DRILLING AND LOADING
information about the operating status of the machine. KOMTRAX Plus monitors all data for quick and efficient management directly in the operator’ s cabin. The latest Komatsu controllers reduce the requirement for electrical components and wiring, while providing redundancy in the electric system for more efficiency in the mine.
Finally, a 360 ° bird’ s eye view for safer operation is offered by Kom Vision. The whole machine is viewed from above during working. A monitor in the operator’ s cabin shows the full view of the machine and its surroundings. The operator is additionally able to select one of the cameras for a detailed view of a required area with a 10 in touch panel. The machine is also ProVision ready, which means it is prepared for an easy installation of Modular Mining’ s ProVision Shovel system.
Joy Global continues on automation path
Automation is on the forefront of product development in the mining industry as shifts in mining locales and varying available skill sets are forcing miners and OEMs to continue aggressively developing this technology.
Patrick Singleton, Product Director – Shovels, Joy Global told IM:“ As Joy Global continues down the path of automation for its P & H rope shovels, the company’ s Adaptive Controls Technology Suite has emerged as a significant first step. The Adaptive Controls are a series of four advanced control functions designed to optimise shovel power usage during different phases of the dig cycle. The purpose of the system is to increase machine productivity while maintaining component life. The manifestation of these controls throughout the validation period as well as at the sites globally where the system has been introduced, has been a consistent increase in hourly production, a decrease in cycle time, and a decrease in boom jacking.”
By leveraging electrical system smarts to increase machine performance at various positions throughout the dig cycle and essentially eliminating the worst structurally insidious effects of boom jacking, Joy Global says it has succeeded in increasing machine survivability even in the most difficult conditions.“ The system has been summarily accepted by operators who can sense the intuitiveness of the system as the machine operates. The Adaptive Controls represent the first step in an automation roadmap designed to help machines and operators perform as efficiently as possible.”
Another driving force around shovel performance improvement has been dipper design. As the only part of the shovel that actively engages the bank, the dipper can be considered the most critical piece of the machine when looking at production. Singleton states:“ Joy Global has made modifications to the dipper which aim to reduce the interface resistance between bank and machine. By limiting the negative effects of friction on the dipper we have created a better filling, faster cycling, more efficient, and wear reducing dipper body which has been proven to tighten the bell curve of payload distributions in various applications. Another significant component of recent dipper development, continuing the drive for reliability as well as faster cycle times, is the next generation latch. Several methodologies were reviewed and tested with the new roller latch design being selected based on validation test data and customer feedback.”
At the core of the next generation latch is, much like the dipper design, a reduction in system friction. Friction causes wear, and wear drives the need for system adjustment. These adjustments can take place as often as once a shift and are often driven by operator preference as opposed to fixed latch location and engagement with the latchkeeper.
“ This makes setting and shimming the latch more of an art than a science driven by existing system wear and operator feel and experience. Eliminating the need to shim allows for a standard latch positon and engagement setting to be utilised. This is driving‘ push button’ latch availability bringing an increase in operator confidence and corresponding decrease in cycle time.”
By reducing friction and the associated system wear, the next generation latch effectively eliminates the need to shim whilst saving on maintenance intervention and parts consumption over a typical 6,000 hour dipper maintenance interval. The results over a one year validation test were up to an 80 % reduction in maintenance time related to the latch and up to an 80 % reduction in parts cost over the course of an operating cycle.“ Another key factor, and arguably the most important factor, in the performance and acceptance of the P & H next generation latching system is removing the operator’ s hands from harm’ s way when looking at shimming. The time savings are considerable but the safety increase is paramount to the design success.”
Liebherr R9150 Mining Excavator at ALROSA’ s Udachny kimberlite( diamond) mine, Russia
Liebherr R9150 proven in Siberia
Liebherr recently introduced its R9200 mining excavator, fitted with the Liebherr advanced bucket and GET solution, and equipped with a 16.3 yd ³ bucket capacity, which offers the biggest payload in its class. This new 200 t machine is designed to match mining trucks with payloads of up to 140 t and provide maximum uptime since it features superior reliability and easy serviceability.“ In addition, the cutting-edge cab provides the operator optimal comfort and safety due to its large panoramic windshield, armoured glass and low noise level.”
However, the R9150, launched in 2012, has been proving its worth in extreme conditions. ALROSA mines the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe, an operation which is the largest, both by scale and reserves, in Western Yakutia, Russia. The working conditions and the climate at this site are extremely harsh as mining is being done in permafrost ground where temperatures vary from-55 ° C to + 40˚C. Working in these environments affects all types of mining equipment extensively: standard fabricated rubber products soon get brittle while working fluids thicken and steel reaches its strength limit at-50 ° C.
Located far away from cities and basic infrastructure facilities, the Udachinsky mine can only be reached via air or temporary winter roads that are carved from snow and ice. As there is no fast way of getting to the mine, the delivery of equipment, spare parts and maintenance materials can be complicated.
The transportation chain at the Mining Processing Plant Udachinsky GOK is based on mining trucks with a capacity varying from 40 to 136 t. Predominantly these trucks are used for the removal of overburden and the transportation
64 International Mining | APRIL 2017