Jigging machines are incredibly important components in mineral separation and mining operations. In this article, we’ll discuss jigging machines, what they are, what different types exist, and how they work.

What Are Jig Machines and How Do They Work?

Jig machines, or mineral jig concentrators, are machines that use density differences between useful minerals and wasteful material to beneficiate. They’re mostly used in mineral processing, gold concentration, and as part of gold mining equipment.

After the ore has been crushed by the grinding machines (grinders) into the jig machine, whose working principle is based on gravity — heavier materials will settle beneath lighter materials. During normal operation, the diaphragm creates pulsating fluctuations in the water flow and the jig concentrator.

This creates alternating forces in the jig machine, which affects both the minerals already present, and those currently introduced into the tank. Under the influence of the alternating flow of the medium (water), the materials will “re-layer” according to their density, with heavier materials settling beneath lighter ones.

What Are the Different Types of Jig Machines?

Jig machines are automation milling machines classified as plunger jigs, diaphragm jigs, air-pulsating jigs, and moving jigs, based on their structure. However, out of the four listed types, plunger jigs are no longer in use.

Diaphragm Jig Machine

Diaphragm jigs are gravity separation machines that use an eccentric connecting rod, a cam lever, or a hydraulic device to cause reciprocating motion in the diaphragm. These devices are further classified as top-moving, lateral diaphragm jigs, and down-moving conical diaphragm jigs, depending on the installation position of the diaphragm.

• Top-moving diaphragm separator machines are mostly used in the rough separation of tungsten, tin, barite, coltan, manganese, gold ore, iron ore, and other dense metal minerals. During the mineral separation procedure, the two-chamber diaphragm moves up and down.
• Down-moving conical diaphragm gravity jig machines are used to separate coarse particles smaller than 6mm. The diaphragm is located between two cones of the chamber, which easily discharges large-density particles. However, the recovery of coarse-grained minerals isn’t as good if the separation requirements are broader.
• The lateral diaphragm jig separator resembles a trapezoidal working table, with a shorter feed end and a wider row end. These are best suitable for the recovery of fine-grained materials and gangue minerals with high density.

Air Pulsating Jigger Machine

Air pulsing mineral jig machines have become increasingly popular as primary coal washers due to their numerous technical and economic advantages, including cheap operating costs, extended life expectancy, and high capacity.

In its most basic form, the air-pulsated jig comprises two distinct mechanisms: one of jigging, which occurs in the jig bed, and the other of pulsating, which causes the water to pulsate.

Moving Jigger Machines

The various drive systems split moving screen jigs into a mechanical moving jigger and a manual moving jigger. Manual moving sieve jigs have largely been phased out, whereas mechanical moving jigs use hydraulic or mechanical force to drive the sieve plate back and forth, sorting the minerals on the plate. This moving jigger is mostly employed in large-scale coal beneficiation plants or coal processing plants in cold and water-deficient areas.

Summary

Mineral separation jigs are machines with plenty of moving parts that facilitate the rocking motion that allow beneficiation. Unfortunately, machines sometimes break down, and not having spare parts on-hand means unnecessary delays.

Luckily, Reid Supply keeps a stock of 40,000 different parts for various machinery and accessories from the top manufacturers with the ability to source the hard-to-find parts. If you happen to need a spare part, don’t hesitate to contact Reid Supply.