Trommel screening hardware: the cylindrical rotating screen surface (the trommel shell) is typically fabricated from which form of screening material for durability and open area control?

Introduction / Context:
Trommels are rotating cylindrical screens widely used in minerals, aggregates, municipal waste, and fertilizer industries. The choice of screen surface affects open area, durability, blinding tendency, and maintenance. Understanding common construction options helps specify reliable equipment for abrasive, high-throughput service.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Trommels handle coarse to medium material, often abrasive.
• They require structural robustness to resist impacts and wear.
• Screen panels must retain geometry at rotation speeds and under continuous loading.

Concept / Approach:
Punched (perforated) plate is frequently selected for trommels because it offers a rugged, self-supporting structure with controllable aperture size and distribution. While woven wire can be used for some duties, perforated plate better resists abrasion and impact in many heavy-duty applications. Cloth media is unsuitable for such mechanical loading.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Match duty (abrasive, coarse feed) to screen strength needs.Recognize perforated plate provides robust apertures with strong ligament support.Select “Punched (perforated) plate” as the common trommel surface.

Verification / Alternative check:
OEM catalogs for trommels list perforated plate, often with wear liners and replaceable segments, as the default build for aggregate and ore screening applications.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Fibrous cloth: Used in filtration or very fine screens, not typical for rotating trommels.Woven wire screen: Used in stationary or vibrating decks more commonly; in trommels, it is less robust for heavy, abrasive service compared to perforated plate.

Common Pitfalls:
Specifying too fine an aperture for a fouling-prone feed; perforated plate mitigates deformation, but correct aperture and cleaning features (lifters, brushes) are still essential.

Final Answer:
Punched (perforated) plate