A cone crusher is capable of breaking rocks into smaller pieces.
A cone crusher is an essential part of the process of breaking rocks into smaller pieces. The unique design of this cone-shaped machine screens and crushes rock in a fraction of the time it would take a person to do the job manually. These machines are used in a variety of industries, such as mining and construction, and tend to be used only in medium-hard rock.
At first glance, a cone crusher does not look like a cone. It is actually a large, round metal container with several industrial-strength springs surrounding its body. Cone crushers are so named because of their internal workings, in which a large amount of rock is retained at the top, but the opening narrows towards the bottom, where the actual crushing takes place. The crushing takes place between the central shaft and a crushing plate, known as the mantle.
The cone crusher is powered by electric or diesel motors that turn a belt-driven turbine. They are very powerful motors, because a lot of force is needed to crush rocks. A cone crusher’s drive belt rotates a central shaft called a spindle, which travels in an oblong, eccentric pattern and is attached to the mantle. The oblong rotation allows periodic openings in the space between the mantle and the walls of the crusher. Rocks in this position are pressed against the walls by the mantle, broken into smaller pieces, and then filtered through the cone system.
A cone crusher can handle a large amount of material with its immense power, but its range is quite limited. Most cone crushers are an intermediate step in the crushing process, receiving rocks that have been broken down by machines that specifically deal with larger rocks. Most shredders will only work with material that is 3 inches or less in diameter. In addition, the system is limited to medium-hard rocks and minerals due to the strength of the crushing materials.
Primarily the use of a cone crusher is in the mining industry, but it is also used in other situations. One of the main ways a mining company uses this tool is to facilitate the movement of carved rock from mine shafts. Likewise, construction and demolition crews use a crusher for the same purpose when excavating a particularly rocky area. A secondary industry is often created from the crushed stone, selling it as gravel for sidewalks.