This article introduces the differences between ball mills, rod mills and SAG mills from grinding media, crushing ratio, structures and so on.

Ball mills can be divided into overflow-type and grid-type, while rod mills are classified into overflow-type and open-type rod mills.

Vertical ball mills are typically more energy-efficient and better suited for fine grinding, while horizontal ball mills are more suitable for coarse grinding and can handle a wider range of materials.

In present-day practice, the ore is reduced to a size many times finer than can be obtained with crushers. Over a period of many years, various fine grinding mills have been developed and used, but the ball mill has become standard due to its simplicity and low operating cost. A ball mill efficiently operated performs a wide variety of services.

Ball mills are fine grinders, have horizontal ball mill and vertical ball mill, their cylinders are partially filled with steel balls, manganese balls, or ceramic balls. The material is ground to the required fineness by rotating …

The grinding action in ball mills is primarily through impact and friction forces. In this article, we will explore the fundamental differences between tumbling mills and ball mills, including the grinding mechanism, grinding media, speed, and energy efficiency.

Ball mills are the most common grinding machine employed in the mining industry. Grinding occurs in a single stage, or multiple stages. Multiple stages may include a rod mill followed by a ball mill (two stage circuit), or a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill followed by a ball mill (two stage circuit).

Ball mills are characterized by their smaller (comparatively) diameter and longer length, and often have a length 1.5 to 2.5 times the diameter. The feed is at one end of the cylinder and the discharge is at the other.

Ball mill and SAG mill both cost differences depending on their technology and construction. While a ball mill is particularly suited for lower tonnage situations, SAG mills can typically handle higher throughput and are more suitable for higher tonnage operations.

Ball mill. The grinding medium of the ball mill is in point contact with the ore, which has both impact force and grinding force. The production capacity is high, and the fineness of the material is high. Rod mill. The grinding medium of the rod mill is in linear contact with the ore.