Understanding Rotary Drum Training – Part 1 – The Importance of Drum Training

If you want to get the most from your rotary kiln, proper maintenance is essential.  A good kiln should be able to last for decades, but only if the basics are taken care of – particularly when it comes to the balancing and positioning of the rotary drum itself.  The drum is huge and heavy.  If it becomes offset by even a small amount, this can quickly do damage to the entire system.

This is why drum training is one of the most important rotary kiln services, for maintaining proper function.  In this two-part series, we’ll look into what drum training is, and why it’s needed, then talk about practical tips for drum training in Part 2.

What Is Rotary Drum Training?

Simply put, rotary drum training is about ensuring that the drum is properly positioned on the kiln support rollers.  This positioning is also known as “drum float,” because the ideal position has it “floating” between the rollers without riding too hard on any of them.

If the drum falls out of alignment, it will start to weigh more heavily on one set of rollers than on the other.  This will put a lot of extra strain on those rollers and can also throw the entire assembly off balance.  The longer this goes on, the more damage will be done to the system.

How Does Drum Training Work?

Training the drum primarily involves adjusting the trunnion bearings, which control the direction and the amount of thrust created by the drum.  

These bearings must be adjusted very slowly and carefully, in tiny increments – typically only 0.001 – 0.010 inches per adjustment.  This is vital because even small changes to the trunnion bearings can cause significant changes to how the rotary drum floats.  Large changes can throw the balance off further and make the problem worse.

How Often Is Drum Training Needed?

Unfortunately, there’s no single guideline here.  It depends on several factors, including how much you use your kiln and what sorts of materials are put into it.  That said, in general, the steeper your drum’s slope, the more often training will be needed to ensure the weight is properly distributed across the kiln support rollers.

Get Rotary Kiln Services and More

If you don’t feel comfortable adjusting your own drum, professional rotary kiln services can handle it for you.  They can also advise on how often it should be done.  If you need help, please contact us at Kiln Technology Company Company for more information.