Nothing stops a production line faster than discovering you ordered the wrong replacement screen. The wrong mesh size, a mismatched frame diameter, the wrong tensioning style, or an incompatible material specification can mean a screen that simply will not fit your machine — or worse, one that fits but fails to perform. Getting the reorder right the first time requires a systematic approach to measuring and documenting your existing screen before it fails.
This guide walks through every measurement and identification step in sequence, from removing the screen safely to decoding OEM part numbers from Sweco, Kason, Midwestern Industries, Cleveland Vibratory, and Russell Finex. Whether you are ordering a SiftPro 18, SiftPro 24, or SiftPro 48 replacement screen, or sourcing aftermarket screens for any other brand, this process ensures you capture every critical dimension and specification needed for a perfect match.
Why Screen Identification Fails — And How to Avoid It
The most common reorder mistakes fall into three categories. First, ordering by memory or old purchase orders without verifying whether the machine or screen specification has changed. Second, confusing nominal diameter with actual cloth diameter — a 24-inch screener may use a screen with a 22.5-inch cloth diameter depending on frame design. Third, failing to specify frame style, resulting in a hook-strip screen delivered to a machine that uses a bonded-ring design. Each of these mistakes is easily prevented with five minutes of careful measurement.
The systematic approach below captures every dimension and parameter that determines whether a replacement screen will fit and perform. Work through it in order, photograph each measurement, and record everything in writing before placing your order.
Step 1 — Remove the Screen and Prepare for Measurement
Before touching any screen, lock out and tag out the screener at the main disconnect. Wait for the machine to come to a complete stop — never attempt to remove a screen while the machine is decelerating. Release the hold-down ring by loosening the tensioning nuts evenly, or release the quick-release clamps if your machine uses that system. Lift the screen frame clear and place it on a clean, flat surface with adequate lighting.
Inspect the screen before measuring. Note the wear pattern — is it worn evenly across the cloth, or is there localized wear near the feed inlet or discharge outlet? Uneven wear is a process indicator, not just a screen condition issue. Photograph the wear pattern for your maintenance records.
Step 2 — Measuring Outer Diameter (OD)
The outer diameter of the screen frame is the starting identification dimension. Use a steel tape measure or large-format caliper and measure across the frame at its widest point in at least two perpendicular directions. Average the two readings. Record to the nearest 1/16 inch.
Standard nominal diameters for round vibratory separators are 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, and 60 inches. ScreenerKing offers replacement screens for all of these sizes, including the SiftPro 18, SiftPro 24, SiftPro 30, SiftPro 48, and SiftPro 60.
Note: the nominal diameter is the name of the machine size, not necessarily the exact OD of the frame. Always measure — do not assume that a 24-inch machine uses a frame with exactly 24.000 inches OD. Actual ODs vary by manufacturer and vintage.
Step 3 — Measuring Cloth Diameter and Inside Frame Dimensions
The cloth diameter is the diameter of the exposed woven wire area — from the inner edge of the frame band on one side to the inner edge on the opposite side. This is typically 1.5 to 3 inches less than the OD, depending on frame construction. Record this dimension separately from OD — it is the effective screening area that determines capacity.
Also measure the frame height (depth of the frame band, edge-on). Standard frame heights are 1.5 inch and 2.0 inch. Frame height must match your machine's deck ring depth or the screen will not seat properly.
Step 4 — Counting Mesh and Measuring Wire Diameter
Mesh count and wire diameter together define the opening size and the structural characteristics of the screen cloth. Both must be specified for an accurate replacement.
To count mesh, use a 10x loupe or magnifying glass. Place the loupe against the cloth in an unworn area, preferably near the center of the screen away from the frame. Count the number of complete openings in one linear inch in both warp and weft directions. For a standard square weave, both counts should be equal. Record as, for example, "60 mesh." If the counts differ (rectangular opening), record both — for example, "60 x 40."
To measure wire diameter, use a digital caliper at a straight, unworn section of wire. Measure at least three wires and average the readings. Record in inches or millimeters. Together, mesh count and wire diameter fully define the cloth specification. For example, "100 mesh x 0.0045 in wire" in 316 SS plain square weave is a complete and unambiguous specification.
Reference Table: Common Screen Specifications by Machine Size
| Machine Size | Nominal OD | Typical Cloth Dia. | Common Mesh Range | Typical Wire Dia. Range (in) | Standard Frame Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SiftPro 18 / 18-inch | 18.0 in | 15.5–16.5 in | 20–325 mesh | 0.0024–0.020 | 1.5 in |
| SiftPro 24 / 24-inch | 24.0 in | 21.5–22.5 in | 10–325 mesh | 0.0024–0.032 | 1.5 in or 2.0 in |
| SiftPro 30 / 30-inch | 30.0 in | 27.0–28.0 in | 10–200 mesh | 0.0030–0.035 | 2.0 in |
| SiftPro 48 / 48-inch | 48.0 in | 44.5–46.0 in | 4–100 mesh | 0.008–0.065 | 2.0 in or 2.5 in |
| SiftPro 60 / 60-inch | 60.0 in | 56.0–58.0 in | 2–60 mesh | 0.012–0.080 | 2.0 in or 2.5 in |
| Sweco 18 | 18.0 in | 15.75 in | 20–400 mesh | 0.0024–0.018 | 1.5 in |
| Sweco 24 | 24.0 in | 21.5 in | 10–325 mesh | 0.0024–0.032 | 1.5 in or 2.0 in |
| Kason K18 | 18.0 in | 15.5 in | 20–325 mesh | 0.0024–0.020 | 1.5 in |
| Kason K24 | 24.0 in | 21.75 in | 10–325 mesh | 0.0024–0.032 | 2.0 in |
| Midwestern 24-in | 24.0 in | 22.0 in | 10–200 mesh | 0.0030–0.032 | 2.0 in |
Step 5 — Identifying Frame Style
Frame style determines how the screen cloth is held in tension and how the screen mounts to the machine. The four main styles encountered in the field are:
Hook-Strip (Tension Ring): The most common style for round vibratory separators. The woven cloth is folded over a steel hook-strip edge around its perimeter, and the hook strip locks into a mating groove on the machine ring. Tensioning is accomplished by the clamping force of the hold-down ring. Hook-strip screens are replaceable at the cloth level — the frame stays on the machine and only the cloth panel is changed.
Bonded Frame: The cloth is epoxy-bonded or vulcanized directly into a rigid metal or composite frame. The entire frame-plus-cloth assembly is replaced as a unit. Bonded frames provide a more consistent tension and are common in pharmaceutical and high-precision applications. They cost more per replacement but eliminate re-tensioning labor.
Bolted Flat Bar: The cloth is clamped between the frame ring and a flat bar by evenly spaced bolts. Used on larger machines (48-inch, 60-inch) and rectangular screens. Bolt patterns must match exactly.
Quick-Release (QR) Ring: A pneumatically or mechanically actuated clamping ring that releases with a single lever or quarter-turn action. Used in sanitary and pharmaceutical applications where rapid screen changes are required for cleaning validation. QR rings are machine-specific and frames must be sourced to match.
Step 6 — Material Identification (Magnet Test and Visual)
The wire cloth and frame material must match your process and cleaning requirements. Three materials are most commonly encountered:
304 Stainless Steel (T304): Non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel. The most widely used material for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical screening. Corrosion resistant to most mild acids and cleaning agents. Not suitable for chloride-heavy environments or aggressive acid cleaning.
316 Stainless Steel (T316): Non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel with 2–3% molybdenum addition for improved corrosion resistance. Required for applications with chloride exposure, CIP cleaning with acid cycles, marine environments, or aggressive chemical contact. All ScreenerKing 316 SS screens meet FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 requirements.
T430 Stainless Steel: A ferritic (magnetic) stainless steel. Lower cost than 304/316 but with reduced corrosion resistance. Used in dry industrial applications where corrosion is not a concern. Strongly magnetic — easily identified with a magnet.
Carbon Steel: Strongly magnetic, typically with a mill finish or galvanized coating. Used in heavy industrial, mining, and aggregate applications. Not suitable for food, pharma, or wet processes.
Material Identification Quick Reference
| Material | Magnet Response | Visual Appearance | Common Application | Distinguishing Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 SS | Non-magnetic (or very slightly attracted) | Bright silver, uniform | Food, pharma, general chemical | Stamp "304" or "18-8" on frame |
| 316 SS | Non-magnetic | Bright silver, similar to 304 | Pharma, CIP, chloride environments | Stamp "316" or "316L"; Mo spot test positive |
| T430 SS | Strongly magnetic | Slightly duller than austenitic SS | Dry industrial, plastics | Magnetic; less corrosion resistance |
| Carbon Steel | Strongly magnetic | Gray mill scale or galvanized coating | Mining, aggregate, grain | May show rust at edges or welds |
Step 7 — Decoding OEM Part Numbers
Most major vibratory screener manufacturers stamp or label a part number on each screen. Understanding the encoding convention helps you verify that the screen you are reordering matches what was originally specified — and allows you to cross-reference to ScreenerKing or other aftermarket equivalents.
Sweco Part Numbers
Sweco screen part numbers typically embed machine size, mesh or opening, material, and sometimes frame type. For example: a designation referencing "24S150" encodes 24-inch size, stainless steel construction, 150 mesh. Later Sweco generations use alphanumeric codes that are less intuitive — the Sweco replacement parts catalog or ScreenerKing's cross-reference team can decode these directly.
Kason Part Numbers
Kason part numbers often include a K prefix followed by machine size number, a material code (S for stainless, C for carbon steel), and a mesh or perforation descriptor. Kason also uses separate catalog numbers for their "Duraskreen" polyurethane-bordered frames vs. standard metal-frame construction.
Midwestern Industries Part Numbers
Midwestern Industries uses a system that encodes diameter, mesh, wire diameter, and material type in a sequential numeric string. Their technical department provides cross-reference tables, and ScreenerKing maintains a complete Midwestern cross-reference in our database.
Cleveland Vibratory Part Numbers
Cleveland Vibratory screen part numbers are typically four to six digit numeric codes specific to their machine model series. Cross-referencing requires knowing the Cleveland machine model number in addition to the screen part number.
Russell Finex Part Numbers
Russell Finex uses a European-style encoding that includes machine size in millimeters, aperture size, and material designation. When cross-referencing Russell Finex screens to US-standard ScreenerKing replacements, confirm that the diameter is converted from mm to inches and that any metric mesh counts (ISO 3310) are cross-referenced to US Tyler/ASTM mesh equivalents.
ScreenerKing Part Number System
ScreenerKing uses a straightforward part number structure that encodes all critical information: machine size, mesh, wire diameter, material, and frame style. For example, a part number structured as SiftPro 24-100-0045-316-HS would indicate: SK = ScreenerKing, 24 = 24-inch diameter, 100 = 100 mesh, 0045 = 0.0045-inch wire, 316 = 316 stainless steel cloth and frame, HS = hook-strip frame style.
To find your ScreenerKing part number, use the Screen Selector tool on the ScreenerKing website, or contact our technical team with your measured dimensions and OEM part number. We maintain cross-reference databases for all major brands and can typically confirm a match same business day.
Photo Documentation Guide
Before disposing of a worn screen, photograph the following for your records and to assist future reorders:
- The entire screen from above, showing cloth condition and wear pattern
- Close-up of the frame edge showing the frame style (hook-strip groove, bonded edge, bolt holes)
- Any part numbers, stamps, or labels on the frame — multiple angles if the marking is worn
- Close-up of the wire cloth in an unworn area showing mesh detail
- A caliper measurement photo showing OD measurement
- The machine nameplate showing brand, model, and serial number
Storing these photos in a shared folder indexed by machine tag number creates a permanent record that eliminates identification uncertainty for every future reorder. For multi-screen machines (2-deck, 3-deck), photograph each deck screen separately and label by deck position (top, middle, bottom).
Common Identification Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering by machine name only, not measuring | Wrong OD if screen was previously substituted | Always measure the actual screen in use |
| Confusing mesh count with micron opening | Wrong cut point; over- or under-sized material passes | Specify both mesh count and wire diameter for complete definition |
| Not specifying frame style | Screen won't seat on the machine ring | Photograph and document frame edge style for every screen on order |
| Assuming 304 when 316 is required | Corrosion failure in CIP or chloride environment | Perform magnet test + Mo spot test or request MTC from supplier |
| Ordering 1.5-inch frame when machine needs 2-inch | Screen sits too low; hold-down ring cannot clamp properly | Measure frame height, record, and specify on every order |
| Using worn screen as reference for wire diameter | Under-specified wire; shorter service life on replacement | Measure wire diameter at unworn center area of screen cloth |
Accurate screen identification is a five-minute process that prevents days of downtime and the cost of return shipping. Build the measurement checklist above into your preventive maintenance program so that replacement screen data is captured while the machine is running at peak performance — not after the screen has failed during production.
For help identifying any screen in your facility, contact ScreenerKing's technical team via the contact page. Provide your measurements and photos and we will confirm the correct replacement part number at no charge.