Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting No-Load Test for Grinding Mill Before Operation

Introduction

Performing a no-load test is a critical pre-operation procedure for grinding mills to ensure mechanical integrity and operational safety. As a leading manufacturer with over 30 years of experience in mining machinery, ZENITH emphasizes rigorous testing protocols for equipment like our XZM Ultrafine Mill and MTW Series Trapezium Mill.

Grinding mill no-load test setup with monitoring equipment

Purpose of No-Load Test

  • Verify bearing and transmission system stability
  • Check vibration levels within ISO 10816 standards
  • Confirm lubrication system functionality
  • Establish baseline electrical parameters

Step 1: Pre-Test Preparation

Equipment Inspection

For our XZM Ultrafine Mill (45-5μm), ensure:

  • All fasteners are torqued to specifications (refer to technical manual Section 4.2)
  • Vertical turbine classifier blades are manually rotated for clearance check
  • Pulse dust collector bags are properly installed

Safety Measures

  1. Install protective barriers around rotating components
  2. Verify emergency stop buttons are functional
  3. Prepare infrared thermometer (range: -20°C to 600°C)

Technician inspecting grinding mill components before no-load test

Step 2: Electrical System Verification

Power Supply Check

Parameter XZM221 XZM268
Voltage Tolerance ±5% of 380V ±5% of 10kV
Phase Imbalance <2% <1.5%

Instrument Calibration

For MTW Series mills, calibrate:

  • Vibration sensors (range: 0-20mm/s)
  • Current transformers (accuracy class 0.5)
  • Temperature probes (PT100 RTDs)

Step 3: Execution of No-Load Test

Startup Sequence

  1. Engage lubrication system for minimum 30 minutes
  2. Start main motor at 10% rated speed for 5 minutes
  3. Gradually increase to 100% speed over 15 minutes

Monitoring Parameters

For LUM Ultra-fine Vertical Mill:

  • Bearing temperature (alarm at 75°C, shutdown at 85°C)
  • Motor current (compare with nameplate values)
  • Vibration velocity (RMS <4.5mm/s for 315kW+ motors)

Operator monitoring grinding mill parameters during no-load test

Step 4: Data Analysis

Acceptance Criteria

ZENITH’s MTM Series mills require:

  • No abnormal noise (dB <75 at 1m distance)
  • Gear backlash <0.15mm
  • Motor power consumption within 15% of theoretical no-load value

Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom Possible Cause Solution
High vibration Misalignment Laser alignment check
Oil leakage Seal damage Replace oil seals

Recommended Products

For optimal grinding performance, consider ZENITH’s advanced solutions:

XZM Ultrafine Mill

  • Output fineness: 325-2500 mesh (D97≤5μm)
  • Energy saving: 30% lower consumption than jet mills
  • Special wear-resistant rollers with 3x lifespan

MTW Trapezium Mill

  • Arc air channel reduces energy loss by 15%
  • Integrated pulse dust collector (efficiency >99.9%)
  • Conical gear transmission (98% efficiency)

Conclusion

Proper no-load testing prevents 85% of premature mill failures according to our global service data. ZENITH’s engineering team provides on-site commissioning support for all grinding equipment, backed by our 24/7 technical hotline across 30+ countries.

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