MRM Mill Reline Machine A mechanical solution for ball mill liner replacement

MRM Mill Reline Machine A mechanical solution for ball mill liner replacement

Why the liner changeout needs a machine

Replacing liners inside a ball mill is heavy, confined, and time critical work. In the past, crews moved and positioned liners by hand, with chain hoists and manual labour. For large mills, this approach is no longer practical: liners are too heavy, the working space is too tight, and the shutdown window is too expensive to extend.

The MRM Mill Reline Machine takes over the liner handling process. It reaches into the mill, lifts the liner, positions it precisely, and holds it while bolts are secured. The goal is simple: fewer people inside the mill, less time under suspended loads, and a faster return to production.

What the machine does

The MRM is a heavy-duty hydraulic manipulator designed to work inside ball mills, AG mills, and SAG mills. It is not a tool held by hand. It is a machine that enters the mill through the access opening, extends its boom to the working face, and handles liners directly.

The process is straightforward:

Position the machine. The unit is moved into place at the mill opening. Depending on the model, it may be track-mounted, wheel-mounted, or fixed to a base frame. The support beam extends into the mill and locks into position.

Position and install. The boom extends, retracts, and rotates to bring the liner to the exact installation point. Multi-axis movement allows the operator to align bolt holes and seat the liner without manual handling.

Repeat. The machine returns to the liner delivery track, picks up the next liner, and continues. On a typical changeout, this cycle repeats for every liner in the mill.

Configuration and capability

Mill reline machines are not one-size-fits-all. The right configuration depends on mill diameter, liner weight, mill opening size, and site constraints.

Key capacity considerations:

For liners under 1.5 tonnes, a 3-axis or 4-axis machine may be sufficient. Above 1.5 tonnes, 6-axis or 7-axis machines are typically used to provide the reach, load capacity, and positioning precision needed for heavy liner installation.

Why mechanical relining matters

Fewer personnel in the mill. Manual liner handling requires a crew inside the mill under suspended loads. The MRM reduces the number of people exposed to that risk. In documented cases, crew size for liner changeouts dropped from 25 to 15 when mechanical handling was introduced.

Shorter shutdowns. The liner changeout is often the longest single maintenance task in a mill. Mechanical handling cuts the time required for liner removal and installation. Historical data shows non-productive downtime reductions of 45% to 50% with mechanised relining.

Consistent positioning. Manual liner installation depends on operator strength and coordination. A machine with multi-axis articulation can position heavy liners repeatedly and accurately, which matters for bolt-hole alignment and liner seating.

Where it is used

Mill reline machines are used wherever large grinding mills operate:

• Copper, gold, and iron ore concentrators

• SAG mills, ball mills, AG mills, and rod mills

• Mine sites with regular liner replacement schedules

• Maintenance contractors handling mill shutdowns across multiple sites

Start here

Send us your mill diameter, maximum liner weight, and mill opening dimensions. We will confirm the appropriate MRM configuration for your application.

Request a configuration review | Discuss your reline requirements