MINE LIGHTING
Nordic Lights simulation showing how use of its Phenom Optics technology minimises glare for operators
Shine on
Mine lighting is no longer just about commodity products – it involves customised and application specific solutions backed up by simulation , reports Paul Moore
The mining industry is still filled with plug and play lighting solutions – but Nordic Lights ’ Zachary Lewis , Technical Account Manager for Distributors & Aftermarket argues that that this is not enough . “ You can ’ t get away anymore with just saying here is a floodlight and it should work on your machine . We use a program that creates highly accurate and detailed 3D renderings of environments and vehicles along with lighting effects . We have found that it is particularly good at reflecting actual values in its visualisations in terms of what our lights can do , plus we can actually simulate competitor lights as well . We take their specs and test them in lab conditions so we can get the real values . And it is highly accurate – we have proven that what you see in real life is the same as what was modelled in the software .”
Lewis adds : “ We have identified some major companies that provide technical specifications that are based on estimations and are not often realistic values when discussing lumen values of lights sold . We are cost effective but at the same time having well proven and advanced products and solutions . We have also shown how with some customisation of positioning and use of different optics you can get a much enhanced result with the same number of lights just by changing the tilt and angles .”
On applications , Nordic Lights is a major supplier to the big OEMs , including Caterpillar and Komatsu as factory fitted lights , but also has a large aftermarket sales presence ie direct to the mining customer .
Lewis states : “ Some mines will plan on just putting 4x4 lights on these vehicles but that just doesn ’ t cut it as they are operating in active
minesites and exposed to the same environment that the production fleet is exposed to including dust , 24 / 7 operation plus vibration and shock from driving on and across haul roads as well as pit floors . We make a big effort to tailor lighting solutions to the application . For LVs , we have gone with a central driving light bar for the front . The biggest problem with these sorts of vehicles is actually at the rear , as they use a lot of standardised fixed lights around the pick up bed at the rear of the LV which is widely used in mining for service tools etc . This shines an arcing light straight into operators ’ eyes to the point where they will often put their hand in front of their face which creates its own safety issues . We deploy our patented Phenom Optics lighting technology in this area – it focuses the strength of the light beam downwards using reflectors instead of the light going in every direction which creates glare . We like to say you don ’ t need to light up the air , you want to light up the surface . Phenom Optics technology is now widely used in mining including in South Africa , Brazil and especially Australia .”
Phenom Optics technology is supplied with the Canis / Scorpius PRO 415 PH lights creating a glare-free zone for a safe work environment ; approaching people and vehicles will not be blinded . It brings high visibility with light output focused on the desired areas . Plus the illumination it provides works very well with smart cameras that are on most mining equpiment units today with minimal reflectance ,
which can cause obstacles to not be picked up . And it does not reflect on rear view mirrors . While the PH light may have less lumens that some competitor lights , it focuses that into a downward 30 degree zone , meaning the light is actually stronger where it should be .
Lewis adds that often today in big mine lighting deals it is health and safety people driving the push for more advanced lighting systems just as much if not more so than the operational managers . A lot of mines have transitioned more to an Australian mining industry way of thinking , where there are a lot of protocols covering safety around machines and equipment . Instead of price driven it is solution driven .
“ A big part of our job today is educating mining customers . The market for mine lighting has changed hugely – you aren ’ t paying $ 10 a light anymore , in some cases you are paying $ 300 a light . So the mining customers want proof it is the right solution for their application and how different lights can suit different situations and environments in mining . We help them understand what they are getting from our light and what colour temperature actually means in terms of the operator ; and what a Colour Rendering Index is . So that they can look at a light spec sheet and understand it from an operational point of view .”
On understanding colour temperature , the Kelvin defines the light colour of your lamp . Nordic Lights products have a colour temperature of between 5,000-5,700K – why ? The human body works on a circadian rhythm . And our highest alertness , coordination , and reaction time are achieved around noon when the sunlight colour is 5,500K . Lower colour temperature ( below 4,500K ) increases melatonin production , which lowers operator attention , performance and especially increases the risk of accidents . Too high colour temperature ( over 6,000K ) increases strain on the eye of the operator and can cause damage to the retina in the long term .
TYRI on colour temperature switching
In a perfect world , you would like to be able to switch the colour temperature according to the conditions ; warmer light combined with less luminance when there is high reflections from materials , and colder light providing considerably higher luminance levels above ground where there are less reflections but a need for high level of light around the machine . These features are available with the TYRI INTELLilight .
This system allows you to adjust both the colour temperature range , from 2,700K ( halogen ) to 6,500K ( sun light ), as well as the illumination level between 0-100 %. “ Additionally , you are also
52 International Mining | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023