Dozer Offers More Horsepower,Faster Cycles, Less Downtime
Komatsu America’s 636-horsepower (hp) D375Ai-8 intelligent machine control crawler dozer, available in 2017 with remote control capabilities, features more production and faster cycle times than the prior model, the company reported.
Previewed at MINExpo, the dozer features a Tier 4 Final SAA6D170E engine capable of 775 hp in reverse, which reportedly is an improvement of 20% over the prior model. The engine requires no Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system and features the Variable Geometry Turbocharger, Dual Komatsu Diesel Particulate Filters, large capacity and high efficiency EGR coolers, and the Komatsu Closed Crankcase Ventilation filter.
Reported performance enhancements available in 2017 include machine guidance and fully integrated blade control; remote control; undercarriage, cab mount, seat and door modifications; extended track frame and mainframe life; single link blade support and larger trunnion; and improved visibility.
The dozer cuts downtime and increases production through rough-to-finish automatic dozing, and by eliminating the need to install and remove blade-mounted sensors each day. Additionally, operators benefit from improvements to overall comfort and “are empowered with more data and more automated capabilities than ever before in a mining-class Komatsu dozer,” said Jason Anetsberger, senior product manager.
www.komatsuamerica.com
GPS-steered Excavation Machine Uses Mine-by-line Planning
The Vermeer T1255 direct drive Terrain Leveler surface excavation machine (SEM) now offers GPS steering.
Using technology from Trimble, the T1255’s GPS device detects deviations from the designed line to enable greater accuracy on each cutting pass. The optional system provides a cutting overlap of 6 in. (15.2 cm), helping to enhance productivity with each pass, the company reported.
Vermeer said the device can steer by a mine-by-line plan. To create the plan, conduct a GPS survey of the jobsite. That information is given to a designer who creates a plan, which is then uploaded to the GPS system on the Terrain Leveler SEM. The operator selects that plan, and the GPS system steers the machine along the proper line.
GPS steering assists in enforcing uniform lines and cutting, said Chris Lynch, sales manager for the mining and pipeline group at Vermeer. Individual operators steer differently. “GPS steering technology helps bring enhanced consistency to the process,” he said.
www2.vermeer.com
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Dipper Payload-sensing System Gives ‘High Fidelity’ Measurements
BMT WBM’s PULSETerraMetrixRS (PTMRS) system deploys shear pin loadcell technology in the equalizer of P&H machines or in the reeving blocks of CAT machines to provide real-time dipper payload measurements during the swing cycle prior to dumping.
The system provides measurements, not approximations, Charles Constancon, director of BMT WBM Canada, said. “Unlike other payload monitoring systems, which are based on electrical parameter or structural model estimation techniques to approximate the payload, the PULSETerraMetrixRS system deploys a smart loadcell sensing device, directly measuring the inertial and dynamic loads applied to the dipper and the payload. As a result, high fidelity payload measurement is maintained, even under severe dynamic loading conditions.”
Automatic dipper carry back measurement and compensation supports real-time differential payload calculation, which is crucial for operations where the material can often stick to the dipper, for instance in the Canadian oil sands, the company reported. Productivity improvements of 8%-15% have been proven after deployment of the PTMRS system, which is supported by comprehensive database analytics and automatically generated SQL Server email reporting.
www.pulseterrametrix.com
Software Advance Organizes Data From 3-D Survey Scans
Deswik version 2016.2 software assimilates, analyzes and packages 3-D point cloud data captured by partner Peck Tech Consulting Ltd.’s uGPS Rapid Mapper.
The uGPS Rapid Mapper generates 3-D point clouds from virtually any moving platform, such as a mine vehicle, LHD, All-Terrain Vehicle or even a remotely operated robotic vehicle, Deswik reported. Version 2016.2 software then georeferences and aligns scans, obtains rapid drift dimensions for ventilation or project engineering purposes, calculates volumes, investigates the incidence of overbreak/underbreak, determines shotcrete thicknesses to control overspray and more. These datasets also include intensity information, which can be highlighted within Deswik to reveal a variety of features such as survey targets, ventilation tubing, utility pipes, rock bolt plates, water infiltration, cracking in shaft liners and even geological nuances for mapping purposes.
www.deswik.com
Emissions-free Longwall System Designed For Low Seam Deposits
The Cat Rock Straight System, a fully mechanized longwall system comprised of cutting machine HRM220, conveyor HRC30, and roof support HRS1220, enables continuous mining of flat and tabular deposits and reefs of hard rock minerals, the company reported.
Caterpillar said the hard rock shearer uses Cat Activated Undercutting Technology. The 41-metric ton (mt) HRM220-based system features two cutting heads. Each of the units is powered by a 132-kilowatt (kW) (177-hp) motor and can cut rock exceeding 120 megapascal (MPa) (17,404 psi) uniaxial compressive strength. Electronic modules enable remote operation and diagnosis.
The HRC30 conveyor has a haulage capacity of 160 mt (176 tons) per hour, uses high-strength steel, and can be configured to suit different face lengths up to 100 meters (m) (328 ft).
The HRS1220 roof support features a working range of 1,060-2,155 mm (41.7-84.8 in.) with a yield load of as much as 2,599 kiloNewton (kN) (377 psi).
The mining system is designed to replace conventional drill-and-blast operations in low heights, ranging from 1.3-2 m (4.2-6.6 ft) and in bedded deposits such as some types of platinum, copper and gold deposits, the company reported. The diesel emissions-free system can follow the seam and maximize ore mined while keeping dilution to a minimum.
www.cat.com
Generation 4 Tires Field Tested for North American OTR Market
Maxam Tire North America is field testing its Generation 4 Giant OTR line (49-, 51- and 57-in. tires), showcased at MINExpo and set to become available starting in early 2017.
Six years in development, the tires expand the MS401, MS402 and MS403 product line, and are offered in a variety of compounds and three tread patterns to meet specific site applications, the company reported. The 53/80R63 MS403 begins field testing in early 2017.
The Generation 4 Giant OTR line has proven “higher TKPH values, ultimately lowering the cost per hour,” said Matthew Fagan, director of research and development for Maxam Tire.
www.maxamtire.com/products/otr
Custom Liner System Prevents Freezing
Thermo-Tech’s HTR Liner System, for chutes, bins and hoppers, prevents materials from freezing or sticking and will keep material moving at any temperature, the company reported.
Available in any voltage from 120 to 480 AC and 12 or 24 VDC, the liners are custom fabricated to fit the exact application, welded or bolted in place, and are available with any wear face desired, such as AR400/500, stainless, TIVAR, UHMW or ceramic, Thermo-Tech said. Heated panels are also available to attach to the outside of the affected area when it is unfeasible to gain access to the inside.
http://beltheater.com
Textile Belting Provides ‘Strength of Steel’
Industrial specialist Continental group’s Conti Textsteel, an aramid textile reinforced line of conveyor belting, is designed to provide belt strengths of a steel cord belt design but at a much lesser weight, the company reported.
The belting is available in a wide selection of specifications, with strengths that range from 400 pounds per inch belt width (piw) to 2,000 piw, with a compound and cover thickness selected for the application.
A benefit to using a Conti Texsteel conveyor belting is energy cost savings, said Chris Marchant, product manager for the conveyor belt group. “Over time, the lower power consumption used to drive the belt will equate to lower energy costs and higher savings,” Marchant said.
www.contitech.de
Advanced Sheet Rubber to Better Protect Equipment
Trelleborg’s RedFine+ compounded abrasion-resistant sheet rubber is optimum for a range of mining applications, including pipe and spools, cyclone launders, vibrating screen under pans, and hoppers, the company reported.
RedFine+, manufactured with a bonding layer, NR R397, is available in thicknesses from three to 25 millimeters.
www.trelleborg.com
