WORLD PROSPECTS
Stäubli launches ‘ industry-leading ’ 7.5 MW Quick Charging Connector System
Stäubli Electrical Connectors says it is enabling faster , safer charging of heavyduty electric mining trucks with an “ industry-leading ” 7.5 MW charger that saw its debut recently at MINExpo in Las Vegas .
Heavy mining vehicles require high charging power to charge their large-capacity batteries , making them challenging to electrify reliably . And this high power must be transmitted in the shortest possible time to ensure that the mine ’ s expensive equipment comes as close as possible to continuous use .
Alain Schierenbeck , Business Development Manager Charging Solutions , said : “ Any charging solution capable of supporting the mining industry must withstand harsh and rugged mining environments . To guarantee uninterrupted charging cycles , the seals and touch protection must keep the contacts clean from water and dust . The reliability and high number of mating cycles of our robust charging connectors guarantee a long service life even in the harshest environments . This ensures virtually no maintenance , and will significantly reduce costs for our customers across the complete product lifecycle .”
Stäubli has been in exchange with leading mining companies for years and has , therefore , continuously developed the Quick Charging Connector System to fulfill the needs of mine operators . The company ’ s MULTILAM technology
ensures a reliable electrical connection and guarantees steady , fast charging , it says .
The QCC-5000 fast charging connector system has been further developed specifically for the mining industry to electrify fleets and accelerate the transition to zero-emission mining operations . The Stäubli system allows vehicles to mate with a charger automatically , without the driver leaving the cab , which enables fastest connection times and avoids the necessity of the operator to come near the high current .
Higher charging power is all about properly managing heat . By cooling its cables and the charging pin and verifying performance in extensive test sessions , Stäubli has achieved 7.5 MW charging with up to 4,250 A of continuous current and 5,000 A peak at 1500 V DC .
With safety in mind , the automated connector on the QCC-5000 is IP55 qualified , with ingress protection from water and dust . The system only reveals the charging contacts at the end of the connection process when the pin and socket are fully connected . Current manual systems feature unprotected contacts , according to the company .
That makes them more prone to failure in demanding mining applications and exposes the workforce to higher risks .
One of the key elements that makes the QCC- 5000 stand out is how it combines charging power , safety and automation possibilities , Stäubli says . Using an automated connection device increases operational safety in mines and means that drivers no longer have to get out of their vehicle to initiate the charging process . Depending on the application , vehicle type and general customer needs , the QCC-5000 system offers a variety of integration possibilities : with a standard Stäubli guiding system , mounted to a robot arm or even fully customised solutions . Furthermore , the system is fully mating compatible with the already existing , tried and tested QCC-1500 allowing to use the same interface for multiple charging power levels .
The Quick-Charging Connector System built for the mining industry aligns with the SAE J3105 / 3 electric vehicle charging standard . This open standard , encompassing the design of charging pins and sockets , paves the way for various suppliers to provide compatible solutions , it says .
The system is designed to ensure a welldefined number of low-resistance contact points which enables continuous contact with the contact surface , resulting in a low and constant electrical resistance at the contact points . www . staubli . com
ABB showcased eMine automated battery truck charging solution at MINExpo
At MINExpo 2024 in Las Vegas , ABB showcased a new technology demonstrator developed to enable safe and efficient , high-power charging in the journey towards the all-electric mine of the future . The eMine™ Robot Automated Connection Device ( ACD ) is designed to work in tandem with the ABB eMine FastCharge solution , allowing further interoperability and synergy of connections and interfaces in electric mining trucks .
As a founding member of the CharIN taskforce for electrical standards in mining , ABB is working to accelerate the adoption of electrical interface solutions for the industry , with this latest innovation forming a key part in achieving this ambition , it says . The Robot ACD will allow for more reliable and efficient truck charging without the need for human intervention . The fully automated , interoperable connection device is ruggedised to withstand the harsh environmental conditions of mines .
Allowing for a seamless transition into existing mining operations , the technology ’ s scalability and interoperability means it will be compatible with current and future mining
trucks , connection mechanisms and interfaces , ABB claims .
Currently , the technology is being tested at ABB ’ s laboratory in Sweden , followed by testing under real mining conditions at Boliden ’ s Aitik site starting within the December quarter of this year . Working in collaboration with industry partners , Boliden , BHP and Komatsu , ABB ’ s Robot ACD will also undergo early field trials to address the technical solution requirements . The Robot ACD was on display for the first time at MINExpo 2024 , showcased by Komatsu and ABB .
Max Luedtke , Global Business Line Manager for Mining , ABB Process Industries , said : “ The fact that robotic technologies can and will be
incorporated into the most advanced modern mining operations is a proud milestone in ABB ’ s overall 50-year long journey with robots . Bringing this together with electrification and automation is a strong differentiator for ABB , and we ’ re even more impactful through our collaborations with industry partners . Clearly , the industry is on a trajectory towards increasingly automated and autonomous operations – technologies like eMine Robot ACD are essential for applications that meet new needs and growing possibilities . It ’ s an exciting field to be part of today .”
MINExpo 2024 marked the three-year anniversary since the official launch of ABB ’ s pioneering eMine purposeful and holistic framework of methods and solutions designed to accelerate the energy transition in mining . Since its launch at MINExpo 2021 edition , ABB says it has been at the forefront of mine decarbonisation , signing collaborations with major industry partners and undertaking ambitious studies and projects to electrify operations for some of the world ’ s foremost mining organisations . www . abb . com
6 International Mining | OCTOBER 2024