Three-Dimensional Screening Surfaces

Three-dimensional screen panels were introduced in the mid-1990s. These typically offer between 75 and 125% more screening area than flat-panel repairable plate screens, while retaining the ability to be repaired. Compared with nonrepairable hook-strip screens, most threedimensional screen panels offer up to 45% more screening area. This type of screen panel adds a third dimension to the previous, twodimensional screens.
The screen surface is rippled and supported by a rigid frame. Most three-dimensional screen panels resemble the metal used in a corrugated tin roof. Construction consists of a screen cloth that is in fact corrugated, pretensioned, and bonded to a rigid frame.

Like bonded flat screens, the three-dimensional screen panel needs only to be held firmly in place with a hook strip or other means to prevent separation between the shaker bed and the screen panel during vibration.
Three-dimensional screen panels can be used to support any type or style of wire cloth and with any type of motion. They improve any shaker performance over comparable flat-screen surfaces under most drilling conditions. Three-dimensional screens may not improve shaker performance when drilling gumbo or large, pliable, sticky cuttings.
Three-dimensional screen panels allow solids to be conveyed down into the trough sections of the screen panel. When submerged in a liquid pool, this preferential solids distribution allows for higher fluid throughput than is possible with flat-screen panels by keeping the peaked areas clear of solids. A three-dimensional screen panel improves distribution of fluid and solids across the screen panel.

Hook-Strip Shaker Screens And Bonded Screens

Hook-strip shaker screens (named for the method of hooked edging that
provides the tension along the screen) are also available. Because of the
superior life characteristics of panel mount units, Hook-strip shaker screen has been relegated to a minor role on linear motion machines. They are used
extensively on circular and unbalanced elliptical motion machines.
Proper tensioning (and frequent retensioning) of all types of screens is
good screen management and adds significantly to screen life. Individual
manufacturer’s operation manuals should be consulted to obtain the
proper installation methods and torque requirements, where applicable,
for specific screens/panels.

Several types of bonded screens are available. The repairable perforated
plate screen has one or more layers of fine mesh cloth bonded to a sheet
of metal or plastic with punched, patterned holes. Perforated plate
designs are available in various opening sizes and patterns. Additional
designs include a special application in which backing and fine-screen
materials are bonded together, eliminating the need for perforated
plates. Flat-surfaced pretensioned screen panels are becoming more even
tensioned, easy to install, and capable of even distribution of liquids and
solids across the screen deck.