Shaking tables (concentrating tables) are gravity separators that use an asymmetrically reciprocating deck plus a thin film of flushing water to stratify particles by density and size, producing high-grade concentrates from fine feeds. They are widely used for tin, tungsten, gold, heavy mineral sands and many specialty concentrates where fine-particle gravity recovery is required.
Feed slurry is spread over a riffled deck. Lateral water flow and the deck’s longitudinal asymmetric stroke create stratification: dense particles settle into the riffles and advance more slowly than lighter particles. Differential lateral and longitudinal velocities produce spatial zoning of concentrate, middling and tailings. This physical mechanism underpins all table designs.
Deck: fiberglass/epoxy with engraved riffles or grooves; deck shape affects flow patterns.
Head (transmission): produces asymmetric stroke (slow forward / fast return) to transport material.
Water distribution tank / flaps: control transverse flow along table length.
Frame / suspension: seat or hang-type supports; slope adjustable laterally (cross slope) and longitudinally.
6S (common): wide stroke adjustment; good for 0.5–2 mm feeds.
Spring / Yunxi / suspended multi-deck: choices for footprint, capacity and maintenance.
Flotation-type tables: used for coarser polymetallic sands.
Select by: target particle size, required throughput, automation level, and plant layout.
Particle size window: typical effective range ~0.02 mm (slime) up to 2–3 mm; optimum usually 0.1–2 mm for many metal concentrates.
Stroke length: typical operational range 5–25 mm; 6S example: 18–24 mm for coarse sand, 8–16 mm for sludge.
Stroke frequency: roughly 250–400 rpm (depends on deck and feed).
Transverse slope (cross slope): coarse sand ~2.5°–4.5°; fine sand ~1.5°–3.5°; slime tables ~1°–2°.
Feed slurry concentration: commonly 15–30% solids by volume (coarse: ~20–30%; fine: ~15–25%).
Feed size & capacity examples: small lab decks (1100×500 mm) to industrial 4450×1850 mm; capacity per table typically ~0.5–2 t/h (many applications use parallel tables for higher tonnages).
These numbers are industry typicals — always confirm final settings with a bench test or vendor commissioning data for your ore.
Classify feed into narrow size fractions before tables (4–6 chamber classifiers are common) and deslime feeds that contain excessive<10–20 μm fines to avoid viscosity issues and loss of stratification.
Tables are usually final concentration devices — combine with jigging, spirals or flotation depending on ore mineralogy and economics.
Empty run (1–2 hrs) — check smooth motion and alignment.
Stabilize feed — maintain steady feed rate and slurry concentration.
Set stroke & frequency for the particle size band; adjust cross slope and water to achieve clear zoning.
Observe zoning and set cut-positions; collect and reprocess middlings as needed.
Monitor wear (deck, springs, bearings) and water distribution for blockages.
Replace worn deck surface or refill with wear-resistant resin when abrasion appears.
Monitor headboard and spring wear; tighten loose fasteners.
Rinse tables during shutdown to prevent scaling; protect deck from sun/rain deformation.
Measure recovery and grade on regular samples; use cut-point adjustment and water/stroke tuning to shift the separation curve. Where possible, run small batch tests (lab shaking table) to generate recovery vs size curves before full-scale deployment.
Vendors and researchers are moving toward sensorised, automated control (real-time stroke/water adjustments), water recycling and hybrid processing (tables + flotation/magnetic) to improve recovery while reducing water/energy footprints.
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