SAND SIEVING MACHINE

1. ABSTRACT
- A sieve is a device for separating wanted elements from unwanted material or for
characterizing the particle size distribution of a sample, typically using a woven screen such
as a mesh or net. This project focuses in design, fabrication of the mechanical part of machine
and the system of the sieve machine. To achieve this project objective, this sieve machine
body structure and mechanical system needs to concern some other criteria such as strength,
safety and ergonomic design (Something that is designed to work smoothly).

2. INTRODUCTION
Sand or any mixture usually comes in different sizes and grid. Since some products require
different size of sand or mixture, that is why this machine is being designed to sieve the sand
or sub stand into different sizes depending on requirement. The problem of size of sand in the
market available, need to spend more money if we want the sand in specific size or category
will increase the budget and time to wait the supplier preparing the goods.

• Nowadays, people always prefer the most suitable way to cut their cost and time. Example
in a construction where they have to finish the work before the due date. This might be a
problem.

Usually used as the main material in construction to build buildings or houses, Smooth sand
is required to achieve better quality product. Example: in making sand casting or making any
product based on sand. Important constituent of concrete is natural sand which is expensive
and scarce. Sand is one of the most important things in the industrial world. Nowadays the
industry needs the sand that is already been process known as sand product. As we know the
way sand is been collected still used the traditional way such as sieving using hand, requiring
so much man power. So, to make the process more efficient, innovation is needed to help
increase the productivity.

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3. WHY SIEVE SAND?

Sand is divided in to five sub-categories based on size, and so has to be sieved in various
grades according to their application.

• Fine sand (ranging from 1/16 to 1/8mm in diameter)

• Fine sand (1/8 to 1/4mm)
• Medium sand (ranging from 1/4 to 1/2mm diameter)
• Coarse sand (1/2 to 1mm)
• Coarse sand (from 1 to 2mm diameter). Sand must be sieved to obtain require
maximum grain size for the realization of product of different qualities.

Sand contains impurities such as clay and organic matters which act negatively when used in
concrete for both industrial and home constructions. The presence of clay in cement mixture
results in a decrease in the strength – that is, clay does not bond well with cement to produce
stronger concrete.

The impurities in sand affect the specific gravity of sand thus affecting negatively the relative
density of sand

4. PROJECT OBJECTIVE.
The objectives included:

• Small and portable sieve machine

• Sieving into different sizes and grade

5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
To design sieve machine that can sieve sand into different sizes. Problems that are often faced
are that some product required different size of sand to fulfil the quality level needed.
Through this design user can save time sieving sand and cut the cost of purchasing fine sand.

6. HISTORY OF SIEVE MACHINE

• The figure below shows the process been used by people to sieve sand and collect the sand
they wanted. This process sieves the sand into its sizes depending on the size of the net being
used.

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The figure below shows modified sieving method. It uses handle to rotate and makes the
sieving process more efficient.

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7. CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING
• Sand to be sieved is filled in the funnel. The sieving drum is mounted on a shaft driven by
electric motor. When the drum rotates then sand particles move randomly and passes through
the net. Here the process is used for screening sand size of 7.5 micron to 4.5mm. The drum is
conical to enable the natural movement of the sand down the gradient as it is being sieved.
Hopper has holes at the outlet to control the amount of sand entering the drum. The vibration
caused by motor help the sand to continuously move into the drum.

8. MAIN PARTS
1) Frame with fixed handles:
The material used for the frames is alloy (mild) steel. This frame supports all other parts of
the machine and withstands every downward force, hence made firm. The foot is made such
that tires can be connected to them and rolled from one place to another. Handles are used to
hold the assembly during displacement.

2) Electric Motor:
The power needed by the machine for the rotary mechanism is provided by an electric motor
connected to a chain drive system. The speed of the motor which is 1300 rpm is being
regulated by a speed regulator. The motor provides vibrations which facilitates the sieving
process. Motor-reducer of 2hp, 45rpm with high torque would be a suitable choice.

3) Belt:
The belt is caused to rotate by the drive pulley on the electric motor, transmitting the motion
to the second pulley and hence the shaft.

4) Pulleys:
Pulleys can be made from a variety of materials, including an extensive range of
plastics, wood and metals. In this project, chrome Steel is used for the pulleys. This pulley is
powered by the electric motor which causes rotation that is transmitted through the belt to the
shaft. Pulley ratio can be modified to negotiate speed of shaft rotation.

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5) Sieving drum with end supports:
Mild steel is used. This is because it has immense strength, which makes it an ideal choice.
Apart from that structural steel is tensile, ductile, flexible, and cost-effective. The sieve net is
made to have different hole sizes and can be unmounted and changed to obtain a desired size
of sand. The sieve is also made conical with the edge at the funnel end smaller and the exit
made larger. Rotation of the sieve drum is influenced by the electric motor and the vibration
caused by the motor increases the efficiency of sieving.

6) Shaft:
The main requirements for the shaft material were:

• Yield strength > 30 ksi.

• 5 years before failure – corresponds to 3,500 hours actual use.

• Lightweight.

• Easy to manufacture.

• Corrosion resistant

The material used for ordinary shafts is chrome steel. Shafts are generally formed by hot
rolling and finished to size by cold drawing or turning and grinding. A removable handle can
be connected to one end for manual operation should need be.

7) Bearing box (with ball bearing)

•The bearing block is a pedestal used to provide support for a rotating shaft with the help of
compatible bearings & various accessories.

•Most common material used to produce the load carrying components in precision ball
bearings, roller bearings, and tapered roller bearings is chrome steel. These components are
the bearings inner and outer rings, balls and rollers.

8) Tray for collecting large sand grains

Material used is mild steel. It is designed with handles that are tied to the frame for firm
support. It is also V shaped and collects the larger sand at the larger end of the drum.

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9) Tray for collecting fine sand
Material used is mild steel. The tray collects fine sand. It is found below the sieving drum and
is held to the frame by screws which can be dismountable.

10) Handle:
Material used is mild steel. This handle is a very important part of the machine as it
serves for manual functions in case the electric motor fails. It is removed when the motor
is functioning and only mounted when the electric motor is not functioning.

11) Tyre assembly

Materials:
Tyre = rubber,
Pin and holding frame = chrome steel
The tires play a vital role on the sieve machine as they help in its movement from one
place to another.

12) Cover
It is a mild steel metal sheet designed to cover the sieving drum during operation. It has
two main functions which are to prevent foreign material like dust from getting into the
machine during operation and to direct all sand particles towards the fine sand collector.
It is held to the frame by a hinge joint which permits its opening and closing.

13) Funnel:
Material used is Galvanized steel. It has cavities at the end of its tract for regulating the
amount of sand entering the 'sieving drum' and these cavities are found at the upper part
of its circular end, so that sand can fall into the sieve drum at a little height under the
influence of gravity.

9. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

• Sand to be sieved is poured in the top bowl (funnel). Energy is transferred from the motor
to the shaft by the belt with the sand sieve bases assembly. The rotary motion provides the
sieving action. If the system is shaken long enough eventually only sand particles which are
larger than the mesh size will be left in each sieve. Calculations show that a speed of

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1300RPM is very efficient under normal conditions. The speed can be regulated from the
control unit of electric motor, to match operator’s desire.

10. Designing Calculation

The material used is Galvanized steel because it is resistant to rust than mild steel. In our
procedure to predict efficiency of the machine under ideal conditions, we shall start by
predicting;

• Angle of pour
• Mass discharge rate
• The time taken by sand to be sieved and the volume

• Hopper (Funnel)

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Let Ꝋ be the angle of pour, which is the minimum amount sand flow through the outlet.

Ꝋ = tan-1µ where µ is the coefficient of friction.

For galvanized steel, µ=0.4061

→ Ꝋ = 250

• The mass discharge rate;

M = ρ*A*sqrt [(D *g)/2*tanꝊ]{the Johansson’s equation}

Since there are 6 holes as outlet, the total surface area A = 4*(0.25*π*602) + (2*(0.25*π*502)

= 0.01350885

Density of sand, ρ = 1446Kg/m3

g= 9.81m/s2

D, is the total diameter of all the outlet holes combined = 0.00032m

m= 0.704Kg/s or 2.53 tons/hr

• The sieve

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The maximum translational motion of the sand grains in the sieve,

H = 1256/cos 4.54=1.26m

Analysis:
• The sieve is at its maximum capacity when the sand has covered the distance H
• Since the distance from outlet of hopper to sieve is small, we assume that the initial
speed of the sand in the sieve is u= 0.71m/s
• The sand moves down the gradient with rotary and linear speed, as the drum turns,
and the slope enables it to move until exit. During which fine grains are being
collected, while the large grains + debris get discharged through the drum outlet.
• We consider the inlet diameter of drum to calculate the linear velocity of the sand.
Output rotary speed of motor-reducer is the drum’s input. Drum input radius is D/2 = 0.15m

𝜔 = 45 𝑟𝑝𝑚 = 4.71 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠

𝑢 = 𝜔𝑟 = 4.71 ∗ 0.15 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟏 𝒎/𝒔

The time for this translation is t. It is for this time that we are going to predict the efficiency
of the machine.

From s = u*t – 0.5* g*t2 , s=H

𝟎. 𝟓𝒈𝒕2 − 𝒖𝒕 + 𝑯 = 𝟎

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A quadratic in t,

The component of g acting on the sand in the sieving drum is -g*sin(4.5°) = -0.0785 m/s²

−(−𝟎. 𝟕𝟏) ± √(−𝟎. 𝟕𝟏)𝟐 − 𝟒(𝟎. 𝟓 ∗ −𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟖𝟓)(𝟏. 𝟐𝟔)

𝒕 =
𝟐(𝟎. 𝟓)(−𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟖𝟓)

=20s or 2s

We take 20s for it’s the logical answer.

From mass discharge rate 0f 0.704 kg/s, for a time of t = 20s,

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 0.704 ∗ 20 = 14.08 𝑘𝑔

Hence, 14.08 kg of sand is sieved every 20 seconds, making 42.24 kg every minute, and

2.53 ton/hr.

• The motor
The motor-reducer has the following properties; output 45rpm and 50Hz, 2HP

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11. REFERENCES
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