MINE MAINTENANCE inSiTE not only increases transparency for the mine operators , it also enables GHH engineers to remotely diagnose machines and provide service teams with the necessary information before they arrive at the site , the OEM said .
“ Today the software of talpasolutions is used for more than 125 assets and machines worldwide – the numbers will increase strongly in the coming months , not only due to the use at K + S ,” it added .
GHH inSiTE can be used on other OEMs ’ equipment , too , with the system collecting , analysing and presenting data independently of the manufacturer of the machines or retrofitted sensors . “ It ensures for the machine owner a clear data integrity over the whole diversified fleet of machines from different manufactures ,” GHH said .
The company added : “ GHH inSiTE is embedded with world-class security controls , processes and kept ahead of potential vulnerabilities through a proactive security software development program .”
GHH inSiTE is also helping collision avoidance system ( CAS ) suppliers and end users by detecting incorrectly installed CAS solutions . In this example , unnecessary maintenance costs are alleviated by a brake wear sensor identifying the difference between a worn brake and the housing just heating up .
This sensor sampling , data logging , data analytics and visualisation capabilities go even further , helping inform supervisors about operator skill and performance .
Simple operational aspects like understanding if operators are driving straight into the muck pile when loading – which can result in the no-spin differential not locking or operating incorrectly , and more spin and subsequent wear / damage to tyres and steering cylinders – can also be monitored .
“ Through identifying operators and tracking and managing performance , GHH and their customers are able to identify underperforming operators and help them improve through specialised training ,” the company said . “ This then leads to improved overall performance , increased tonnes per hour and a reduction of unnecessary maintenance costs .”
A customised approach
When Metso and Outotec merged last year , two leaders in the mine maintenance arena joined forces .
Their decades of aftermarket and service experience – much of which includes applying sophisticated digital tools at site or remotely – came together as Metso Outotec to cover the whole process flowsheet .
This offering includes not only solutions to reduce downtime , but also improve process performance with platforms such as the cloud-based Connected Analytics , which is a combination of Metso and Outotec ’ s legacy platforms Metrics and Asset Analytics . This solution is designed to provide global mining customers with improved visibility and new insights into their equipment and processes through analytics , condition monitoring and predictive maintenance .
Annami Toukoniitty , Senior Vice President , Integrated Service Solutions at Metso Outotec , says the company ’ s service roadmap is currently focused on the maintenance-related part of the process plant as it continues to offer the biggest potential gains for customers .
The company , since the merger , has prioritised digitalisation throughout the business , with emphasis on developing improved connectivity and remote monitoring ; digital customer engagement ; connected field experts ; and digitalisation of the entire consumables value-chain – from customer operation to the production and even recycling of used materials .
The flagship solution within this offering is the Performance Centers , which are currently based in Santiago , Chile ; Changsha , China ; and Espoo , Finland . These centres integrate Connected Analytics support , gearless mill drive monitoring , and remote process
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This is helped along the way by more than 1,000 active and connected pieces of equipment including crushers and filters , the implementation of over 600 Advanced Process Control and automation projects , as well as more than 315 installations of specialised process optimisation instrumentation . All these onpremise tools can be connected to the Metso Outotec Performance Center for remote diagnostics , troubleshooting and more .
According to Toukoniitty , COVID-19 has strengthened the case for using these remote services .
“ The requirements from the industry have changed , and there is more and more willingness to accept technical support remotely ,” she said . At the same time , there is an underlying need to deliver
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JANUARY 2021 | International Mining 49