INTERNET OF THINGS
the Memosens sensor via USB port , giving the user virtually instantaneous access to the sensor condition and diagnostics information . For grab sample measurements , Agnico Eagle decided to use Liquiline To Go . The handheld option allows the client to use the same sensor types for grab sample measurement as in the process . This eliminates deviations resulting from the use of different sensor technologies . The cleaning of devices positioned outdoors was difficult , time consuming and inconvenient , especially during the -20 ° C t0 40 ° C winter months . The automatic cleaning feature of instruments provided Agnico Eagle measurable improvements in terms of both efficiency and staff satisfaction .
The time spent on calibrations and field repairs was reduced from 2,200 to approximately 240 labour hours per year . This means a reduction of 90 %. The consumption of chemicals such as the expensive sodium metabisulphite was reduced by up to 50 % – because of the more accurate pH measurements . The optimised dosing saves money and increases process as well as occupational safety .
Studies have shown that companies that have invested in IIoT systems such as Flowrox ’ s Malibu™ , are performing in the top 25 % compared to their peers . Malibu™ is intelligent 3D smartware that is designed to monitor highvalue critical assets . Companies investing in IIoT systems can gain as much as one full month of production per year while benefiting from a significant reduction in energy consumption and maintenance costs .
Flowrox Smart Solutions™ allow process conditions , equipment status and performance to be monitored on a handheld device . The heart of the Flowrox Smart Solutions is the Flowrox Malibu platform , an operator-friendly user interface that connects plant performance and equipment . All new Flowrox SMART Pumps and SMART Valves are IIoT enabled . SMART pumps & valves are delivered with the Flowrox Malibu user interface . Malibu is easy to operate , enabling access to all product-related information , documentation , online monitoring & preventive maintenance tools . A SMART positioner delivers detailed information on valve operations .
Flowrox says its SPVE is the first pinch valve in the world capable of complex analytics and IIoT ready . SMART pump sets are equipped with intelligent instrumentation , motor diagnostics and controls for continuous measurement and extensive feedback . “ SMART sleeves and other embedded instruments provide vital information about the operation , condition and health of components .”
Wenco unveils new intelligence suite
Wenco Mining Systems , the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group Company , launched System 6 at
MINExpo 2016 . The flagship Wencomine fleet management system has gotten a complete overhaul . Its two main applications – Fleet Control and MineVision – have now merged into a single , easy-to-use interface . “ Dispatchers have even greater flexibility and control when assigning trucks , adjusting haul routes , or tracking production . We ’ ve also rewritten the code base to give the system faster and smoother processing and to allow for more enhancements down the line .” Along with this update , Wenco unveiled a number of new solutions that it says “ push Wenco into new frontiers of mining performance .”
One of these is the Avoca Intelligence Suite which builds on the technology already engineered by Wenco , giving it new focus with the power of business intelligence . Drawing on a platform from BI leaders Tableau Software , Avoca “ offers mines unprecedented control for viewing and exploring their data . Our custom-built data warehouse blends information from Wenco and other systems used in mining . That lets Avoca shine a light on relationships and trends long hidden from even the most data-savvy mines . While other BI systems have struggled to adapt to mining , ours was built from the ground up with industry knowledge . As a result , it handles the unique data challenges of mining with flair — especially plotting large volumes of geospatial data .”
Another development is the next evolution of its Fleet Awareness safety system — Fleet Awareness V2X . “ More than just another fleet safety tool , Fleet Awareness V2X functions as a true collision avoidance system . We ’ ve taken the road vehicle safety system developed by Hitachi and custom fitted it for the challenges of mining . Sensors with peer-to-peer technology gather live data from the mine . Then , our system processes it through logic based on guidelines from the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table . In split-seconds , Fleet Awareness V2X knows the likelihood of a collision and it sounds an alarm to keep operators safe — but without false positives , only when necessary .”
Real time data
Cummins Inc revealed its newest offering – Data Enabled Mining Solution – at MINExpo 2016 . This prognostic capability allows Cummins to monitor engines and deliver accurate , real-time operating information , enabling a quicker and more focused response to potential issues . The solution ultimately allows miners to optimise profitability by lowering total cost of ownership . “ Cummins Data Enabled Mining Solution enables customers to reduce costs by extending engine life , preventing catastrophic failures and decreasing unplanned maintenance expense .” “ Customised maintenance and operations
solutions will also reduce costs by providing operational data visibility such as driver behaviour and idle mapping . With real-time analysis , customers can quickly address operational matters which would otherwise have a significant impact on productivity and efficiency .”
The Cummins Data Enabled Mining Solution operates over cellular networks , and in the near future , satellite communications systems . The system is able to stream real-time , highfrequency data which , when coupled with support from the expertise in its solutions centre , allows monitoring of the entire fleet , 24 / 7 . Lori Cobb , Cummins Vice President – Connected Solutions™ – said , “ We are very excited by the new technological advances that Data Enabled Mining Solution offers our mining customers . By reducing the time to intervene on fault notifications , equipment availability can be improved , and progressive damage can be avoided . Additionally , adaptive learning approaches will be incorporated on an ongoing basis to improve the mine ’ s productivity .”
Rajant ’ s new historical data tool
Rajant , the pioneer of innovative mobile mesh technology for private wireless networks , recently announced BC | Enterprise , “ a powerful tool that adds historical data analysis to Rajant ’ s management and monitoring functionality , giving administrators strategic insights into their networks .”
BC | Enterprise augments BC | Commander , a desktop application that provides a real-time view of a mesh network as well as other management functionality . Used for networks of any size , the web-based tool monitors and graphs the individual performance and environmental attributes of mesh radio nodes and administratively designated groups of nodes over various time periods .
“ BC | Enterprise lets administrators know what the network has been doing over time , a strategic perspective not available before ,” said Marty Lamb , Vice President , Software Engineering at Rajant . “ These insights include the current state of the RF environment as well as data for individual nodes or groups of nodes , such as those on trucks and shovels , loading docks , or specific drilling sites . The result is the ability to identify and address potential issues before they impact users , adding huge value to the network environment . For Rajant Kinetic Mesh partners , BC | Enterprise strengthens their servicing capabilities because the tool reduces the time needed to diagnose potential network issues .”
In addition , it addresses queries related to historical data like , “ What transpired on the mesh last March or 15 minutes ago ?” Its default dashboards , based on years of Rajant experience
International Mining | NOVEMBER 2016