Engineering partnership delivers longer life for vibrating feeders in mining

OST-Africa works closely with mining equipment manufacturers to improve the reliability and service life of vibrating feeders, through a combination of premium VISAM vibrating motors, specialised rubber mounting technology and local engineering expertise.

Euro Sales and Manufacture (Pty) Ltd – which designs and supplies vibrating feeders for demanding mining applications in Southern Africa – has teamed up with specialists in screen, transmission and materials handling products, OST-Africa.

“Before standardising on OST-Africa’s solutions, Euro Sales faced ongoing challenges with inconsistent motor reliability and excessive vibration-related wear on feeder frames. Conventional vibrating motors and competing screen mounts were unable to provide the durability, damping performance and long-term reliability required for heavy-duty mining operations, leading to structural fatigue, increased maintenance requirements and the risk of costly unplanned downtime,” explains Chantelle Scheepers, Marketing Manager of OST-Africa “OST Africa’s combination of VISAM vibrating motors together with the superior damping characteristics of advanced rubber mounting systems has transformed the performance of equipment. Compared with previous solutions, OST mounts provide improved lateral stability and lower operating noise, helping to protect the structural integrity of the Euro Sales vibrating feeders.

“The OST-Africa engineering team assisted with product selection, installation guidance and optimisation of mounting configurations and centrifugal force settings, to ensure the correct vibration stroke and operating frequency of feeder equipment.”

Feeders operating at several major mining operations have demonstrated a 30% to 40% increase in component life, while the rubber mounts achieved a zero-failure rate during the first 12 months of operation compared with previous solutions.

In these installations, feeders operate more smoothly and produce more consistent linear vibration patterns that enhance overall material handling efficiency. Scheduled maintenance intervals have also been extended, reducing maintenance costs and increasing equipment availability.

Safety has also improved through the enhanced stability provided by OST-Africa’s rubber mounting technology. Lower operating noise levels and reduced structural fatigue contribute to a safer working environment, while helping to preserve the long-term integrity of vibrating equipment operating in harsh mining conditions.

Although premium vibrating motors represent a higher initial investment, Euro Sales says extended service life, reduced replacement costs and avoidance of unplanned downtime, have generated a significantly stronger return on investment over the equipment lifecycle. These results have prompted the company to expand the use of OST-Africa’s specialised mounting and drive technologies across its wider range of vibrating equipment and material handling structures.

According to Pieter De Villiers, Operations Manager of Euro Sales, “OST Africa provides world-class vibrating technology and mounting solutions backed by local engineering excellence that directly improves the reliability of our vibrating feeders. The combination of premium products, technical expertise and responsive after-sales support has created a genuine engineering partnership that delivers measurable operational benefits.”

This successful collaboration demonstrates how selecting the correct combination of vibrating motors, mounting technology and technical support, ensures long-term performance in tough mining conditions.