NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The swarm bee LE module is complemented by the recently released nanotron swarm bee ER ( Enhanced Resolution ) module which is optimised for high precision providing an impressive 10 cm accuracy even at close range . “ This provides an excellent platform for exclusion zone applications where the goal is to keep people a safe distance from dangerous machines ” added Borwitzky .
In both applications swarm bee modules are used both on the vehicle / machines and also inside personnel tags worn by the people . Warnings are trigged before collision conditions or when operators get too close .
Both products are based on the same swarm API , allowing software engineers to rapidly develop applications then cut and paste for the different technologies . “ For the first time engineers can easily and rapidly combine Chirp and UWB radio technologies into a single application leveraging the combined benefits of each radio technology and proving access to a new genre of smart industrial IoT applications .”
The new swarm bee ER and LE development kits ( DK +) provide a proven software and hardware platform for application development and comprise of three DK + boards , swarm PC tools , and a comprehensive data package to facilitate easy and rapid development of locationaware applications . “ Customers benefit from several swarm tools including the node configuration device ( NCD ) boosting productivity if large numbers of radio nodes require configuration as part of network maintenance . Additional development boards are purchased separately if customers want to evaluate larger location-aware networks .”
3D-P solution for production and maintenance reporting
3D-P says it has recognised a pressing need in the industry for a cost effective solution for realtime reporting of production and maintenance data from the mobile fleet . The 3D-P Production and Maintenance Reporting systems are targeted specifically at mines that are in need of simple and easy to use reporting for production and maintenance data . Running on the 3D-P Intelligent Endpoint , the system leverages the capabilities of 3D-P ’ s high performance wireless networks .
The 3D-P Production and Maintenance Reporting solutions interface with the systems on board a mine ’ s haul trucks , loaders and other equipment to gather production data such as payload , location , status etc , and maintenance data such as temperatures and pressures , and reports them through flexible and easy-to-use dashboards in real-time . The information can be reported to the operator in the cab , allowing trucks to be loaded more consistently and often providing up to a 10 % increase in productivity . Centre of gravity is also reported , allowing the trucks to carry larger loads safely and also supporting productivity gains .
“ Many mines continue to gather and report data manually resulting in delayed access to production and maintenance information . This results in delayed corrective actions that often should be taken immediately and decisions being made without all of the correct data in-hand , potentially causing significant consequences to the mine operations . The Plant Management module provides an easy-to-use real-time monitoring and control system for the management of site equipment such as light plants and pumps .”
3D-P is licensing the Production and Maintenance Reporting systems from iVolve , “ a progressive Australian company with considerable experience in the collection and reporting of real-time mine data . Customers using the system in Australia are consistently reporting that access to their critical equipment data is allowing them to make more timely and accurate operations decisions and is positively impacting cycle times , production and costs .”
David Fisk , 3D-P VP Sales & Marketing : “ Our considerable experience with mine operations has shown us the pressing need for real-time reporting of production and maintenance data at an affordable price in many mines . We are excited about the introduction of the 3D-P Production and Maintenance Reporting systems to meet these needs and help mine management make better decisions and optimise utilisation of their production fleet .”
IWT expanding beyond core base
Moving on to underground mining , Innovative Wireless Technologies ( IWT ), based in Lynchburg , Virginia in the US is a wireless technology solutions company serving industrial and other markets since 1997 , and has served the mining industry specifically since 2007 . Its key offering is an IWT-developed mesh networking technology platform that is adapted to the requirements of various applications . Attributes include that is it battery-powered , with a long battery life for low data applications ; with quality-of-service voice , line and battery powered options . It allows tracking in GPS-denied environments and can be used for environmental sensor and production data . The company told IM it is the market leader in the US providing communications and tracking equipment to underground coal mines . It has been focused on underground coal markets historically but is expanding to serve metallic hard rock and industrial minerals customers . IWT says it experienced strong growth in mining in 2014 and 2015 and continues to expand in the mining
industry in 2016 with “ significant non-coal customer engagements and design wins and significant international coal mining opportunities . We have replaced every type of system with our SENTINEL™ System while our system has not been replaced by a competitive system .”
The IWT SENTINEL™ System value proposition is a wireless mesh-based digital system that provides a wireless backbone for voice and text communications , tracking , environmental and production data . It has line-powered and batterypowered infrastructure options ; and is an expandable system allowing it to grow with a mine ’ s changing needs . It can be supplied in configurations to support voice-only , trackingonly , data-only and combinations thereof , with solutions for hard rock and metal / non-metal ( not intrinsically safe ) and coal ( intrinsically safe ) mining markets .
“ Voice communications are key to enhancing operational productivity while tracking is continuous versus zonal RFID . Our system provides the clearest voice in the industry and provides the best communications and tracking coverage in the industry .” In coal it is used in the primary and secondary escapeways ; and in crosscuts and adjacent entries . Its better RF propagation means increased range between infrastructure devices and fewer infrastructure devices means lower cost . Range between devices is 650 m in coal and up to 1,300 m in metal / non-metal and hard rock . “ The all-wireless backhaul for voice , text , and tracking makes for easier installation ; as some competitor systems are all wireless for text only and require fibre between infrastructure devices – typically Wi-Fi .”
IWT says its system allows for easy import of AutoCAD mine maps in a few seconds and has a very low cost of maintenance – both in materials and labour . “ Customers switch based on ROI while improving safety and productivity . One customer who switched from a leaky feeder voice + RFID tracking system indicated their maintenance labour decreased from one person full-time – 168 man-hours per week – to 8 manhours per week . Another customer who switched from a Wi-Fi-based system had even greater savings : 336 man-hours per week and two people to 8 man-hours per week . Customers also tell us they have few-to-no citations for comms and tracking since switching to IWT .”
IWT cites the performance , reliability and ease of maintenance meaning it is easier for mines to remain compliant with regulatory requirements , such as the PPL ( MINER Act Program Policy Letter ). It is also scalable for small to very large mines and “ operates very well in low seam mines , from the lowest at 28 in to mines with seam heights of 14 ft or more .”
The IWT system allows the company to
94 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2016