With the continuous progress of beneficiation technology,the flotation processes and equipment have also developed rapidly.In order to continuously optimize and innovate equipment,guided by the theory of technological evolution,the evolu-tion direction of flotation machines is predicted.Using representative indicators in patents,the position of the flotation machine in its life cycle is comprehensively determined;and combining with the corresponding evolutionary laws,the evolutionary di-rection of the flotation machine is predicted,thus to construct a highly ideal innovative solution.The results indicate that the theory of technological evolution can effectively predict the future development direction of products,providing a new explora-tion approach for product innovation.