Equipment List
Ball Mill
A ball mill is a type of grinder used to grind, blend, and sometimes for mixing materials for use in mineral dressing processes, paints, pyrotechnics, ceramics, and selective laser sintering.
We will customize a suitable mining or concrete solution for you.
Our technical advantages
Innovative application of UNIQUE Group's mining crushers and concrete machinery in large-scale projects around the world
High - efficiency and energy - saving technology
Adopting advanced power systems and optimized mechanical structures, it significantly reduces energy consumption while improving production efficiency, saving costs for you and creating more value.
Precision control technology
Equipped with an intelligent control system, it can precisely regulate the operating parameters of the equipment, ensuring uniform product particle size and stable quality, and meeting your strict requirements for products of different specifications.
Wear - resistant materials and processes
Selecting high - quality wear - resistant materials and combining special surface treatment processes, it greatly extends the service life of the equipment, reduces the frequency of equipment replacement, and lowers operating costs.
Convenient maintenance design
The unique modular design and reasonable layout make the maintenance and overhaul of the equipment more convenient and quick, reducing downtime and ensuring the continuity of production.
Fill out the enquiry form and we will contact you shortly.
The difference between central drive ball mill and gear drive ball mill
The central drive ball mill and gear drive (peripheral drive) ball mill are two common grinding mill designs, differing mainly in their power transmission systems. Below is a detailed comparison:
1. Drive System Structure
| Feature | Central Drive Ball Mill | Gear Drive (Peripheral Drive) Ball Mill |
|---|---|---|
| Power Transmission | Motor drives a central shaft connected to the mill via a reducer (gearbox). | Motor drives a large gear ring (girth gear) mounted around the mill shell. |
| Mechanical Setup | – Compact design with motor & gearbox aligned centrally. – Requires precise alignment. |
– Large girth gear + pinion gear system. – More components (gears, lubrication system). |
| Torque Transfer | Torque is transmitted directly through the central shaft. | Torque is transferred via the girth gear’s rotational motion. |
2. Efficiency & Performance
| Aspect | Central Drive | Gear Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency | Higher (≈5-10% more efficient) due to reduced friction losses. | Slightly lower due to gear meshing losses. |
| Load Capacity | Better suited for high-power, large-scale mills (e.g., >5,000 kW). | Typically used for smaller to medium mills (≤5,000 kW). |
| Speed Control | Easier to control via variable frequency drives (VFDs). | Requires robust gear systems for speed adjustment. |
3. Maintenance & Reliability
| Factor | Central Drive | Gear Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Needs | – Fewer moving parts. – Gearbox maintenance is critical. |
– Girth gear & pinion require regular lubrication & alignment checks. |
| Failure Risks | Gearbox failure can halt operations. | Gear wear, misalignment, or tooth breakage are common issues. |
| Lubrication | Centralized lubrication for gearbox. | Requires spray lubrication for girth gear. |
4. Cost & Installation
| Factor | Central Drive | Gear Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | Higher (due to gearbox & precision engineering). | Lower (simpler gear mechanism). |
| Installation Complexity | Requires exact alignment of motor, gearbox, and mill. | Easier to install but needs gear meshing adjustment. |
| Space Requirements | Compact footprint. | Needs more space for girth gear setup. |
5. Applications
| Central Drive | Gear Drive |
|---|---|
| – Large cement/ore grinding mills. – High-capacity processing plants. |
– Small/medium ball mills. – Mining, ceramics, chemical industries. |
Summary of Key Differences
| Parameter | Central Drive | Gear Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Higher | Slightly lower |
| Maintenance | Lower (but gearbox-critical) | Higher (gear wear & lubrication) |
| Cost | More expensive upfront | Cheaper initially |
| Best For | Large-scale, high-power grinding | Small/medium mills, cost-sensitive ops |
Which One to Choose?
-
Opt for Central Drive if:
-
You need high efficiency & power (e.g., cement plants, large mining operations).
-
Long-term reliability is a priority.
-
-
Choose Gear Drive if:
-
Budget is limited.
-
Mill size is small/medium (e.g., pilot plants, ceramics).
-
Would you like recommendations based on your specific grinding requirements?