A planar screen cloth for use in a screening device for screening out oversize objects in a material flowing in a direction includes a metal plate substructure having a perimeter and a plurality of longitudinal ligaments and transverse ligaments, forming a grid. A wear-resistant layer is applied to the entire screen cloth. Each transverse ligament comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge; and is angled such that the leading edge is disposed below the trailing edge. The transverse element thus is angled to face the direction of material flow.

A vibratory screening machine includes replaceable screen assemblies. Compression mechanisms are used to secure replaceable screen assemblies to the vibratory screening machine. Each compression mechanism applies a force to a replaceable screen assembly that includes both a horizontal component and a downward vertical component. Each replaceable screen assembly is typically substantially flat prior to installation on a vibratory screening machine. The force applied to a screen assembly by one or more compression mechanisms causes the screen assembly to be pushed into engagement with underlying concave support members such that the screen assembly itself assumes a concave shape with the center of the screen assembly being lower than the side edges. The vertical downward component of the force helps to secure the screen assembly to the screening machine.