A waste vibrating screen does the simplest and most frequently needed job in a sorting line: it splits material by size. The vibrating motor gives the screening surface a linear motion, upward and forward. Material hops along the deck, small particles fall through the apertures, larger ones advance and exit at the end.
The detail that separates it from just any screen is the divergent bars. They loosen the material as it beats against the deck and stop the decks being covered, that is the situation where a compact layer of material sits on the screen and nothing passes any more. See the full range of waste sorting equipment and how the machines combine.
Key Advantages of a Waste Vibrating Screen
• Several fractions in one pass, with two or three stacked decks, a vibrating screen splits material into three or four fractions at once, which would otherwise take several machines.
• Adjustable amplitude and frequency, the vibration intensity is matched to the material, so the same machine screens heavy rubble and light packaging waste equally well.
• Divergent bars against deck covering, the material is constantly loosened, so the layer does not compact on the deck and the surface stays active along its whole length.
• Low energy consumption, it works by inertia rather than continuous force, which makes it one of the most energy-efficient machines in the whole line.
• Apertures to order, mesh or grid, with the opening specified to suit the fractions you want to produce.
• Simple construction, few moving parts, therefore high reliability and predictable maintenance.
Technical Specifications, Vibrating Screen
| Parameter | 1.2 m width | 1.6 m width | 2.0 m width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working width (mm) | 1200 | 1600 | 2000 |
| Screen decks | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| Amplitude adjustment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency adjustment | Via VFD | Via VFD | Via VFD |
| Material motion | Linear, up and forward | Linear, up and forward | Linear, up and forward |
| Divergent bars | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | Mesh or grid | Mesh or grid | Mesh or grid |
Throughput depends on the number of decks, the chosen apertures and material density, so it is set at configuration. Screen apertures are specified according to the fractions you are after.
Applications for the Vibrating Screen
• Waste sorting plants, size grading at any point in the line, including the final check on the fractions.
• Construction waste, screening sand, gravel and crushed stone for recycled aggregate production.
• Biomass, grading wood chip into fractions, for boilers or for pellet production.
• Compost and fertiliser, screening the finished product for uniform particle size.
• Industrial waste, size separation of production offcuts before recovery.
How It Works
Material enters the screening surface and the vibrating motor drives the screen box in a linear motion, oriented upward and forward. Each impulse lifts the material slightly off the deck and pushes it toward the discharge end. While the material is detached from the surface, particles are free to reorient, and those smaller than the aperture fall through it under gravity. Divergent bars mounted above the surface loosen the material layer and stop it compacting, which would otherwise block screening. With several stacked decks, apertures decreasing from top to bottom, the flow is split into as many fractions. Amplitude is set from the vibrating motor counterweights and frequency from the drive, and together they determine how aggressively the material is treated.
Selection Guide
The first criterion is how many fractions you want. One deck gives two fractions, two decks give three, three decks give four. The second is width, chosen from line throughput. The third, and the one most often forgotten, is material moisture. A classic vibrating screen performs excellently on dry or moderately damp material, but on fresh, saturated household waste it blinds. In that case you need a flip flow screen or a star screen. For rubble, aggregates, biomass and finished compost, a vibrating screen is the right and most economical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fractions can I get?
As many decks as the machine has, plus one. One deck gives two fractions, two decks give three, three decks give four. Each deck has its own aperture, decreasing from top to bottom, and each fraction is collected separately. The configuration is set once you tell us which fractions you need.
Does it work on wet household waste?
Only up to a point. A vibrating screen is a very good solution for dry or moderately damp material, but on fresh household waste with food residue the rigid deck blinds. For that flow we recommend a flip flow screen or a star screen, both designed to be self-cleaning. We will tell you honestly which one fits, we do not sell the wrong machine.
What do the amplitude and frequency settings do?
Amplitude is how far the deck travels on each oscillation, frequency is how fast it oscillates. Together they determine how hard the material is thrown. Heavy material wants large amplitude and lower frequency, light material the opposite. The adjustment lets the same machine serve different flows.
What are the divergent bars for?
They stop the material forming a compact layer on the deck. Without them, at high throughput, the material on top presses down on what is below, small particles never reach the apertures and screening effectively stops even though the machine is running. The bars keep the layer loose and the surface active.
Is the equipment supplied new?
Yes. We supply new units only, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
What maintenance does it need?
Checking the condition and fixing of the screens, inspecting the bearings and the vibrating motor, checking the elastic suspension elements and the tightness of the bolts, which can loosen from the vibration. The screens are wear parts and are replaced periodically.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
