Reference Material

Barrick Automated Sample Preparation System

ROCKLABS Automated Systems are based on the concept of a sample flowing through a process, not a series of batch events. The concept has been developed over the last fifteen years. Many new machines and devices have been invented by ROCKLABS Ltd to facilitate this concept.

The overall aim is simplicity of design and construction to minimise construction costs and running costs and enable the system to be operated by existing laboratory technicians and maintained by existing plant fitters.

All ROCKLABS Automated Systems are custom designed and built to meet the requirements of each laboratory. The layout will depend on sample details such as quantity, weight and type of sample to be processed per shift, the degree of automation and the building where the Automated System will be used as well as many other details.

To ensure success, there must be sufficient testing of a customer’s samples to determine the machines to be used and allow for possible changes in the future. e.g. sample weight may be increased.

Good teamwork is required. ROCKLABS’ staff and the customer’s staff must all work together to ensure the best outcome.

Automation allows for samples to be loaded as batches and the whole batch, up to 20 samples or more, processed with no operator involvement.

Over the last eight years ROCKLABS’ Automated Systems have processed many millions of samples, reducing laboratory costs and ensuring that high quality samples are ready for analysis.
Automation is a very big subject, so please contact ROCKLABS to discuss how ROCKLABS
Automated Systems can help your laboratory.

Price and delivery
As each System is custom built, prices can vary from USD100,000 to USD500,000. The price will include installation, training and Warranty. With every System, there is a need for a site visit, test work, design, building, shipping, installation, training etc. A minimum of six months must be allowed for each order of an Automated System.

Musselwhite Automated Sample Preparation System

ROCKLABS Automated Systems are based on the concept of a sample flowing through a process, not a series of batch events. The concept has been developed over the last fifteen years. Many new machines and devices have been invented by ROCKLABS Ltd to facilitate this concept.

The overall aim is simplicity of design and construction to minimise construction costs and running costs and enable the system to be operated by existing laboratory technicians and maintained by existing plant fitters.

All ROCKLABS Automated Systems are custom designed and built to meet the requirements of each laboratory. The layout will depend on sample details such as quantity, weight and type of sample to be processed per shift, the degree of automation and the building where the Automated System will be used as well as many other details.

To ensure success, there must be sufficient testing of a customer’s samples to determine the machines to be used and allow for possible changes in the future. e.g. sample weight may be increased.

Good teamwork is required. ROCKLABS’ staff and the customer’s staff must all work together to ensure the best outcome.

Automation allows for samples to be loaded as batches and the whole batch, up to 20 samples or more, processed with no operator involvement.

Over the last eight years ROCKLABS’ Automated Systems have processed many millions of samples, reducing laboratory costs and ensuring that high quality samples are ready for analysis.
Automation is a very big subject, so please contact ROCKLABS to discuss how ROCKLABS
Automated Systems can help your laboratory.

Price and delivery
As each System is custom built, prices can vary from USD100,000 to USD500,000. The price will include installation, training and Warranty. With every System, there is a need for a site visit, test work, design, building, shipping, installation, training etc. A minimum of six months must be allowed for each order of an Automated System.

Cortez Automated Sample Preparation System

ROCKLABS Automated Systems are based on the concept of a sample flowing through a process, not a series of batch events. The concept has been developed over the last fifteen years. Many new machines and devices have been invented by ROCKLABS Ltd to facilitate this concept.

The overall aim is simplicity of design and construction to minimise construction costs and running costs and enable the system to be operated by existing laboratory technicians and maintained by existing plant fitters.

All ROCKLABS Automated Systems are custom designed and built to meet the requirements of each laboratory. The layout will depend on sample details such as quantity, weight and type of sample to be processed per shift, the degree of automation and the building where the Automated System will be used as well as many other details.

To ensure success, there must be sufficient testing of a customer’s samples to determine the machines to be used and allow for possible changes in the future. e.g. sample weight may be increased.

Good teamwork is required. ROCKLABS’ staff and the customer’s staff must all work together to ensure the best outcome.

Automation allows for samples to be loaded as batches and the whole batch, up to 20 samples or more, processed with no operator involvement.

Over the last eight years ROCKLABS’ Automated Systems have processed many millions of samples, reducing laboratory costs and ensuring that high quality samples are ready for analysis.
Automation is a very big subject, so please contact ROCKLABS to discuss how ROCKLABS
Automated Systems can help your laboratory.

Price and delivery
As each System is custom built, prices can vary from USD100,000 to USD500,000. The price will include installation, training and Warranty. With every System, there is a need for a site visit, test work, design, building, shipping, installation, training etc. A minimum of six months must be allowed for each order of an Automated System.

Porgera Mechanised Sample Preparation System

A Mechanised System is a combination of two or more machines and devices so that a process of sample preparation can be carried out without any operator action. Mechanised Systems are normally more complex than COMBOs or may have a different construction to a COMBO, e.g machines built in a tower layout, so a sample can travel vertically from one machine to another.

A Mechanised System has no automation so any changes of settings must be done manually by the operator. The machines and devices are turned on and left running until all the samples are processed. Samples are processed singly, they cannot be loaded as a batch of samples.

Mechanised Systems are designed to reduce operator lifting and handling to a minimum to reduce labour costs. They are normally supplied in a cabinet to reduce noise and allow dust extraction.

Mechanised Systems cost less than Automated Systems and are simpler, so the running cost is lower. They are ideal for laboratories processing 100 to 300 samples per day. Mechanised Systems have applications outside the laboratory e.g sampling stations, processing very large samples in a plant or mill.

Price and Delivery
Mechanised Systems cost USD50,000 to USD200,000. Discussions, testing, custom designs are all required so delivery time is approximately 3 - 6 months.

Timan Mechanised Sample Preparation System

A Mechanised System is a combination of two or more machines and devices so that a process of sample preparation can be carried out without any operator action. Mechanised Systems are normally more complex than COMBOs or may have a different construction to a COMBO, e.g machines built in a tower layout, so a sample can travel vertically from one machine to another.

A Mechanised System has no automation so any changes of settings must be done manually by the operator. The machines and devices are turned on and left running until all the samples are processed. Samples are processed singly, they cannot be loaded as a batch of samples.

Mechanised Systems are designed to reduce operator lifting and handling to a minimum to reduce labour costs. They are normally supplied in a cabinet to reduce noise and allow dust extraction.

Mechanised Systems cost less than Automated Systems and are simpler, so the running cost is lower. They are ideal for laboratories processing 100 to 300 samples per day. Mechanised Systems have applications outside the laboratory e.g sampling stations, processing very large samples in a plant or mill.

Price and Delivery
Mechanised Systems cost USD50,000 to USD200,000. Discussions, testing, custom designs are all required so delivery time is approximately 3 - 6 months.

Diavik Mechanised Sample Preparation System

A Mechanised System is a combination of two or more machines and devices so that a process of sample preparation can be carried out without any operator action. Mechanised Systems are normally more complex than COMBOs or may have a different construction to a COMBO, e.g machines built in a tower layout, so a sample can travel vertically from one machine to another.

A Mechanised System has no automation so any changes of settings must be done manually by the operator. The machines and devices are turned on and left running until all the samples are processed. Samples are processed singly, they cannot be loaded as a batch of samples.

Mechanised Systems are designed to reduce operator lifting and handling to a minimum to reduce labour costs. They are normally supplied in a cabinet to reduce noise and allow dust extraction.

Mechanised Systems cost less than Automated Systems and are simpler, so the running cost is lower. They are ideal for laboratories processing 100 to 300 samples per day. Mechanised Systems have applications outside the laboratory e.g sampling stations, processing very large samples in a plant or mill.

Price and Delivery
Mechanised Systems cost USD50,000 to USD200,000. Discussions, testing, custom designs are all required so delivery time is approximately 3 - 6 months.

Smart Geo-Prep

Rocklabs’ Smart Geo-Prep is an automated version of the very successful Boyd – RSD Combo. The automation is provided by an easy to use PLC.

When using Smart Geo-Prep the operator chooses an optimum weight for the split that will be produced. For example, when using a ring or puck mill, there is an optimum amount for pulverising, not too high a weight so the sample is pulverised fully, not too small a weight so the pulverised sample is representative of the original material.

The operator weighs each sample (this can be recorded in a LIM System) an loads it into the Boyd Crusher. The sample material falls into a small belt conveyor that takes it to the RSD.

The speed of the belt is controlled by a PLC so that small samples travel slowly, to ensure a high quality split through the RSD. The RSD is controlled by the PLC to provide the pre-set weigh plus the remainder. The remainder can be retained or dumped. If dumped, it can be removed by a second belt conveyor to a bin or outside the building.

CRM – RSD Combo

Features

• Highly efficient.
• Pulverising and splitting in one operation
• Coarse/Fine pulverising
• Two splits only – sample and remainder. Splitting segments are available.
• Large sample collector for up to 10kg
• Air ducting built in for dust extraction and Head cleaning
• Safety switches built in

In a COMBO, two machines to devices are inter-connected so a samples goes through both as one process.

The best example is Rocklabs Boyd-RSD Combo. In this combo, a sample is loaded into a Boyd Crusher. The crushed material falls into a vibrating feeder or onto a conveyor belt, which transport it to an RSD standing alongside the Boyd Crusher. The RSD splits out a portion for pulverising.

COMBOs reduce handling, increase sample output, improve sample quality and reduce costs.

COMBOs are not automated. Settings such as split percentage can be changed manually.

COMBOs are produced in small batches to minimise cost, but there can be some modifications to suit each installation. For example, a Boyd-RSD Combo normally has the RSD on the right of the Boyd but this can be reversed.

The price range of COMBOs is approximately USD10,000 to USD50,000.

Boyd – RSD Combo

Features

• Highly efficient. Crushing and splitting in one operation
• Maximum sample size of 55mm can be crushed to 2mm or less in one operation
• Two splits only – sample and remainder. Split can be set from 2% - 50%
• Feed rate up to 5kg per minute
• Easy adjustment of crushing fineness and split percentage
• Safety switches built in
• Air ducting built in for dust extraction

In a COMBO, two machines to devices are inter-connected so a samples goes through both as one process.

The best example is Rocklabs Boyd-RSD Combo. In this combo, a sample is loaded into a Boyd Crusher. The crushed material falls into a vibrating feeder or onto a conveyor belt, which transport it to an RSD standing alongside the Boyd Crusher. The RSD splits out a portion for pulverising.

COMBOs reduce handling, increase sample output, improve sample quality and reduce costs.

COMBOs are not automated. Settings such as split percentage can be changed manually.

COMBOs are produced in small batches to minimise cost, but there can be some modifications to suit each installation. For example, a Boyd-RSD Combo normally has the RSD on the right of the Boyd but this can be reversed.

The price range of COMBOs is approximately USD10,000 to USD50,000.

Rotating Sample Dividers

Two sizes available – (smaller size is featured within this web site)

- Bench Top RSD for samples less than 5kg
- Stand Alone RSD for samples less than 25kg

The smaller size is designed to be placed on a work bench but can be used in conjunction with the ROCKLABS Continuous Flow Ring Mill (CRM).

These RSD provides a representative split of any proportion from 2% - 50%. Generally the sample is split into two, sample and remainder.

Safety switches are built in to ensure operator’s safety.

Dimensions:
Depth 600mm
Width 420mm
Height 550mm
Weight: 80kg

Big Boyd Crusher

ROCKLABS Boyd Crushers are the world’s first double acting, fine jaw crushers. The patented design includes two moving jaws. One jaw is top driven, one jaw is bottom driven to crush many times before the material falls from the bottom of the jaws.

The Big Boyd Primary Crusher is a scaled up version of the very successful Boyd Crusher. It has been designed and built for a long, trouble free life. It can accept a lump size up to 150 mm (6 inch) and crush that down to 95% passing 10 mm or even finer, depending on the sample type.

Jaws can hold up to 20kg of samples at one load. These jaws are flat 400mm wide jaws for ease of cleaning and also can be turned top to bottom for double life.

Safety switches are built in to ensure operator’s safety. Furthermore, air ducting is built into cabinet for dust extraction.

Dimensions:
Depth 2000mm
Width 1850mm
Height 1970mm
Weight: 1650kg

Boyd Crusher MKIII

The ROCKLABS Boyd Crusher is the worlds first double acting, fine jaw crusher. Its patented design includes two moving jaws. One jaw is top driven, one jaw is bottom driven to crush many times before the material falls from the bottom of the jaws.

The ROCKLABS Boyd Crusher is believed to be the only jaw crusher in the world with a 25 times size reduction in one pass. Up to 50 mm pieces can be crushed to 2 mm or less in one operation.

Jaws can hold up to 5kg of samples at one load. These jaws are flat 300mm wide jaws for ease of cleaning and also can be turned top to bottom for double life. Safety switches are built in to ensure operator’s safety. Furthermore, air ducting is built into cabinet for dust extraction.

Dimensions:
Depth 1160mm
Width 680mm
Height 1320mm
Weight: 560kg

Range of Heads

Rocklabs offers a wide range of Heads to be used on the Bench Top Ring Mill and Standard Ring Mill. The range of Heads includes: Agate, Carbon Steel, Chrome Steel, Tungsten Carbide and Zirconia. The choice of Head type is determined by the size and type of sample to be pulverised.

Bench Top Ring Mill Heads:
There are 6 Heads available for the Bench Top Ring Mill
Note: These Heads can also be used on the Standard Ring Mill

• Carbon 40 and 100
• Chrome 40 and 100
• Tungsten Carbide 40
• Zirconia 40

Continuous Flow Ring Mill

Rocklabs Continuous Flow Ring Mills have been developed for pulverising large samples, from 1kg – 1tonne. It is used for coarse pulverising of large samples for mineral separation (e.g. zircon dating), prepare samples for on-stream analysis, dry or slurries.

This machine provides continuous flow through operation, giving a high productivity. Samples are fed from hopper via a low maintenance variable speed vibrating feeder. For dust extraction, there is a built-in ducting of cyclone with external vent for connection to dust extraction system. The noise level is less than 85dB.

There are 3 options available at Rocklabs:
Option 1: Sample flows in a 10kg container
Option 2: Sample flows in a 500gram pottle/container
Option 3: Samples flows from the CRM into a Rotating Sample Divider (various segments are available)

Standard Ring Mill

Rocklabs Whisper Series Standard Ring Mills have been developed for pulverising 1-1000gram samples. It is used for pulverising rocks, soil, coal, cement, glass, limestone, bricks, wood, plant material, slags, concrete, etc. for subsequent analysis by instrumental methods or wet chemistry. The noise level is less than 85dB. It provides fast and dust-free grinding, homogeneity grinding, very low contamination of samples, is easy to clean, low capital cost, long life and is maintenance-free. Rocklabs offers two designs of clamp, manual rotoclamp or pneumatic clamp (compressed air required).

Bench Top Ring Mill

Rocklabs Whisper Series Bench Top Ring Mills have been developed for laboratories pulverising 1- 100gram samples. It is used for pulverising rocks, soil, coal, cement, glass, limestone, bricks, wood, plant material, slags, concrete, etc. for XRF, XRD or other instrumental methods or wet chemistry. The noise level is less than 80dB. It provides fast and dust free grinding, homogeneity grinding, very low contamination of samples, easy to clean, low capital cost, long life and maintenance free. The Bench Top Ring Mill is ideal for laboratories as it is small and compact to fit on a work bench.