At Espirales CHIA, we continue to demonstrate that precision engineering is key to industrial success. During 2026, we have completed a new challenge located in the town of San José de la Rinconada (Seville). In these facilities, we have developed a fundamental piece of equipment for the mining sector, specifically a trommel for tempering grinding balls.
The importance of proper steel tempering
Mining plants use large mills with steel balls inside to crush rock and extract minerals. To prevent these balls from wearing out or fracturing under constant impact, the steel must undergo a tempering process (a rapid and highly controlled cooling) after leaving the forge. If this process fails, the material becomes brittle.
To solve this technological challenge, we manufactured a trommel 5.5 m long and 1.5 m in diameter, specially designed to receive newly forged grinding balls and guide them during the tempering process. The main purpose of this design is to guarantee completely uniform and controlled cooling.
On a structural level, the rotary cylinder rests on a robust steel base frame, supported by a heavy-duty roller system mounted on bearing supports. Its main drive is powered by a high-efficiency gear motor assembly that transmits force through an external pinion and girth gear system.
Technology designed for continuous performance
To ensure the balls acquire perfect resistance, our equipment incorporates a series of key features:
- Rotation and movement: It features continuous rotation to ensure constant movement of the pieces and prevent thermal deformations in the material.
- Fluid transit: Its progressive displacement allows the balls to advance from one end to the other while they are tempered inside the cylinder.
- Versatile cooling: It offers balanced exposure to the cooling medium, adaptable to air, water mist, oil, or other systems, depending on the metallurgical requirements.
- Material protection: It minimizes thermal stresses, avoiding uneven cooling that could compromise the integrity of the product.
Benefits for the production chain
The commissioning of this machinery allows for the optimization of the mining consumables production line, providing the following benefits: achieving homogeneous hardness in all balls and a notable reduction in the risk of steel cracking during its cooling. Additionally, it guarantees greater dimensional stability and the preservation of the sphericity of each piece, achieving the integration of a continuous, reliable, and easily automatable process.
Our commitment to your production
As in all our projects, we adapt the design to the specific needs of each company.
We know that a halted production line means major losses. That is why, in addition to developing custom industrial machinery projects, we have a comprehensive catalog of equipment and machinery for the mining sector. Added to this, our technical team offers rapid assistance for any breakdown, maintenance, or repair, avoiding interruptions in production.
If you need advice to improve efficiency in your plant or are looking for a solution tailored to your facilities, do not hesitate to contact us. We will analyze your case to offer you the technology your industry needs.