SURFACE LOADING
Hitachi CM launches ConSite Mine
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co Ltd ( HCM ) has launched ConSite Mine to the global market – a service solution that provides machine analytics to help support the resolution of issues at mining sites by using IoT to remotely monitor mining machinery 24 hours a day , and AI to analyse the operational condition of machinery .
ConSite Mine performs round-the-clock remote monitoring of compatible ultra-large hydraulic excavators and rigid dump trucks and provides two types of status reports to the customer ’ s maintenance staff or to service personnel at distributors . The reports are sent via email or the ” ConSite Mine Shot ” smartphone app . The “ Monthly Report ” provides updates on the machinery ’ s operational condition each month , while the “ Alarm Report ” notifies personnel when any abnormalities are detected by the various sensors installed on the machinery that may require immediate attention .
A standout feature of the service is the “ Load Index ” function , which combines the use of AI with proprietary stress analysis technology based on Hitachi Construction Machinery ’ s knowledge of mining machinery design and manufacturing . Load Index predicts anomalies in the booms and arms of ultra-large hydraulic excavators due to excessive stress or overloading , helping to prevent major damage or incidents from occurring .
Since mining machinery requires stable operations 24 hours a day , 365 days a year , operation data is historically collected from sensors installed on machines . However , it is generally difficult to make detailed predictions about the occurrence of problems using conventional methods ; service personnel have typically used the operating time of the machinery as a guide for determining when to perform periodic maintenance , inspection , and parts replacement . The time and cost spent on inspecting machinery and identifying the causes of failures has been a burden for customers and service personnel .
By enabling service personnel to check the analysis results in reports to then perform maintenance , inspection , and parts replacement at the appropriate time according to the status of the mining machinery , ConSite Mine provides greater value to customers by improving safety and productivity , reducing lifecycle costs and minimising the downtime of machinery .
Hitachi Construction Machinery plans to expand the features of ConSite Mine even further by connecting to the cloud-based “ ReadyLine ” asset health management system provided by Canada-based subsidiary Wenco International Mining Systems Ltd . Doing this will provide an integrated system management solution and enable functions such as a real-time dashboard that displays results such as fuel efficiency tuning adapted to the operations performed by the operator and the characteristics of the rigid dump truck operation site .
The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group says it has “ always aimed to serve as a familiar and trusted partner by providing reliable solutions that resolve customer issues . As we move forward with efforts to expand the mining parts and services business , we continue striving to resolve social issues around the world .”
In more detail , with Load Index , accumulated load applied to the welded structure of the boom and arm while digging can be analysed via the machine ’ s sensors and AI to predict the possibility of anomalies , such as stress fractures . Unlike the common method of installing strain sensors that can detect such issues , the “ Load Index ” function makes it possible to provide advice on maintenance , inspection , and operation methods based on the state of the welded structure before any structural damage occurs .
With the Operation Data Recorder function up to 10 minutes of machine data is recorded , automatically triggered by vehicle body conditions which may lead to an accident , such as sudden tilting of the ultra-large hydraulic excavator body . This safety feature is designed to provide insights to identify the causes of incidents , should they occur , and support the customer to establish measures to prevent similar accidents from occurring in future .
As well as receiving Monthly and Alarm status reports , with the ConSite Mine Shot app , the customer or service personnel can automatically create inspection reports simply by taking photos of the inspected locations with a smartphone camera , and entering comments about the inspection results . This enables customers to maintain consistent and more accurate machine reports to better understand the status of the machine , and help support data obtained through inspection reports .
In addition to these features , Hitachi Construction Machinery plans to add a function for detecting abnormalities in hydraulic pumps on ultralarge hydraulic excavators , as well as the ConSite OIL service for remotely monitoring the hydraulic oil and engine oil information . hydraulic mining shovel R & D program which includes looking at teleoperation and autonomy , with prototypes already having run for some time at the Tinaja Hills proving ground in Arizona . With other OEMs having shared news of their plans in this regard , the news is not unexpected , but it was the first time Caterpillar publicly acknowledged these programs . Hepler said it is working on the project closely with customers – with the move part of making shovels autonomyready for when miners opt to take this next step on their unmanned roadmap . These machines are based on the next generation 599 t , 61 t bucket payload 6060 as this is the machine equipped from the ground up with Cat components and systems . The next gen 6060 is 100 % Cat integrated , with 10 % longer engine life than the previous generation machine . Hepler said “ it has all the building blocks needed to allow for application of the Command technology to make teleoperation possible and effective – in this case Command for loading .” This includes new 360 surround view cameras and greater than 40 % cab visibility essential for remote operation which currently assist the onboard operator but going forward will also assist teleremote operators . In both cases of full and semiautonomy , the shovels would utilise what is already possible with the MineStar command and control platform .
Payload management in action
Sites around the world , mining everything from amethyst to zinc , face a number of common
problems . From changes in road conditions to material variability , recurring issues of any sort can lead to increased operational costs . One such problem , experienced by nearly all mines at some point , is payload inaccuracy . Depending on their unique payload procedures , policies and needs , some mines will rely on the payload systems onboard their shovels or trucks that provide valuable data about the activity on their host machines . Other mines will opt for thirdparty , off-board technologies , which can provide payload metrics from all system-equipped loading units within the fleet .
As the acceptance of third-party payload management systems for loading equipment grows , the value that such systems can deliver gains recognition and adoption becomes more
International Mining | MARCH 2022