of impurities, this equipment supports the production of high-quality materials essential for various industries, ultimately contributing to more efficient and cost-effective operations.

The time it takes to wash sand depends on several factors, including the type of equipment being used, the amount of sand being processed, and the level of contamination or impurities present in the sand.

Generally, for smaller batch-processing systems, it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to wash a batch of sand. For larger, continuous processing systems, the washing process is ongoing. Sand is fed into the system, washed, and then output in a continuous stream. In these setups, the effective washing time can be much shorter per unit of sand – often just a few minutes.

Concrete sand’s versatility, stability, and ability to improve the strength and durability of various construction and landscaping materials make it an essential component in a wide range of applications. Its consistent particle size and coarse texture make it ideal for providing a solid foundation and enhancing the properties of different mixes:

• Concrete mixes
• Asphalt mixes
• Mortar mixes (for laying bricks, blocks, and stone)
• Bedding material (under pavers, slabs, bricks, and pipes in trenches)
• Backfilling
• Filling voids in construction projects
• Erosion control in landscaping projects
• Children’s sandboxes
• Under pool liners

This equipment plays a significant role in environmental sustainability through water recycling and minimizing ecological impact.

• Integrated water management: many modern sand washing plants come with integrated water recycling systems that collect the wash water, remove contaminants, and recycle it back into the washing process
• Closed-loop systems: some setups employ closed-loop water systems that continuously reuse the same water
• Efficient water use: by recycling water, sand washing equipment significantly reduces the amount of fresh water required for the washing process
• Less wastewater discharge: the volume of wastewater discharged into the environment is minimized, reducing the risk of water pollution
• Controlled disposal of sludge: the sludge and sediments collected during the recycling process can be managed more effectively, often allowing for environmentally friendly disposal or repurposing in other applications

These machines are all used to separate solids from liquids in various industrial processes. However, they differ significantly in their design, operation, and applications.

Dewatering machines utilize mechanical means (such as vibration, pressure, and gravity), and they’re perfect for applications requiring moderate dewatering with energy efficiency and lower operational costs. The Ortner uses even less water and energy than many other dewatering machines.

Centrifuges employ centrifugal force for high-efficiency separation. They’re suitable for fine particles and viscous liquids in compact setups, but they generally have higher energy consumption and operational complexity.

Filter presses use pressure filtration to achieve very high solids content, and they’re ideal for applications requiring dry filter cakes. They offer significant customization options but have potentially higher initial costs and more complex maintenance.

A sand washing plant can be a complex system, but the main components are:

• Feed hopper: This is the entry point where raw sand and aggregates are loaded into the plant. It regulates the flow of material, ensuring a consistent and controlled feed rate.
• Screening equipment: Vibrating screens, rotary screens, or trommel screens are used to separate the sand into different size fractions. They ensure that only particles of the desired size continue through the washing process.
• Log washers or scrubbers: They’re used to clean the sand by agitating it with water, removing clay, silt, and other contaminants. They are particularly effective for highly contaminated material.
• Sand classifier: It separates the sand into coarse and fine fractions. It often uses water and gravity to classify the material, ensuring that fine particles are removed and coarse particles are retained.
• Sand washing machine: Wheel or spiral sand washers clean the sand by removing impurities and excess water. They use rotating impellers or screws to agitate the sand, promoting the separation of unwanted particles.
• Hydrocyclone: This is used to further remove fine particles and silt from the sand. They work by creating a centrifugal force that separates particles based on size and density, allowing clean sand to be collected and silt to be discarded.
• Dewatering screen: It removes excess water from the cleaned sand, producing a drier final product. It uses vibration to facilitate drainage.
• Thickener or clarifier: Thickeners or clarifiers remove suspended solids from the water, allowing it to be reused in the plant and reducing water consumption.
• Sludge management system: This handles the waste material generated from the washing process. This may include filter presses or centrifuges that dewater the sludge, making it easier to handle and dispose of.

Despite their similar purposes of separating materials based on size, these screens differ in design and application.

Star screens utilize flexible, star-shaped rotating elements mounted on parallel shafts, and they excel in handling wet, sticky, or fibrous materials. Their flexibility and resistance to clogging make them great for composting, soil screening, and recycling organic materials and construction debris.

Disc screens consist of a series of rotating, rigid discs mounted on parallel shafts. Their robust construction and efficient operation make them suitable for heavy-duty use in recycling, waste management, and forestry. They’re great for high-throughput applications involving dry, non-sticky materials. But the Freedom Disc Screen was designed to be able to handle the toughest materials without clogging or blinding issues.

Disc screens are versatile tools, but they are commonly utilized by:

• Material recovery facilities (MRFs): for recyclables like paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, and glass
• Municipal solid waste (MSW): for organic materials, plastics, metals, and other recyclables from municipal waste streams
• Composting facilities: to produce high-quality compost, they screen out non-compostable materials and contaminants from organic waste
• Paper mills: for sorting wood chips into different size fractions
• Biomass energy production: to ensure consistent particle size of biomass materials for efficient combustion and energy generation
• C&D recycling: for separating wood, metal, concrete, and other materials from construction and demolition waste
• Mining: to separate different sizes of ore and other mined materials
• Aggregate production: for gravel, sand, and other aggregate materials
• Scrap processing: to separate and classify scrap metal by size

When setting up and operating a disc screen, several factors need to be considered to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, and safety.

• Type of material: understanding the material type (e.g., wood, plastics, metals, organic waste) is crucial for selecting the appropriate disc screen configuration
• Particle size distribution: this helps in setting the correct gap between discs
• Disc rotation speed: the speed at which the discs rotate affects the material flow and separation efficiency
• Feed rate: the rate at which material is fed onto the screen must match the screen’s capacity to prevent overloading or inefficiencies
• Inclination angle: the angle of inclination can affect material flow and separation efficiency
• Operator training: ensuring that operators are properly trained in the operation and safety procedures related to the disc screen

Maintaining and cleaning a disc screen is essential to ensure its optimal performance, prolong its lifespan, and prevent unplanned downtime. This involves:

• Regularly inspecting the main components (discs, shafts, bearings, motor, and drive system)
• Monitoring of electrical systems
• Lubricating the moving parts
• Cleaning to remove debris and prevent clogging
• Tightening of loose components
• Checking disc alignment as well as the tension of the belts or chains driving the discs
• Keeping a maintenance log