AUSTRALIAN METS deviations from best practices ,” Dobson said . “ This capability is helping transform existing flat content training programs to ones that are engaging and have higher levels of learner engagement and knowledge retention . The content is highly realistic and will improve the learning experience for both experienced and inexperienced users .”
Dump body innovations
More than a few of these trainees will encounter customised bodies and custom engineered solutions on haul trucks , excavators and other equipment .
Some of these will , no doubt , be made by Duratray International and Schlam , with the former recently choosing the state of Victoria for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and global headquarters .
The company , which has had a lot of success in Australia in recent years typified by supplying a set of Suspended Dump Bodies on the 327 t class Cat 796 AC truck fleet operating at the Bravus Resources Carmichael coal operation , is set to on-shore its overseas manufacturing functions and establish a new innovation division at an end-to-end facility in Melbourne ’ s southeast .
Currently , there are over 2,000 Duratray International dump bodies operating globally , ranging in size from 36 to 360 t for all major truck manufacturers .
The company intends to draw on Victoria ’ s highly skilled workforce and the state ’ s innovation and R & D capabilities to develop new capability in the areas of mining data analytics , IoT , machine learning as well as advanced composite materials for its product line , it said .
Western Australia-based Schlam , meanwhile , has been hitting new heights on the global stage with its Hercules dump truck bodies .
Looking to solve a challenge from a client in Kazakhstan suffering from “ frozen loads ” in its truck trays due to extreme weather , the company came up with a heated Hercules body that alleviated the problem .
“ The extreme cold presents unique risks to dump truck operators with ore prone to freezing in the tray – referred to as frozen load ,” the company explained . “ When the bed is raised , a frozen load can cause the truck to tip and even roll over , potentially damaging equipment and even loss of life .”
The original DT HiLoad Hercules the company supplied to the mine in Kazakhstan was already carrying 20 more tonnes than its OEM bodies due to its lightweight design , but the mine wanted a way of retaining this benefit while preventing frozen loads .
The heated body design the company came up with channels exhaust gases through the underside of the tray .
While this is not a new concept , Schlam ’ s design specifically targets hang-up initiation areas in below-freezing conditions .
“ The design is based on rigorous flow
modelling using the company ’ s state of the art
discrete element method software combined with
over 25 years of experience in the field ,” the company said .
From initial discussions in October 2018 , the engineering and production teams were able to design and manufacture this addition to the
company ’ s line-up in an accelerated turnaround time , leasing to a delivery in June 2019 .
TRUCK
Volume Measurement
Truck Volume Measurement with high precise Laser Technology systems . One truck was fitted with the Schlam Hercules heated body and the other with the Caterpillar Dual Slope Body .
The two scenarios were assessed over two days , with images from each scenario taken within 10 minutes of each other to achieve consistent results . On both occasions , the Hercules heated body provided greater heat transfer and thermal distribution across the body ’ s carrying surface compared with the OEM body , according to Schlam .
It concluded : “ Previously , this was a trade-off for the client . They had to choose between higher carrying capacity or mitigating the risk of frozen load – the heated Hercules ticks both those boxes and more .”
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MAY 2021 | International Mining 25