IM 2018 May 18 | Page 45

FLEET MANAGEMENT Modular’s DISPATCH system now goes well beyond material movement to help mines solve some of the most common problems, from time-consuming shift changes to monitoring misused equipment minimising the risk of equipment or personal harm. In addition, operators can use the notifications provided to take immediate self- corrective action. A Modular customer in Nevada reports that equipment operators have confirmed that the Speed Management module (along with other DISPATCH FMS modules) has helped increase operator situational awareness, resulting in a reduction in mobile equipment-to-equipment collisions. Finally is the issue of miscalculated payloads. Under- or over-calculation of payload can prove detrimental to not only profitability and productivity, but also equipment health. “Underloading can lead to trucks running below capacity with unrealised production opportunities, additional trips between loading and dumping locations, resulting in wasted fuel and unproductive drive time, and increased tyre and component wear. Overloading poses a greater risk of damage to the truck’s frame, suspension, brakes, and tyres; the potential of which is exacerbated by rough terrain or steep elevation changes.” The DISPATCH system’s Payload module captures real-time payload information from the onboard payload monitoring systems on DISPATCH FMS-equipped haul trucks. Under certain conditions and configurations, truck payload data is displayed on the in-cab mobile devices in shovels and trucks. A key benefit of this functionality is the real-time capture and communication of the tonnage values being loaded into a truck with each pass; crucial data needed for tightly correlated target-to-realised production values, and to ensure accurate cost analysis and production reporting. By having real-time access to material weight as it accumulates, shovel operators are less likely to under- or overload the haulage units. A Modular customer in Australia reports that following integration of payload functionality giving shovel operators access to real-time