our Reliable Bench-Top to Pilot-Scale Grinding Solution for R&D, Testing & Small Batch Production Compact ball mill technology for mineral testing, ceramic formulation, battery material development, chemical processing, and ore grindability analysis. From 0.5-liter jar mills to 200-liter pilot mills, our systems deliver precise particle size control, easy material changeover, and seamless scale-up data — trusted by metallurgical labs, university research centers, and pilot plants worldwide.
Our lab and pilot ball mill is a compact horizontal grinding system available from bench-top jar mills to floor-standing pilot models. Designed for versatility, it serves metallurgical labs, ceramic R&D centers, battery material developers, and chemical process groups.
Materials & Process Flexibility
Our small ball mill handles virtually any material you need to test or develop:
Core Materials (By Industry):
· Mining & Metallurgy: Gold ore, copper ore, iron ore, lead-zinc ore, nickel laterite, quartz, limestone — for grindability work index (Bond) tests and flotation feed preparation
· Industrial Minerals: Kaolin, bentonite, feldspar, talc, calcium carbonate, barite, silica sand — for ceramic and filler product development
· Ceramics & Glass: Alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, frit, glazes, glass batch — for body and glaze formulation
· Battery Materials: Lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, graphite, silicon anode powder, solid electrolyte — for electrode material development and nano-grinding
· Chemicals & Pigments: Titanium dioxide, iron oxide pigments, organic dyes, pharmaceutical intermediates — for product quality control and new grade development
· Advanced Materials: Rare earth oxides, magnetic powders, metal powders (with inert gas kit), carbon nanotubes — for material science research
· Cement & Building Materials: Cement clinker, gypsum, slag, fly ash — for quality control and new blend testing
· Food & Agriculture: Grain, spices, herbs, fertilizer samples — for analytical sample preparation
From Feed Sample to Analytical Powder: Precision in Every Test
Sample Loading & Jar Selection – The material is weighed and loaded into the appropriate grinding jar (alumina for iron-free, stainless steel for robust, agate for ultra-pure). Media-to-material ratio is precisely set based on the target particle size reduction ratio.
Clamping & Drive – Jars are securely clamped onto the roller bench. The digitally controlled roller drive provides constant rpm, ensuring reproducible energy input for every test. For pilot mills, the cylinder rotates on precision bearings with adjustable speed via VFD.
Controlled Grinding Cycle – The timer is set from minutes (soft materials) to hours (hard ores for fine grinding). For wet grinding, water or solvent is added in a measured ratio. The rolling or cascading motion of the media crushes and grinds by impact and attrition.
Sampling & Discharge – After the cycle, the jar or mill is opened. The powder or slurry is discharged completely, aided by smooth internal surfaces that minimize hold-up. A representative sample is taken for particle size analysis, assay, or further processing.
Cleaning & Next Batch – The jar and media are washed, dried, and stored for the next material. Media wear is recorded. All process parameters are logged for traceable R&D documentation.
| Model | Jar Volume (L) | Jars per Mill | Batch Capacity (kg) | Motor Power (kW) | Roller Speed (r/min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BM-0.5L | 0.5 | 1–4 | 0.1–0.3 | 0.25 | 0–600 (adjustable) |
| BM-1L | 1.0 | 1–4 | 0.3–0.6 | 0.37 | 0–600 |
| BM-5L | 5.0 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 0.75 | 0–500 |
| BM-10L | 10.0 | 1–2 | 5–8 | 1.5 | 0–400 |
Jar materials: Alumina ceramic, stainless steel (304/316L), tungsten carbide, zirconia, agate, nylon, PTFE-lined.*
| Model | Dia.×Length (mm) | Effective Volume (L) | Batch Capacity (kg) | Motor Power (kW) | Shell Speed (r/min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM-50L | 400×600 | 50 | 20–35 | 2.2 | 35–45 |
| PM-100L | 500×700 | 100 | 45–70 | 4.0 | 30–40 |
| PM-200L | 600×900 | 200 | 90–140 | 7.5 | 28–36 |
| PM-300L | 700×1000 | 300 | 130–200 | 11 | 25–34 |
All pilot mills can be configured as continuous or batch, dry or wet. Lining and media match production mill specifications for accurate scale-up.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Feed size | ≤10 mm (lab), ≤25 mm (pilot) |
| Product fineness | 80 – 2000 Mesh (0.075 – 0.0065 mm) |
| Grinding mode | Dry / Wet / Inert gas / Cryogenic (add-on) |
| Control system | Digital timer, variable speed, optional PLC with data logging |
| Jar/liner options | Alumina (99%), Zirconia, Stainless steel, Tungsten carbide, Agate |
| Media options | Matching ceramic, metal, or composite balls; size range 3–30 mm |
How to Choose Your Lab or Pilot Mill:
· For Bond Work Index tests, specify a 305×305 mm Bond mill jar and matched media charge.
· For high-purity ceramic or battery R&D, choose alumina, zirconia, or agate jars with corresponding media to avoid metal contamination.
· For metallic ores and flotation feed prep, stainless steel jars and rods or balls are standard.
· For process scale-up, our pilot mill dimensions are directly proportional to our production models, guaranteeing representative data.
Tell us your sample material, batch size, target grind (P80), and purity constraints. We will recommend the optimal lab or pilot ball mill system.
Proven Performance: Global Lab & Pilot Installations
Case 1: University Mineral Processing Lab, Australia
· Model: BM-5L Bench-Top Jar Mill with 4×5L alumina jars
· Application: Bond Work Index tests and flotation feed preparation for copper/gold ore research
· Result: Over 500 grindability tests completed in 3 years. The VFD speed control and timer ensured reproducible P80 for each ore type. Post-grind iron contamination <0.01% with alumina jars.
Case 2: Battery Cathode Material R&D Center, East Asia
· Model: PM-50L Pilot Ball Mill with Zirconia Lining & Media, Inert Gas Kit
· Feed: Lithium cobalt oxide precursor (<10mm)
· Product: LiCoO₂ powder, D50: 3–5 µm, no metal contamination detected
· Result: Successfully scaled up from 1L jar mill to 50L pilot mill with identical particle size distribution. Data used directly for a 500L production mill order.
Case 3: Ceramic Glaze Development Lab, Italy
· Model: BM-1L Tabletop Mill with 2 agate jars
· Application: Fine grinding of glaze frit and color stains for small-batch testing
· Result: Enabled 20+ test batches per day with rapid jar change. Agate jars maintained perfect whiteness. Replaced a collection of old porcelain mills.
Reliability & Reproducibility Built for Lab Work: Beyond ISO 9001
· Reproducibility Guarantee: Our lab mills are tested for batch-to-batch PSD reproducibility (typically <2% variation on D50). We can run a test with your sample and provide a before/after certificate.
· Material Traceability: Every jar, liner, and media lot is certified for chemical composition. 3.1 certificates available for critical applications.
· Contamination Control: We provide detailed contamination protocols. For ultra-trace work, we can acid-wash components and package them under nitrogen.
· Scale-Up Promise: Our pilot mill data is directly transferable to our production-scale mills. If the full-scale plant does not perform as predicted by the pilot data, we provide corrective engineering.
Ready to Equip Your Lab or Pilot Plant with a Reliable Small Ball Mill?
Send an inquiry. You will receive:
A detailed quotation for the exact bench-top or pilot mill configuration you need.
A jar and media recommendation based on your material and purity requirements.
Reference reports from labs doing similar work.
Your material and research details are strictly confidential.
Kolev Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. is a large-scale private technology enterprise specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of mining and metal ore processing equipment. With over 20 years of experience in ultra-fine grinding, industrial drying, and crushing sand making industries, we provide intelligent solutions and mature supporting products worldwide.
Tell us your needs. We will match the best model for you and send a solution + reference quote within 24 hours.
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