Metso strengthens research and testing

Metso Minerals has strengthened the rock analysis and testing activities at its Tampere facility in Finland with the opening of a new research centre. Comprising a state-of-the-art testing plant, a rock laboratory and sample measurement and analysis equipment, the research centre employs 20 people and is the result of a €3 million investment by the company.  

"The Tampere research and test centre represents Metso Minerals' largest individual investment in research and development. Once it is commissioned, most of the company's rock testing and analyses will be carried out in Tampere," said Metso Minerals' VP for Research, Jarmo Eloranta. Smaller-scale rock testing will be conducted at Metso Minerals' units in France, United States, Brazil, India and New Zealand.

The new research centre will crush, screen and analyse several dozen rock samples sent each year by customers from around the world. The analysis results can be used to plan the most suitable crushing and screening processes for fulfilling customers' local needs.

The centre will also form an essential part of Metso Minerals' own product development and research activities.

"As an example, it will help us launch new crusher models faster than before. In addition to the latest equipment, testing is dependent on competent staff and the use of modern test planning methods, which we have invested into heavily in recent years," Eloranta continues.

The test facility is largely automated: after computer-controlled crushing and screening, rock samples can be analysed for crushability, abrasiveness, impact resistance, brittleness and solid density.  There is also a rock laboratory equipped with a range of testing devices. A fully-equipped van is at the centre's disposal for making strain gauge, capacity, power consumption and noise measurements in field conditions.

In addition to the €3 million investment in the new research centre, Metso Minerals has recently invested a further €5 million in an extension to the Tampere facility's Lokotrack mobile crushing plant assembly line, and €2 million in the mechanised wear part production line at its foundry. 

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