MXPA00005617A

MXPA00005617A - A grinding machine.

Info

Publication number: MXPA00005617A
Application number: MXPA00005617A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Charles Woodall Peter
Original assignee: Mim Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 2000-06-07
Publication date: 2003-03-10
Also published as: ZA200002833B; DE10028484B4; PE20010103A1; DE10028484A1; AUPQ084999A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a grinding machine developed primarily as an ultra-fine grinding machine for use in a large scale mineral processing and leaching operations and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that particular field of use.

Description

CRUSHING MACHINE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shredding machine. The invention has been developed primarily in the form of an ultra-fine crushing machine for use in large-scale ore processing and leaching operations and will be described below with reference to that application. However, it should be kept in mind that this invention is not limited to that particular field of use.

BACKGROUND A well-known ultra-fine crushing machine has a frame that defines a crusher chamber, crushing discs in the chamber mounted on an axis, and a product separator. The shaft is usually driven by a motor through a reduction system that in some executions includes a gearbox and in other executions includes a system of pulleys. The product or the particles of the product are fed at one end of the chamber and, once crushed, come out the opposite end of the chamber. The grinding process is achieved by rotating the grinding discs which agitate the grinding medium which is in grinding contact with the product. The product separator retains the grinding medium within the chamber while allowing the shredded product to exit the second end. The crushing process causes friction wear on the interior surface of the frame. To prolong the operating life of the frame and to avoid loss of the partially crushed product of the chamber, it is known that the frame includes a disposable rubber liner. This lining has to be replaced periodically, which involves stopping the crushing machine. In some prior art machines, the liner includes a plurality of separate rubber blocks or other disposable blocks that adhere individually or otherwise secure to the interior of the frame. Consequently, replacing the liner involves removing the worn or damaged blocks and replacing them with new blocks. This procedure involves time, expenses, intense work and requires shutting down the machine for a considerable period of time. In partial response to these problems, other machines of the prior art use an alternative method of replacement. More particularly, the frame is removably mounted to the machine, so that when it is required to replace the liner, the frame is separated and transported to a liners factory in a place away from the grinding site. To facilitate the removal of the frame, it is known that it is mounted on wheels that run on rails. In this way, to remove the frame, the screws and other necessary safety devices are removed to allow the frame to slide along the rails and leave the rest of the machine clear. Although the removable framework decreases the amount of detection time of the crushing machine, this implies time, expense and inconvenience for its realization. In addition, to minimize detection time, a second frame is required to "work while the first one is being re-lined." This increases the cost of the associated capital of the machine.

An object of the present invention is, at least in the preferred embodiments, to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or to provide an alternative. In the present description, the term "tubular" should be interpreted essentially to cover both structures of the circular transverse section, such as straight and frustoconical cylindrical structures, as well as structures of noncircular cross section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a crushing machine for grinding particles, including the machine: a frame having an inner surface for defining a tubular crusher chamber; crushing elements in the chamber to crush the particles; and a 'disposable liner on the inner surface, this lining being a simple integral element. "According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a crushing machine for grinding particles, including this machine: a frame having an inner surface to define a tubular crusher chamber; crushing elements in the chamber to crush the particles; a disposable liner on the inner surface; and detecting means for determining when a region of said lining has been worn outwardly to a predetermined thickness of the liner. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame for a crushing machine, this frame including a plurality of frame parts separable from each other, each frame part having an inner surface defining a tubular crusher chamber. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a disposable liner is provided to line an interior surface of a crusher machine frame, the liner being a simple integral element. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a disposable liner is provided to line an interior surface of a frame of a shredding machine, the lining being a simple integral element and being operatively associated with the sensing means to determine when a region of the lining has been worn outwardly to a predetermined thickness of the liner. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of maintaining a crushing machine of the type for grinding particles and having a framework with an inner surface defining a tubular crushing chamber, grinding elements in the chamber for crushing the particles and a first disposable inner frame constituted by a simple integral element, wherein the frame is dismantled in a plurality of frame parts, the method including the steps of: dismantling the frame in frame parts; remove the lining; replace the liner with a second liner; And reassemble the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a shredding machine according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the shredding machine; Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view of the crushing machine; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the end of the shredding machine as shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a schematic section through another execution of the crushing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the drawings, the crushing machine 1, for crushing particles, includes a frame 2 having an interior surface defining a cylindrical crushing chamber 3. The crushing elements in the form of rotating crushing discs 4 in chamber 3 are for grinding the particles. The discs 4 are mounted on a shaft 5 which is connected via a reduction system to a motor, the reduction system and the engine. In one embodiment, the reduction system includes a gearbox and in another embodiment includes a pulley system. The machine further has a disposable rubber liner 6 on the interior surface of the frame 2, the liner being a simple integral element. In one embodiment, the liner is of a rubber known commercially as "MIM60". The shredding machine includes a pair of sensing means each including a conductive wire 7 and 8 (see Figures 3 and 4), embedded in the liner 6. Each wire 7 and 8 is placed in the liner 6 to be effective for detecting when the lining has worn to a point where a predetermined thickness of the liner remains. For this purpose the wires are properly placed to determine when the liner has been worn, from the initial interior face 9 of the liner, to a predetermined depth of wear, this depth corresponding to the predetermined thickness. The distance of each wire from the initial inside face 9 corresponds to the respective predetermined depth with respect to that wire. The machine is configured to determine that the liner has worn out at each predetermined depth with the breakage of the respective wire, as will be explained in more detail below. The wires 7 and 8 each form a part of an electrical circuit for conducting the electric current through the respective wire. Each circuit includes rutting detector means in the form of an ammeter 10 to determine when a respective wire break occurs. Each wire 7 and 8 extends along a helical path from a position adjacent one end 11 of the frame to an adjacent position of the opposite end 12 of the frame. In one embodiment, one of the wires, the wire 7, is at a distance from the inner face 9 equal to 50% of the thickness of the liner 6 before wear. The wire 7 is therefore effective in determining when the liner has worn to a wear depth of 50% of this thickness. For other wires, the wire 8 is at a distance from the inner face 9 equal to 90% of the thickness of the liner 6 before wear. This wire is therefore effective in determining when the lining has worn to a wear depth of 90% of the thickness.

The outer rib in the form of a series of steel belts 13 extends around the liner 6 to stiffen the liner. The frame 2 is made of two frame parts 14 and 15 which are joined together along a horizontally extending joint 16. Each frame part 14 and 15 includes a semi-tubular portion of the inner surface of the frame 2, which, due to the cylindrical shape of the crusher chamber 3, is also semicircular. Accordingly, when the parts of the frame are placed together, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the portions together define the interior surface and therefore the chamber 3. The frame parts 14 and 15 have complementary closure means 17, indicated schematically in Figure 2, to close them together. The closing means are strong enough to withstand the pressure exerted therein, which results from the pressure created in the chamber 3 during the grinding process. The frame 2 is dismantled by moving the part of the frame 14 upwards away from the part of the frame 15. It can be seen that the movement upwards of the part of the frame 14 away from the part of the frame 15 involves a component of transverse movement towards the axial direction of the chamber 3. It can also be seen that each frame part 14 and 15 extends over the entire length of the frame, from the end 11 to the end 12. These features of the frame facilitate removal of the liner 6 from the frame, which will be explained later. During use, the particles of the product to be crushed are introduced into the chamber 3 through a feed opening (not shown) at the end 11. Also in the chamber during the grinding process are particles of a medium of grinding (not shown) that are in grinding contact with the particles of the product. The particles of the product are crushed by the rotating action at high speed of the crushing discs 4 which agitate and cause a stirring effect on the particles of the grinding medium. The particles of the grinding medium, in turn, crush the particles of the product by means of friction or abrasion. During this process, the surfaces of the product particles are repeatedly chopped, producing very fine-sized progenies. The ground particles of the product are discharged from the camera 3 through a discharge opening (not shown). A product separator (not shown) allows the discharge of the crushed product while retaining the grinding media in the chamber. The wear of the liner 6 occurs during the grinding process. This necessitates the replacement of the liner which, according to one aspect of the invention, occurs during the maintenance of the crushing machine. T The maintenance method of the crushing machine includes the basic steps of dismantling the frame 2 in the frame parts 14 and 15, remove liner 6, replace the liner with another liner, and reassemble the frame. However, it should be noted that the wear of the lining does not occur uniformly. It has been found that wear occurs faster at the feed end of the chamber (end 11) than at the discharge end (end 12). To address this, the method includes an additional step after the removal step of the liner 6. The additional step includes flipping the same unevenly worn liner by rotating it 180 degrees about an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the liner, replacing it, allowing what wear more, and then remove it again and replace it with a new non-worn liner. The decision as to when to flip the existing liner 6, and when to completely remove it and replace it with a non-worn liner, is based on reaching predetermined wear depths. When the liner 6 wears to a depth corresponding to the distance of the wire 8 from the inner face 9, the wear action breaks the wire. The ammeter 10 connected to the wire 8 then registers an interruption of the current flowing through the wire. From the interruption of the current it is determined that the wire has broken and therefore the wear at this depth has occurred. Because the wire 8 is embedded in the liner 6 at a distance from the inner face 9 which corresponds to 50% of the thickness of the liner before the wear occurs, this is the percentage of depth of the wear in which the wire is break In this stage, the lining is inverted. To flip the liner 6, the closure means 17, which hold the frame parts 14 and 15 together, open and the frame 2 is dismantled as described above. He liner 6 is then removed from the frame part 15, turned over as described above, and replaced in the frame part. Then, the part of the frame 14 returns to its previous position to cover the lining and is secured once more to the frame part 15 by means of the closing means. The crushing process is then continued until the wire 7 is broken. Due to the distance of the wire 7 from the inside face 9 as explained above, the breakage of the wire occurs at a wear depth of 90% of the thickness of the lining. before wear occurs. At this stage, the frame 2 is again dismantled, with which the liner 6 is then removed, and this time it is replaced by a new non-worn liner. Removal of the worn liner and replacement by a new liner is made in the manner in which the worn liner 6 was flipped, except that no overturning is performed. With respect to Figure 5, another embodiment 18 of the shredding machine according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the liner 19 has a pair of flanges 20 projecting laterally, one on each side of the liner. Each flange 20 extends substantially in the length of the liner and is sandwiched between a respective pair, 21 or 22, of ridges 23 of the frame parts 24 of the crushing machine. The outer flange configuration in the form of a series of steel belts 25, similar to the aforementioned steel belts 13, extends around the liner 19 to make it more rigid. However, the belts 25 differ from the belts 13 in that each of these consist of a pair of belt portions 26. Each belt portion 26 extends circumferentially with respect to, and substantially partially around the liner. Each liner portion 26 has a pair of projections 27 projecting transversely at these opposite ends. The projections 27 of each belt portion 26 are interposed between the two respective flanges of each pair 21 or 22. The belt portions 26 are held together in this manner. Since the parts of the frame 24 are tightened together in an assembly of the shredding machine, the projections 27 are driven by the flanges of each pair 21 and 22 to fit into the respective adjacent flange 20. The projections place the liner 19 and place the portions of belt 26 with respect to the liner. As a result, the lining is prevented from screwing during the operation of the crushing machine. This helps to avoid damage to the wear detecting wires (not shown in Figure 5) embedded in the liner 19. In all aspects other than those specifically mentioned, the crushing machine 18 is substantially identical to the crushing machine 1. that the linings defined and described above have wires to determine the wear at each of the two predetermined depths, it would be convenient for the wires to be embedded in the liner to determine the wear at three or more predetermined depths. This will provide a special arrangement in cases where the wear speed is unknown or extremely uneven. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it can be performed in several other ways.

Claims

CLAIMS A crushing machine for grinding particles, including this machine: a frame having an inner surface to define a tubular crushing chamber; crushing elements in the chamber to crush the particles; and a disposable liner on the inner surface, this lining being a simple integral element. A crushing machine according to the Claim 1 further including sensor means for determining when a region of said liner has been worn outwardly to a predetermined thickness of the liner. A crushing machine according to the Claim 2, wherein the detecting means is configured to determine when a region of said liner has been worn outwardly to a predetermined depth of wear from the initial interior face of the liner of the corresponding depth to the remaining thickness. A crushing machine according to claim 3, wherein the detector means includes a conductor wire embedded in the liner at a distance from the inside face, this distance corresponding to the depth, the machine being created to determine the presence of the break of the wire A shredding machine according to Claim 4, wherein the wire is operatively associated with the rupture detecting means for detecting said breaking. A crushing machine according to Claim 5, wherein the wire forms part of an electrical circuit for conducting electrical current through the wire and the rupture detecting means includes a meter for detecting the interruption of the current through the wire. A crushing machine according to Claim 6, wherein the wire extends along a helical path from a position adjacent to one end of the frame at a position adjacent to the opposite end of the frame. A crushing machine according to any of claims 3 to 7, in wherein the crushing machine includes a plurality of detector means for determining when the region of the lining has worn out at any of a plurality of predetermined depths, each of these depths corresponding to the distance of the respective depth of the detector means from the inner face. A crushing machine according to Claim 8, wherein one of the detector means is created to determine when the liner has been worn to a wear depth of 50% of the liner thickness before wear and other detector means is created to determine when the lining has worn to a wear depth of 90% of the liner thickness before wear. A crushing machine according to any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the liner is bordered by a flange that includes an outer belt that becomes rigid. A crushing machine according to Claim 10, wherein the belt is made of metal. 2. A crushing machine according to Claim 11, wherein the metal includes steel. A crushing machine according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the flange includes a plurality of similar belts. A crushing machine according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the liner is made of an elastomeric material. 15. A crushing machine according to Claim 14, wherein the liner is rubber. 16. A shredder machine according to Claim 15, wherein the liner is rubber known commercially as "MIM60". 17. A crushing machine according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the crusher chamber is cylindrical. 18. A crushing machine according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the crusher chamber is frusto-conical. 19. A crushing machine according to any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the frame is dismantled into a plurality of frame parts. A crushing machine according to Claim 19, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis and the parts of the frame are separable by moving one of the frame parts in a direction having a component transverse to the direction of the axis. A shredding machine according to Claim 20, wherein each of the frame parts extends from one end of the frame to an opposite end of the frame. A crushing machine according to Claim 21, wherein the plurality of the frame parts consists of two frame parts including a semi-tubular portion of the inner surface. A crushing machine according to Claim 22, wherein the two parts of the frame are joined at the horizontally extending joint. A crushing machine according to Claim 23, wherein each part of the frame has a pair of flanges projecting transversely into the joint, each flange extending from one of the frame portions adjacent to the respective flange of the other part of the frame. frame, with what the parts of the frame secure each other by securing the respective adjacent flanges together. 25. A crushing machine according to claim 24, wherein the liner has a pair of transversely projecting flanges each of which is sandwiched between a respective one of the two flanges of the frame portions. 26. A crushing machine according to Claim 25, wherein each belt that becomes rigid includes two belt portions each extending circumferentially substantially substantially around the shell, each belt portion having a pair of shoulders that is project transversely at their opposite ends, each projection being sandwiched between one of the respective flanges of the frame parts. 27. A crushing machine for grinding particles, including the machine: a frame having an inner surface to define a tubular crusher chamber; crushing elements in the chamber to crush the particles; a disposable liner on the inner surface; and sensor means for determining when a region of said lining has been worn outwardly to a predetermined thickness of the liner. A crushing machine according to Claim 27, wherein the detecting means is created to determine when a region of said liner has been worn out to a predetermined depth of wear from an initial interior face of the liner, said depth corresponding to the thickness remaining. 29. A crushing machine according to Claim 28, wherein the detecting means includes a conductive wire embedded in the liner at a distance from the inner face, the distance corresponding to said depth corresponding to the depth, the machine being configured to determine the presence of the breaking of the wire. 30. A crushing machine according to the Claim 29, wherein the wire is operatively associated with the rupture detecting means for detecting said rupture. 1. A crushing machine according to Claim 30, wherein the wire forms part of an electrical circuit for conducting electrical current through the wire and the rupture detecting means includes a meter for detecting the interruption of the current through the wire. 32. A shredding machine according to Claim 31, wherein the wire extends along a helical path from an adjacent position to one end of the frame at a position adjacent to the opposite end of the frame. 33. A crushing machine according to any of claims 28 to 32, wherein the crushing machine includes a plurality of sensing means for determining when a region of the lining has been abraded to any of a plurality of predetermined depths, each corresponding to these depths at the distance of the respective distance of the detector means from the inner face. 34. A shredder machine according to Claim 33, wherein the detecting means is created to determine when the liner is has worn to a depth of wear of 50% of the thickness of the liner before wear and the other sensor means is created to determine when the lining has worn to a depth of wear of 90% of the thickness of the liner before wear. 35. A crushing machine according to any of claims 27 to 34, wherein the liner is surrounded by a flange that includes an outer belt that becomes rigid. 36. A crushing machine according to claim 35, wherein the belt is made of metal. 37. A crushing machine according to Claim 36, wherein the metal includes steel. 38. A crushing machine according to any of claims 35 to 37, wherein the flange includes a plurality of belts. 39. A crushing machine according to any of claims 27 to 38, wherein the liner is made of an elastomeric material. 40. A crushing machine according to Claim 39, wherein the liner is rubber. 41 A crushing machine according to Claim 40, wherein the liner is of rubber known commercially as "MIM60". A crushing machine according to any of claims 27 to 41, wherein the crusher chamber is cylindrical. 43 A crushing machine according to any of claims 27 to 41, wherein the crusher chamber is frusto-conical. A crushing machine according to any of claims 27 to 43, wherein the frame is dismantled into a plurality of frame parts. 45. A crushing machine according to Claim 44, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis and the parts of the frame are separable by moving one of the parts of the frame in a direction that i has a component transverse to the direction of the axis . 46 A crushing machine according to the Claim 45, wherein each part of the frame extends from one end of the frame to an opposite end of the frame. 47 A crushing machine according to the Claim 46, wherein the plurality of the frame parts consists of two parts of frame including each a semitubular portion of the inner surface. A crushing machine according to claim 47, wherein the two parts of the frame are joined along a horizontally extending joint. A crushing machine according to claim 48, wherein each frame part has a pair of flanges projecting transversely into the joint, each flange extending from one of the frame parts adjacent to the respective flange of the other part. of the frame, whereby the parts of the frame can be secured together securing the respective adjacent flanges together. A crushing machine according to claim 49, wherein the liner has a pair of transversely projecting flanges each of which is sandwiched between the respective two flanges of the frame portions. A shredding machine according to Claim 50, wherein each rigid belt includes two belt portions extending circumferentially substantially around the shell, each Strap portion A pair of projections projecting transversely at their opposite ends 4, each projection being sandwiched between the two respective ridges of the frame portions. 52. A framework for a crushing machine, - the frame including a plurality of parts of the frame separable from each other, each part of the frame having a surface of part of the frame, the surfaces of part of the frame constituting an internal surface of the frame and the interior surface defining a tubular crusher chamber. 53. A frame according to Claim 52, wherein the chamber has a longitudinal axis and the parts of the frame are separable by moving one of the frame parts in a direction having a component transverse to the direction of the axis. 54. A frame according to Claim 53, wherein each part of the frame extends from one end of the frame to an opposite end of the frame. 55. A frame according to Claim 54, wherein the plurality of the frame parts consists of two parts of the frame that each includes a semitubular portion of the inner surface. A frame according to Claim 55, wherein the two parts of the frame are joined along a horizontally extending joint. A frame according to Claim 56, wherein each part of the frame has a pair of flanges projecting transversely into the joint, each flange extending from one of the frame parts adjacent to the respective flange of the other part of the frame. , whereby the parts of the frame can be secured together securing the respective adjacent flanges together. A disposable liner for lining an interior surface of a crusher machine frame, the liner being a simple complete element. A disposable liner for lining an interior surface of a crusher machine frame with the liner being a simple complete element __ and being operatively associated with a detector means for determining when a region of the liner has worn out to a predetermined thickness of the lining . A disposable liner according to Claim 59, wherein the detecting means is created to determine when a region of the liner has been worn outwardly to a predetermined wear depth from an initial interior face of the liner, said depth corresponding to the remaining thickness . A disposable liner of. according to Claim 60, wherein the detecting means includes a conductive wire embedded in the liner at a distance from the inner face, the distance corresponding to said depth corresponding, the detector means being appropriate to determine the presence of the wire breakage. A disposable liner according to Claim 61, wherein the wire is operatively associated with the rupture detecting means for detecting said rupture. A disposable liner according to Claim 62, wherein the wire is capable of forming part of an electrical circuit for conducting electrical current through the wire and the rupture detecting means includes a meter for detecting the interruption of current through the wire. of the wire. A disposable liner according to Claim 63, wherein the wire extends along a helical path from a position adjacent one end of the liner to a position adjacent to u? opposite end of the liner. A disposable liner according to any of claims 60 to 64, wherein the liner is operatively associable with a plurality of the detector means for determining when the liner has worn out at any of a plurality of predetermined depths, each of these depths corresponding at the distance of the respective detector means from the inside face. A disposable liner according to Claim 65, wherein one of the detector means is configured to determine when the liner has been worn to a wear depth of 50% of the thickness of the liner before wear and another of the detector means is adapted to determine when the lining has worn to a wear depth of 90% of the liner thickness before wear. 67. A disposable liner according to any of claims 59 to 66, wherein the liner is surrounded by a flange that includes an outer belt that becomes rigid. 68. A disposable liner according to Claim 67, wherein the strap is made of metal. 69. A lining that can be discarded according to the Claim 68, wherein the metal includes steel. * *. 70. A disposable liner according to any of claims 67 to 68, wherein the flange includes a plurality of similar belts. 71. A disposable liner according to any of claims 59 to 70, wherein the liner is made of an elastomeric material. 72. A disposable liner according to Claim 71, wherein the liner is rubber. 73. A disposable liner according to Claim 72, wherein the liner is of rubber known commercially as "MIM60". 74. A method for maintaining a crushing machine of the type for crushing particles and having a frame with an inner surface defining a chamber tubular crusher, crushing elements in the chamber for crushing the particles and a first disposable inner frame liner constituted by a simple integral element, wherein the frame is dismantled in a plurality of frame parts, including this method the steps of: dismantling the framework in parts of the framework: remove the lining; replace the liner with a second liner; and reassemble the frame. A method according to claim 74, wherein the step of replacing the first liner includes the step of placing the second liner on one of the frame parts. A method according to Claim 74 or Claim 75, wherein the first liner has an inner face and a sensing means for determining when a region of the first liner has been worn outwardly to a predetermined depth, the removal step being carried out. the first liner once the determination has been presented. A method according to Claim 76, wherein the method includes the step, after the step of removing the first liner and before the step of replacing the first liner with a second liner, of rotating the first liner 180 degrees about an axis extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the first lining, replacing the first lining and repeating the step of removing the first lining after it has worn out more. A method according to Claim 77, wherein the machine has two of said sensing means, the first occurrence of the step of removing the first liner taking place when the first of the detector means determines that the region of the first lining has worn away to the first predetermined depth, and the second occurrence of the step of removing the liner takes place when the second of the detector means determines that the liner in said region has been worn to the second predetermined depth. A shredding machine for shredding the particles, the machine being substantially as described herein with reference to any of the embodiments of the invention-illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or examples. A frame for a shredding machine, the frame being substantially as described herein with reference to any of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or examples. A disposable liner for lining an inner surface of a crusher frame, the liner being substantially as described herein with reference to any of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or examples. A method for maintaining a crushing machine, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to any of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and / or examples.