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INTERNATIONAL MINING PROFILES
Gearless mill drives ( GMDs ) have become a key reliable component in concentrator plants
IoT devices , offering valuable insights into equipment performance and health . The predictive software calculates potential failures through detailed analysis of historical and immediate data on the GMD ’ s electrical , mechanical , and thermal parameters . This allows for more precise and effective maintenance strategies that adapt to changing conditions and requirements .
Instant data , instant decisions
With the energy transition continuing to gain momentum , mining organisations around the world are under mounting pressure to increase production by approximately 20-30 % within the next seven years . This is an undertaking comparable to establishing a production capacity on the same level as Chile , the world ’ s largest copper producer . Declining ore grades further exacerbates this challenge ; copper mining companies are processing ores with 1 ton of copper for every 100 tons of rock , at best .
In the face of these evolving challenges , mining organisations need reliable , efficient and scalable grinding technology solutions . Gearless mill drives ( GMDs ) have become a critical component in mining operations due to their enhanced operational reliability . The unique GMD concept eliminates the need for conventional mill drive components , such as ring-gears , pinions , gearboxes and couplings , which reduce mill availability and require regular and accurate maintenance to minimise the unavoidable additional efficiency losses they cause in a process such as grinding , where every operational minute counts . Unplanned downtime has a significant impact on the business , as it can damage profitability and
productivity .
The vital role of remote diagnostics
Traditionally , troubleshooting for grinding technology has required the onsite presence of an engineer or a direct remote access to the plant to identify the source of problems . This approach can be challenging and inefficient , as it relies on the right person being available at the right time .
Remote diagnostics , combined with on-theground maintenance , are vital in an effective service approach . Monitoring and diagnostics of GMD systems are facilitated by digital tools and
A revolutionised approach to diagnosis and troubleshooting
ABB ’ s Ability™ Predictive Maintenance for Grinding ( PMG ) monitors critical assets ’ health against pre-defined thresholds , notifying operators of detected anomalies . It provides easy access to GMD system actual values and allows visualisation of performance , considering past activity and instant data , and assesses future maintenance requirements . Ongoing health assessments also potentially allow preventive actions before failures occur .
As demand for GMDs increases , ABB has enhanced its PMG platform with a solution , designed to make the troubleshooting and diagnostics process faster and more efficient than ever before . The latest cloud-based application named Trendex™ will give users of the platform visibility of event data in high resolution 3 seconds before and 1.3 seconds after the event . Trendex works by automatically pushing event files to the cloud and linking event data with the transient records , providing users with access to operational data from any connected device . It also delivers improved diagnostic and visualisation features to help engineers quickly restore production .
Eliminating the need for a direct remote connection while granting almost immediate access to the signals in high resolution results in significantly faster response time in case of a trip . Trendex will empower users , regardless of location as long as they have an internet connection , with real-time data to identify faults when they happen , pinpoint the root cause quickly , and swiftly return operations to full production .
Trendex is now available for all users of the PMG platform and ABB is working closely with customers to ensure they get the most out of this innovative new solution .
ABB Contact : Carlos Miguez Fernandez , Global Product Manager for Service , Business Line Gearless Mill Drives carlos . miguez @ es . abb . com solutions . abb / gearlessmilldrives
SEPTEMBER 2024 | International Mining 77