Wastewater Screening Equipment: When Non-OEM Aftermarket Parts Fail
Should you buy non-OEM aftermarket parts for your wastewater screening equipment? Maybe you know a friend at another facility that does this and hasn’t run into any issues yet, so why shouldn’t you? You always hear that OEM parts take longer to receive and often cost more, so logically, non-OEM aftermarket parts will prevent downtime and reduce maintenance costs.
Non-OEM aftermarket parts may seem worth it, until you start dealing with issues like:
Drive Chains
Drum screening equipment uses drive chains for rotation, speed control, and torque multiplication. These drive chains have an exact pitch and roller diameter, as well as tensile strength and corrosion resistance requirements based on the design of the screening equipment. Even if a generic drive chain has the same ANSI number and fits the sprockets, its mechanical properties may differ, leading to premature elongation and, in turn, increased risk of efficiency drops and jams.
Brushes
Brushes are by far the most significant wear component in certain screening equipment, such as auger presses. They usually need to be replaced every 1 to 3 years, depending on usage, and failure to replace them can lead to dire consequences, including screen blinding and solids carryover. Replacement brushes must match the equipment’s specific bristle material, trim length, and density, and have the same mounting configurations. If bristles are too soft, screenings won’t be removed effectively, but if they’re too stiff, they can damage the screen media, which is far more expensive to replace.
Panel Seals
If panel seals don’t fit correctly, you risk damaging the motors, drives, bearings, and electrical connections within your screening equipment. The seal acts as a barrier to these sensitive components while on a smaller scale, helping reduce vibration transfer between the panels.
Panel seals have ingress protection (IP) ratings based on the environment in which they’re expected to operate (usually IP65 or IP66). Even if a non-OEM aftermarket part features a similar IP rating, there’s still the risk of material incompatibility. For example, a non-OEM aftermarket seal could be made from generic rubber rather than Viton or silicone, which can degrade faster in corrosive waste streams. Additionally, some non-OEM aftermarket seals won’t have the same cross-section as an OEM replacement, which can lead to gaps, moisture intrusion, and corrosion, and, in worst cases, complete electrical failure.
Nozzles
Although nozzles aren’t a high-wear component in screening equipment, especially compared to brushes, they do spray pressurized water that contains fine grit and other abrasive particles that can cause abrasion damage and partial blockages. The nozzle’s internal geometry can be degraded by this damage, leading to pressure drops and spray pattern distortion.
Non-OEM aftermarket nozzles can have similar thread sizes and flow rates, but may not clean the screening media as efficiently because they feature different fan angles or droplet sizes. Even a few degrees of difference in the spray angle can leave sections uncleaned. Additionally, OEM nozzles are designed to operate in specific environments, whereas non-OEM aftermarket components aren’t. The nozzle may visually look similar, but the material it’s made from may have different mechanical properties that won’t withstand corrosive or abrasive wastewater.
Get It Right the First Time & Buy OEM
Non-OEM aftermarket components are designed with universal application in mind, meaning they’re not built for the specific equipment or environment. Sticking with OEM parts to replace worn chains, gears, screens, and other essential components can make all the difference in maintaining performance and preventing early breakdowns.
If you’ve already purchased municipal or industrial wastewater screening equipment from JWC Environmental, we do not recommend using non-OEM aftermarket components, as they can complicate future inspections and maintenance.
Whether your equipment needs performance upgrades, screen rebuilds, or replacement parts, you can count on our team for responsive support. All JWC OEM replacement parts are backed by a one-year warranty. Contact us today, and let us know how we can help you.