IM 2020 May 20 | Page 24

FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS continued from page 20 Haul Optimization system has also become part of the standard fitment of new machines and is often installed during the machine build right alongside the OEM commissioning team. The Titan 3330™ system is comprised of several sensors that measure the machines movements and our purpose-built Data Acquisition module uses the latest edge computing technology to provide the operator with the required information instantly right onboard the machine. The Titan 3330™ system is available with multiple reporting and integration options. Due to customer demand, we recently released a new ‘on demand’ Advanced Analytics and Short Interval Control platform. The ORION Data Analytics reporting platform delivers productivity and machine health insights directly to operational teams from our suite of digital products. It enables miners to drill down into a range of operational metrics, including dig unit productivity, truck payload compliance, machine attachment duty and operator performance. Insights are delivered via web or mobile platforms, via secure databases and simple-to-use interfaces. Additionally, we believe empowering operational best practice comes from integrated solutions, so we have an open third-party interface protocol that can integrate Titan 3330™ and our other products, with FMS and operational execution software platforms. Q What is next for CR Digital in terms of solution development? A We have several products due to be released in 2020 including a new generation of GET Toothloss detection for hydraulic excavators, rope shovels and wheel loaders. We are also putting the finishing touches on the expansion of the Titan 3330™ Load Haul Optimization system to include wheel loaders. In January, we announced the acquisition of Seattle based Thunderbird Mining Systems, a strategic move that further expands CR Digital's product offering, IP, sales/marketing and technical support activities into the blasthole and drilling markets. Integrating our portfolio of technologies together will see rapid growth in real time operational analytics, from drilling and rock strata, through to load haul of that same block, we will be able to help operations hone in on maximised recovery and high cost per tonne efficiency, now from drill to mill. 22 International Mining | MAY 2020 underground gold mine in Brazil saw an 11% increase in fleet production within four months of deployment of MineOperate UG Pro. “Not only does UG Pro integrate with Hexagon’s safety, scheduling and data visualisation tools, it also synchronises with data from third-party vendors.” For Daw, such integration is part of what makes a mine smart. “There’s a huge opportunity within mining operations to develop these technologies,” says Daw. “When it comes to smart devices and smart connected devices, a recurring theme among the clients I talk to is, how do we get access to more of this data so we can look at it, analyse it, and make more proactive decisions? IoT devices are what will allow us to pull all of the data from all of these different areas of an organisation and start to look at trends using artificial intelligence. Once that ecosystem is established within our operations, we can make better, more proactive decisions.” Wenco resets the bar again with 6.1 In 2018, Wenco Mining Systems reset the bar for mine productivity, intelligence, and technical interoperability with the release of its latest fleet management system – Wenco System 6. The sixth version of what it calls “the leading open FMS for mines” added new usability, data handling and analytics features that drive users to extract even more unrealised value. In late 2019, Wenco took the next step forward with the release of System 6.1 with which it says it has advanced the performance and scalability of System 6 with a more powerful architecture, improved data filters, and enhanced system integration. The biggest update in System 6.1 involves Wencomine’s new 64-bit architecture. Under the hood, this update enables the FMS to support more equipment units and larger operations than ever before. Each background service now has more memory allocation, which allows the Wenco Core Service, the Wenco User Service, and other essential processes to run with greater performance. “The transition to 64-bit also comes with support for ActiveMQ – a more modern, robust, and reliable way of sending messages between Wenco software components. Along with the more powerful architecture, this enhanced messaging service enables support for remote operations. Mines can now monitor and control multiple mines across multiple networks all from one centralised location – a growing trend as mining gets more and more digitised.” “Usability has always stood as a hallmark of Wenco solutions and the updates in System 6.1 take it even further. New filtering options throughout the system’s monitoring and control application, Fleet Control, let dispatchers quickly and easily focus on the exact units, locations, or status categories they need to observe more closely.” The Production Planning panel of Fleet Control previously displayed all information available to aid dispatchers in plotting out their shift. With the updates in System 6.1, users can now filter that information to concentrate on particular units and their performance – a feature especially useful for sites with multiple dispatchers looking after different areas of the mine. Filtering by loading unit, dispatch group, or status category allows mines to clearly understand relationships between shovels, trucks, and essential performance metrics – like projected production rates and average cycle times. Route Management has also added filters. Users can now refine displayed routes by equipment status categories, reducing screen clutter by hiding options for loading units that are down or idle. When those shovels or loaders come back online, Fleet Control automatically refreshes the route list to keep dispatchers up to date. Playbacks now have filters as well. When creating playbacks of shift activity, dispatchers can filter by haul cycle, allowing them to link dig and dump points to the route travelled for each cycle. This feature makes it easy to trace material as it moved from dig point to dump, providing answers about any loads delivered to the wrong location. The new updates to System 6 also bring deeper integration between Wencomine and the Wenco Drill machine guidance system. Mines using Wenco Drill are now able to run the FMS’s onboard application, MDT, in tandem with it on their touchscreens. This integration offers three big advantages: improved situational awareness in the pit; stronger data handling in the head office; and one less monitor in the already crowded drill cab. “By integrating Wencomine and Wenco Drill, drill operators can pay attention to a single monitor for all of their shift activities. Auto- switching between drill operation screens and the MDT on a single monitor reduces the distraction possible with an abundance of onboard systems. Plus, there’s no longer a need for an additional monitor to run the Wenco Drill application, freeing space in the cab.” Integrating the two systems gives even further process enhancements, says Wenco. “In System 6.1, drill operators can badge-in through the onboard touchscreen and easily access pre-start checklists, text messaging with other operators and dispatchers, and options for receiving status change updates from Fleet Control. Drill KPIs show on the MDT screen too, for at-a-glance views of hole counts, average rates of penetration, and other important indicators. Dispatchers can view drills in Fleet Control, staying aware of drilling progress and communicating with drills as needed.” “These updates join a host of other enhancements in System 6.1, all working to