Open Area of
Screen Media
Understanding and Comparing
How Do You Determine Open Area?
What Exactly is Open Area?
Calculation:
The area of all the “holes” (sq inches) in a square
foot, divided by the total area of that same square
foot (144 sq in).
What is open area of punch plate sample?
What is open area of illustration?
Just Count the Holes!
What Exactly is Open Area?
Open Area Values available:
-Wire cloth bulletins from suppliers
-Screening plate bulletins from suppliers
-Rubber / urethane panels from suppliers
What else can you do?
Just Count the Holes!
Why Is This Even a Topic?
How Do You Compare One to Another?
Just Count the Holes!
Comparison on 1 ¼” – 31mm

Panel “A” – 31mm
– 55 holes / 2 ft sq
– 28% open area

Panel “B” – 31mm
– 98 holes / 2ft sq
– 51% open area
Just Count the Holes!
What Does it All Mean?
Calculation:
98 holes (B) – 55 holes (A) = 43 hole quantity
difference. This is 43 holes per 2 sq feet. On an
8X20 screen deck this would be 80 X 43 = 3,440
holes.
In other words, it would be like taking an 8X20
screen deck and making a decision to run it like
an 8X10 screen deck.
What is your objective?
Just Count the Holes!
Are Large or Small Panels Better?
Is Deck Efficiency a Main Concern?
Ultimate Goal for Each Individual Deck on Each Screen
750
Plant TPH
700
650
600
550
500
450
Improving Screen Efficiency
Quick Note on Feed Distribution
9"
Poor Feed Distribution:
Heavy Bed Depth at Middle
Proper Feed Distribution:
Even Bed Depth Across
Width
3
11
16
"
Misplaced Feed at Low Rate
Preferred Feed Distribution
Last Longer Than Wire or Itself?
Balance Durability with Efficiency
In Simple Terms:
Screening Media that is almost indestructible,
with a wear life close to forever, that’s 100%
efficient or better, and doesn’t cost too darned
much!
High Open Area Panels Last Longer Than Wire!
Screen Cloth
Open Area “Loss” of a Crowned Deck
Open Area “Loss” of a Crowned Deck
8'-0
1
"
2
1
1 "
2
1"
1"
1"
4"
1"
1"
1
1 "
2
1"
(6) Bucker Bars
6”
(1) Center Hold Down
4”
(2) Tension Rails
3”
Total Reduction in Width 13”
Open Area “Loss” of a Crowned Deck
8 x 20 Screen
Nominal Open Area
160 sq. ft
Less Deck Frame Losses
13” x 20’-0”
(21.7) sq. ft
Open Deck Area
138.3 sq. ft
Screen Cloth - 1 1/4” x .375 Wire Dia.
59.2% Open Area
(57.8) sq. ft
Remaining Area for Screening
_______
80.5 sq. ft
Actual Percent Open Area
50.3 %
High Open Area Modular Panel
51% Open Area
50.3% for 1-1/4” x .375
wire cloth, with deck
open area calculation
1 1/4” (32mm) Opening
Same 51% O/A Panel in Rubber
Bolt Down Rubber Panels
Hardox 500 Hooked Media
Heat Treated Perforated Plate
Open Area “Hogs” – Old Design
Think Outside the Box ?
Open Area “Loss” of a Crowned Deck
8'-0
1
"
2
1
1 "
2
1"
1"
1"
4"
1"
1"
1
1 "
2
1"
(6) Bucker Bars
6”
(1) Center Hold Down
4”
(2) Tension Rails
3”
Total Reduction in Width 13”
Wire Cloth versus Panels
1 inch opening double crown wire
56 holes per width
1 inch opening Rubber panels
60 holes per width
Modular Systems
1,440 Holes per deck
1,000 Holes per deck
Just Count the Holes!
Can be Confusing ?
15mm openings
15mm openings
39.96% Open Area
(165 holes)
45.35% Open Area
(121 holes)
Ask Supplier for Effective Open Area
15mm openings
15mm openings
39.96% Open Area
(165 holes)
29.30% Open Area
(121 holes)
Screen Media
Typical Life Expectancy Comparison
RUBBER
URETHANE
POLY WIRE
PLATE
WIRE CLOTH
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
What Are Key Summary Points?
-Open Area is balance between durability and efficiency
-More rock to the money pile?
-What is your objective?
-Don’t use high open area panels if they are not needed
-Catalog values (hook strip) are not usually accurate
-Don’t reflect loss due to blanked out areas
-Rubber / urethane panels should be able to provide
around 35 – 50% open area with today’s improved
technology (ask supplier for effective value)
-Bolt down scalping panels may provide better open area
for larger holes (4” and up)
-High open area panels don’t have the “same wear life” as
older less efficient designs
-What are your expectations? Wear Life or Panel Screen
Efficiency?
Just Count the Holes!
Maximize Your Opportunity
Balance Open Area with Wear Life
Just Count the Holes!
Some Opportunities Take Effort
Questions ? – Ask your Rep
Screen Analysis Tools