FLS showcases crushing tech at ConExpo

FLS says its Raptor cone crushers, which are designed for aggregates, feature advantages such as advanced automation, reliable performance, and safe and easy maintenance. Photo: P&Q Staff

Crushing innovation was on full display earlier this month at ConExpo-Con/Agg, where FLS (formerly FLSmidth) highlighted its Raptor cone crusher line in Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

FLS had a Raptor 350 cone model on display in its booth. Dale Mclean, regional product line manager for crushers and crusher liners at FLS, discussed the Raptor line at ConExpo-Con/Agg, sharing some history around it and what separates the company’s cones from others in the market.

According to Mclean, the latest Raptor line – the one touted at ConExpo-Con/Agg – is the third generation of FLS cones.

“Metso is probably one of our biggest competitors,” Mclean says. “They’ve got a very similar design. So, a lot of customers are asking us how this is better than a Metso.”

Mclean answers that question by pointing out a couple of advantages.

“Our power draw is tight,” he says. “We’re solid on that. And our production is about 10 percent higher than before. It puts us ahead of the game against a Metso.”

According to FLS, Raptor cones can be utilized in a variety of applications. FLS, for example, says the Raptor 350 is an option for tertiary crushing, generating a high-quality product at a constant setting under consistently high loads.

“We can run this one at 340 to 350 tph,” Mclean says of the Raptor 350. “But it all depends on how tight we want to set it. Capacity wise, it is an animal. It doesn’t stop. It will chew through rock no problem.”

The latest generation of Raptors offers users yet another unique benefit, according to Mclean.

“We changed to have no epoxy-backing material on the liners on this version,” he says. “That’s good because it requires a 24-hour cure time. In aggregates, it’s all about uptime and lower cost per ton.”

With the new design, Mclean says users can do liner changeouts in a matter of hours and get crushers back up and running promptly.

“There’s better reliability with this design, more uptime and less maintenance,” he adds.

As Mclean describes, FLS did a full redesign on the Raptors that make up its third-generation cones. The redesign included the mainframe and internal components.

“We get about 10 percent better performance,” Mclean says. “In some applications [we get] 15, but, on average, [we get] about 10 percent better performance than the previous generation. That’s 10 percent more crushed material.”

Another ConExpo focus

In addition to the Raptor 350, FLS showcased its Excel UltraBolt jack bolt tensioning system at ConExpo-Con/Agg.

According to FLS, the UltraBolt wrench utilized in the system replaces what the company characterizes as a “dangerous slug wrench.” Additionally, the company says the system utilizes locking bolts to ensure precise and uniform preload. The design also eliminates the need for a torch ring, FLS adds, and it makes liner changes faster, easier and safer.

The UltraBolt jack bolt tensioning system is made for OEM gyratory and cone crushers.

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