Is a ball mill head the same as a head liner?

No. The head connects the shell and trunnion as a load-bearing structure. Head liners mount on its inner surface and directly withstand impact and abrasion from the charge. Identify each by its own drawing number.

Can feed- and discharge-end heads be interchanged based on appearance?

No. End position, fixed/floating arrangement, segmentation, liner holes, trunnion interface, shell flange, seals and feed/discharge structures may differ.

BALL MILL HEAD

Ball Mill Heads

Large load-bearing structures · Confirm end position, segments, trunnion and shell interfaces separately

Heads connect the shell, trunnions, main bearings and feed/discharge arrangements within the rotating mill assembly and provide mounting surfaces for head liners. ANRANST provides end-position and drawing identification, material and manufacturing assessment, non-destructive and dimensional quality control, and manufacture to drawing.

Equipment Ball Mills

Structural identification Feed or discharge end, fixed or floating end

Design Configuration Integral or 1–4 segments, optionally integral with the trunnion

Identification requirements End position, segments, interfaces, material, NDT and drawing number

Horizontal mill head illustration showing the shell connection rim, trunnion interface, liner mounting holes and reinforcement. Confirm end position, segmentation and dimensions against installation drawings.

Part scope

The head carries structural loads and must be distinguished from head liners and the trunnion

The outer rim connects to the shell, the centre connects to the trunnion, and head liners mount inside. These adjacent parts differ in function, material, hole patterns, machining datums and acceptance requirements.

Before ordering, establish whether the head and trunnion are separate or integrally cast. Check the shell flange, main bearing centreline, feed/discharge arrangement, liner holes and seal interfaces together.

Shell connection rim Transfers shell loads and establishes end-face and hole geometry

Trunnion interface Connects journal support and feed/discharge passages

Liner mounting surface Supports head liners, lifters and fasteners

Segmentation and location Control transport, installation, interface stiffness and concentricity

Position and Performance

Control load paths, interface accuracy, internal integrity and liner holes together

Identify the head around the rotation centreline and adjacent assemblies; external shape alone is insufficient.

Shell connection flange

Check outside diameter, register, end face, hole pattern, bolt circle, bolt preload, concentricity and interface stiffness.

Trunnion connection area

Check integral or separate construction, central bore, flange, transition radii, journal orientation and machining datums.

Head liner hole pattern

Check inner and outer rings, liner profiles, fastening holes, lifters, grates or overflow-end configuration.

Transition radii and heavy sections

Carry cyclic loads. Control abrupt geometry changes, shrinkage cavities and porosity, inclusions, cracks and machining marks.

Feed and discharge ends

Feed arrangements, discharge structures, trunnion liners, seals and trommel interfaces may differ. Do not assume interchangeability.

Fixed and floating ends

Match the main bearing axial-location and thermal-expansion arrangement, and establish orientation, position number and assembly datums.

OEM Structures and Specifications

Material, segment count and end position are part of the order specification

Manufacturer literature supports preliminary identification. Confirm the installed design using drawings, serial number and revision.

Ductile iron heads One of Metso's listed material options. Control nodularity, matrix structure, heavy-section properties, heat treatment and internal defects.

Cast steel heads One of Metso's listed material options. Control composition, strength and toughness, heat treatment, casting integrity, weld-repair limits and NDT.

Integral or 1–4 segments Designs include integral construction and one-, two-, three- or four-piece segments. Confirm split faces, connections, locating features and site assembly against drawings.

Integral with the trunnion Some designs combine the head and trunnion in one component. Plan manufacturing, machining, transport and inspection for the complete assembly.

Establish grade, composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, weld-repair rules, non-destructive inspection levels, dimensional tolerances and surface requirements through drawings and technical agreements. Images alone cannot identify the material.

Failure Diagnosis

Assess cracks, hole damage and interface deviations against complete-machine loads

When head damage is found, also inspect the trunnion, shell, main bearings, liners, fasteners and alignment.

Observed condition	Priority checks	Improvement Options
Cracks at the trunnion transition or in the head	Cyclic loads, radii, casting defects, machining marks, alignment, bearings and abnormal impact	Assess material and cracks, and restore load paths and interfaces
Shell-flange hole damage or face runout	Hole pattern, register, preload, contact surfaces, transport and lifting, assembly sequence and shell distortion	Restore locating datums, hole patterns and flange connection quality
Worn liner holes or local cracks	Loose liners, fastener preload, hole spacing, shims, impact direction and remaining head section	Check liners, fasteners and head hole areas together
Loose or stepped segment joints	Segment location, connectors, contact surfaces, preload, concentricity, site assembly and operating records	Restore segment datums and reassemble in the specified sequence
Central bore or trunnion interface deviations	Integral/separate construction, centreline, concentricity, flanges, bearing elevations, machining datums and repair history	Coordinate machining and site installation around the rotation centreline

Drawing References and Inquiry Details

Identify heads by end position, segmentation, assembly relationships and key interfaces

Provide the OEM drawing number, third-party reference, part number or customer drawing for the installed component, and confirm the revision.

Equipment identification

OEM, series, complete model, serial number, shell diameter, EGL, power, speed and modification history.

End position and structure

Feed or discharge end, fixed or floating end, integral or segmented construction, segment count, and integral or separate trunnion.

Drawing Number and Revision

Head drawing number, rotating assembly number, trunnion number, third-party drawing number, part number, drawing revision and physical markings.

Shell interface dimensions

Outside diameter, register, end face, thickness, hole diameters and spacing, bolt circle, face runout and contact surfaces.

Central and internal interfaces

Central bore, trunnion flange, concentricity, liner holes, feed/discharge structures, seals and adjacent assemblies.

Materials and inspection

Material, heat/batch, heat treatment, mechanical properties, casting records, UT/MT/PT, dimensional reports and repair history.

Related Equipment and Parts

Connect heads with liners, trunnions, shells, equipment and OEM installations

General pages explain part boundaries and manufacturing requirements; OEM pages identify the installed series. Drawing numbers, dimensions and inspection requirements complete the technical checks.

End Liner Check internal wear protection, hole patterns and installation positions. Trunnions Check central interfaces, journals, end positions and fixed/floating arrangements. General Ball Mills Information Review the relationship between heads, shells, trunnions and main bearings. Metso Select / Premier Ball Mills Check series, dimensions, end positions and installation drawing numbers. FLS Ball Mills Identify heads through the brand series and installation information. Materials, Manufacturing and Inspection Review large casting materials and quality-control requirements.

Request a ball mill head proposal and quotation

Provide the mill model, end position, segment and assembly drawing numbers, interface dimensions, material, NDT requirements and damage records.

Send Details for a Quote

Manufacturing Services in China

From Technical Assessment to Finished-Part Delivery

Technical advice, supplier introductions, quality control and finished-part delivery.

Technical Advice

Check end position, segments, assembly, drawing number, interfaces, material and damage.

Supplier Introductions

Coordinate large ductile iron or steel castings, heat treatment, heavy machining and trial assembly resources.

Quality Control

Monitor heat/batch, properties, heat treatment, NDT, dimensions, hole patterns, concentricity and interface inspections.

Finished-Part Delivery

Deliver by end position, segment and position number, with protection, lifting and transport arrangements, and complete quality documentation.