SURFACE MINING TRUCKS themselves to net zero targets in 2021 . In doing so they hope to encourage their suppliers to decarbonise their value chain .” Grieg adds : “ The battery electric vehicle project at MACA is our response to the energy transition challenge . Its important that our solution is not only suitable to the ICMM members but also our customers , regardless of the project size , life or commodity .”
Greig concludes : “ MACA ’ s strategic vision of creating sustainable futures has enabled us to build a high quality teams to service the international mining and construction markets . These markets exist to deliver the products and services that mankind will depend on to survive well into the future . A firm belief is by advancing the efficiency of mineral extraction and construction , we will become more sustainable into the future . The successful completion of our proof of concept , applying on-road haulage technology into a productive mining application is a really exciting development for our business . This is the start of a new chapter , and MACA remains focused on putting our knowledge , and the knowedge of our suppliers , into action .”
From autonomy to xtonomy
New company xtonomy transforms large mobile machines to work autonomously in the roughest mining and industrial environments – it provides autonomy everywhere . MD Christian Riedel told IM : “ Our Autonomous Haulage System ( AHS ) for trucks finds application in mining environments , autonomously hauling material and interacting with ( semi- ) automated shovels , loaders and crushers , while utilising a robust radar-based perception systems for GNNS-denied and rough environments . In industrial environments like steel plants , we automate various material handling and haulage tasks with large mobile machines . Within our automation ecosystem we also provide starting points towards full autonomy , like operator assistance , teleoperation and collision avoidance systems .”
The company was founded in 2011 as a R & D subsidiary of indurad GmbH - the industrial radar company . The full xtonomy spin-off from indurad has recently been launched with the longstanding experience of the robotics team . “ The objective of this new venture is to bring our unique and proven autonomy ecosystem to market as a stand-alone company that has envisioned to provide autonomy everywhere .”
Riedel adds : “ We have extensive experience in mobile machine automation based on radar perception , applied in underground and surface mining as well as industrial applications . We work in a consultative and solution-oriented manner in close cooperation with our customers . xtonomy prides itself for its multi-national and interdisciplinary team working hands-on at challenging projects worldwide . It is certain that the future of material haulage in mining and construction is autonomous electric . While Tier 1 mining companies paved the way towards autonomous haulage for large trucks years ago , most of the mining , quarrying and construction operations are far away from switching to autonomy . This is mainly due to system cost and flexibility that would eventually make it feasible to operate smaller trucks on smaller and especially more dynamic sites . So far , the mine plan is mainly set for autonomous operation , which is obviously not sustainable for most operations . This ultimately means that autonomous haulage systems ( AHS ) must evolve into a next generation with highest degree of autonomy . For this reason , we have developed and successfully piloted our autonomy platform that is able to cope with the ever-changing environments as part of a de-centralised system .”
Usability is key for acceptance of autonomy especially in small to medium sized mining and industrial applications . For this purpose , xtonomy has designed a simple user interface which allows the shovel operator to orchestrate the entire autonomous machine fleet at his fingertips . “ Other impediments to autonomy are commissioning time and infrastructure requirements . This is especially due to extensive comms network and high-precision GNSS requirements , autonomous operating zone preparation , mapping , etc . Our autonomy platform is designed to safely operate even with network or GNSS interruptions . Due to its high degree of autonomy the trucks do not frequently require connection . Furthermore , it encompasses smart radar-based localisation for GNSSchallenged environments . Finally , our advanced radar-perception enables safe operation in even the toughest conditions like snowstorms in the alpine mountains . This is how we envision autonomy everywhere .”
Auto-mate ’ s AHS coming to Australia
Australia-headquartered Auto-mate , which has successfully completed trials of its autonomous solution on a 65 t payload ( 70 ton ) Caterpillar 775 in Israel at a major quarrying operation ( see p . 58 ). The trials , initially planned for Australia , were rescheduled after widespread travel restrictions were put in place at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak over two years ago . Automate is a JV between innovative haulage , materials handling and automation group Bis Industries , and IAI ( Israel Aerospace Industries ).
IAI ’ s proven automation technology for
Pioneer Solutions LLC – a mining truck consulting specialist
Major OEMs and others involved in mining truck innovation and evolution also work with specialist consultants from time to time , especially on components and testing . Cleveland , Ohio based Pioneer Solutions supports leading OEMs through discrete projects : machine / system concepting ; structural design and analysis ; hydraulic system / component design ; power train and gearing , plus field testing . It recently completed a product design line upgrade for a major construction and mining equipment OEM . This included a complete machine re-design and upgrade of 60 t and 100 t truck sizes ; plus development of new machine layouts / concepts as well as detailed engineering and design of a new main frame ( chassis ), front axle , rear axle , front / rear suspension , steering mechanism and body . It also covered integration and detailed engineering / design of Tier 4 Final engines and supporting systems . In the alternative energy / powertrain system feasibility studies side , Pioneer is working on development of concept powertrain systems to lower diesel fuel consumption – including mechanical / electrical drive , full electric drive and hybrid , as well as powertrain evaluations using machine / system modelling for performance , fuel consumption and energy usages over various mine site profiles . This work also includes system cost , weight , performance , and value proposition reviews . The company told IM it is additionally continuing work with aftermarket LNG dual fuel conversions , working with a leading aftermarket LNG dual fuel supplier on a wide variety of mechanical and electric drive models : Cat 777 , 785 , 793 ; Komatsu 785 , 730E , 830E , 930E ; Unit Rig MT4400 . This covers mainly system layout and machine integration plus tank mounting structural design and analysis . Finally , Pioneer has a well known oil cooled disc brake ( wet brake ) product line and has expanded its brake offerings from 320 t size trucks to 360 t and 400 t . It reports a significant
increases in brake manufacturing output as customer trucks move from prototype and testing phases to production .
Pioneer Solutions-design drive axle gearing ( differential & planetary )
MAY 2022 | International Mining 61